Recently I was informed by my doctor that I was on the low spectrum of thyroid levels. This came as a surprise to me but right away I wanted to try more natural remedies before going on any form of thyroid medications. Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is not making or releasing thyroid hormones. A slow acting thyroid can effect the rest of the body causing a lack of energy, heart function, appetite, sleep, digestion and even hair and nail growth. (1)
The thyroid gland is considered a master gland and is located at the base of your neck, described as a butterfly shape. It helps produce some hormones that control the process of turning nutrients from food into energy. They also help give your liver break down cholesterol that circulates through the bloodstream. Some noticeable signs of hypothyroidism (low thyroid levels) are:
- moodiness
- slow metabolism resulting in weigh gain
- anxiety
- low immunity
- trouble sleeping
- infertility
- constipation
- hair loss
- muscle aches and tenderness
- more frequent cold and flu
Please check with your doctor if you suspect low thyroid levels so they can run a blood test that can determine your T4 (thyroxine) and TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone). If you have hypothyroidism then your TSH levels will be high. Sometimes however, your thyroid can still be producing enough hormones even if your TSH levels are high. In that case you might have mild hypothyroidism that can definitely progress to a more advanced stage of hypothyroidism if not attended to properly.
For more information about hypothyroidism check out this Mayo Clinic article.
Dietary Changes
The first thing that I had to look at when dealing with my thyroid is the diet changes. Some of these things I was already eating but then also had to realistically look at food items I had to cut out. Foods that are great to eat are:
- wild caught fish
- coconut oil
- probiotic rich foods
- high fiber foods
- bone broth
- fruits and vegetables
Foods to avoid are:
- broccoli
- cauliflower
- cabbage
- kale
- tap water
- gluten
- sugar
- refined flour products
There is a lot of great resources for diet plans online one of them is this article from Healthline which includes a sample week of foods.
Supplements
In looking at different supplements that can help thyroid function, I found a variety to choose from. I mainly wanted to look at which my body already had a good reaction to and did not want to try anything new. The ones that I decided to add were Fish Oil, since the fatty acid is crucial for thyroid health, and vitamin B12 which is important for neurological function and hormonal balance.
Essential Oils
Using oils have always been a big part of my life and I knew that I would incorporate them into this part of my life as well. The best oils to use for thyroid health include:
- Frankincense
- Lemongrass
- Myrrh (contraindicated in pregnancy)
- Peppermint
- Clove (contraindicated in pregnancy)
Frankincense is used as antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic, restorative that contains monoterpenes which can help reprogram cellular memory.
Lemongrass is know for its analgesic, diuretic, anti fungal, digestive, anti-infectious functions that help the thyroid drain out of toxins such chlorine and fluoride.
Myrrh (contraindicated in pregnancy) is an anti fungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, expectorant that helps relieve stress and support the thyroid.
Peppermint is an analgesic, antibacterial, circulatory, stimulant that naturally soothes and energizes the gland.
Clove (contraindicated in pregnancy) is a natural antioxidant that helps protect the thyroid gland. It is an anti fungal, analgesic, carminative, spasmolytic that has phenols which can improve cell-to-cell communication in the body.
The ratios that I decided to use for these are:
10 drops of Frankincense
12 drops of Myrrh
12 drops of Clove
12 drops of Lemongrass
10 drops of Peppermint
Mix everything together in a 10ml bottle and apply around 3-5 drops mixed with 5ml(1 teaspoon) of carrier oil (such as coconut oil) directly to the thyroid gland daily.
A Note on Pregnancy
If you are pregnant it is important to note that low thyroid levels can naturally happen because that is where the baby is getting their own hormones. It is a big risk in pregnancy to not take care of thyroid levels because it can cause serious birth defects in babies and preterm birth or miscarriages. Your doctor will most likely monitor your thyroid levels very closely and if you do get on medications those levels should be checked regularly and the medication dosages should also be adjusted according to the thyroid levels. Talk with your OB or midwife about incorporating any dietary changes or supplements you can use alongside medications to see if you levels increase naturally.
Much love,
Krystina BSN, RN, CBE
