Dr. Izabella Wentz, PharmD

Thyroid Pharmacist

Questions Supplements & Your Thyroid

Common Questions About Supplements and Your Thyroid

Medically reviewed and written by Izabella Wentz, PharmD, FASCP on November 30, 2015

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Which supplements do you recommend?

As a pharmacist, I’m picky about my supplements. Some may have allergenic fillers; some are poorly absorbed, and others don’t have what they say the do. When looking for a supplement, be sure to pick one that is gluten and dairy free.

There are many excellent supplement companies; my favorite brand is the professional only line Pure Encapsulations. They have very tight quality control standards, so you know that the product you are getting isn’t free of fillers that may delay absorption and are free of gluten, dairy, and in most cases, soy. I have set up an E-store with them and maintain a list of recommended supplements. You can learn more about this brand of supplements on the Pure Encapsulations website.

You have a large number of supplements on your website. Do you recommend that everyone with Hashimoto’s should start taking all of them?

By all means no! Not everyone will need every single supplement!  In fact, I believe that most nutrients should come from the diet, this is why I always list food sources for most of the nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and probiotics that are depleted in Hashimoto’s in the book and on the blog.  However, some may require/prefer supplements and the supplements on the website are a resource for those that do.  I recommend getting tested for deficiencies to determine your need for a supplement, as instructed on the book and blog. I also don’t recommend starting multiple supplements all at once. I recommend starting one at a time and then adding another a week or so later, once it has been confirmed that the first supplement is not causing any harm.

Why do you recommend a Selenium supplement instead of Brazil nuts?

Selenium appears to be a supplement with a narrow therapeutic index. A minimum dose of 200 mcg was required to reduce TPO antibodies in clinical trials (100 mcg did not have an effect), and Selenium can be toxic at doses >800 mcg. The daily Selenium dose for adults should be between 200mcg and 400 mcg daily.

The Selenium content of Brazil nuts is determined by the soil where the nuts are grown and can vary 10 fold, depending on the origin of the nuts. Brazil nuts can have between 50-500 mcg of Selenium per ounce of nuts, so unless a lab has analyzed the micronutrients, you don’t know if you are getting enough or too much Selenium.

Additionally, many people with Hashimoto’s may have multiple protein sensitivities and may be sensitive to Brazil nuts.

Can’t I just take a good multivitamin with Iron, Selenium, Zinc, and Copper?

As a pharmacist, my concern with multivitamins is that they throw everything together in one batch, so the absorption of the nutrients can’t be guaranteed. Some vitamins are best absorbed on an empty stomach; others require food, an acidic environment, etc. Additionally, different minerals can inhibit each other’s absorption.

What’s your opinion about seaweed? Is it a good idea to take Chlorella or Spirulina to cleanse your body if you suffer from Hashi’s? Because I have read that you mustn’t consume any Iodine if you have Hashi’s because it can damage your thyroid even more.

Spirulina and Chlorella have immune stimulating properties, can worsen autoimmunity and even cause new onset autoimmunity. Additionally, the Iodine is problematic and can cause further thyroid damage. So I am not comfortable recommending them. Instead, for cleansing, you can do green juicing with a Root Cause Green Smoothie.

Do you recommend Spirulina/Seaweed/Kelp for cleansing?

I do not recommend any of the above for those with active Hashimoto’s, due to their high content of Iodine and their propensity to modulate the immune system. Spirulina, in particular, has been associated with new onset autoimmune conditions. Additionally, excess Iodine can perpetuate/worsen the autoimmune attack in Hashimoto’s and lead to additional thyroid cell destruction.

Do you recommend eating kelp, dulse, Spirulina, Chlorella or seaweed?

I do not recommend any of these for Hashimoto’s due to potential immune modulating properties and because of the high Iodine content, which can be problematic and can cause further thyroid damage.

I have more information about diet and Iodine in my book, Hashimoto’s: The Root Cause and in an article regarding food on my blog about tailoring your thyroid diet.

Is Anatabloc helpful for Hashimoto’s? If I start taking Anatabloc, do I have to take it for life? Or how long?

Anatabloc blocks inflammation and is effective at reducing thyroid antibodies and damage to the thyroid. However, Anatabloc blocks the inflammation only as long as someone is taking it. At the same time as taking Anatabloc, I recommend working to reduce inflammation; otherwise, it will just come back up when you stop taking the Anatabloc. As inflammation and gut issues can take a long time to change, taking Anatabloc may be helpful in preventing further damage while you work to fix the inflammation!

