In today's world, stress, poor nutrition, and exposure to toxins all take a toll on our bodies and affect the delicate balance of our hormonal systems. One gland that's particularly vulnerable to these environmental factors is the thyroid, which plays a vital role in regulating our metabolism, mood, and energy levels.
According to the American Thyroid Association, more than 12% of Americans will develop a thyroid condition during their lifetime, causing symptoms like chronic fatigue or weight gain and sometimes severe health complications.
Alongside appropriate medical care, many people are exploring natural remedies to support their thyroid health. One such remedy that's been gaining popularity is sea moss, a seaweed with an exceptionally rich nutrient profile.
What does the science say about sea moss and thyroid health? In this article, we'll take a deep dive into the research and explore the potential benefits and risks of taking sea moss if you have thyroid disorders.
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What is The Thyroid Gland?
The thyroid gland is located in the neck, just below the Adam's apple. It is responsible for secreting hormones that regulate the body’s metabolism, growth, and development. These hormones are crucial for body temperature regulation, heart rate, blood pressure, energy levels, brain, and nervous system.
Common thyroid disorders
Thyroid function can be affected by several factors, including nutrient deficiencies (especially iodine), stress, environmental toxins, and autoimmune diseases.
Abnormal thyroid function can have severe consequences on one’s health and wellness. The most common thyroid problems include:
- Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. It can lead to symptoms such as weight gain, fatigue, constipation, dry skin, and depression. Common causes of hypothyroidism include iodine deficiency, autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s disease, and other medical conditions or treatments.
- Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, leading to weight loss, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, tremors, and diarrhea. The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is an autoimmune disorder called Graves' disease. But it can also be caused by thyroid nodules, excess iodine, certain medications, thyroiditis (thyroid gland inflammation), or other factors.
- Thyroid nodules are growths or lumps in the thyroid gland. Most thyroid nodules are benign (non-cancerous) and do not cause any symptoms or health issues other than difficulty swallowing or swelling in the neck when they're large. Some nodules produce extra hormone, causing hyperthyroidism; others can be malignant (cancerous). A thyroid examination helps determine which nodules need monitoring or treatment.
- Thyroid goiter is a condition where the thyroid gland becomes enlarged. It is often caused by an underlying thyroid disorder, such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, or iodine deficiency. Most goiters do not cause symptoms, but larger ones may require medical attention.
- Thyroid cancer is a relatively uncommon cancer, accounting for about 2.1% of new U.S. cancer cases in 2026. Symptoms can include a lump or swelling in the neck, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or others. In most cases, thyroid cancer is treatable when detected and treated early.
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Natural remedies for thyroid disorders
While medical treatments are often recommended for thyroid disorders, nutrition and everyday habits can help support your overall health alongside thyroid care, including:
- Iodine-rich foods: Iodine is an essential mineral the thyroid gland needs to produce thyroid hormones. Eating iodine-rich foods such as seaweed, Irish moss, bladderwrack, fish, dairy products, and eggs can help meet iodine needs for normal thyroid function. Choose amounts that fit your needs: people with thyroid disorders should discuss their total iodine intake with their clinician.
- Selenium: Selenium is another mineral crucial for thyroid health. Foods high in selenium include Brazil nuts, tuna, chicken, and eggs. Other minerals essential for thyroid health include magnesium and zinc.
- Ashwagandha: This herb has attracted research interest! In a small randomized trial of 50 adults with subclinical hypothyroidism, 600 mg of root extract daily for eight weeks improved thyroid hormone measures. For individual use, NCCIH advises against ashwagandha for people with thyroid or autoimmune disorders and notes interactions with thyroid medicines. Discuss this herb with your clinician rather than starting it yourself.
- Physical exercise: Regular exercise supports fitness, circulation, mood, and energy. Choose activities and an intensity that fit your symptoms and thyroid-care plan.
- Stress reduction: Chronic stress has a negative impact on thyroid function. Stress-reducing practices like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises can help you relax and support your well-being while managing a thyroid condition.
