Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDietSupplementsHerbal RemediesOther Beneficial TreatmentsGoals of Natural Treatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Diet
Supplements
Herbal Remedies
Other Beneficial Treatments
Goals of Natural Treatment
Talk to your healthcare provider before changing your diet, or taking herbal remedies or supplements. It’s also important to continue taking yourhypothyroid medicationsas prescribed unless your healthcare provider advises otherwise.
Tony Anderson / Getty Images
What Is Hypothyroidism?Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. Some people are born with it (congenital hypothyroidism). Fatigue and weight gain are two of the earliest signs, but this condition often goes unnoticed in the early stage, leading to:Weight gainInfertilityJoint painHeart diseaseApproximately 2% of Americans have hypothyroidism, with an additional 10% having mild hypothyroidism. Half of those with hypothyroidism aren’t aware that they have it.The most common cause of hypothyroidism isHashimoto’s disease.
What Is Hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. Some people are born with it (congenital hypothyroidism). Fatigue and weight gain are two of the earliest signs, but this condition often goes unnoticed in the early stage, leading to:Weight gainInfertilityJoint painHeart diseaseApproximately 2% of Americans have hypothyroidism, with an additional 10% having mild hypothyroidism. Half of those with hypothyroidism aren’t aware that they have it.The most common cause of hypothyroidism isHashimoto’s disease.
Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. Some people are born with it (congenital hypothyroidism). Fatigue and weight gain are two of the earliest signs, but this condition often goes unnoticed in the early stage, leading to:
Approximately 2% of Americans have hypothyroidism, with an additional 10% having mild hypothyroidism. Half of those with hypothyroidism aren’t aware that they have it.The most common cause of hypothyroidism isHashimoto’s disease.
Natural Treatment Options
Natural treatments address lifestyle and environmental factors that may impact thyroid hormone production and symptoms. These treatments should be as individual as your type of hypothyroidism and symptoms are.
Natural Treatment WarningBe aware that there may be risks involved in natural treatments like supplements and herbal remedies. It’s important to speak with your healthcare provider before starting them.
Natural Treatment Warning
Be aware that there may be risks involved in natural treatments like supplements and herbal remedies. It’s important to speak with your healthcare provider before starting them.
It may not be possible to avoid weight gain even when taking hypothyroid medications, but a calorie-balanced diet can help.A registered dietitian can help you come up with a healthy eating plan.
These foods include the following, among others:
Certain foods can improve your thyroid function, including:
There is an ongoing debate concerning the benefits of a gluten-free diet to help treat hypothyroidism. A 2023 meta-analysis found positive effects on thyroid function and resulting inflammation from a gluten-free diet, even in those with no symptoms orhistologyofceliac disease. However, the analysis also concluded that there currently isn’t enough evidence to recommend this diet.
In general, follow athyroid-healthy dietthat includes:
A low orno-sugar dietcan reduce inflammation, which benefits thyroid function. Those with thyroid disease are often advised to maintain a moderate sugar intake and have blood sugar levels checked regularly. If you have high blood sugar and hypothyroidism, each can exacerbate the other’s symptoms and interfere with treatment.
It’s also important to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water.
Some supplements support common deficiencies in people with hypothyroidism. The need for these depends on your levels of vitamins and minerals. Somepotentially beneficial supplementsinclude:
Desiccated pig or cow thyroid should be avoided. Dried animal thyroid is sold as a supplement but can be dangerous, undertreating or overtreating your condition and making you susceptible tobovine spongiform encephalopathy(BSE ormad cow disease).
Probiotics, Prebiotics, and HypothyroidismA 2024 meta-analysis on the effect of probiotics or prebiotics on thyroid function concluded that supplementation with probiotics/prebiotics has no significant effect on thyroid hormone levels.
Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Hypothyroidism
A 2024 meta-analysis on the effect of probiotics or prebiotics on thyroid function concluded that supplementation with probiotics/prebiotics has no significant effect on thyroid hormone levels.
Herbs cannot heal a thyroid deficiency, and some can cause harm, so always speak to your healthcare provider before taking any.
Someherbal supplementswork with the hormones in your body to bolster thyroid function, but how and whether they work depends on your unique thyroid condition.
