Last Updated on April 27, 2026
Medically reviewed by
Natalie Bessom, D.O. Board-certified family medicine doctor with specialty training in nutrition, USA
Learn which thyroid supporting supplements are recommended to support your thyroid function and why.
This article discusses:
- What are supplements?
- How are supplements regulated?
- What are some types of thyroid supporting supplements?
The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck. The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system which regulates the body’s hormones. The thyroid specifically is responsible for regulating the body’s metabolism, energy, weight, and much more. When the thyroid is not able to function properly, it can greatly affect your entire body.
There are key nutrients that drive your thyroid function and hormone production. Due to the fact that the thyroid is highly nutrient-dependent, a lack of a nutrient-dense diet may contribute to your thyroid disease, dysfunction, and/or symptoms.
While altering your diet will not treat or cure a thyroid disease – adding thyroid supporting supplements to your diet and treatment plan will help support your thyroid function and overall health.
What are supplements?
The word “supplements” can seem overwhelming as there is both a ton of information and a plethora of options available on the market these days. Many supplements are more of a hype than science-based, thus making it difficult to discern what to take, if any. Supplements are defined as a product taken that contains one or more ingredients (such as vitamins or amino acids) that are intended to supplement one’s diet and are not considered food.
How are supplements regulated?
Some questions you may be asking yourself are:
- What supplements do I take?
- How much do I take?
- How do I know if it’s the right supplement for me?
Do I even need a thyroid supporting supplement?
The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) regulates and monitors dietary ingredients and dietary supplements under a specific set of rules that differ from conventional everyday food, beverages, and drugs. This specific rule is called the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA).
Dietary ingredients that can be used in supplements or to supplement a diet include:
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Amino acids
- Herbs or botanicals
Under DSHEA:
- Supplement manufacturers are prohibited from marketing dietary supplements that claim to treat, diagnose, cure, or alleviate the effects of diseases
- The FDA is responsible for monitoring the safety of these products after it reaches the market
- The FDA can remove any supplement off the market if they are found to be unsafe – however, this sometimes only takes place after the FDA receives complaints or a safety issue is even noticed.
To ensure that you are buying safe and effective products for your thyroid condition, always consult a health care professional. Inquire with your health care professional to:
- Inquire if you need to be taking certain supplements
- Ensure that the supplements will not interfere with any current medication or supplements you are taking
Some steps you can take yourself include:
- Purchasing supplements only from reputable brands that have a proven track record. You can find all this information by looking at their website, reading online reviews etc.
- Read the labels on your supplements – ensure that you are not getting too much (Upper Limit – UL) but instead, the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) but consulting this chart guideline.
What are some types of thyroid supporting supplements?
Vitamins
Vitamin A
Vitamin A, known as retinol, is essential for vision, reproductive functions, immune system, and cellular communication. Vitamin A can help reduce deficiencies in:
- Hair loss
- Dry eyes
- Susceptibility to infections
- Skin problems
Studies have also shown that Vitamin A can aid in making significant improvements to TSH levels proving it to be a great thyroid supporting supplement.
Some great food sources of Vitamin A include:
- Beef liver
- Sweet potato (cooked)
- Kale
- Carrot
- Mango
Vitamin B12
Anemia is a vitamin B12 deficiency and is commonly found in patients with hypothyroidism – almost 20-60% of hypothyroid patients. Vitamin B12 is essential for your body’s function, but unfortunately, it is something that your body cannot produce naturally. Vitamin B12 plays a vital role in many of your bodily functions including:
- The proper functioning of your nerve cells
- Red blood cell formation
- DNA synthesis
Furthermore, B12 is able to help boost your energy, improve your memory, help prevent heart disease, and benefit your hair, skin, and nails.
Patients that suffer from hypothyroidism or anemia often experience symptoms of brain fog, fatigue, dry skin, and hair loss. Adding a thyroid supporting supplement like vitamin B12 can help offset these symptoms.
Some food sources of Vitamin B12 include:
- Animal liver and kidneys
- Clams
- Fortified non-dairy milk
Minerals
Iodine
The thyroid requires iodine to produce thyroid hormones. Simply put, if you do not have enough iodine in your body, you cannot make thyroid hormones. The body is unable to produce iodine itself, so it all has to come from your diet.
An excess amount of iodine can cause thyroid problems such a hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and enlarged thyroid. It is very important to consult your healthcare provider to determine if you even need an iodine supplement.
Most individuals are able to get enough iodine through their diet alone and do not need to take an additional supplement.
Food sources of iodine include:
Selenium
Selenium is an important mineral that helps your body function properly, including reproduction, metabolism, and fighting infections. Your thyroid houses more selenium than any other organ in the body. Selenium is a critical component in a healthy thyroid function as it regulates the hormones produced.
Foods that are a great source of Selenium include:
- Brazil nuts
- Seafood
- Lean meat
- Rice
Magnesium
Magnesium plays a critical role in helping our bones, regulating blood pressure, nerve transmission, disease prevention, and overall health. Magnesium is also important for thyroid hormone production and for the conversion of T4 to T3. (hyperlink) This thyroid supporting supplement is needed for not only your thyroid but overall body function.
