What is the most common cause of primary hypothyroidism? 

Hashimoto's disease is the most common cause of primary hypothyroidism — 90 percent of cases stem from this condition. 

Several risk factors can trigger Hashimoto's disease and lead to hypothyroidism: 

• Hormone imbalance: If your hormone levels are out of whack (not only your thyroid hormone levels), this can cause Hashimoto's to flare up. Thyroid hormone replacement therapy may solve this problem. 

• Infections: Tick-borne infections (like Lyme disease) and viral infections (like Epstein-Barr) may lead to Hashimoto's and hypothyroidism. 

• Food sensitivities: Food allergens can trigger Hashimoto's disease. For instance, celiac disease (a gluten allergy) has been linked to an increased risk of autoimmune disorders like Hashimoto's. 

• Nutrient deficiency — Nutrient deficiencies can trigger

•  Hashimoto's disease. The most common nutrient deficiency that leads to primary hypothyroidism is iodine deficiency. 

• Toxin exposure:  Harmful toxins wreak havoc on your health, especially your thyroid. Heavy metal exposure, mold toxins, and exposure to chemicals like pesticides and other industrial chemicals can trigger Hashimoto's. Daily workplace exposure to toxins is one possible cause of hypothyroidism that should not be overlooked. 

• Leaky gut: When the lining in your stomach is chronically inflamed, the tight junction proteins in your intestinal wall may weaken and allow toxins to enter the bloodstream. Leaky gut syndrome is both a cause and a symptom of Hashimoto's and, consequently, primary hypothyroidism. 

Other Causes of Hypothyroidism 

Which hormone is deficient in primary hypothyroidism? The root cause of primary hypothyroidism is a deficiency in T3 or T4 hormones. The cause of central hypothyroidism is a deficiency in TSH or TRH. 

Medication side effects (like with amiodarone or lithium) Postpartum thyroiditis

 Thyroid injury

 Subacute thyroiditis 

Thyroidectomy

 Thyroid cancer

 Radioactive iodine therapy

 Over-treatment of Graves' disease, which itself causes hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) 

Natural Thyroid Supplements 

The top 10 natural thyroid supplements that may help your symptoms include: 

Vitamin D Selenium

1.  Iodine

2.  Zinc

3.  Probiotics

4.  DIM

5.  Glutathione Green tea extract Curcumin  

6. Ashwagandha

Before taking any supplements, it is critical to consider the root cause and type of thyroid condition. I recommend you speak to your doctor or contact a doctor specializing in functional medicine to find your root cause. 

What are some pros of taking thyroid supplements? The pros of taking thyroid supplements include science-backed benefits that can treat the underlying cause of your thyroid disorder. Natural thyroid supplements typically boast lesser side effects than medications. 

Check out these research-based supplements for various root causes of abnormal thyroid function. 

• Did you know that the human body naturally produces vitamin D, a hormone essential for our health? Unfortunately, many people lack this vital nutrient due to our indoor lifestyles. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to an under-active thyroid, even in cases not associated with autoimmune disorders. Fortunately, a study conducted in 2020 found that vitamin D supplements can improve TSH and calcium levels in hypothyroid patients. Considering the benefits, including vitamin D in your multivitamin regimen may be a good idea.

• Selenium- "In the 1990s, selenium was identified as a component of an enzyme that activates thyroid hormone," says a 2020 study published in Nature Reviews Endocrinology. Since then, selenium deficiency has been studied as a common cause of thyroid disorders. Selenium is an excellent answer to Graves' disease (autoimmune hyperthyroidism) and Hashimoto's (autoimmune hypothyroidism).  It may help fight postpartum thyroiditis, which occurs when new mothers experience abnormal thyroid function. 