If you have thyroid disorders or take thyroid medications, talking to a healthcare provider before trying natural remedies is essential. Remember that these should never be used as substitutes for medical treatment but rather as complementary therapies and always under medical supervision.
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Sea Moss Benefits for Thyroid Health
Sea moss, a nutrient-dense seaweed, is an appealing way to explore nutrition for thyroid health.
Iodine is essential for normal thyroid hormone production, and the research on seaweed and the thyroid[1] explains why this mineral deserves attention. Your thyroid condition and total iodine intake help determine which foods and supplements fit your routine.
So, let’s dig a bit deeper to understand sea moss, its nutrients, and your thyroid.
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What is sea moss?
Sea moss is a popular name for several red seaweeds. Irish moss (Chondrus crispus) grows along North Atlantic coastlines, including North America and Europe. Caribbean sea moss includes Eucheuma cottonii, the species in our Saint Lucian raw sea moss and gel. Sea moss is also called Irish moss or Jamaican moss, depending on the species and regional usage.
Celebrated for its 92-of-102 mineral profile, it is a wonderful ingredient to explore in a varied diet. Its mineral profile includes iodine, calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
Irish moss has been harvested for centuries for food and traditional wellness preparations. Today, its nutrients and compounds are explored in discussions of numerous health conditions, including thyroid disorders, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, kidney disease, infertility, skin conditions, mood disorders, digestive issues, and respiratory ailments, to name but a few.
With growing interest in its nutrition and culinary possibilities, sea moss is widely available across the United States. Our capsules, collagen powders, and gummies use Chondrus crispus, offering convenient alternatives to our wildcrafted Saint Lucian raw moss and gel. It comes in various forms, including raw, capsules, gel, powder, or gummies.
Related article: Sea Moss Gel vs. Capsules vs. Powder: Which is Better?
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Sea moss for hypothyroidism
Sea moss contributes iodine, and its amount varies with species, harvest conditions, and preparation. Our gel’s recommended serving is two tablespoons (30 g)—an easy addition to smoothies or your favorite recipes! U.S. daily iodine recommendations are 150 mcg for adults, 220 mcg during pregnancy, and 290 mcg while breastfeeding. Use product-specific iodine information and your wider diet when planning your intake.
Iodine is absolutely essential for thyroid function. The thyroid uses it to make triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4); insufficient iodine can contribute to hypothyroidism. Because the body cannot make iodine, it comes through food or supplements. The cited pilot study[2] examined iodine status in 24 people with hypothyroidism and 24 without it, all with type 1 diabetes. Deficiency appeared in both groups, illustrating why individual nutritional assessment matters.
Magnesium, selenium, and zinc are also interesting for thyroid nutrition. A study of 1,257 adults[3] associated severely low blood magnesium with hypothyroidism and thyroid autoimmunity. Selenium helps thyroid hormone metabolism and antioxidant defenses; the review[4] describes supplementation trials reporting reductions in thyroid antibodies in some patients. The zinc report[5] describes improved skin and hair growth in a woman with hypothyroidism and zinc deficiency who received zinc alongside thyroid hormone treatment. These findings concern measured deficiencies or specific supplement preparations and help explain the importance of well-planned nutrition.
Seaweed’s antioxidants and compounds studied for anti-inflammatory activity also make it fascinating to researchers. Oxidative stress and inflammation are relevant to thyroid research.
A 2019 review in Marine Drugs[6] explores fucoidan from brown seaweeds, including its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity and traditional use of brown seaweed in goiter preparations. That discussion concerns brown algae and their compounds; our sea moss is red seaweed.
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Sea Moss Dangers for Thyroid
Getting the right amount of iodine supports normal thyroid function, while excessive or inappropriate consumption can also lead to thyroid dysfunction.
A personalized approach makes it easier to enjoy foods and supplements that suit your thyroid needs. Include iodine from your meals and every supplement when reviewing your routine.
Excessive consumption of iodine-rich foods or supplements, including sea moss, may interfere with thyroid function and lead to thyroid problems, including an overactive or underactive thyroid. This is especially true for individuals who already have an underlying thyroid condition or are taking medication for thyroid disorders.
