What Supplements Help Hashimoto's Disease?

Unexplained fatigue. Weight gain. Muscle weakness. Depression.

The list of symptoms goes on and on. Are you living with Hashimoto’s and searching for a natural approach for managing your health? While medication can replace missing thyroid hormone, many people with Hashimoto’s utilize vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to support thyroid health.



Learn how supplements can help manage Hashimoto’s, which ones to choose, and which to avoid, so you can make informed choices for your thyroid wellness.

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A handful of supplements have been studied, and many have found to be effective in helping manage Hashimoto’s disease. Overall, supplements containing vitamins D and B, along with a few others, have been proven over and over again to be the best options for those living with Hashimoto’s disease. 



While supplements may be beneficial for people with this condition, seeking professional medical support and guidance is encouraged. Dr. Sergi at HealthierU can guide you on your journey of natural healing and help create a plan utilizing supplements to support your specific symptoms.

Supplements can be crucial for managing Hashimoto’s if the right ones are used. Not only can they help manage autoimmune triggers, but they can boost energy and optimize thyroid function beyond what medication can provide. 

Supplements can:

• Reduce thyroid autoantibodies
• Correct nutrient deficiencies
• Support hormone conversion
• Reduce inflammation 
• Reduce oxidative stress
• Manage symptoms 

A major benefit of selenium is that it regulates the hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), which are produced by the thyroid gland. When working properly, T3 and T4 increase metabolic rate, which has many benefits, including:

• Higher body temperature
• Faster reflexes
• Improved concentration
• Faster pulse and stronger heartbeat
• Ability to utilize food faster
• Brain maturation
• Growth promotion

Selenium is an essential trace element required for thyroid hormone synthesis and exerts antioxidant effects. One study found that because selenium-dependent enzymes have several modifying effects on the immune system, even someone with a mild selenium deficiency could develop autoimmune thyroid diseases. 

Zinc plays an important role in metabolism and the immune system, making it an essential nutrient for proper thyroid function. Many causes of zinc depletion are common conditions in those with Hashimoto’s, so working to increase zinc levels may help to reduce symptoms and manage thyroid conditions. 

You might have a zinc deficiency if you:



• Have poor wound-healing abilities
• Suffer from diarrhea
• Have impaired taste/smell
• Experience thin, brittle, peeling, or white-spotted nails
• Notice significant hair loss
• Have a loss of appetite
• Experience impaired vision
• Have unexplained weight loss
• Are less alert
• Suffer from skin issues

Vitamin D and thyroid disorders go hand-in-hand. Not only is vitamin D deficiency a risk factor for developing many thyroid disorders, but research has also found that many patients with thyroid disorders are also deficient in vitamin D.



One study looked at the association between vitamin D deficiency and hypothyroidism, discovering nearly 26% of patients included had a vitamin D deficiency.

Because vitamin D helps regulate your immune system, ensuring you’re receiving enough is ideal. The best way to get vitamin D is through daily sun exposure, but if that’s not possible, a supplement can help.

Iron is critical for managing Hashimoto’s because it helps produce, convert, and activate T4 to T3 and is a crucial component of thyroid peroxidase (TPO), the enzyme that makes thyroid hormone. Around 45-65% of hypothyroid patients have an iron deficiency, and correcting it can help:



• Improve fatigue
• Improve hair loss
• Improve thyroid function
• Process thyroid medication
  

Magnesium has extensive benefits, but many thyroid patients find themselves deficient. Unsurprisingly, this deficiency may be responsible for the symptoms that lead to thyroid abnormalities.

Magnesium helps convert the inactive thyroid hormone into the active thyroid hormone, so when levels are low, the thyroid can’t function properly. By supplementing with magnesium, patients with Hashimoto’s can:



• Reduce inflammation
• Reduce thyroid antibodies
• Improve sleep
• Reduce headaches
  

Omega-3 fatty acids, specifically EPA and DHA, help manage Hashimoto’s by reducing chronic inflammation, lowering thyroid antibodies, and supporting immune function. You can get omega-3s through dietary sources like fatty cold-water fish, flax seeds, chia seeds, and walnuts. If you’re not eating these foods two to three times a week, taking a supplement is recommended for thyroid health.

