Nutrient deficiency is a part of the thyroid puzzle that has been particularly fascinating to me. There are certain nutrients essential for thyroid health yet often times doctors are not checking to see if they are a root cause of a person’s thyroid issues. Of the ten nutrients Dr. Osborne mentions in this guest article, I have personally had deficiencies in 7 of them. How about you, could nutrient deficiencies be a part of your thyroid problem?
Written by Dr. Peter Osborne
Hypothyroidism is one of the most commonly diagnosed conditions in the United States today but very few doctors actually pay attention to the nutritional relationships between your thyroid and vitamins and minerals. I want to talk today about what you can do to ensure that the reason your thyroid isn’t working properly isn’t just something to do with nutritional deficiency.
The first thing that we want to understand is that there is a hormone your doctor typically measures TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) that comes from your brain and it travels to your thyroid gland and tells your thyroid gland to produce T4. That T4 is what we call inactive thyroid hormone. The T4 travels through the blood stream and when it gets to the peripheral tissues it is converted into T3, what we would call the active form of thyroid hormone. T3 then has to get inside of your cells. DNA is in the center of the cell inside the nucleus. On the surface of the cell nucleus we have this little tiny key hole called the nuclear receptor and, in the case of thyroid hormone, that little nuclear receptor is where thyroid hormone binds. We get the binding of T3 onto that nuclear receptor and that my friends is what increases your metabolism.
What are the symptoms of low thyroid? With low thyroid most people will experience energy loss, weight gain, hair loss, dry skin, elevated cholesterol, constipation. These are all common symptoms of low levels of T3 or low levels of thyroid hormone overall.
Now I hope you have a general understanding of the way these hormones work. Now let’s insert the nutritional parameters so that you have a better understanding nutritionally of what needs to happen.
The very first thing is that this TSH doesn’t just magically appear. In order to properly make TSH you have to maintain adequate protein in your diet. Magnesium, vitamin B-12, and zinc are also required to make this particular hormone. These three micronutrients (magnesium, B-12, zinc) and this major macronutrient (protein) are all responsible for helping us to properly produce TSH.
There are certain nutrients required to make T4. One of them is iodine. That 4 in T4 refers to 4 molecules of iodine, so to make T4 you have to have 4 molecules of iodine. If you ever see iodized salt, salt in the United States is iodized as a result of widespread goiter epidemic. Goiter is when the thyroid enlarges because of in this case iodine deficiency. This is why table salt is iodized however I don’t recommend trying to get your iodine from that particular source because there are other negative consequences to over-consumption of standard table salt. You can get iodine from eating fresh vegetables, seafood, kelp, and seaweed.
Iodine is not the only nutrient required to make T4. There’s a mechanism inside your thyroid gland that helps to draw iodine into the thyroid gland. That mechanism is a little kind of doorway called a symporter and it requires Vitamin B2 and Vitamin C. That symporter won’t work to bring iodine into the thyroid gland unless you have these two nutrients in place to run that symporter pump.
So far we have talked about 7 different nutrients associated with getting from TSH down to T4. Now we have to get from T4 to T3. This process right here also requires nutrition. There is an enzyme that does this conversion for us and that enzyme is driven by the nutrient or mineral selenium. Without selenium we won’t convert T4 to T3. What we’ll actually do without selenium is make another compound called Reverse T3 (RT3). Reverse T3 is also inactive. The problem is if your doctor doesn’t run a Reverse T3 lab test. Many doctors don’t run Reverse T3. Most doctors from my experience look at TSH only and they skip all these other components. If your doctor isn’t looking at Reverse T3, and maybe they did measure T3, you can’t differentiate Reverse T3 and T3 from each other without actually teasing them out. The way you do that is have your doctor measure Reverse T3 as well as T3.
