Is Ashwagandha Good for Thyroid Problems?

Ashwagandha is a herb that some people use as a natural remedy for thyroid problems, but it might not be safe for everyone. Here’s a simple explanation.

Ashwagandha, also called Indian ginseng or winter cherry, is a potent herb. Its roots are usually turned into tablets, liquids, or powders for easy use.

This herb is known as an adaptogen, which means it helps your body cope with stress. People also use it to fight the effects of aging, improve muscle strength, and help with brain-related issues.

While ashwagandha has long been used in traditional medicine, it has recently become famous for treating thyroid problems.

This article will examine whether taking ashwagandha is suitable for your thyroid health.

Different Types of Thyroid Conditions

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland at the front of the neck. It regulates how the body uses energy, supports bone health, and helps with growth and development.

The thyroid produces three essential hormones that are crucial for its health:

1. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
2. Triiodothyronine (T3)
3. Thyroxine (T4)

TSH is made by a tiny gland in your brain called the pituitary gland. When the levels of T3 and T4 hormones drop too low, TSH signals the thyroid to produce more of them. If there’s an imbalance among these hormones, it could mean there’s a problem with your thyroid.

There are two main types of thyroid problems:

1. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid doesn’t make enough hormones. It can be caused by certain medications, insufficient iodine, or conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid. Common signs of hypothyroidism include weight gain, feeling tired, constipation, a swollen neck (goiter), and dry skin.
2. Hyperthyroidism: This is when the thyroid makes too much hormone. People with hyperthyroidism may have trouble breathing, an irregular heartbeat, feel fatigued, lose hair, and lose weight without trying.

In Western countries, about 1–2% of people have hypothyroidism, while around 0.2–1.3% have hyperthyroidism.

Both conditions are usually treated with synthetic medications. Some people may also look for natural alternatives, like ashwagandha.

Can Ashwagandha Support Thyroid Health?

Ashwagandha is a popular herb that some people believe can help with various health issues, including thyroid problems. If you're curious whether it can help your thyroid, here’s what you need to know.

Can Ashwagandha Help Hypothyroidism?

Research on ashwagandha and thyroid health is still limited, but some recent studies show it might be beneficial for hypothyroidism, which is when the thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones.

In one eight-week study, 50 people with hypothyroidism took 600 mg of ashwagandha extract each day. Those taking ashwagandha had noticeable improvements in their thyroid hormone levels compared to those who took a placebo. Specifically, their triiodothyronine (T3) levels increased by about 41.5%, and thyroxine (T4) levels increased by about 19.6%. Meanwhile, their thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels decreased by 17.5%.

One reason for these changes might be Ashwagandha’s ability to lower stress hormones. High stress can lead to higher cortisol levels, which can lower T3 and T4 levels. Ashwagandha seems to help the thyroid by reducing cortisol.

Another study looked at adults with bipolar disorder taking ashwagandha for eight weeks. Some participants saw increased T4 levels, but this study wasn’t comprehensive.

Overall, more research is needed to understand how ashwagandha affects hypothyroidism over the long term.

Can Ashwagandha Help Hyperthyroidism?

There haven’t been any human studies looking at ashwagandha for hyperthyroidism, which is when the thyroid makes too many hormones. Some evidence suggests that ashwagandha might make hyperthyroidism worse by increasing T3 and T4 levels. This could lead to a severe condition known as thyrotoxicosis, where there are incredibly high levels of thyroid hormones but low TSH levels.

Thyrotoxicosis can cause serious health issues like heart problems, weight loss, intense thirst, and skin issues.

Since more research is needed to clarify the relationship between ashwagandha and hyperthyroidism, it’s essential to talk to your doctor before taking ashwagandha, especially if you have hyperthyroidism.

Safety and Side Effects

For most healthy people, ashwagandha is generally safe to use. However, pregnant or breastfeeding women, as well as individuals with hyperthyroidism, should steer clear of it.

Ashwagandha can also interact with certain medications, especially those for:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Mental health issues
• Low thyroid function

Additionally, this herb may boost your immune system, which could worsen autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and lupus. It might also raise testosterone levels, so those with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer should avoid it.

Because of these factors, talking to your doctor before trying ashwagandha is a good idea.

Practical Tips for Using Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is commonly found in supplement form, typically 300-mg tablets that people take twice daily after meals.

You can also find it as a powder, which you can mix into drinks like water, milk, or smoothies. Some people like to add it to their meals or sprinkle it on yogurt.

Another option is to make tea from ashwagandha.

Since most studies have only looked at the tablet version, we don’t know if the powder or tea has the same effects.

No research shows that ashwagandha harms people, so it’s generally considered safe to use. Sticking to the recommended dosage on the package is best unless your doctor advises otherwise.

Takeaway

Ashwagandha has long been a popular natural remedy. Some early studies suggest it might help boost thyroid hormone levels in people with low thyroid function (hypothyroidism). On the other hand, it could make symptoms worse for those with an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). Because of this, it’s important to talk to your doctor before using ashwagandha for any thyroid issues.

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