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Thyroid support supplements are a HUGE cash cow for manufacturers. I'm talking like 100s of millions of dollars.
But are they worth your money?

This is a very common question, and you can’t expect an unbiased answer from a supplement manufacturer.

Let’s have a closer look.

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TITLE: Hypothyroidism- Should I Use Nutrition Supplements?

In a previous video we looked at three of the important nutrients you need for thyroid health, as well as whole food sources for each. I recommend you watch that first.

Now lets look at the 4 main nutrients that thyroid supplements claim to support.

SLIDE - Iodine

STUDY- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19014327
Iodine supplements are unnecessary.
This is because iodine deficiency is almost never the cause of hypothyroidism in developed countries.
SNIPPET: "These findings affirm... adequate iodine nutrition in the general U.S. population since 2000."

The big exception to this rule is if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Iodine requirements increase by more than 60% as iodine is required for mother and child.

In some instances of Hashimoto’s, concentrated iodine sources such as iodine drops, seaweed or kelp tablets may worsen hypothyroidism. This is another reason to be weary of iodine supplementation.

SLIDE - Selenium
ME
Selenium is a popular thyroid supplement, and theoretically could help if you are actually deficient in selenium.

STUDY- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23744563
A review of the research concluded evidence is lacking to definitively support or refute the use of selenium for thyroid health. Some studies found it could help, but they were heavily biased.
SNIPPET- "In conclusion, the results of these four studies... show that evidence to support or refute the efficacy of selenium supplementation in people with Hashimoto's thyroiditis is incomplete and not reliable...".

In other words, it’s unclear if is beneficial from a scientific standpoint. Patient tesitominal suggests it helps, but that will vary from case to case.

Also note the risk of known side-effects, including digestive issues, fatigue, irritability and even hair loss if used long-term.

SLIDE - Zinc

Speaking of hair loss, it may be worth trialling a zinc supplement on its own (as opposed to a supplement that also contains selenium).

STUDY - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19250719
There are few studies on zinc supplementation, with one finding it may only be beneficial for patients with goiter.
SNIPPET: "...Zn status and serum thyroid hormone levels were improved in goitrous patients after six months treatment..."
Therefore, there is no way to give a solid recommendation for or against its use.

SLIDE- Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is a micronutrient that helps regulate energy release.

Low levels can make you feel exceptionally lethargic, so in theory this supplement could help fight fatigue that often comes with underactive thyroid.

Generally speaking it doesn’t hurt to give it a try, and anecdotally they work very well. But much like iodine, low levels of vitamin B12 is very rare in developed countries.

Generally speaking then, supplemental iodine and vitamin B12 are not necessary as your levels are very likely optimal. Selenium and zinc supplements are certainly beneficial if you have low levels, but effectiveness will vary greatly between individuals.
As always consult with your personal doctor before trying any new supplements.