There’s a lot of talk these days about eating enough protein to feed your muscles, but many people never think about feeding their thyroid. This small, often-overlooked gland quietly influences almost everything your body does to keep you alive,
energized and steady.
If most of your meals lean on fried or heavily processed foods, your thyroid may not be getting fed the proper nutrients it needs. You could notice fatigue, weight gain, feeling cold all the time or struggles with mood and digestion. Even thinning hair could point to thyroid problems, explains Dr. Julia Pfaff, a board-certified otolaryngologist and head and neck surgeon at Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health in St. Petersburg.
“A lot of women experience hair loss, which can be part of
perimenopause, but it can also be a symptom of hypothyroidism,” Pfaff offers. “There’s an association between zinc deficiency and hair loss. A lot of women who experience hair loss
come in for an appointment and this often starts the conversation about thyroid screening.”
Hashimoto’s and Graves’ are both conditions that affect thyroid function, but they have opposite effects. In Hashimoto’s, the immune system gradually damages the gland, leading to an underactive thyroid, while in Graves’ antibodies overstimulate the thyroid, causing it to become overactive.
MISSING LINKS
According to Pfaff, vitamin B12, zinc and selenium are just a few of the nutrients necessary for thyroid health. Iodine is another thyroid superstar that helps the body activate crucial hormones. She shares that iron supports hormone production, copper aids hair and skin health, magnesium helps the body use energy and vitamin A boosts overall cell function. Vitamin D is also important for women because low levels often show up alongside thyroid problems. “Many people who have autoimmune thyroid disease are
vitamin B12 deficient,” she explains.
Low selenium levels are also linked to the risk of developing Hashimoto’s. “All of these play a role in the making of thyroid hormones
naturally in our bodies,” explains Pfaff. “And these hormones help control metabolism and cellular function.”
However, she warns against using supplements to fill in gaps in your nutrition. Because they are regulated as foods, not drugs, their strength and quality can vary. As a result, high doses or long-term use of supplements can lead to accumulation in the body and risk toxicity (for example liver damage, nerve harm or organ stress). Pfaff has observed many patients whose blood levels of certain vitamins are “in the thousands over where they should be.”
“Discuss it with your physician,” she cautions. “Read the ingredients and make sure your thyroid levels are being monitored.”
GUT CHECK
Pfaff explains that the gut is the superhighway connecting everything in the body. When its balance is disrupted, inflammation can interfere with the absorption of key minerals needed for thyroid function. To support both gut and thyroid health, she suggests following a doctor-guided routine that typically includes adequate fiber, hydration, stress-reducing habits and possibly fermented foods to keep digestion strong so the thyroid can absorb what you feed it. She also recommends limiting processed foods and excess sugar while emphasizing fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and leafy greens.
Get your thyroid checked if you notice persistent fatigue, unexplained weight changes, hair thinning, constant cold sensitivity or mood swings. Blood tests are the only reliable way to see if your thyroid is out of balance. If a problem is found, proper medical treatment can restore balance and prevent long-term complications.
