photo credit: relgar
Hypothyroidism (also called under active thyroid) is one of the most common yet most overlooked health problems. Daily symptoms like exhaustion, difficulty waking up in the morning, skin dryness, cold extremities or continuously feeling cold, difficulty losing weight, weight gain and depression can be caused by low thyroid. In addition to medical treatments to counter these symptoms, there are other natural option which includes iodine supplementation, kelp or seaweed supplements and desiccated thyroid.

Thyroid Drugs Are Not For Everyone

Hypothyroid patients are often forced by medical experts to use drugs like Synthroid (synthetic thyroxine), in order to enhance thyroid function. But, the dilemma is that, for a large number of patients, this drug is not the solution. In most cases, this drug does not fully restore energy and vitality but works only for some symptoms. Also, it is intended as a long term medication. Patients don’t nurse back to health on thyroid medication, but drugs make it.

On the contrary, natural supplements improve thyroid functioning and may compensate low thyroid symptoms. It entails a lot of work to find the exact supplement for each patient. Always keep in mind that all supplements are not the same, so, the best thing to do is coordinate with a naturopath or other health care professionals. Some more popular and natural approach to treat low thyroid is through supplements.

Supplements for Thyroid Support

Iodine

Iodine is a trace element. It is absorbed by the thyroid and is utilized as one of the essential elements for the thyroid hormones T3 and T4. Not enough iodine, which is generally due to dietary deficiencies, hypothyroidism happens. Low thyroid hormones slows down metabolism, lessens body temperature and levels of energy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommend 150 micrograms of daily iodine intake. This is one way of ensuring that sufficient amount of iodine is available for the thyroid to produce T3 and T4.

In most parts of the West, iodine is added to the usual table salt to avoid hypothyroidism and thyroid-related problems in children during its development stage. However, most natural health practitioners do not promote the use of chemically iodized salt because it has no effect in the body the same way as natural iodine. Instead, the use of natural sea salt in food plus iodine supplement is necessary to maintain the thyroid function.

Kelp & Seaweed

All seaweeds or sea vegetables are good for the thyroid glands. This is generally because sea vegetables are rich in iodine, chlorophyll, vitamins and minerals that sustain balance in the body and improve thyroid health. Eating foods high in iodine content like dried arame, sea vegetable salads and nori-wrapped sushi help support the thyroid. The best source of iodine is foods that are dried at low temperatures because they have more enzymes.

Desiccated Thyroid

Natural desiccated thyroid supplements are suggested by some medical doctors. Sometimes referred to as pork thyroid, it relieves the symptoms of hypothyroidism that synthetic supplements can’t and may eventually improve thyroid function.

Many doctors recommend familiar brands manufactured by Pfizer Canada like Armour Thyroid and Desiccated Thyroid. This and other companies manufacture pure desiccated thyroid while other brands, including NutriWest, have formulation for supplements that maintain the adrenals, thyroids and other glands combined with desiccated bovine thyroid, other organisms and herbs.

Desiccated thyroid may be used under a doctor’s supervision in order to substitute synthetic thyroid hormone. Other suggested supplements are normally used in combination with other treatment. Treatment for low thyroid should be closely monitored by medical experts.