While there is no clinical evidence to support that supplements specific to your gut and immune health will help manage Hashimoto’s, we do know that a healthy gut is a happy gut, which can only be beneficial for healing. 

In addition to selenium, zinc, iron, and vitamin D, those with Hashimoto’s should consider taking a probiotic to help support gut flora and digestive enzymes to help break down food. Some supplements to talk to your healthcare provider about include:



• Betaine HCI with Pepsin
• Broad-spectrum enzymes
• Bromelain
• Veggie enzymes (Cellulase, Alpha-Galactosidase)
  

If you’ve been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease, we don’t suggest you start taking any and every supplement to help manage symptoms. 

More research is needed, but it’s known that high doses of iodine supplements can have adverse effects on people with Hashimoto’s unless they have an iodine deficiency. The American Thyroid Association recommends avoiding dosages greater than 1,100 mcg/day to avoid thyroid dysfunction.

You might also exercise caution when taking:



• Selenium – High doses can be toxic
• Ashwagandha – Can boost thyroid hormone levels too much
• Bugleweed/Lemon balm – Used to lower thyroid function
• Supplements with hidden or cheap fillers
• Soy-based supplements – Can inhibit thyroid hormone production and interfere with medication

Choosing what supplements help Hashimoto’s disease and can best support your specific symptoms isn’t about picking the trendiest powders or easy-to-swallow pills. Seeking the help of a healthcare professional can help you personalize your supplement selection, choose quality products, and determine dosages that are safe for your body.

First, you’ll need bloodwork to identify nutrient gaps and have a thorough discussion of your daily diet and lifestyle habits. Once you know which supplements might work best for you, you’ll want to choose ones that are third-party tested to ensure purity and accurate labeling, and avoid ones with unnecessary additives or proprietary blends. 



Remember, supplements work best when paired with a balanced diet, adequate sleep, stress management, and, if needed, optimized thyroid medication. Consulting a healthcare professional can help tailor a plan that meets your specific thyroid and immune system needs while minimizing risks.

Typically, no. Excess iodine can worsen autoimmune thyroid disease, and many people already get enough through iodized salt and food. Consult a medical professional before adding an iodine supplement to your diet.

Yes, they can. You should take thyroid medications (specifically levothyroxine) on an empty stomach, about 30–60 minutes before food intake. You should also space your thyroid medication about four hours apart from fiber supplements, iron, calcium, and magnesium for proper absorption.

There are a handful of potential benefits associated with taking ashwagandha for thyroid health, including:

• Improving hormone levels
• Reducing stress
• Managing symptoms
• Utilizing its anti-inflammatory properties
• 
  

However, there are also potential risks and concerns to be aware of. These include:



• Immune system stimulation
• Thyrotoxicosis risk
• Medication interactions
• Varying effects from person to person

It’s often encouraged that those with Hashimoto’s eat an anti-inflammatory, nutrient-dense diet of whole foods to reduce immune flare-ups and support thyroid function. In addition to supplementing where necessary, your healthcare professional might recommend removing dairy and gluten, reducing processed foods, and incorporating leafy greens, healthy fats, and lean proteins.

Supplements can help fill nutrient gaps, support immune balance, and give your thyroid the nutrients it needs to function at its best, but they work best as part of a bigger picture. 



At HealthierU, Dr. Sergi will help take a closer look at your diet, lifestyle, stress, sleep, gut health, and thyroid medication to help thoughtfully choose supplements to support your Hashimoto’s disease. By combining all of these strategies, you’re not just treating the symptoms; you’re giving your body the tools it needs to support long-term thyroid health and well-being. 

Stop letting Hashimoto’s disease control you. Contact HealthierU for an appointment today.