Thyroid Support Supplements, What Are They And How Can They Help?

The thyroid stimulates metabolism and controls the body's circulating calcium levels. The thyroid is also responsible for controlling body temperature, heart rate, energy levels and mood. It also secrets calcitonin which causes the body to store excess calcium in the bones and uses calcitonin to reduce feelings of hunger. Regulation of the release of circulating calcium when it's needed is also one of its functions.

Hypothyroidism is a deficiency of thyroid hormones. Another disorder of the thyroid is hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is an excess of thyroid hormone that increases metabolism to a very high level beyond the norm. The sympathetic nervous system reacts by causing a fast heart beat, palpitations, tremors, anxiety, diarrhea and weight loss.

Thyroid support supplements include herbs like somnifera or Ashwagandha, also known as the Indian ginseng. This herb increases circulating thyroid hormone levels. Commiphora muku or Myrrh or Guggul ameliorates the effects of hypothyroidism. Schizandra berry is yet another popular herb that is purported to relieve hypothyroidism. Other herbs that may be helpful are Lycopus europaeus and Lithospermum officinale. They each may exhibit a relief of the milder forms of hypothyroidism.

Lycopus europaeus is a flowering plant that grows in wetland areas. It has many other names, Gypsywort, Bugleweed, Water Horehound and Ou Di Sun. It is a perennial plant with medicinal properties. It is used to treat hyperthyroidism, fever, sores and wounds. Lithospermum officinale is a perennial that grows in hedgerows and at the edge of woodlands.

If your hypothyroidism is caused by a deficiency in iodine or tyrosine. Increase consumption of seaweed and seafood. This will increase iodine levels. It the thyroid swells, this indicates a serious deficiency. Bladderwack nori and kelp are great supplements that supply iodine. Bladderwack nori is a tough sea plant that grows in high-tide zones. It is essentially a form of seaweed. Kelp is also seaweed that supplies the missing iodine. It provides 150 mcg of iodine in one 100mg tablet. But, you should be aware that iodine deficiency is not usually an issue in most developed countries.

Most thyroid supplements contain iodine including L-tyrosine. An adult dose of the amino acid, L-tyrosine would be 300 mg daily. L-tyrosine helps to form the bioactive factors important to cellular growth and maintenance.

Selenium also plays an important role in thyroid function. A dose of 100 mcg of selenium helps the thyroid to do its job better. When experiencing hypothyroidism, the coenzyme Q10 helps to protect the heart. A beneficial dose of CoQ10 is 100 to 300mg daily.

Natural thyroid hormone can take the form of desiccated porcine thyroid. The best known brands of desiccated natural thyroid are Armour, Naturethroid and Westhroid. Desiccated thyroid contains the same hormones that your own thyroid produces: T4, T3, T2, T1 and calcitonin. Most have found that it works very well because the natural hormones are replacing the missing hormones that your body no longer produces.

Supplementing your thyroid helps to regulate the body by providing the necessary tools to support it. A low sodium diet might lead to an insufficiency in iodine. Increasing the consumption of seaweed and seafood could reduce the occurrence of hypothyroidism in many people. Others require an additional supplement like natural hormone replacement. The type of supplement you select is based on what works well for you. As with all treatments for any kind of condition you may be suffering from always discuss them with your doctor.