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Hypothyroidism, Vitamins & Minerals

thyroidstory.mivox.com was started as a simple blog dealing with my new diagnosis of hypothyroidism. Topics include medical information about hypothyroidism, information about hypothyroid medications like levothyroxine (Synthroid) and Armour Thyroid, as well as natural supplements like Thyromine, vincopectine and various vitamins and minerals. The site has now expanded to include discussion forums where other hypothyroid patients can discuss their experiences with hypothyroidism, and share tips for what medications, supplements and weight loss strategies have worked best for them.
Submitted by mivox on Thursday, 13 April, 2006 - 8:57pmSupplements

Just a quick overview here, because everything I read seems to have a slightly different take on the issue, and I am a bit paranoid about making sure I'm posting good information. But there are indeed some nutrients that are very important to to thyroid function, and some supplements that seem like a good idea for almost any hypothyroid patient to take. As always, take my advice with a grain of salt, do your own research, and if in doubt, ask a doctor...

  • B Vitamins — B vitamins are very important to the body's synthesis of T4. A standard B-complex supplement will ensure you're getting a sufficient supply of them. I take a B-50 supplement a few times a week to get the full B vitamin complex... you can also get B-100 supplements, but if you're at all worried about taking too much B, the B-50 should be fine. However, some studies show that niacin (B3) supplementation can actually lower thyroid hormone levels, so be sure to keep up with your regularly scheduled blood tests, if you start taking B vitamins!
  • Iodine — Iodine deficiency was once the leading cause of hypothyroid disorders. Iodine supplementation in table salt has largely eliminated iodine deficiency in the developed world, but it's still worth checking if your iodine levels are adequate. If you are NOT suffering iodine deficiency, beware any advice to use iodine supplementation for your hypothyroidism... too much iodine can actually cause thyroid problems as well!
  • Selenium — Selenium is used in the synthesis of T3 from T4. If your blood tests suggest your T3 levels are lagging behind your T4, you might try a good multi-mineral supplement with selenium. However, in cases where a patient is both selenium and iodine deficient, some studies have shown that selenium supplementation can actually make hypothyroid conditions worse. Again, it might be worth having your levels tested before taking supplements, but in most cases I'd imagine over-the-counter mineral supplements are unlikely to contain high enough levels of anything to cause a problem, if taken as directed.
  • Zinc — Studies suggest that severe zinc deficiency can cause hypothyroidism, but like iodine deficiency, it is rare for people living in the developed world to have a severe enough deficiency to cause a serious problem. In any case, an over-the-counter multi-mineral supplement will take care of any worries you have about your zinc levels, without risk of excess.
  • Calcium/Magnesium/Potassium — I mention these three together because the ratio in which you take them is important to their proper function in your body, and because they (along with zinc) are very important to cellular metabolism. Deficiencies may interfere with the cells' ability to properly absorb nutrients and hormones, as well as the thyroid's ability to properly absorb precursor nutrients necessary for hormone production. My doctor strongly recommended I start taking Calcium-Magnesium supplements, and discontinue my Depo-Provera birth control. She said both Depo and hypothyroidism are known to interfere with proper metabolism of calcium as related to development and maintenance of bone density. When I visited my local health food store, I found that Cal/Mag supplements were readily available, and many of them also contain potassium and zinc.
  • Vitamin A — Hypothyroidism can apparently impair the body's ability to convert beta-carotene into vitamin A, so supplemental vitmain A is often recommended to patients who do not consume adequate amounts in their daily diet. 5000-10000IU per day is the figure I heard.

Basically, I think my personal policy of taking a multi-vitamin/mineral packet a few times a week (or whenever I remember), along with a B-50, a cod liver oil gel cap and the calcium-magnesium-potassium-zinc supplement a couple times a week is probably perfectly adequate to prevent key deficiencies, while also avoiding any significant risk of overdose. I have not personally been tested for vitamin/mineral deficiencies, but I've seen such a huge improvement in my symptoms over the last few months, I don't think I'm doing anything demonstratably wrong.

Of course, other medications may affect nutrient metabolism in different ways, and if you drink or smoke that also has effects that could further complicate matters. So don't take my word for it all! Talk to your doctor and do your own research!

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Multivitamins and Thyroid Medication
Submitted by Guest on Tuesday, 18 July, 2006 - 6:23pm

I agree with you that taking multivitamins is always beneficial to your health - especially if you are suffering from thyroid disease, but I didn't see any mention in your blog of the interactions between vitamins and common thyroid supplementation medications. It's commonly known that you shouldn't take a multivitamin within 4 hours of taking your thyroid supplement because of the reduction in absorption rates (the decrease can be as much as 30%) and increase in peak absorption times (as much as doubles the peak absorption time). There was a very helpful study done on calcium supplementation in hypothyroid patients - the results of which can be found at this website: http://www.ispub.com/ostia/index.php?xmlFilePath=journals/ijanp/vol6n2/levothyroxine.xml The article also discusses the contraindications of taking multivitamins simultaneously with thyroid supplementation.

Although it is very important to take multivitamins as a part of your daily health regimen, I think you should be clear with your readers that, for maximum absorption and benefit from their thyroid supplement, they should avoid taking multivitamins at the same time as thyroid medicine. It's surprising how many thyroid patients know not to take it with food, but not about taking it with multivitamins.

Thank you for your posts - you give very helpful information.

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Thanks for the clarification!
Submitted by mivox on Tuesday, 18 July, 2006 - 8:14pm

My doctor told me not to take *anything* within an hour or two of taking my levothyroxine, so I guess I just assumed that part went without saying. Thanks for adding that point, for folks who's dr might not be as specific as mine!

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When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember: Fire departments generally use water!

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centrum
Submitted by Guest on Monday, 31 July, 2006 - 4:05am

hi im hypo.is it ok to take centrum multivitamins while on armour thyroid replacement ive heard so much about mixing medicine with vitamins dont know what to think thanks.

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Should be fine ...
Submitted by mivox on Monday, 31 July, 2006 - 5:16am

... but don't take them at the same time. For example, I take one Armour dose in the early afternoon, and my second dose when I go to bed. So I take my vitamins and other supplements first thing in the morning, 6-8 hours between my regular Armour doses.

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Thank you for the nice
Submitted by Guest on Thursday, 4 October, 2007 - 3:49pm

Thank you for the nice review, I am actually searching for new ways to improve my health and I would go for vitamins and natural products. Now I am taking nature's life probiotic and I have no complains about it.

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Vitamins
Submitted by Guest on Sunday, 28 October, 2007 - 3:58pm

I just take my vitamins with my supper meal. I usually forget to take them at lunch. If I have taken my thyroid pill later than usual, I cover myself by taking it later.

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