Improve Your Thyroid Function Naturally With Tips Readers Swear By

Yahoo

18-05-2025

If you've been feeling more tired than usual—even after a good night's sleep—or can't seem to shed stubborn belly fat, your thyroid may be to blame. This small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of your neck plays a big role in energy, metabolism and mood. The good news? Keeping your thyroid healthy and your thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in the normal range (0.5 to 5.0 mIU/L) doesn't have to be exhausting. We asked Woman's World readers to share how they improve their thyroid function naturally.
While no single thing will 'fix' an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) or overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), small, consistent changes in diet and lifestyle can make a big difference in how you feel. Personalized care is key, explains Ailis Marrero, MD, double-board certified family and obesity medicine physician at Paloma Health, a women's health clinic. 'What works for one person may not be ideal for another, so working with a provider to tailor your plan can be incredibly helpful.'
The first step to improving your thyroid function is learning how to spot the early symptoms of thyroid problems. Your doctor can then check your thyroid hormone levels with a blood test and recommend appropriate hormone therapy to help manage your condition. What else can help? These natural remedies that Woman's World readers use to keep their own thyroids healthy.
Consuming too much processed or refined sugar can lead to more health problems than any other food, says Austin Shuxiao, MD, a board-certified internal medicine physician and founder of PeachIV. He explains that refined sugar causes spikes in blood glucose and insulin, which trigger inflammation and may contribute to autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
That's why cutting back on sugar doesn't just support thyroid health—it can also aid weight loss and help manage type 2 diabetes. 'Keeping blood sugar stable also promotes more consistent energy levels, something many people with hypothyroidism struggle with,' adds Dr. Marrero.
This is the thyroid nourishing tip that most Woman's World readers practice regularly. Around 34 percent of you said so!
Many of you (more than 29 percent!) also shared that taking different B vitamins helps prevent thyroid issues. 'B vitamins are crucial for energy, metabolism and nerve health, all of which are affected in thyroid dysfunction,' says Michelle Sands, ND, founder and CEO of GLOW Natural Wellness.
She recommends focusing on these three specifically:
B12: Many women with hypothyroidism are deficient in vitamin B12. However, Dr. Sands says it's essential for energy, so replenishing your levels can help combat fatigue and brain fog. The RDA is 2.4 micrograms.
B2 (riboflavin): This B vitamin helps support thyroid hormone production. Aim for 1.3-1.5 mg per day.
B6: Lastly, Dr. Sands says B6 supports thyroid hormones and can reduce inflammation. Experts say 1.1 mg per day is ideal for women.
The gut-thyroid connection is real. 'About 70 percent of the immune system resides in the gut, and imbalances in the gut microbiome (called dysbiosis) may contribute to autoimmune activity, including Hashimoto's thyroiditis,' says Dr. Marrero.
Probiotics can help maintain a healthy gut lining and microbial balance, which is why more than 21 percent of Woman's World readers said they take probiotics regularly. This can 'reduce inflammation and enhance nutrient absorption—especially of key minerals like selenium, zinc and iron, which are essential for optimal thyroid function,' she adds.
You can take probiotic supplements (Dr. Sands recommends looking for a high-quality, multi-strain version) or find these live microorganisms in fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, kombucha or apple cider vinegar.
While a gluten-free diet is necessary for those with Celiac disease, many turn to it for other health benefits, including potentially losing weight and managing thyroid disorders. Gluten tends to trigger immune responses in lymphoid tissue in the gut, which can, in turn, trigger an immune response in the thyroid, explains Dr. Shuxiao.
Ultimately, lowering your gluten intake will reduce inflammation in the body and the chance of autoimmune thyroiditis. That said, this is not a one-size-fits-all recommendation and works best when it's guided by symptoms and labs and supervised by a provider.
It's important to know that if you're experiencing symptoms like weight gain, fatigue and thinning hair, your thyroid isn't broken—it's responding to dysfunction elsewhere in the body, explains Dr. Sands. It often rebounds well when you remove certain triggers, replenish deficiencies and nourish the system holistically.
Dr. Sands recommends a personalized approach that combines nutrition, lifestyle and targeted supplementation changes in addition to any medication your doctor may prescribe. She cautions patients from believing thyroid issues are just a part of getting older. Instead, listen to your body and pay attention to significant shifts in your health.
For more thyroid content
Feeling Off Lately? Doctors Share the Early Signs of Thyroid Trouble Every Woman Should Know
Sneaky Thyroid Symptoms in Women Over 50 That Are Easy to Miss—From Tinnitus to Sparse Brows
Castor Oil for Thyroid Health: What Doctors Want You to Know Before Trying the Viral Remedy
This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.