Now when we come over from T3 and it has to activate the nuclear receptor on the surface of the nucleus of the cell. That requires Vitamin D and Vitamin A. So Vitamin D deficiency and Vitamin A deficiency can also stop T3 from activating your cell to increase your metabolic rate and increase your energy.
So there are ten nutrients required for your thyroid to get from your brain creating TSH and stimulating your thyroid gland to produce T4 to T3 and then to activate your cellular metabolic rate. The ten nutrients are:
Protein
Magnesium
B-12
Zinc
Iodine
B2
Vitamin C
Selenium
Vitamin D
Vitamin A
If you have a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, your doctor says, “Hey, you’ve got hypothyroidism. We’re going to put you on Synthroid or one of these thyroid medications.” You need to have a conversation with your doctor about this component because if your doctor is not measuring these ten nutrients what’s going to end up happening is they are going to medicate you and the medication may help initially but over time as you maintain micronutrient deficiencies your thyroid is not truly going to improve. You’re not going to be treating the origin of why the thyroid is low in the first place. You’re just going to be masking it by putting artificial hormones in.
Some people will say but I’m taking bioidentical thyroid hormone like Armour and that’s okay too. Armour is more like your natural thyroid hormone than something like Synthroid, however I don’t recommend using any kind of thyroid medication, bioidentical or not, UNTIL you’ve had a conversation with your doctor to evaluate these nutritional parameters. It’s very common that I see patients once they come to see me they are already on a medication and once we start correcting these deficiencies, what ends up happening is their medication becomes too strong and they actually become hyperthyroid (symptoms like excessive sweating, anxiety, night sweats, inability to sleep, hot flashes). So when you start getting your nutrition corrected if you are on a thyroid hormone medication remember you may develop these symptoms of too much thyroid and may need adjustment in your dosage.
The bottom line is if you’ve been diagnosed with hypothyroidism have your doctor check these nutrient levels so that you can ascertain the nutritional potentials for why your thyroid is low in the first place.
About Dr. Peter Osborne
Dr. Peter Osborne is the clinical director of Town Center Wellness in Sugar Land, Texas. He is a doctor of chiropractic and a Board Certified Clinical Nutritionist. His clinical focus is the holistic natural treatment of chronic degenerative musculoskeletal diseases. He is an expert in the relationship that gluten sensitivity and food allergies play in chronic inflammation. He has helped thousands of patients recover from chronic painful conditions.
Would you mind telling me the name of the substitute medication you are taking? I’d love to look into this myself- maybe it can help me.
Thanks
Hi Pam, Natural desiccated thyroid is the thyroid medication. Here is more information about it: https://hypothyroidmom.com/which-is-the-best-thyroid-drug-for-hypothyroidism/
Good to have you at Hypothyroid Mom.
Is there a supplement you recommend with all of these with all of these nutrients in one?
I had a total thyroidectomy in 2014 I’m on 125 mg of levothyroxine im constantly tired , thinning hair ,it’s surprising what it controls in your body they now think I’ve got fibromyalgia as my joints are stiff haven’t been right since had it out x
Thank You so Much for this Information.
I was diagnosed with Graves Disease and had radioactive iodine treatment. It’s been about 10 years and I still suffer from hyperthyroidism symptoms. I’ve told my Internal Medicine doctor and they keep saying there is nothing wrong with me. What information do you have for long term treatment of post radioactive iodine treatment?
20 + years ago I had a thyroidectomy because of cancer. Have been on Synthroid ever since. Lots of weight gain over the years and insomnia. All these responses and information seem to be for people still with their thyroid.
Im supposed to be on 100 mlgs of levothyroxine which I always forget to take in the morning im also on B 12 but starting to feel very depressed find it very hard to motivate myself just now very irritable and anxious also… Will the levothyroxine help with this
Nurse here with Hupothyroidism, Hashimotos. This is an autoimmune disease. If you don’t take your meds you can lose the feeling in your fingers and toes, you can have a stroke, heart attack or coma. Take your meds.