Is Betaine with Pepsin okay if I have a beet sensitivity?

While some companies source their betaine from beets, the Rootcology brand of Betaine is synthetic and is not sourced from beets. Patients sensitive to beets will be able to tolerate the Betaine HCl Pepsin. Synthetically derived ingredients can be made to be bio-identical (acting in the body identically to naturally derived compounds). This limits the potential for allergy/sensitivity in the highly sensitive customer population.

Would you recommend taking Saccharomyces Boulardii in addition to a super dose of probiotics?

I often do recommend combining them. One is a beneficial yeast, one a beneficial bacteria. They work in synergy.

Which supplements do you recommend for Hashimoto’s?

I recommend high-quality supplements that are tested for purity and content and that are free of gluten, dairy, soy, pesticides, and toxins.

I really like Rootcology and the Pure Encapsulations brand. Other high-quality brands I know and use are:

  • Designs for Health
  • NOW Foods
  • Metagenics
  • Vital Nutrients
  • Douglas Labs
  • Thorne
  • Allergy Research Group

Click here to view my recommended supplements for Hashimoto’s:

Click here to view Protocol-specific supplements for Hashimoto’s.

Unfortunately, I am not able to comment and recommend specific products for people who are not clients. If you’d like to work with me, you can sign up for my consultation waiting list.

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Comments

    • Andrea – Thank you for following this page. As a pharmacist, I can tell you that many supplements are ineffective, and some are even downright unsafe. The truth is that most supplement companies do not undergo the same scrutiny and testing that pharmaceutical products do. This is because many of the tests required of pharmaceutical companies are voluntary for supplement companies and most companies do not take the extra steps to test their products to ensure safety and purity.

      Rootcology’s mission is to provide safe and effective supplement solutions for people struggling with autoimmune thyroid conditions. Rootcology supplements are composed of high-quality premium, gluten, dairy, soy, pesticide, and toxin-free ingredients and undergo third-party testing to ensure that the ingredients on the label match the ingredients inside each bottle. Here is a link to the site. https://www.rootcology.com/collections/supplements I hope you check it out! Most thyroid conditions result from the immune system attacking the thyroid because the immune system is out of balance. Even when the thyroid is taken out surgically, is ‘dead’, or treated with radioactive iodine the autoimmunity still persists in most cases. Many people will have their thyroids removed, and will develop new autoimmune disorders such as Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, etc. The immune system just finds a different target. We need to re-balance the immune system to prevent this (sometimes the autoimmunity can be reversed as well). The gut determines your immune system. With the exception of discussing proper thyroid medication dosing, the majority of my website and my book focuses on balancing the immune system. The info I present is based on my own research and journey for overcoming my autoimmune thyroid condition.

      Hashimoto’s Protocol
      thyroidpharmacist.com/protocol

      Hashimoto’s Root Cause
      http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20

      Reply

  2. I have Graves/Hoshimoto with ‘LL removed in Jan due to tumor growth despite 15 year success on PTU. My TSH is now 1.25 unmedicated so righ lobe is working . My Endo is insistant on not giving me thyroid despite my having TSH of 3 to 4 for 17 years with PTU. 1.25 while avg is a misery. I do not understand his reasoning. I have Graves damage and symptoms and Hoshi symptoms. I am lost. Would I follow Hoshi supplements though my symptoms are geaves. Antthing to address the exhaustion, muscle pain?
    Could you reccomend supplements, website for people with both? I am having trouble finding support/resources for a Graves body with what feels to me like very low thyroid but is avg. If there are resources please advise.

    Reply

    • Marcelin – thank you for following this page. Graves and Hashimoto’s are both autoimmune conditions that affect the thyroid. They are thought to be closely related. Sometimes one turns into the other. The difference is the site of the antibody attack. In Hashimoto’s, the antibodies are found to thyroglobulin (in 80%) and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) enzyme (in 95% of people) – Hashimoto’s results in hypothyroidism and is usually treated with Synthroid and replacement hormone.

      The same antibodies may be present in a smaller percentage of people who have Graves, but the main antibody is to the TSH Receptor (TSHR-Ab). Usually people with Graves have hyperthyroidism and they are treated conventionally with thyroid suppressing drugs (methimazole) or radioactive iodine to destroy the thyroid. At that point, the thyroid will no longer produce hormones on its own and these people end up on Synthroid as well.

