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Thyroid Supplements

The thyroid is one of the largest hormone glands in the body. The gland has a butterfly-like shape and lies at the front of the neck, where four arteries supply it with blood.

Iodine and selenium have an authorised claim relating to normal thyroid function. On this page you can read how the gland works and what to look out for with iodine.

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Two building blocks: iodine and tyrosine

The thyroid makes its hormones from two raw materials: the amino acid tyrosine and the trace element iodine. The names T3 and T4 refer to this literally, as that is the number of iodine atoms in the molecule. No iodine, no hormone.

Iodine enters the body through food and is actively taken up by the gland. In the Netherlands, bakery salt is enriched with it, making bread the largest source for many people. It is also found in seaweed, fish, crustaceans and shellfish, dairy and eggs. Tyrosine is found in almost all protein-rich foods.

The thermostat of the body

The thyroid has a butterfly-like shape and sits at the front of the neck, like a shield around the windpipe. The gland produces the hormones T4 and T3, with mainly T4 being secreted, while T3 is the more active form that is largely formed in the organs themselves.

It is controlled by two small organs in the brain, the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, which work like a thermostat: too little hormone in the blood and production goes up, too much and it goes down. To make the hormones, the gland needs iodine, which comes from food, and the amino acid tyrosine, which occurs in almost all protein-rich foods.

What to look out for

Iodine is a mineral where both too little and too much are undesirable, and the margin between them is narrower than for many other nutrients. In the Netherlands, iodine is routinely added to bakery salt, so bread is already a source for many people. Add up your total intake if you also take a multivitamin or a seaweed product.

If you take thyroid medication or have been diagnosed with a thyroid condition, consult your doctor before adding an iodine or seaweed supplement. The same applies during pregnancy.

Frequently asked questions about the thyroid

Which nutrients have an authorised claim for the thyroid? +

Iodine contributes to the normal production of thyroid hormones and to normal thyroid function. Selenium contributes to normal thyroid function. For both, a threshold of 15% RI per serving applies.

Which hormones does the thyroid produce? +

Triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and calcitonin. The gland mainly secretes T4; T3 is the more active form, which is largely produced in the organs themselves.

What does the thyroid need to make hormones? +

Iodine, which enters the blood through food and is actively taken up by the thyroid, and tyrosine, an amino acid found in virtually all protein-rich foods.

Where is iodine found? +

In the Netherlands, bakery salt is enriched with iodine, which makes bread a source for many people. Iodine is also found in seaweed, fish, crustaceans and shellfish, dairy and eggs.

Can I simply take an iodine supplement? +

With iodine, both too little and too much is undesirable, and the margin between the two is smaller than for many other nutrients. Add up your total intake. If you take thyroid medication, have been diagnosed with a thyroid condition or are pregnant, consult your doctor first.

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The thyroid gland and hormone production

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ located at the front of the neck and plays a central role in the body’s hormonal system. It produces thyroid hormones that are released into the bloodstream and transported throughout the body. These hormones are involved in processes such as metabolism, growth, and development, and influence how cells use energy. The thyroid is able to store hormones and regulate their release continuously, day and night.

Regulation of thyroid activity

Thyroid function is regulated by a feedback system involving the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland in the brain. This system works much like a thermostat, adjusting hormone production based on the levels detected in the blood. For the production of thyroid hormones, the body relies on nutrients such as iodine and the amino acid tyrosine, which are obtained through food and absorbed into the bloodstream.

Changes in thyroid function throughout life

Thyroid activity can vary depending on age, life stage, and individual circumstances. Hormone production may gradually change as part of the natural ageing process, while temporary fluctuations can occur during periods such as pregnancy. In early life, proper thyroid function is particularly important for physical and mental development, which is why thyroid hormone levels are routinely checked in newborns.