• Iodine- Moderate amounts of iodine supplements can help prevent autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto's and Graves' — and may reduce symptoms of hypothyroidism. Your body cannot produce iodine independently, so it depends on dietary iodine to produce and secrete thyroid hormones T3 and T4. Iodized salt is just salt fortified with iodine — a large-scale effort to reduce goiters in the American population that began in 1924.  Iodine shows promise for treating hyperthyroidism as well. Iodine can acutely inhibit hormone secretion. In cases of Graves' disease, when patients cannot take antithyroid medications due to side effects, potassium iodide has been used to control thyroid activity successfully.  Iodine deficiency is also a leading cause of goiters, a thyroid disorder. Iodine is a standard treatment for goiters.  Be warned, though. Even if iodine is a standard treatment for thyroid disorders, too much iodine can trigger thyroid problems. Talk to your Dr about Iodine supplementation. 

• Zinc-Zinc is essential in producing thyroid hormones T3, T4, and TSH. A zinc deficiency can lead to hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. If you are low on zinc, a zinc supplement could help to treat your thyroid disorder.  It's worth noting that zinc deficiency could be a symptom or a cause of hypothyroidism. It works both ways, complicating the diagnostic process.  Zinc is often paired with magnesium, selenium, or copper for optimal results. However, we recommend only taking mineral supplements you know are deficient in, so please seek out testing through your healthcare provider. 

• Probiotics-  Leaky gut syndrome is a common root cause of hypothyroidism. Probiotics are a standard and proven treatment for leaky gut, also known as intestinal permeability.  Probiotics treat leaky gut, a significant risk factor for Hashimoto's hypothyroidism. Probiotics can be a great supplement if an endocrinologist or other healthcare professional believes you may have leaky gut syndrome.  Be careful about using probiotics if you have SIBO. A condition caused by intestinal bacteria lingering in the small intestine, causing an overgrowth, and adding probiotics could worsen this situation. Probiotics provide full benefits when they occupy your large intestine, not your small intestine. 

• DIM- Diindolylmethane (DIM) is a supplement used to treat female hormone imbalance, most notably estrogen dominance. DIM can aid female patients suffering from hormone-related thyroid problems.  Other studies show that DIM has regulated hormone levels in women with various conditions. 

• I also often recommend chaste berries for women with hormonal imbalances. 

• Glutathione- Glutathione is a superb antioxidant. Glutathione fights oxidative stress that may increase the severity of hypothyroidism if left unchecked. If inflammation is triggering your autoimmunity, glutathione is a great supplement. A deficiency of glutathione can lead to hypothyroidism. Whether you're deficient or not, glutathione may improve your thyroid health. 

• N-acetylcysteine is a precursor to glutathione. As a supplement, N-acetylcysteine can also help fight inflammation and free radicals. 

• Did you know that green tea contains a beneficial catechin called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)? This powerful antioxidant has similar benefits to glutathios important to note that green tea also contains caffeine, so consuming it too late in the day may lead to potential side effects such as insomnia.

• Curcumin- Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant known for its anti-inflammatory properties that helps treat osteoarthritis. However, curcumin's anti-inflammatory properties may also fight against autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto's. Taking curcumin with other anti-inflammatory compounds could help reduce the size of thyroid nodules, which are symptoms of hypothyroidism. 

• Turmeric- Including turmeric in your diet can be beneficial for increasing your curcumin intake. However, it's important to note that the bioavailability of curcumin in turmeric is quite low, meaning that your body absorbs very little of it. Unfortunately, most of the curcumin in turmeric is destroyed by your digestive system.

• Liposomal curcumin- Liposomes deliver curcumin (or whatever is contained within) directly to your cells, cleverly avoiding destruction in your digestive tract by mimicking a natural cell wall. 

• Ashwagandha- Ashwagandha has been utilized as a traditional remedy in Ayurvedic medicine for a long time. Research has proven that ashwagandha is a successful cure for hypothyroidism. This adaptogenic herb aids the adrenal glands in adapting to stress levels. As the adrenal glands and thyroid are closely linked, it is not shocking that supplements that nourish the adrenal glands can provide thyroid support. Studies indicate that ashwagandha can significantly support thyroid function and help prevent thyroid disease.