Does Dr Osborne deal with Muscular Dystrophy too?
I am hypo thyroid, so is my Dad & my Aunties on both my mum & my dad’s sides of the family. My Dad’s Mum is too. So is my eldest son.
My Mum had a very serious case of MS & died age 48yrs. I am her eldest daughter born when she was 26yrs. My sister was born when mum was 33yrs.
My sister has a severe case of FSH Muscular Dystrophy. It is a spontaneous genetic mutation.
Can you help to rejuvenate lost muscles?
Thanks
My blood work always shows me at the border of being anemic – how to take the b vitamins for maximum support would be beneficial to know for certain – and what type of supplements
Please be sure that your B12 is methylcabolomine. Other formulations are not easily absorbed.
Please research Fasting! It can help with your cancer. RESPECTFULLY.
Do u have where I can research it the best ? Thank you
I wish I’d read this and put my foot down with my doctor five years ago. She said the thyroid indicators were enough and I didn’t need to test for vitamins and minerals. She put me straight on Levothyroxine. Now I have big nodules on one side and a small cancer on the other, so the doctors say I must have the whole thyroid removed. I’ve been researching and the more recent advice with a small cancer is just to keep an eye on it o check if its growing. If not it generally just sits there quietly.
I can’t help wondering if the levothyroxine was the cause of inflaming my thyroid gland. When I reported hot flashes, constipation, heart palpitations and poor sleeping, she suggested less coffee, melatonin and metamucil – I’ve only discovered since that these are signs of too much Levothyroxine.
I believe levothyroxine messed me up too!
Me too.
So many endo’s only test T4, through everyone on a type of synthroid, and then say “you’re TSH is in normal ranges. You’re fine. See you in 6 months”. I warned my guy when he took me off desiccated and put me back on levo that the depression would kill me sooner than the thyroid. He didn’t listen. I am going back on desiccated next week after a full year teetering dangerously on the edge. I have to go through a functional GP as endo’s won’t budge. So Albany NY huge endo (👎🏻) and Mass Gen Endo (👎🏻) traditional to the bitter end. Watch yourself as ‘they’ are not.
Ask about Tirosint and maybe a new Dr?
Hi I have hyperthyroidism, I have lost alot of weight, I am so thin losing hair brain fog very bad, I have they take the tsh test and the other one. Have had graves disease, hashimoto disease.My dosage of thyroid medication has been as high as 112 175 I am 63 yrs old have always been diagnosed I am tired and staying tired.my question to you is does it get any better and what do I need to do myself for it. PLE A S E.
It can get better, if you can find a good doctor that will listen to you. My thyroid is hypo and recently an Rx was refilled with a substitute and I’ve found that I feel better than I have in two decades. No help from my Dr….I talked with the pharmacist and told them that I want the new pill from now on. Done. Plus, in the past 6 years I’ve found out about how I should not take dairy, vitamin supplements or pain meds within two hours of taking my thyroid meds. Not one Dr ever told me that. I’ve been told, to take my pill anywhere from 20 minutes to one hour before eating. This site has helped me to look for more answers Good luck !
I wish I could say that’s all that happened to me after loss of thyroid. I think every diagnosis attached to this hypothyroidism, including Afib. Who told you that about vitamins? Not true. It is true not to eat or take medications for about 45 minutes after taking thyroid med, not 2 hours. I have been on Levothyroxine for 20 years and take multiple vitamins due to gastric bypass. Has never affected my hypothyroidism. In fact my med was reduced from 175mcg to 125mcg after weight loss. I am a RN and have researched this disorder intensively.
I’ve been on synthroid for 31yrs(name brand of levothyroxin) I was advised to never take the genetic levothyroxin because the dose is not the exact same in each pill. I was also advised by every dr I’ve ever seen and pharmacist to take in the morning (same time each day) 1 hr before food or 2hrs or more after food!