One such herb that may help isashwagandha, a nightshade plant commonly used inAyurvedapractice. It has been shown to reduce thyroid hormone abnormalities in subclinical hypothyroidism in a few small human studies when taken at 600 milligrams (mg) per day.
Ashwagandha WarningSome claim that the herb ashwagandha can naturally increase thyroid function, but this may not work for everyone. In some cases, it can even cause a harmful effect calledthyrotoxicosis(excess thyroid hormones). Talk to a healthcare provider before trying any alternative treatment options for hypothyroidism.
Ashwagandha Warning
Some claim that the herb ashwagandha can naturally increase thyroid function, but this may not work for everyone. In some cases, it can even cause a harmful effect calledthyrotoxicosis(excess thyroid hormones). Talk to a healthcare provider before trying any alternative treatment options for hypothyroidism.
Essential Oils
Essential oils have been studied for their use in people with hypothyroidism.
Fatigue is a common symptom of thyroid hormone deficiency, and essential oils—when used for aromatherapy—have been found to reduce feelings of fatigue.
Beyond its use in aromatherapy, essential oils do not have enough medical research supporting them in treating hypothyroidism. However,spearmintandpeppermint oilsmay help with the symptoms including:
Acupuncture
Not many studies have been done on the use ofacupuncturefor hypothyroidism.
A 2018 review of the current research showed some promise for acupuncture to increase thyroid hormones in people with hypothyroidism. Additional benefits include:
Make sure to tell your acupuncturist that you have a thyroid condition before receiving treatment. Similarly, tell your healthcare provider about your acupuncture treatments.
Meditation and Yoga
Experts suggest that specific yoga poses increase blood flow to the thyroid gland, such as shoulder stands and inverted poses where the feet are elevated above the heart. Yoga is also thought to reduce the stress that can make the symptoms of hypothyroidism worse.
Similarly, guided meditation might be helpful for the thyroid as a stress reducer.
Can Hypothyroidism Be Reversed?When hypothyroidism is the result of an autoimmune disorder or thyroid damage, it cannot be cured. However, the condition can be effectively managed with thyroid hormone replacement, which people typically need to take for the rest of their lives.There are rare cases in which viral hypothyroidism and pregnancy-related hypothyroidism can resolve on their own, but it is unusual.
Can Hypothyroidism Be Reversed?
When hypothyroidism is the result of an autoimmune disorder or thyroid damage, it cannot be cured. However, the condition can be effectively managed with thyroid hormone replacement, which people typically need to take for the rest of their lives.There are rare cases in which viral hypothyroidism and pregnancy-related hypothyroidism can resolve on their own, but it is unusual.
Natural treatments cannot cure hypothyroidism; instead, they are aimed at:
If you are considering taking any natural treatment—whether it be an herb, dietary supplement, essential oil, or acupuncture—it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider, who can help you weigh the potential risks and benefits for your unique case.
Naturopathic Healthcare ProvidersIf your healthcare provider is unfamiliar with supplements or herbal therapies that interest you, you can seek the advice of anaturopathic healthcare provider. Just be sure the healthcare provider treating your thyroid disease is kept up to date about these treatments.
Naturopathic Healthcare Providers
If your healthcare provider is unfamiliar with supplements or herbal therapies that interest you, you can seek the advice of anaturopathic healthcare provider. Just be sure the healthcare provider treating your thyroid disease is kept up to date about these treatments.
Summary
While natural treatment options cannot replace medication or conventional medical treatments, some options may improve thyroid function or reduce your condition’s symptoms.
Be sure to discuss any natural remedies you are interested in with your healthcare provider before beginning. If you seek the care of a naturopathic healthcare provider or other holistic healthcare providers, keep your primary care provider up to date on what you discuss.