Supplements For Underlying Issues 

You must know what underlying issues trigger your thyroid condition to take the right supplements for thyroid problems. 

When should you take thyroid supplements? You should take thyroid supplements when lifestyle and dietary changes fail to work. 

Could you let a qualified healthcare provider diagnose the root cause of your thyroid condition and talk with the healthcare expert about whether a supplement suits your situation? 

Below, supplements are broken down by which root cause of the thyroid disorder they treat. 

Hashimoto's Disease

Hashimoto's thyroiditis, or autoimmune thyroiditis, Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune disorder that leads to hypothyroidism. This condition can cause weight gain, fatigue, cold sensitivity, and constipation. 

It has many potential root causes, so diagnosing the underlying cause(s) before treatment or supplementation is essential. 

The most common causes of Hashimoto's disease (and the supplements to address each) are: 

• Hormone imbalance: If your hormone levels are imbalanced, this may trigger Hashimoto's disease. The best supplements for hormone imbalance are chaste berry and DIM.

• Leaky gut: When your intestines are chronically inflamed, your intestines might allow toxins to escape from the stomach into the bloodstream. A leaky gut is both a cause and a symptom of 

hypothyroidism. The best supplements for leaky gut are probiotics, zinc, and curcumin.

• Infections: Tick-borne infections (like Lyme disease), viral infections (like Epstein-Barr), or gut infections like SIBO may cause Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Some of the best infection supplements are vitamins C and D, zinc, and green tea extract. 

• Toxin exposure: Harmful toxins can affect your body, particularly your thyroid gland. Watch out for heavy metal exposure, mold toxins, and industrial chemicals. Supplements to help fight toxin exposure include glutathione, milk thistle, and zinc. 

• Nutrient deficiency: Nutrient deficiencies could lead to Hashimoto's. Dietary supplementation can treat these deficiencies. The most common deficiencies include vitamin D, zinc, iron, selenium, and iodine. Other (less common) deficiencies are vitamin B12, folate, and L-tyrosine, an amino acid. 

Graves' Disease 

Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder that triggers an overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism. This disease causes people to lose weight and have anxiety, insomnia, heat sensitivity, and diarrhea. 

Like Hashimoto's, you need to know the underlying cause of your Graves' disease before treatment or supplementation. 

Common hyperthyroidism supplements and Graves' disease supplements include: 

• Iodine

• L-carnitine and selenium Bugleweed and lemon balm

• Vitamin B12 (if deficient) Risks Of Thyroid Supplements 

eating healthier can improve your overall wellness, possibly even your thyroid conditions. Food allergens and toxins can trigger Hashimoto's hypothyroidism. 

You don't need dietary supplements if you can fix your condition with nutritional changes. 

A healthy diet can eliminate toxins, lessen inflammation, and regulate hormones to help with thyroid issues. Our guide to a hypothyroidism diet can help you get started! 

Some experts (us included) suggest the Autoimmune Paleo (AIP) diet for 3-6 months to eliminate and identify potential inflammatory triggers from your diet. If your thyroid disorder improves, we know it was due to food triggers. 

Once your condition improves, we will slowly reintroduce foods into your diet. If your condition worsens after adding a particular food, we will re-eliminate the food from your diet. 

Pregnant women should not adhere to the Autoimmune Paleo diet. 

Key Takeaways….

Reversing your hypothyroidism depends on many factors, including lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, and stress reduction. As part of these changes, supplements like iodine or vitamin D can play a role in your journey to hypothyroidism healing. 

Prescription medications shouldn't be the first response to thyroid disease. Natural options can produce excellent results by addressing the root cause of your illness. 

Talk to a medical professional to seek other options. If you are on synthetic prescription medication, ask about ARMOUR (also a drug made from natural compounds from animals and works just as well without the side effects.