I have Hashimoto, what supplements should I take?

Vitamin D deficiency is frequent in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and treatment of patients with this condition with Vitamin D may slow down the course of development of hypothyroidism and also decrease cardiovascular risks in these patients. Vitamin D measurement and replacement may be critical in these patients. Research has shown that lack Vit D cannot prevent inflammation and can trigger Hashimoto development followed by hypothyroidism.  Several researches have shown that Vit D deficiency can act as a trigger for the development of the disease, but also taking Vit D supplements has shown direct improvements of the overall condition and inflammation decrease. Depending on the deficiency levels according to your tests results, your doctor should dose your Vit D intake dose. Be aware that the dose may change from time to time, as the seasons change, because of the requirements of our body and natural Vit D production according to the season. So you will need to retake the test ideally in the beginning of each season. These changes will result in different dosages, but the most common dosage vary from 2000UI to 1000UI, but for severe deficiencies especially in the beginning of your treatments you may require a dosage of 5000UI or 4000UI. The most important thing with this disease is to be always cautious and change your treatment as per your body requirements. You take this supplement after eating breakfast.

Selenium supplements in Hashimoto’s desease helps reduce the level on inflammation, by reducing antibodies, so it provides a descrease in the dose of thyroid medication you are taking and have other several health benefits. But what is selenium and why do we have a deficiency? Selenium is a mineral found in nature. It plays a critical role in metabolism and thyroid function and helps protect your body from damage caused by oxidative stress. What’s more, selenium may help boost your immune system, slow age-related mental decline, and even reduce your risk of heart disease. Many whole grains and dairy products, including milk and yogurt, are good sources of selenium. Some ready-to-eat breakfast cereals are fortified with selenium, and some fruits and vegetables contain selenium. Pork, beef, turkey, chicken, fish, shellfish, and eggs contain high amounts of selenium. The amount of selenium in food sources is largely determined by the quality of the soil used to grow them. Rainfall, evaporation, and pH levels all affect selenium concentration in soil. But with increase in world population and need for food supply usually the soil is reused more often and it becomes poorer with minerals and selenium. Other outside factors have a negative effect on the pH levels of the soil, making it more rare present in our plant based but also meat based products. This causes a Selenium Deficiency, that in bodies that have a tendency of developing thyroid problems may create the perfect environment for development of Hashimotos, since the presence of selenium has been shown to help lower antibodies that attack our thyroid. Usually taking this supplement you can see improvements in the level of antibodies present in your body, if you are doing a diet that has not present any food that may still cause you inflammation. The usual dosage of Selenium is 100mg for people with deficiency, but you should consult your doctor for the right dosage that you need. You take this supplement after eating breakfast.

Selenium and zinc are beneficial in improving thyroid function and hormone levels. According to a study in Hormones: The Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, zinc improves T3 levels significantly.  Zinc and other trace elements such as copper and selenium are required for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, and deficiency of these can result in hypothyroidism. Conversely, thyroid hormones are essential for the absorption of zinc, and hence hypothyroidism can result in acquired zinc deficiency. Food sources of zinc include shellfish, mollusks, meat, legumes, and nuts. But since Hashimto patients may have a zink deficiency, they need to take zinc supplements. Zinc supplements have even other several benefits for our bodies such as regulating our immune system, treating diarrhea, in learning and memory, having a role in wound healing, decrease risk age-related chronic diseases.  The dosage you need will be prescribed from your doctor. The usual intake of zinc daily in women is 8 milligrams (mg), but your specific requirements are the ones that will determine your dosage intake. Zinc supplements are most effective if they are taken at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. However, if zinc supplements cause stomach upset, they may be taken with a meal. You should tell your health care professional if you are taking your zinc supplement with meals.

Magnesium is closely related to the immune system. Moreover, magnesium is also associated with cellular oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions. Magnesium citrate supplementation can downregulate genes related to metabolic and inflammatory pathways. Several studies have resulted in the conclusion that Magnesium supplements when taken, have shown an improvement in the health condition of patients suffering form Hashimoto. It is one of the essential elements that are essential to thyroid function. Research indicates supplemental magnesium can improve sleep quality, especially in people with poor sleep. Magnesium can also help insomnia that’s linked to the sleep disorder restless-leg syndrome. Stress reduction and mood stabilization. Magnesium increases GABA, which encourages relaxation as well as sleep. Magnesium is mainly absorbed through the diet, and high-magnesium foods include nuts, seeds, whole grains, and leafy greens. Magnesium deficiency is an electrolyte disturbance in which there is a low level of magnesium in the body. It can result in multiple symptoms. Symptoms include tremor, poor coordination, muscle spasms, loss of appetite, personality changes, and nystagmus. So ask your doctor if you need to get this supplement as an additional helper for your Hashimoto condition. The usual magnesium intake daily is of 310–420 milligrams (mg), but you must ask your doctor what is your best dosage level. Magnesium supplements can be taken at any time of the day, as long as you’re able to take them consistently. For some, taking supplements first thing in the morning may be easiest, while others may find that taking them with dinner or just before bed works well for them, if you need to take magnesium for insomnia problems, it is better to take it before sleep. The seems to be no effect in the interaction between your thyroid medication and magnesium supplements, but you must ask your doctor on when to take this supplement.