We’ve heard from our youth that Vitamin D is good for our bones but it’s also important in fighting autoimmune thyroid disease. When children don’t get enough vitamin D or calcium they can develop rickets, a softening of the bones. Milk is often fortified with vitamin D as a preventive measure. Adults that don’t get enough vitamin D can also experience decreased mineralization of the bones referred to as osteomalacia. What many people don’t know is that the incidence of autoimmune conditions (when the immune system incorrectly attacks instead of protects the body) is higher in people with vitamin D deficiency.
People with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (autoimmune thyroiditis that causes low thyroid function) tend to have low vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) levels. There is evidence that suggests that vitamin D3 supplementation can help prevent autoimmune thyroiditis. Increasing vitamin D intake can calm autoimmune activity.
Autoimmunity can start 5-7 years before it is diagnosed so it makes sense for us to do all we can to optimize thyroid health at all times.
Our own bodies make vitamin D3 when exposed to sunlight. People at the equator (lots of sun) can make 20,000 IU per day. The official recommended daily allowance of vitamin D is about 800 IU/day (to prevent bone disease) but it’s reasonable for people to take up to 4,000 – 10,000 IU per day, or more. It’s important for people to not take too much vitamin D3, however, since it can cause calcium levels to go too high and symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Blood tests can be used to monitor vitamin D levels.
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