7 Herbs to Heal Your Thyroid

Before you can properly support your thyroid, you should know where it is and what it does. The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck. Its most basic function is to convert iodine from food into two thyroid hormones: thyroxine (T3) and triiodothyronine (T4). Your thyroid is responsible for regulating metabolism in your body.

Your pituitary gland, located just below the brain, determines levels of T3 and T4, then makes thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) to either increase or decrease production of each to reach an optimal balance. And how does the body know how much TSH to make? It’s regulated by another master gland—your hypothalamus.

None of these systems work in isolation, so it’s important that they are all functioning to their best ability. That’s why supporting your thyroid is so critical.

7 Herbs to Heal Your Thyroid

Iodine
This is the most important trace element we know of for thyroid functioning. Without iodine, the thyroid lacks a basic building block it needs to make hormones that support all the tissues in the body.

Thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) are the most essential, active iodine-containing hormones we have. In 2012, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report showed that women aged 20–39 in the US had the lowest iodine levels of any age group. The UK’s National Diet and Nutrition Survey found the same is true across the pond.

This is something we can easily improve by eating more iodine-rich foods.

Selenium 
This element is indispensable to our thyroid in several ways. Selenium-containing enzymes protect the thyroid gland when we’re under stress, working like a detox to help flush oxidative, chemical and even social stress—which can cause reactions in the body.

Selenium-based proteins help regulate hormone synthesis, converting T4 into the more accessible T3. These proteins and enzymes help regulate metabolism and maintain the right amount of each thyroid hormone in the tissues and blood as well as in organs such as the liver, kidneys and brain.

Selenium also helps regulate and recycle our iodine stores. These are all important functions.

Zinc, iron and copper
These three trace metals are vital to thyroid function. Low levels of zinc can cause T4, T3 and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) to also become low. Research shows that both hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) and hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) can create a zinc deficiency, leading to lower thyroid hormones.

Low iron levels can result in decreased thyroid function as well. In the presence of an iodine deficiency, iron supplements can help improve iodine absorption and repair the thyroid imbalance.

Copper is needed to help produce TSH and maintain T4 production. T4 helps regulate cholesterol levels, and some research even indicates copper deficiency may contribute to higher cholesterol and heart issues.

Antioxidants and B vitamins
Most people have heard that antioxidants are important to help temper oxidative stress, which combats degenerative diseases and slows the aging process. Vitamins A, C and E, along with iodine and selenium, help the thyroid gland mitigate oxidative stress in an ongoing daily process.

Oxidative stress tends to be higher with Graves’ disease, the most common form of hyperthyroidism. In this condition, the overactive thyroid uses more oxygen, which can cause a buildup of oxygenated compounds that can damage cells (see below for more details about the differences between hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism).

Antioxidants are recommended to help stop the oxidative stress before it dominoes. In addition, the B vitamins, particularly B2, B3 and B6, help the thyroid make T4. As you can see, these mechanisms are all connected, which is why getting the proper micronutrients is crucial.