What is the thyroid?
The thyroid gland is situated at the front of the throat, below the larynx, or Adam’s apple. It is made up of two lobes that lie on either side of the windpipe and is part of the endocrine system in the body that produces hormones to control metabolism, energy and growth and development.
What do thyroid hormones do?
The main job of the thyroid is to control the speed of your metabolism, which is the process of how your body transforms the food you eat into energy to fuel all the cells in your body.
The thyroid gland produces two primary hormones, conveniently named T4 and T3. T4 (thyroxine) is produced in larger quantities, but is less active. T3 (tri-iodothyronine) is considered to be the active form, and most T4 is converted to T3.
These thyroid hormones help control:
- Energy levels
- Body temperature
- Metabolism
- Muscle and bone health, and
- Brain development
Key nutrients for thyroid health
While all the vitamins and minerals are essential for maintaining good health, when it comes to the thyroid, there are a few standouts, namely iodine and selenium.
Iodine is essential for the production of thyroid hormones – so essential that without iodine, your body cannot produce thyroid hormones. The numbers in T3 and T4 refer to the number of atoms of iodine that make up the hormone. An average human requires about 150 micrograms of iodine each day for the manufacture of these hormones[1].
The iodine content of most foods is low, and is affected by the mineral content in the soil, irrigation and fertilisers. The major source of iodine is food sources of marine origin, such as fish and seaweed.
Selenium is a key antioxidant nutrient, but it is also essential for thyroid hormones. Selenium is a constituent of an enzyme that is responsible for converting the less active T4 into the more active T3. In Australia, the main dietary sources of selenium are seafood, poultry and eggs.
When speaking of thyroid health, there is another nutrient that cannot be overlooked. Tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid that is a building block for thyroid hormones and, together with iodine, makes up the structure of T4 and T3.
Top tips for healthy thyroid hormones
Given the important role of thyroid hormones in the body, supporting the health of your thyroid is key. Our top three tips for thyroid health include:
- Eat a balanced diet. Providing essential vitamins, minerals and proteins, including adequate iodine, selenium and tyrosine.
- Exercise regularly. While it is widely recognised that exercise is important for general health, physical function and mood, did you know that exercise is also great for your thyroid? Exercise has been shown to improve thyroid function[2].
- Manage stress. Stress relieving activities, such as mindfulness and yoga, can be beneficial as high stress actually inhibits the production of thyroid hormones[3].
Always read the label and follow the directions for use.
If you’re looking for some extra support for your thyroid, why not consider Herbs of Gold Thyroid Support? This comprehensive formula contains a blend of key nutrients plus Ashwagandha to support healthy thyroid gland function and assist thyroid hormone production.
[1] Better Health Channel. (2024). Thyroid gland. (https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/thyroid-gland#bhc-content
[2] Ahmad, A. M., Serry, Z. H., Abd Elghaffar, H. A., Ghazi, H. A., & El Gayar, S. L. (2023). Effects of aerobic, resistance, and combined training on thyroid function and quality of life […]. A randomised controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 53, 101795.
[3] Kyriacou, A., Tziaferi, V., & Toumba, M. (2023). Stress, thyroid […]: proposed impending mechanisms. Hormone Research in Paediatrics, 96(1), 44-53.
