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Hypothyroidism & Vitamin A Deficiency

hypothyroidism vitamin a vitamin d

Today, let’s talk about the connection between Vitamin A and hypothyroidism.

As you may have noticed from my other posts, I’m a big fan of Vitamin A. This nutrient is super important for fertility and pregnancy - and so is thyroid function. It was only a matter of time before we talked about the relationship between these two!

Vitamin A influences how well the thyroid hormone receptors function in the nucleus of cells. (Kharrazian)

In animals, even a marginal Vitamin A deficiency can cause the thyroid gland to enlarge, as well as cause T4 and T3 levels to decrease. (Nockels, et al)

Vitamin A is also needed in the production of protective steroid hormones, like progesterone and testosterone, which can become compromised in a Vitamin A deficiency. (Peat)

So how can you get more Vitamin A?

Well first, it’s important to note that Vitamin A from food can come in 2 forms:

⤳Beta carotene = PRO-Vitamin A

⤳Retinol = PRE-formed Vitamin A

Beta carotene must be converted into Retinol. If you’re already struggling with hypothyroid symptoms, this conversion may be difficult ⏩

“People with diabetes, low thyroid activity, and who use a lot of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) without antioxidants such as vitamin E have lowered ability to convert beta-carotene to A.” (Haas)

This conversion difficulty can sometimes manifest in orange hands and feet.

To get PRE-formed Vitamin A aka Retinol, you can consider consuming foods like:

 

🧡Liver (beef, lamb, chicken, etc)

🧡Full-fat dairy products (cheeses, milk, yogurt, etc)

🧡Eggs

🧡Fatty fish (mackerel, salmon, tuna, etc)

 

Check out my eCourse, Conscious Conception, where I talk about other key nutrients for fertility and pregnancy. (link in bio) 💓

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Not medical advice.

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This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before pursuing any changes to your personal healthcare regime.

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References


Nockels, C.F. Ewing, D.L. Phetteplace, H. Ritacco, K.A. Mero, K.N. (1984). Hypothyroidism: an early sign of vitamin A deficiency in chickens. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6470830/.

Haas, E. M. Levin, B. (2006). Staying Healthy with Nutrition. New York, NY: Ten Speed Press.

Kharrazian, D. (2010). Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms?. Carlsbad, CA: Elephant Press LP

Peat, R. (1997). From PMS to Menopause. Eugene, OR.

Peat, R. (2007). Cholesterol, longevity, intelligence, and health. Retrieved from: http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/cholesterol-longevity.shtml.

 

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Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here. While the owner of this website tries to keep the information up to date, there may be things that are out-of-date and out of their control.