Some healthy foods that contain magnesium include:
- Dark chocolate
- Avocados
- Tofu
Probiotics
Probiotics are good bacteria that exist in the gut. The benefits of probiotics include enhanced digestive health and strengthened immune function. Some examples of probiotic-rich foods include:
- Kefir
- Yogurt
- Kimchi
Probiotics are often recommended for those with an autoimmune disease like hypothyroidism. Leaky gut is a symptom of autoimmune thyroid disease and is caused by an imbalance of good and bad bacteria in the gut.
Zinc
Zinc is required for the conversion of T4 to the active T3 hormone and for T3 to bind properly to its cellular receptors. A double-blind RCT published in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences (2015) found that 30 mg/day of zinc supplementation over three months improved thyroid hormone profiles in people with hypothyroidism.
Zinc deficiency is more common than generally appreciated, particularly in people following plant-based diets — phytates in grains and legumes reduce zinc absorption — and in those with gastrointestinal conditions. Symptoms of deficiency (hair loss, fatigue, impaired immunity) overlap significantly with hypothyroid symptoms, making it easy to miss.
Food sources include oysters (the richest source), red meat, poultry, pumpkin seeds, and cashews. Supplemental doses typically range from 8–15 mg/day for maintenance; therapeutic doses should be taken with food to reduce nausea and balanced with 1–2 mg of copper, since high zinc intake long-term can deplete copper stores.
Iron
Iron is a co-factor for thyroid peroxidase (TPO), the enzyme responsible for producing thyroid hormones. Even mild iron deficiency — without frank anemia — can impair thyroid hormone synthesis and make hypothyroid symptoms harder to manage, even on levothyroxine.
Research suggests that ferritin (stored iron) levels below 50–70 ng/mL may be associated with persistent hypothyroid symptoms, even when TSH is in range. Women of reproductive age, frequent blood donors, and people with gut absorption issues are at highest risk.
Important: if you take levothyroxine, iron supplements must be separated by at least four hours, as iron chelates the medication and reduces its absorption. Ask your doctor to check ferritin (not just hemoglobin) if you experience unexplained fatigue or hair loss despite optimized thyroid labs.
Myo-Inositol
Myo-inositol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol that functions as a second messenger in TSH receptor signaling. It has attracted clinical interest specifically for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
A 2013 pilot study published in Hormones found that combining myo-inositol (600 mg/day) with selenium (83 mcg/day) reduced TSH levels and TPO antibody titers in euthyroid women with Hashimoto’s. A 2017 RCT in Frontiers in Endocrinology replicated these findings, showing the combination improved thyroid function and quality of life over six months compared to selenium alone.
Myo-inositol is well tolerated at doses up to 4 g/day and is found naturally in fruits, beans, and whole grains. The combination of myo-inositol and selenium is one of the more promising nutritional interventions specifically studied in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
A Word of Caution About “Thyroid Support” Supplements
Supplements marketed as “thyroid support” or “thyroid boost” deserve extra scrutiny. A 2013 study published in Thyroid analyzed 10 commercially available thyroid support supplements and found that 9 out of 10 contained measurable amounts of T3 (triiodothyronine), T4 (thyroxine), or both — without disclosing it on the label.
Undisclosed thyroid hormone in an OTC supplement can suppress your own thyroid function, cause hyperthyroid symptoms (heart palpitations, anxiety, weight loss, insomnia), and interfere with prescribed thyroid medication. Unlike prescription levothyroxine, the hormone content in these products is not standardized or regulated for consistency batch to batch.
The safer and better-evidenced approach is to address specific nutrient deficiencies — selenium, zinc, iron, vitamin D, magnesium — individually and based on tested levels, rather than taking a proprietary blend with unverified and potentially undisclosed active ingredients. Always discuss supplements with your doctor, especially if you take thyroid medication.
Key Takeaways
Are your supplements actually helping?
Track which supplements you take and how your thyroid levels respond over time. Plus self-care tools for sleep, mental health, and physical wellness designed specifically for people with thyroid conditions. Free on iOS and Android.
Download ThyForLife for FreeFAQs
Thyroid-supporting supplements are dietary supplements containing nutrients crucial for thyroid health, such as iodine, selenium, vitamin D, and zinc. These supplements are important because they help support thyroid function and hormone production, potentially alleviating symptoms associated with thyroid disorders like hypothyroidism.
These supplements provide essential nutrients that may be lacking in the diet or insufficiently absorbed by the body, particularly in individuals with thyroid disorders. For example, iodine supports thyroid hormone synthesis, selenium helps regulate thyroid function, and vitamin D plays a role in immune function and inflammation reduction, all of which are vital for managing thyroid conditions.
While these supplements offer support for thyroid health, they are not typically used as standalone treatments for thyroid disorders. Instead, they are often incorporated into a comprehensive treatment plan that may include medications prescribed by healthcare professionals, dietary changes, and lifestyle modifications. It’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen, especially if you have an existing thyroid condition or are taking medications.
Individuals should be cautious about the dosage and potential interactions with other medications or supplements. For instance, excessive iodine intake can have adverse effects, and selenium supplementation should be within recommended limits. It’s essential to follow dosage recommendations and consult with a healthcare provider if you have any underlying health conditions or concerns about potential interactions.
