Hypothyroid and vitamins/supplements

I'm not aware of any particular vitamins or supplements that have been demonstrated to be effective in treating thyroid disease, other than iodine. Your thyroid needs a tiny amount of iodine in order to synthesize hormones; this is the reason most table salt is fortified with iodine ("iodized" salt.)

If you do decide to take supplements, remember to take them separate from your synthroid, as many things can interfere with absorption of synthroid if they're in the stomach at the same time.

Seems there is so much information. I can see why people get so easily confused. If there are no vitamins/supplements to help thyroid function it makes me wonder how these supposed diets work that physicians are making money selling books about. I have read for hours about all of this on forums and it seems many people are misdiagnosed and misinformed before finding the help the really need. Nice to have forums like this to ask questions.

I've been reading some encouraging things about including selenium in your diet. It appears to be very supportive for the production of thyroid hormone. Safer to obtain from food sources rather than supplements. Just two to four brazil nuts a day apparently will give you a good dose of selenium. Sunflower seeds also contain selenium I believe.
I've also read that extreme caution should be taken with iodine (especially in the case of Hashimoto's) but that selenium is needed in conjunction with iodine.
Always safer to obtain these things through food!
Vitamin D also apparently is something most people are either deficient in, or , in my vague understanding, Hashimoto's can prevent or disrupt proper absorption of this vitamin. Along with vitamin D it's advisable, so I have been reading that you take magnesium as vitamin D supplements can cause magnesium levels to drop.
Iron levels are often low with Hashimoto's as are vitamin B levels.
Always have your iron levels tested though. Never just start taking iron tablets unless your doctor has confirmed that you are low. Too much iron can cause serious ill health.

Post Edited (Desertrose7) : 7/30/2013 3:30:50 AM (GMT-6)

Kim I have been reading a lot about the adrenal connection to thyroid problems. I'm not quite sure I understand it all.
I thought adrenal insufficiency was caused by stress. So how does one "treat" it then?
May I ask what the adrenal booster you mentioned is?
Is there an actual cortisol level test that is 100% reliable and conclusive?
I dare not even ask doctors here (Australia) about the adrenal aspect as they tend to disregard everything (including diet!) except use of thyroid medication.

Thanks Kim (sorry to the original poster for butting in here with questions of my own)
Wow, never heard of the gene mutation thing before. Glad you have found a solution for it though.
I have heard that the B vitamins can be something a lot of people with Hashimoto's are deficient in.
I just thought that maybe there's a problem with many of our digestive systems due to the auto immune thing, and that's probably why. Seems that there could be a whole bunch of reasons though.
Interesting!

I take Iron, but I was was pretty low when it was tested. Now I only take it around my period as it can build up in the system and I don't have time to get a test that often. I also take D3 as many of my family members have other AI diseases and have found it beneficial. I also take B50 which has 3 different B vitamins and another supplement in it. It keeps me from feeling so tired. My doctor knows what I take and is fine with the supplements I take and the dosages. I May need to try CoQ10 or some of the others mentioned here. My focus, and memory are not getting any better and its quite irriatating. Yes, I am 53, but I have suffered from these my entire life and until finding this website, I had NO idea my thyroid could be the culprit! Thanks everyone.