Is Ashwagandha Good for Thyroid?

Ashwagandha or the Winter Cherry is a traditional ayurvedic medicine used to treat various diseases. It is a herb, and all of its parts, including the root, contain medicinal and herbal properties. Ashwagandha is a classic natural adaptation. It is an excellent remedy to combat stress, anxiety, and fatigue. Ashwagandha has many pieces of research backing its legitimacy and credibility in treating various health conditions. Ashwagandha is known as an ayurvedic Rasayana, available in liquid, tablet, and powder form. The best time to take ashwagandha depends upon the health condition and convenience of an individual. Apart from stress, it also fades signs of aging, builds muscle mass and endurance, treats neurological diseases and even arthritis. 

Ashwagandha has recently gained popularity for treating thyroid. It has been observed through several studies that ashwagandha may effectively manage the thyroid levels in the body. It does so because of the metabolism-boosting properties it contains. Ashwagandha’s active compound known as Withania somnifera is responsible for the beneficial properties of the herb. The winter cherry reduces cortisol levels and soothes the body’s overall health. Let us now discuss in detail the type of thyroid disorders, how ashwagandha works to manage the thyroid levels in the body, its types, and potential side effects- 

Types of thyroid disorders

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped organ of the body present at the base of the neck. It plays a prominent role in metabolism, growth, muscle, and bone development. The following are the three main hormones important for thyroid health- 

• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
• Triiodothyronine (T3)
• Thyroxine (T4)

TSH is the type of thyroid controlled by the pituitary gland, a small peanut-sized gland present near the base of the brain. When T3 and T4 levels are too low, the body starts releasing TSH to produce more of these hormones. This is how an imbalance between them occurs, which may lead to thyroid issues. There are two main categories or types of thyroid disorders known as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid is unable to produce enough thyroid hormone. The causes can be health conditions such as iodine deficiency, or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder under which the body starts attacking the healthy thyroid tissue. The common symptoms of hypothyroidism are fatigue, weight gain, goiters, constipation, and dry skin. In contrast, hyperthyroidism is a condition characterized by the overproduction of thyroid hormone. The symptoms of this condition include shortness of breath, fatigue, an irregular heartbeat, hair loss, and weight loss. 

Ashwagandha for Thyroid- 

Ashwagandha may be beneficial for people with low thyroid function. A study on people with bipolar disorder observed that the ashwagandha supplements affected the thyroid level of the participants. On the other hand, patients with subclinical hypothyroidism saw an improvement in blood levels of TSH, T3, and T4, one small placebo-controlled study revealed. The daily dosage for ashwagandha given to the participants was just 600 mg, which is approximately half of the dose commonly sold by health supplement companies in stores and online. 

Researchers doubt that ashwagandha’s effect on thyroid hormone levels may be related to the relationship between TSH and cortisol levels. Indeed, this scrutiny makes it clear that this area needs more research. The evidence is still not strong enough to recommend ashwagandha as a verified treatment for subclinical hypothyroidism. Hence it becomes vital to first consult the healthcare provider before incorporating ashwagandha as a health supplement in the daily routine.  

Ashwagandha for Hypothyroidism-

Although there is little scientific evidence suggesting that ashwagandha may improve thyroid function, it is essential to distinguish here. Most people with hypothyroidism dwell on thyroid hormone medication, making it crucial to discuss the supplement regimen with the prescribing healthcare provider. If there is only a suspicion regarding hypothyroidism, it is vital first to seek medical advice from a health professional. This is because the chances are high that ashwagandha may interact with the ongoing thyroid medication. 

The reason given above makes it important to note how the thyroid works: The thyroid is a segment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis, which makes them work together as a system. The pituitary gland produces the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which essentially prepares the thyroid to make its own hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). The most active of the thyroid hormones is T3.

The healthcare provider may run blood tests to check the TSH levels to observe if the patient has hypothyroidism. High TSH numbers indicate that the thyroid is not keeping up with the normal levels, and the pituitary gland is exerting itself to get the thyroid to produce hormones with little or no success. If hypothyroidism is detected, the diagnosis of the condition may differ between medical experts. For example, TSH levels are high in subclinical hypothyroidism, but T3 and T4 levels are normal.

Ashwagandha for Hyperthyroidism- 

Hyperthyroidism is another category of thyroid under which the thyroid gland becomes overactive, and may cause Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune form of hypothyroidism. However, the right suggestion for people with any of these conditions is to avoid ashwagandha. This is so because ashwagandha may increase levels of thyroid hormones. Patients with hyperthyroidism who are already overproducing T3 and T4 should try to avoid any supplements that might stimulate T3 and T4 production stimulation. Withania somnifera is not a safe choice for patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, however, for a different reason. The connection with the immune system makes Hashimoto’s thyroiditis an autoimmune disease. Ashwagandha may worsen Hashimoto’s thyroiditis as it boosts the functions of the immune system.

Ashwagandha is mostly safe and effective for consumption. However, it is not suggested for people with autoimmune diseases or other conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, pregnancy, etc. Hence ashwagandha is a good option to treat problems like hypothyroidism, but it is still vital to consult a healthcare professional before incorporating the herbal supplement into the daily routine.