Thyroid health: 5 things you should know

Your thyroid may be small, but it has a significant influence on how you feel every day. From metabolism and energy, to digestion, hormones and mood, thyroid health is closely connected to many systems in the body – especially the gut.

Understanding how to support thyroid health safely and naturally can make a meaningful difference to your overall well-being.

Below are five essential things everyone should know…

1. Hypothyroidism vs hyperthyroidism

Thyroid disorders generally fall into two categories:

• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid): This occurs when the thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones. Symptoms may include fatigue, weight gain, constipation, cold sensitivity, low mood and slow metabolism.¹https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/
  
• Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid): This occurs when too much thyroid hormone is produced. Common symptoms include anxiety, rapid heartbeat, weight loss, heat intolerance, and diarrhoea.²https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/

These conditions require very different approaches, which is why understanding your diagnosis is essential before making any changes to supplements or lifestyle.

If you have a diagnosed thyroid condition or are taking medication, always consult your GP or qualified healthcare professional before adjusting your routine.

2. Be careful when introducing supplements

Natural supplements can be powerful. While this can be beneficial, it also means they may interact with thyroid medication or affect hormone levels. If you are on thyroid medication:

• Check contraindications with a medically trained professional
• Start new supplements slowly
• Introduce supplements one at a time
• Monitor symptoms and thyroid markers regularly

This is especially important with herbs that directly influence thyroid function.

3. The gut-thyroid connection

Science shows that the gut microbiome plays a significant role in thyroid health, thyroid hormone metabolism, and immune regulation. Research suggests that:

• Gut bacteria help regulate the conversion of thyroid hormones.³https://link.springer.com/article/
  
• Dysbiosis (imbalanced gut bacteria) may contribute to thyroid dysfunction.⁴https://portlandpress.com/clinsci/article-abstract/
  
• Autoimmune thyroid conditions, such as Hashimoto’s, may be influenced by changes in the gut microbiota.⁵https://link.springer.com/article/⁶https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/

Improving gut health is a safe and natural way to support thyroid function, whether your condition is autoimmune or metabolic.

4. Heal the gut to support your thyroid

At Chuckling Goat, we use a three-part approach to restoring gut microbiome balance:

• Kefir – reintroduces beneficial live bacteria (probiotics).
  
• Complete Prebiotic – fibres that feed the probiotics.
  
• Collagen – to heal and repair the gut lining.

When probiotics and prebiotics are combined, your gut microbiome is capable of producing a higher amount of postbiotics, which are the beneficial compounds produced by your gut bacteria, e.g. SCFAs. Butyrate, a type of SCFA, has been shown to support regulatory T cells (Tregs) – immune cells that help prevent excessive immune responses.⁷https://www.nature.com/articles/ This is particularly relevant in autoimmune thyroid conditions such as Hashimoto’s, where calming immune-driven inflammation may help protect thyroid tissue and support healthier thyroid function.

Together, this approach may support:

• Microbiome diversity
• Gut barrier integrity
• Digestion and transit
• Overall metabolic balance

Always introduce changes gradually and consult your GP if you are on medication or managing a health condition.

For a deeper insight, you can explore our Microbiome Test, which provides analysis of your probiotic, prebiotic, and postbiotic levels, plus personalised support from one of our highly trained Nutritional Therapists.

5. Can Ashwagandha support thyroid health?

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is one of the most researched adaptogenic herbs for stress, adrenal function and thyroid health.

For hypothyroidism, ashwagandha has been trialled and found effective in supporting thyroid hormone production and balance.⁸https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ For this reason, we recommend Ashwagandha tincture for those with underactive thyroid function, under appropriate guidance.

Important note: We do not recommend ashwagandha for hyperthyroidism, as its action is to boost thyroid function, and it may worsen symptoms in those with an overactive thyroid.

Ashwagandha is also well known for:

• Reducing stress and cortisol
• Supporting adrenal health
• Helping with anxiety, low mood and fatigue

Because of its potency, anyone taking thyroid medication should always work closely with a healthcare professional before using it.

As ashwagandha can be very effective – sometimes comparable to pharmaceutical interventions – it’s essential that anyone already on thyroid medications works closely with their GP to adjust their protocol safely.

How to use our Ashwagandha tincture? Simply add 15-20 drops in a small amount of water, three times daily.

Hormones, digestion & the bigger picture

Thyroid hormones are deeply intertwined with digestion. When thyroid function is low, metabolism slows—often resulting in slower gut transit time and constipation. Other hormonal fluctuations, such as changes in progesterone (menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause), as well as cortisol from chronic stress, can further affect digestion and the gut microbiome.

This is why supporting gut health may also help with:

• Constipation, diarrhoea or other digestive issues
• Hormonal fluctuations
• Stress resilience
• Overall metabolic balance

Thyroid health is not isolated—it is deeply connected to the gut, immune system, and hormonal balance.

Understanding whether you are dealing with hypo- or hyperthyroidism, supporting gut health, and using targeted tools like ashwagandha (where appropriate) can all contribute to better overall wellbeing.

As always:

• Move slowly
• Listen to your body
• Work with qualified healthcare professionals

Natural support works best when it is personalised, measured, and consistent.

To learn more, check out Simple steps to nourish your gut and balance your thyroid.

Any questions? Contact one of our Nutritional Therapists via live chat, weekdays from 8 am to 8 pm.

References

• 1
  https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/
• 2
  https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/
• 3
  https://link.springer.com/article/
• 4
  https://portlandpress.com/clinsci/article-abstract/
• 5
  https://link.springer.com/article/
• 6
  https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/
• 7
  https://www.nature.com/articles/
• 8
  https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/

Questions? Talk to a Nutritional Therapist on live chat!