Magnesium is an important mineral; every organ in your body uses it. Magnesium is particularly important for the kidneys, muscles and heart. Magnesium is suggested by some, including nutritional counselor Dr. Raymond Peat, as a complementary treatment for an under-active thyroid caused by magnesium deficiency. An under-active thyroid, otherwise known as hypothyroidism, occurs when your thyroid gland fails to make sufficient thyroid hormone.
Your thyroid is a gland in your neck, just below your voice box. This gland is responsible for production of several hormones, including thyroid hormone, which is an essential hormone in metabolism. Hypothyroid disorder has many known causes including thyroid disease, iodine levels, thyroid surgery or certain medications. Some symptoms of this condition include fatigue, weight gain, headaches, muscle and joint pain, dry skin, early puberty, sensitivity to cold and difficulty concentrating.
Magnesium is one of several minerals that are important to your health and wellness. Magnesium is used by every organ in your body, but is especially important in the functioning of your heart, kidneys and muscles. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, magnesium activates enzymes, contributing to energy production. Magnesium also helps to regulate calcium levels as well as those of copper, potassium, zinc and vitamin D. Magnesium deficiency is rare, but can be caused by medical conditions that affect absorption of minerals, such as celiac disease.
Iodine and Magnesium Deficiency
Severe iodine deficiency is one of the known potential causes for hypothyroid. While some, such as Dr. Peat, also suggest magnesium deficiency may sometimes play a role in the development of hypothyroid disease. The National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements notes advises that there are very few people in the United States who are iodine deficient. The UMMC further indicates that instances of magnesium deficiency are quite rare, as well. There is no specific diet to improve hypothyroidism, recommending you instead seek the advice of your physician regarding a hormone replacement treatment.
Magnesium and Levothyroxine
Taking a magnesium supplement without consulting your physician may be harmful to your health when you are taking medications that it could interact with. One of the medications magnesium interacts with, according to the UMMC, is levothyroxine, used to treat hypothyroidism. You should not take magnesium supplements or antacids or laxatives containing magnesium in conjunction with levothyroxine except under the supervised care of your physician.