      Most thyroid conditions result from the immune system attacking the thyroid because the immune system is out of balance. Even when the thyroid is taken out surgically or treated with radioactive iodine, the autoimmunity still persists in most cases. Many people will have their thyroids removed, and will develop new autoimmune disorders such as Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, etc. The immune system just finds a different target. We need to rebalance the immune system to prevent this (sometimes the autoimmunity can be reversed as well). The gut determines your immune system. With the exception of discussing proper thyroid medication dosing, the majority of my website and my book focuses on balancing the immune system. The information I present is based on my own research, in my journey for overcoming my autoimmune thyroid condition.

      Hashimoto’s Protocol
      thyroidpharmacist.com/protocol

      Hashimoto’s Root Cause
      http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20

      Reply

  3. Dear dr. Wentz,
    I am following your blog and have read 2 of your books. With big changes in my diet and detoxifying of my environment, I do feel better. Now I started a number of supplements which you recommend and which are needed due to deficiencies I have. My question is – for how long do I need to take such supplements as vit. D, C, E, selenium, fish oil, biotine and betaine? Thank you.

    Reply

  4. For the past 6 months, I have been taking a prenatal vitamin, selenium 300mcg, and high dose vitamin D prescribed by my doctor. I am getting ready to add a magnesium supplement and a probiotic. I’m considering saccharomyces bouldarii, and biotin as well. I have also completely eliminated gluten, dairy, and legumes.
    All of my nails still have ridges on them, so I assume that I am still not absorbing nutrients properly.
    We want to start trying to conceive again, and I plan to get a blood work panel to make sure everything is in check before we try….
    My question is: Are any of the the thyroid supplements contraindicated during pregnancy?

    Reply

  5. Question for Dr. Wentz,
    I’m taking the liver cleanse supplements now. Do I continue or discontinue with the liver supplements when I begin the Adrenal supplement protocol?
    I would like to continue at least taking my Vitamin D.

    Reply

  6. Hi Dr. Wentz, your book has helped me see that I shouldn’t feel bad for having no energy, having random pain, and unable to lose weight even though my TSH levels are “normal” w/ levothyroxine. Thank you! I read the whole book first, and now want to start with the protocols, however, I’m unable to afford all of the supplements at the moment. I was wondering if it’s possible to follow the protocols and see progress without taking all of supplements listed. Which ones are most important?

    Thank you so much,

    Reply

  7. Hola Dr Izabella Im worried about synthetic vitamins, what are ur thoughts on this? I bought a bunch of supplements this year trying to improve my health by the brands you recommend however I recently learned is better when they are natural so would like to hear your thoughts on this matter
    gracias

    Reply

    • Yuranny – thank you for reaching out. <3 As a pharmacist, I can tell you that many supplements are ineffective, and some are even downright unsafe. The truth is that most supplement companies do not undergo the same scrutiny and testing that pharmaceutical products do. This is because many of the tests required of pharmaceutical companies are voluntary for supplement companies and most companies do not take the extra steps to test their products to ensure safety and purity. I have created my own supplements brand, Rootcology, to provide safe and effective supplement solutions for people struggling with autoimmune thyroid conditions. These supplements are composed of high-quality premium ingredients which are gluten, dairy, soy, pesticide. and toxin-free and undergo third-party testing to ensure that the ingredients on the label match the ingredients inside each bottle. Here is a link to the website: https://www.rootcology.com/collections/supplements. I hope this helps!

      Reply

  8. I’m trying to find the list of ingredients for your products, and can’t find anything except what they Don’t have in them. Are they food-based or synthetic?

    Reply

    • CB – thank you for reaching out. I am very hesitant in recommending iodine in Hashimoto’s. Although iodine serves as fuel for our thyroid and is very important in iodine deficiency hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s is a different mechanism. It’s like pouring gas into an engine that’s on fire… that’s essentially what’s happening in Hashi’s, thyroid inflammation. Adding iodine to the mix before putting out the fire and fixing the engine may result in further damage to the thyroid. In those with a predisposition to autoimmunity, this has been documented time and time again, in animal and human studies. I have spent 4 years researching about this issue, and have seen too many people suffering the consequences of adding iodine too soon. My approach is, let’s fix the engine first (usually a gut issue), and then add the fuel once we know that the engine is no longer on fire. Here is an article that might help explain further:

      IODINE AND HASHIMOTO’S
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/iodine-hashimotos/

      Reply

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