An underactive thyroid, called hypothyroidism, can lead to many other health issues, including gaining excess weight, infertility and depression. An underactive thyroid can be treated with medications, but, in many cases, a healthy diet and natural supplements of herbal supplements, vitamins and minerals can be just as successful as strong medications.
Natural Diagnosis of Underactive Thyroid
Before treating an underactive thyroid with herbal supplements and vitamins, a person should take her basal body temperature every day for a month. A baseline body temperature of 97.2 or less is a major sign of an underactive thyroid.
Kelp
Kelp is better known as seaweed. It is packed with vital nutrients that can help the thyroid to work properly, including iodine, calcium, magnesium and potassium. This is the major herbal supplement connected to thyroid help.
Herbs Containing Vitamins
In addition to the herbal supplement kelp, the thyroid needs ample amounts of vitamins A, B, C and E to work properly. Herbs containing these vitamins include raspberry leaf, chamomile, chickweed, alfalfa, yellow dock and sage.
L-Tyrosine and L-Tryptophan
L-Tyrosine and L-Tryptophan are amino acids in the body that are not produced in correct quantities when the thyroid is underactive. These can be purchased at a health store as part of an herbal supplement. Never purchase online; this supplement must be properly regulated in order to be safe.
Copper and Zinc
Copper helps the thyroid to control metabolism levels and can be found in sheep sorrel. Zinc encourages the thyroid to properly use hormones in the body and is found in alfalfa and chamomile.
See a Doctor, Nutritionist or Naturalist
It is vital that a person speak with a doctor, nutritionist or naturalist to discuss the proper dosage of each herbal supplement, vitamin and mineral based on individual needs.
Tags: herbal supplement, body temperature, herbal supplements, herbal supplements vitamins, L-Tyrosine L-Tryptophan