18 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Thyroid Association.Hypothyroidism: a booklet for patients and their families.Lee SY, Braverman LE, Pearce EN.Changes in body weight after treatment of primary hypothyroidism with levothyroxine.Endocr Pract.2014;20(11):1122-8. doi:10.4158/EP14072.ORChandra, Amar K.Iodine, thiocyanate and the thyroid.Biochem Pharmacol(Los Angel) 4:171. 2015. doi:10.4172/2167-0501.1000171Bajaj JK, Salwan P, Salwan S.Various possible toxicants involved in thyroid dysfunction: a review.J Clin Diagn Res. 2016 Jan;10(1):FE01-FE03. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2016/15195.7092St. Luke’s Health.5 Foods That Improve Thyroid Function.Piticchio T, Frasca F, Malandrino P, et al.Effect of gluten-free diet on autoimmune thyroiditis progression in patients with no symptoms or histology of celiac disease: a meta-analysis.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023;14:1200372. Published 2023 Jul 24. doi:10.3389/fendo.2023.1200372Biondi B, Kahaly GJ, Robertson RP.Thyroid Dysfunction and Diabetes Mellitus: Two Closely Associated Disorders.Endocr Rev. 2019;40(3):789-824. doi:10.1210/er.2018-00163Mahmoodianfard S, Vafa M, Golgiri F, Khoshniat M, Gohari M, Solati Z, Djalali M.Effects of zinc and selenium supplementation on thyroid function in overweight and obese hypothyroid female patients: a randomized double-blind controlled trial.J Am Coll Nutr. 2015;34(5):391-9. doi:10.1080/07315724.2014.926161National Institutes of Health.Iodine: fact sheet for health professionals.Collins AB, Pawlak R.Prevalence of vitamin B-12 deficiency among patients with thyroid dysfunction.Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2016;25(2):221-6. doi:10.6133/apjcn.2016.25.2.22Kim D.The Role of Vitamin D in Thyroid Diseases.Int J Mol Sci. 2017;18(9):1949. Published 2017 Sep 12. doi:10.3390/ijms18091949Shu Q, Kang C, Li J, et al.Effect of probiotics or prebiotics on thyroid function: A meta-analysis of eight randomized controlled trials.PLoS One. 2024;19(1):e0296733. Published 2024 Jan 11. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0296733Sharma AK, Basu I, Singh S.Efficacy and safety of ashwagandha root extract in subclinical hypothyroid patients: a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial.J Altern Complement Med. 2018;24(3):243-248. doi:10.1089/acm.2017.0183Hawkins, J., Hires, C., Dunne, E. & Keenan, L. (2020).Aromatherapy reduces fatigue among women with hypothyroidism: a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine.17(1). doi:10.1515/jcim-2018-0229Mahboubi M.Mentha spicata as natural analgesia for treatment of pain in osteoarthritis patients.Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2017 Feb;26:1-4. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2016.11.001Cheng FK.An overview of the contribution of acupuncture to thyroid disorders.J Integr Med. 2018;16(6):375-383. doi:10.1016/j.joim.2018.09.002Baishya A, Metri K.Effects of yoga on hypothyroidism: A systematic review.J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2024;15(2):100891. doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2024.100891MedlinePlus.Hypothyroidism.
18 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Thyroid Association.Hypothyroidism: a booklet for patients and their families.Lee SY, Braverman LE, Pearce EN.Changes in body weight after treatment of primary hypothyroidism with levothyroxine.Endocr Pract.2014;20(11):1122-8. doi:10.4158/EP14072.ORChandra, Amar K.Iodine, thiocyanate and the thyroid.Biochem Pharmacol(Los Angel) 4:171. 2015. doi:10.4172/2167-0501.1000171Bajaj JK, Salwan P, Salwan S.Various possible toxicants involved in thyroid dysfunction: a review.J Clin Diagn Res. 2016 Jan;10(1):FE01-FE03. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2016/15195.7092St. Luke’s Health.5 Foods That Improve Thyroid Function.Piticchio T, Frasca F, Malandrino P, et al.Effect of gluten-free diet on autoimmune thyroiditis progression in patients with no symptoms or histology of celiac disease: a meta-analysis.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023;14:1200372. Published 2023 Jul 24. doi:10.3389/fendo.2023.1200372Biondi B, Kahaly GJ, Robertson RP.Thyroid Dysfunction and Diabetes Mellitus: Two Closely Associated Disorders.Endocr Rev. 2019;40(3):789-824. doi:10.1210/er.2018-00163Mahmoodianfard S, Vafa M, Golgiri F, Khoshniat M, Gohari M, Solati Z, Djalali M.Effects of zinc and selenium supplementation on thyroid function in overweight and obese hypothyroid female patients: a randomized double-blind controlled trial.J Am Coll Nutr. 2015;34(5):391-9. doi:10.1080/07315724.2014.926161National Institutes of Health.Iodine: fact sheet for health professionals.Collins AB, Pawlak R.Prevalence of vitamin B-12 deficiency among patients with thyroid dysfunction.Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2016;25(2):221-6. doi:10.6133/apjcn.2016.25.2.22Kim D.The Role of Vitamin D in Thyroid Diseases.Int J Mol Sci. 2017;18(9):1949. Published 2017 Sep 12. doi:10.3390/ijms18091949Shu Q, Kang C, Li J, et al.Effect of probiotics or prebiotics on thyroid function: A meta-analysis of eight randomized controlled trials.PLoS One. 2024;19(1):e0296733. Published 2024 Jan 11. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0296733Sharma AK, Basu I, Singh S.Efficacy and safety of ashwagandha root extract in subclinical hypothyroid patients: a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial.J Altern Complement Med. 2018;24(3):243-248. doi:10.1089/acm.2017.0183Hawkins, J., Hires, C., Dunne, E. & Keenan, L. (2020).Aromatherapy reduces fatigue among women with hypothyroidism: a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine.17(1). doi:10.1515/jcim-2018-0229Mahboubi M.Mentha spicata as natural analgesia for treatment of pain in osteoarthritis patients.Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2017 Feb;26:1-4. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2016.11.001Cheng FK.An overview of the contribution of acupuncture to thyroid disorders.J Integr Med. 2018;16(6):375-383. doi:10.1016/j.joim.2018.09.002Baishya A, Metri K.Effects of yoga on hypothyroidism: A systematic review.J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2024;15(2):100891. doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2024.100891MedlinePlus.Hypothyroidism.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Thyroid Association.Hypothyroidism: a booklet for patients and their families.Lee SY, Braverman LE, Pearce EN.Changes in body weight after treatment of primary hypothyroidism with levothyroxine.Endocr Pract.2014;20(11):1122-8. doi:10.4158/EP14072.ORChandra, Amar K.Iodine, thiocyanate and the thyroid.Biochem Pharmacol(Los Angel) 4:171. 2015. doi:10.4172/2167-0501.1000171Bajaj JK, Salwan P, Salwan S.Various possible toxicants involved in thyroid dysfunction: a review.J Clin Diagn Res. 2016 Jan;10(1):FE01-FE03. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2016/15195.7092St. Luke’s Health.5 Foods That Improve Thyroid Function.Piticchio T, Frasca F, Malandrino P, et al.Effect of gluten-free diet on autoimmune thyroiditis progression in patients with no symptoms or histology of celiac disease: a meta-analysis.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023;14:1200372. Published 2023 Jul 24. doi:10.3389/fendo.2023.1200372Biondi B, Kahaly GJ, Robertson RP.Thyroid Dysfunction and Diabetes Mellitus: Two Closely Associated Disorders.Endocr Rev. 2019;40(3):789-824. doi:10.1210/er.2018-00163Mahmoodianfard S, Vafa M, Golgiri F, Khoshniat M, Gohari M, Solati Z, Djalali M.Effects of zinc and selenium supplementation on thyroid function in overweight and obese hypothyroid female patients: a randomized double-blind controlled trial.J Am Coll Nutr. 2015;34(5):391-9. doi:10.1080/07315724.2014.926161National Institutes of Health.Iodine: fact sheet for health professionals.Collins AB, Pawlak R.Prevalence of vitamin B-12 deficiency among patients with thyroid dysfunction.Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2016;25(2):221-6. doi:10.6133/apjcn.2016.25.2.22Kim D.The Role of Vitamin D in Thyroid Diseases.Int J Mol Sci. 2017;18(9):1949. Published 2017 Sep 12. doi:10.3390/ijms18091949Shu Q, Kang C, Li J, et al.Effect of probiotics or prebiotics on thyroid function: A meta-analysis of eight randomized controlled trials.PLoS One. 2024;19(1):e0296733. Published 2024 Jan 11. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0296733Sharma AK, Basu I, Singh S.Efficacy and safety of ashwagandha root extract in subclinical hypothyroid patients: a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial.J Altern Complement Med. 2018;24(3):243-248. doi:10.1089/acm.2017.0183Hawkins, J., Hires, C., Dunne, E. & Keenan, L. (2020).Aromatherapy reduces fatigue among women with hypothyroidism: a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine.17(1). doi:10.1515/jcim-2018-0229Mahboubi M.Mentha spicata as natural analgesia for treatment of pain in osteoarthritis patients.Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2017 Feb;26:1-4. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2016.11.001Cheng FK.An overview of the contribution of acupuncture to thyroid disorders.J Integr Med. 2018;16(6):375-383. doi:10.1016/j.joim.2018.09.002Baishya A, Metri K.Effects of yoga on hypothyroidism: A systematic review.J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2024;15(2):100891. doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2024.100891MedlinePlus.Hypothyroidism.
