There are many different reasons you may suffer from thyroid disease, nutrient deficiencies play a crucial role.
Why You May Have Nutrient Deficiencies?
Nutrient deficiencies occur from:
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- Poor Eating Habits
- Inflammation
- Food Sensitivities
- Certain Medications
- Imbalanced Gut Bacteria
- Fat Malabsorption
- Low Stomach Acid
- Deficiency In Digestive Enzymes
- Lack Of Thyroid Hormones
Most Common Nutrient Deficiencies in Thyroid Disease
Thiamine
Thiamine (also known as B1), is a vitamin that is responsible for converting carbohydrates into energy and also helps the digestion of proteins and fats.
It is also used for the release of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. It is required for the digestion of proteins in the stomach.
Thiamine is known to help with:
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- Fatigue
- Low Blood Pressure
- Fatigue
- Brain Fog
- Adrenal Issues
- Low Blood Sugar
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Recommended Dosage:
Dose: 600 mg per day
How long to take: 3 months-2 years
If you have a reaction to the thiamine be sure to check out the liver. It can be a sign of a sluggish liver.
Selenium
Selenium deficiency is known to increase anxiety, fatigue, and depression.
Selenium is known to help with:
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- Reducing Hashimoto’s and Graves Disease Antibodies
- Decreasing Anxiety
- Reducing Depression
- Reducing Fatigue
- Preventing Postpartum
- Increasing Energy Levels
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Recommended Dosage:
Dose: 200-400 mcg per day
How long to take: 3 months-2 years
If you have a reaction to selenium, you may have an iodine deficiency.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a powerful nutrient. It controls more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body.
Magnesium is known to help with:
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- Supporting the immune system
- Maintaining Muscle Function
- Regulating Heartbeat
- Stabilizing Blood Sugar
- Increasing Energy
- Reducing Anxiety
- Constipation Relief
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Magnesium Deficiency can cause:
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- Migraines
- Insomnia
- Menstrual Cramps
- Anxiety
- Joint Pain
- And Many Other Symptoms
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Dose: 100-400 mg daily, at bedtime (Note: Do not exceed 400 mg per day.)
How long to take: 3 months-lifetime
Be sure to take your magnesium at least 4 hours from thyroid medication, iron supplements, and calcium supplements, as magnesium can block the absorption.
Use magnesium citrate if you tend to be more constipated. If you experience diarrhea, take magnesium glycinate.
Zinc
Zinc is known to help many different parts of the body.
Zinc is known to help with:
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- Gut Health
- Immune Function
- Tissue Healing
- The conversion of T4 to T3
- The Production Of TSH
- Tighten of intestinal junctions
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Zinc deficiency can cause:
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- Poor Wound Healing
- Impaired Taste And Smell
- Thin, Brittle, White Spotted Nails
- Weakened Immune System
- Allergies
- Frequent Colds
- Respiratory Infections
- Diarrhea
- Hair Loss
- Impotence
- Loss Of Appetite
- Skin Issues
- Depression
- Impaired Vision
- Unexplained Weight Loss
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Dose: 30 mg per day (larger doses require a doctor’s supervision)
To ensure proper absorption, zinc supplements should be taken with food. Doses should be no more than 30 mg per day without your doctor’s supervision. Anything above 40 mg can cause a decrease in copper levels. It can also decrease iron levels.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiency is so common for those with thyroid disease. Testing vitamin D is also recommended to know which dosage is best.
Vitamin D deficiency can cause:
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- Getting Sick or Infected Often
- Fatigue and Tiredness
- Bone and Back Pain
- Depression
- Impaired Wound Healing
- Bone Loss
- Hair Loss
- Muscle Pain
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Dose: A good recommend dose is 2000-5000 IU and best to check levels after three months.
Vitamin B12
People with thyroid disease commonly have a vitamin B12 deficiency.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause:
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- Fatigue
- Depression
- Neurological Issues
- Impaired Digestion
- Brain Fog
- Tingling
- Nerve Damage
- Seizures
- Anemia
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Dose: 5000 mcg, sublingually, daily for 10 days; then 5000 mcg, once per week, for 4 weeks; then 5000 mcg monthly for maintenance
Ferritin
Ferritin is our iron storage protein. Low levels are often found in thyroid patients.
Ferritin deficiency can cause:
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- Fatigue
- Difficulty Breathing
- Hair Loss
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Dose: can vary with age and gender.
Ferritin deficiency can come from a lack of stomach acid and many other reasons. Make sure to retest your ferritin levels often as it can be toxic to the body to have too much.
Lab Testing
All of these vitamins can be tested through blood work and should be covered by your insurance. If you have thyroid disease make sure to check your levels often to help with your various symptoms.
