Supplements for hashimoto’s

If you’ve found out that you have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, meaning that your lab results show some level of thyroid antibodies and you’ve been diagnosed with this autoimmune disorder, don’t despair! First of all, it can be comforting to have an explanation and diagnosis for the fatigue, joint pain, brain fog and digestive issues you’ve likely been experiencing.

There are many supplements that can help you feel better. In this post, I’ll go over my top Hashimoto supplements and explain why each one is helpful.

I do want to emphasize that a supplements-only approach to Hashimoto’s isn’t where I would want you to go.  Izabella Wentz, whom I strongly recommend following, has a great blog post on the best diet for Hashimoto’s.  Dietary changes can make a huge difference in your symptoms and in reducing your antibodies.  Lifestyle factors, such as managing your stress, removing environmental toxins, and getting enough gentle exercise, are also incredibly important.

Hashimoto’s is not a thyroid disorder - it is an autoimmune condition.  This means that the body is mounting an attack on itself, the immune system is out of balance and your body is inflamed, even though you can’t see it.  The first thing I want you to remember is how inflammation contributes to autoimmune conditions, and reducing inflammation is key to reducing your symptoms and calming the immune system.

It’s also a good idea to work with a health practitioner, such as a naturopath or holistic nutritionist (like myself!) to make sure that the supplement plan is the best one for your specific situation, and to avoid any contraindications with health conditions or medications. Before starting these supplements listed below, check with your health care provider to make sure that there won’t be any contra-indication with medications you’re on or other health conditions you have.

Keep reading for my top recommendations for Hashimoto supplements.

Heal the gut with L-glutamine

If you have an autoimmune condition, you need to heal your gut. Leaky gut, or intestinal permeability, contributes to inflammation and the autoimmune storm that causes your body to attack itself.

In addition to eating a clean diet, starting by removing gluten, dairy, and soy, try adding a gut healing supplement such as L-glutamine.  Gut healing formulas, such as Designs for Health’s GI Revive, Vita Aid’s GI Restore, or NFH’s GI Repair, contain multiple gut healing supplements like zinc carnosine, slippery elm or aloe powder.  You can also purchase L-glutamine on its own; the recommended dose is 5 grams a day in water, ideally with food.  You can add the powder to a cold beverage or a smoothie, if that’s easiest.

ACES and Zinc

This combination supplement contains vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium and zinc. Hence, ACES (S for selenium!) and zinc, pronounced the way it’s spelled, as “Asus and zinc.”

Zinc and selenium both have a positive effect on reducing thyroid antibodies, and selenium is a precursor to glutathione, a potent antioxidant that is also anti-inflammatory. You can take them separately - if you do, aim for 30 mg of zinc and 200 mg of selenium. I find it easier to take them in this combination supplement, where you also get vitamins, A, C and E, which can reduce autoimmune reactions and regulate the immune system.

Vitamin D

Many studies have shown that Hashimoto’s disease often occurs along with vitamin D deficiency. 

Improving vitamin D has been shown to reduce Hashimoto’s antibodies and slow the autoimmune attack on the thyroid. Depending on where you live, you should take between 2000 - 5000 iu per day.  If you live in a climate that is cold and dark part of the year (such as Canada, where I live), aim for the higher dose in the winter and reduce your dose in the sunny summer months.  If you live in a sunny climate, make sure you’re getting natural sun exposure through the day - twenty minutes is said to be enough - and also supplement with 2000 iu a day to avoid deficiency.

Aloe Vera Juice

This isn’t strictly a supplement, but you can buy aloe vera as a drinkable juice.  Studies have shown that 50 ml (about 4 tablespoons) a day can help reduce antibodies, by soothing the gut and reducing inflammation.  Aloe vera is also healing to leaky gut, which most people with Hashimoto’s have.  I like the brand Lily of the Desert’s inner filet aloe vera juice.  Well, I say I like it but really it tastes bitter, so dilute it in a cup of water and drink it away from food and medications.

Serrapeptase or Wobenzym

At the heart of all autoimmune conditions is inflammation and the storm that it creates in the body, contributing to immune dysregulation and autoimmune attacks.

Serrapeptase, Wobenzym and other systemic enzymes are powerful anti-inflammatories.  They help reduce TSH, which is often elevated in Hashimoto’s, and they help regulate the immune system to calm the autoimmune attack.  Serrapeptase contains the enzyme serratiopeptidase (don’t worry, you don’t need to pronounce it!), which reduces pain and inflammation in the body. You’ll usually see it in the strength of 100,000 or 120,000 SU. Wobenzym is a brand name of a systemic enzyme combination that is anti-inflammatory and relieves pain.

It may take 3 -6 months to feel a difference or to see your labs change, but these supplements have been shown to lower antibody levels, and by reducing inflammation, there’s a good chance your symptoms will also be reduced. This type of enzyme is taken between meals, two to three times a day.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

Do you feel like you just can’t get out of your chair and get things done?  One of the symptoms of Hashimoto’s is chronic fatigue and lacking energy. B1 (thiamine) supplementation can help improve energy levels and reduce fatigue.

In the studies that were done, a high dose of 600 mg a day was given and fatigue was significantly reduced.  Look for thiamine in the form of benfotiamine or thiamine tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide (TTFD) for best absorption.

In conclusion

As mentioned above, supplements are just that - supplements.  They don’t replace making changes to your diet and lifestyle. You may benefit from removing gluten, dairy, soy and other inflammatory foods from what you eat, reducing and managing stress, and tackling the environmental toxins you’re being exposed to on a daily basis.

I can help! For more support healing Hashimoto’s or other autoimmune conditions, book your free call with me to discuss how I can help you.