American Thyroid Association.Hypothyroidism: a booklet for patients and their families.
Lee SY, Braverman LE, Pearce EN.Changes in body weight after treatment of primary hypothyroidism with levothyroxine.Endocr Pract.2014;20(11):1122-8. doi:10.4158/EP14072.OR
Chandra, Amar K.Iodine, thiocyanate and the thyroid.Biochem Pharmacol(Los Angel) 4:171. 2015. doi:10.4172/2167-0501.1000171
Bajaj JK, Salwan P, Salwan S.Various possible toxicants involved in thyroid dysfunction: a review.J Clin Diagn Res. 2016 Jan;10(1):FE01-FE03. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2016/15195.7092
St. Luke’s Health.5 Foods That Improve Thyroid Function.
Piticchio T, Frasca F, Malandrino P, et al.Effect of gluten-free diet on autoimmune thyroiditis progression in patients with no symptoms or histology of celiac disease: a meta-analysis.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023;14:1200372. Published 2023 Jul 24. doi:10.3389/fendo.2023.1200372
Biondi B, Kahaly GJ, Robertson RP.Thyroid Dysfunction and Diabetes Mellitus: Two Closely Associated Disorders.Endocr Rev. 2019;40(3):789-824. doi:10.1210/er.2018-00163
Mahmoodianfard S, Vafa M, Golgiri F, Khoshniat M, Gohari M, Solati Z, Djalali M.Effects of zinc and selenium supplementation on thyroid function in overweight and obese hypothyroid female patients: a randomized double-blind controlled trial.J Am Coll Nutr. 2015;34(5):391-9. doi:10.1080/07315724.2014.926161
National Institutes of Health.Iodine: fact sheet for health professionals.
Collins AB, Pawlak R.Prevalence of vitamin B-12 deficiency among patients with thyroid dysfunction.Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2016;25(2):221-6. doi:10.6133/apjcn.2016.25.2.22
Kim D.The Role of Vitamin D in Thyroid Diseases.Int J Mol Sci. 2017;18(9):1949. Published 2017 Sep 12. doi:10.3390/ijms18091949
Shu Q, Kang C, Li J, et al.Effect of probiotics or prebiotics on thyroid function: A meta-analysis of eight randomized controlled trials.PLoS One. 2024;19(1):e0296733. Published 2024 Jan 11. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0296733
Sharma AK, Basu I, Singh S.Efficacy and safety of ashwagandha root extract in subclinical hypothyroid patients: a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial.J Altern Complement Med. 2018;24(3):243-248. doi:10.1089/acm.2017.0183
Hawkins, J., Hires, C., Dunne, E. & Keenan, L. (2020).Aromatherapy reduces fatigue among women with hypothyroidism: a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine.17(1). doi:10.1515/jcim-2018-0229
Mahboubi M.Mentha spicata as natural analgesia for treatment of pain in osteoarthritis patients.Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2017 Feb;26:1-4. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2016.11.001
Cheng FK.An overview of the contribution of acupuncture to thyroid disorders.J Integr Med. 2018;16(6):375-383. doi:10.1016/j.joim.2018.09.002
Baishya A, Metri K.Effects of yoga on hypothyroidism: A systematic review.J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2024;15(2):100891. doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2024.100891
MedlinePlus.Hypothyroidism.
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