What if you have multiple sclerosis,I was told by my nero. that my thyroid problem was because of the M.S. But now I have been diagnosed with two more auto immune diseases. THOUGHTS?
Hi Denise, I’m sorry to hear this is happening to you. Autoimmune diseases often come together more than one. Here is an article that helps explain why:
https://hypothyroidmom.com/autoimmune-diseases-brew-in-your-body-for-years-before-diagnosis/
Good to have you at Hypothyroid Mom.
Best,
Dana
What about someone with hyperthyroidism caused by Graves Disease. I am taking certain supplements, b12, d3, selenium, iron, acetyl-canitine, and l-carnitine. Im going to ask my pcp to check for vitamin and mineral deficiencies, was hoping for a list for hyperthyroidism.
I appreciate the article and I am grateful for learning something new! I already supplement my diet with the vitamins and nutrients mentioned, except for the magnesium and zinc. My thyroid was removed because of a tumor. I do take Levothyroxine (112MCG) daily. I would like to know what are the best supplements I can take to help me improve my metabolism.
thank you for allowing me to express my needs!
Hey! Hope you see this, but a lot of these vitamins and minerals are in Ensure Max Protein. I had mine removed too, I’m on Armour thyroid.
After a few weeks of drinking an Ensure Max Protein and vitamins like B12, vitamin c, and this GREAT multivitamin that has calcium, magnesium, vitamin d, and zinc (Nature’s Promise brand) I started losing weight again and don’t have to take such a high dose of Armour anymore.
Thanks, Elle, for your post. I don’t have my thyroid because of radiation. I will definitely try the Ensure Max Protein and vitamins. Can’t seem to lose any weight and feel like crap most days. Thanks for the support.
Elle, my story is similar to yours, (total thyroid removal) My doctor is having difficulty balancing the right dose of armor thyroid. I asked about NP thyroid & doc said it would be the same & I’d still have trouble. I am desperate. It’s has been a rollercoaster Ride – hyperthyroidism then hypothyroidism. I’m miserable. Elle I would love to chat with you via email if possible? Thank you!
Thanks for the lovely, INFORMATIVE article. I take NP Thyroid and this article perfectly explains why I started to feel a million times better when I started taking vitamin c tablets and other vitamins to replenish what nicotine depleted in my journey to quit smoking.
My thyroid situation is one not really touched on in the medical community at all; Total Thyroidectomy.
Everywhere I look for information, every doctor I’ve seen talk to me as if I have a thyroid that’s just a little low or a little high that needs a new dose of levothyroxine. I had to move mountains to find a doctor who would prescribe NP Thyroid…(long story for another time)
I’d love to have a private conversation to see what your thoughts on the matter are because I’ve seen such a huge improvement in quality of life based on the fact that I’ve added all of those vitamins to my regimen prior to finding this article and I’m more than curious to hear from medical professional about how or why this isn’t coincidental.
Loved this article! I currently suffer from a Hashimotos hypothyroid diagnosis but have hyperthyroid symptoms. Treatment advised was to take synthroid which exacerbated the hyper symptoms and makes me completely crazy!!! I can not tolerate the medication mentally or physically even at the smallest dose. I plan to request labs to check the above mentioned and ferritin levels. I’m currently trying gluten free, autoimmune protocol diet and that has helped me immensely and I’m 3 weeks in, thanks for the great article!!!!
What if your thyroid glands were already surgically removed?
Fantastic article! Love the total breakdown of everything…Thank you so much for posting:) My primary care did a host of blood work but protein was the only nutrient she tested for from the list of 10 in this article. I am sending her a message ASAP to have more blood work done. My TSH and T4 levels do indicate hypothyroidism…T3 total was fine. I definitely want to get to the root cause of the disruption and do all I can before having to take any type of medication. Again….very grateful for this article!!
My only thought is how much protein? Not stating this is a mistake in your article.
Iv found TMG or transmethylglycine or beta one to help too. There’s no test for it.
Both my ferritin and b12 were super high, 1103, and 1600 respectively. Missing ingredient, TMG, levels started to go down.
Means I should be processing better. But the damage is done from not knowing about this in my childhood when it all started.
I’ve known for a long time that thyroid problems could be caused by deficiencies but knowing the exact ones and how they make, or rather in my case, should make my thyroid function is nice. It took me several doctors to finally get one that would put me on the dose of medication I needed because it didn’t match their “tests”, I didn’t know to have them test for RT3 but that would show why I was right. Since starting to take a hand full of supplements, one of which is a full run of the B vitamins I have noticed a mild improvement. I also take vitamin D, neither of which I started for my thyroid but to help with stress. Lol Talk about two birds with one stone! I might feel like I take a pharmaceutical every day with all the supplements, but with how poor even fresh food can be since it is often picked early to get to the store before it rots, well so be it.
Should I ask for an Active B12 blood test, as well as the standard B12 blood test, I’m in the uk.
I have never had that test done. I take 3-500mcg of sublingual B-12. Your doctor should have checked this during most blood tests
B12 should be tested at the intracellular level, especially if you have MTHFR gene mutations. My blood B12 was testing at 900, but in truth, only about 200 was bioactive, which indicates a B12 deficiency. MMA urine testing is best to test homocysteine levels if it’s related to a question of folate.
GREAT article !! very good information. I take Synthroid right now 0.088 mg.
I go to my Dr. Dec 10th 2018 and have written down all that I need to talk to him about *Micronutrient deficiencies* ! I have started on “The Shepard’s Code” May 30th 2018 and have lost 31 pounds and inches so far. With this weight loss I feel as though my thyroid is off and I may have become deficient as well.
Thank you so much for such great information.
Blessing
Sheree
All the best with your doctor appointment, Sheree. Here in this article you’ll find a list of important thyroid lab tests to ask to have run.
https://hypothyroidmom.com/hypothyroid-testing-what-you-need-to-know-and-ask-for/
So important to take non synthetic, whole food vitamins. I buy the superfoods- both whole & powders: Amla, Moringa,Ashwagandha, Reshi Mushroom,Acerola Cherry,hulled-hemp-seeds, ect and NON FORTIFIED Nutritional Yeast. When I’m feeling unable to choke all of that down, I take an(iron free)Naturelo-brand, women’s multi vitamin. My dr of 7 years had me on many medications, Synthroid being one. When he was busted/shut down. I couldn’t get any of my meds and the next dr said I had no thyroid issues! I had all of the symptoms & suffered greatly because of the meds then no meds. I WAS overweight. Now? I am 84lbs and suffering with symptoms of hyperthyroidism. I eat,eat,eat & cannot gain weight. I’ve learned that 90 to 95% of americans are deficient in Iodine. I am 54 y/o and a dr has NEVER tested for any nutritional deficiencies. They want to do dangerous, invasive testing and give me tons of drugs(I just say, NO! now!)but won’t test for the most probable culprit? It’s a shame that we don’t have the medical freedom, to seek traditional forms of healthcare. Allopathy according to Dr Gary Null & many others seems to be one of the biggest killers in our country. They can keep their synthetic drugs,synthetic supplements, invasive procedures and the filthy death traps, they call hospitals. I became healthier, the minute, I realized our health care system is a death trap. Learning more about Iodine and how to test yourself for vit/mineral deficiencies. I don’t want to be ‘treated’. I want to be cured.
do we take all these vitamins daily? or do we take just a muti with those in it? I am on armor thyroid 15mg. Tried synthroid too. I would like to get off of meds.
Good question
You forgot a very important one; ferritin!
Hi Janice, I believe iron (ferritin) is included in the “Protein” designation. Meats, especially red meats, are a great source of ferritin, a type of stored iron that helps the body produce hair cell protein.
Do you have a scientific reference for the requirement of B12 for teh creation of TSH?