Therefore, we strongly recommend you consult a healthcare provider before adding sea moss or any other iodine dietary supplement to your routine, particularly if you have a history of thyroid problems or are currently taking thyroid medications. They can help you determine the appropriate dosage and advise you on potential risks or interactions.
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Sea Moss and Thyroid: FAQs
Can sea moss help with Hashimoto’s disease?
Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune thyroid condition, so a nutrition plan should fit your individual thyroid function and treatment.
Iodine, magnesium, zinc, and selenium play useful roles in thyroid nutrition. With Hashimoto’s, however, too much iodine from seaweed or supplements can worsen hypothyroidism. Your clinician can help you meet nutrient needs and decide whether sea moss fits your routine.
Keep your thyroid medication and monitoring plan in place, and ask for advice before adding supplements. This is especially helpful if you have a history of thyroid problems or are taking thyroid medicines.
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Is sea moss good for an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)?
With an overactive thyroid, also known as hyperthyroidism, choose foods and supplements with your clinician’s guidance on iodine.
Hyperthyroidism means the gland produces too much thyroid hormone. Treatment may include medicines that reduce hormone production, depending on the cause. Extra iodine from seaweed or supplements can aggravate hyperthyroidism in susceptible people, so a tailored plan helps you make appropriate choices.
Can sea moss help with thyroid nodules?
Thyroid nodules deserve an individual assessment to establish their cause and whether they affect hormone production.
Adequate iodine supports normal thyroid function. The cited study[7] discusses nodular thyroid disease in populations with iodine deficiency in Portugal and South Africa. Iodine deficiency is uncommon in the United States, and most nodules have no clear cause. Most are benign, and some produce extra hormone.
Your healthcare professional can arrange appropriate thyroid tests, ultrasound, or a biopsy when needed. Ask which foods and supplements, including sea moss, fit your iodine needs and treatment plan.
Can sea moss cause thyroid cancer?
Research on seaweed and thyroid cancer considers the wider diet and iodine exposure. An observational study in Japanese women found an association between almost-daily seaweed intake and papillary thyroid cancer, particularly after menopause. An association does not establish that sea moss causes cancer. For a helpful everyday approach, follow your product’s serving directions and review total iodine with your clinician if you have thyroid concerns.
Related article: Sea Moss & Cancer, What the Research Says.
What about you? Do you have hypothyroidism or other thyroid disorders? Have you tried taking sea moss?
Trusted Sources:
[1] Smyth PPA. Iodine, Seaweed, and the Thyroid. Eur Thyroid J. 2021 Apr;10(2):101-108. doi: 10.1159/000512971. Epub 2021 Jan 27. PMID: 33981614; PMCID: PMC8077470. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8077470/
[2] Kristin Mariëlla van Veggel, Dina Mehus Ivarson, Jan Maria Martinus Rondeel, Gerritje Sophie Mijnhout, "Iodine Deficiency in Patients with Hypothyroidism: A Pilot Study", Journal of Thyroid Research, vol. 2022, Article ID 4328548, 6 pages, 2022. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9184230/
[3] Wang K, Wei H, Zhang W, Li Z, Ding L, Yu T, Tan L, Liu Y, Liu T, Wang H, Fan Y, Zhang P, Shan Z, Zhu M. Severely low serum magnesium is associated with increased risks of positive anti-thyroglobulin antibody and hypothyroidism: A cross-sectional study. Sci Rep. 2018 Jul 2;8(1):9904. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-28362-5. PMID: 29967483; PMCID: PMC6028657. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6028657/
[4]Santos LR, Neves C, Melo M, Soares P. Selenium and selenoproteins in immune mediated thyroid disorders. Diagnostics. 2018;8(4):70. doi:10.3390/diagnostics8040070
[5] Betsy A, Binitha M, Sarita S. Zinc deficiency associated with hypothyroidism: an overlooked cause of severe alopecia. Int J Trichology. 2013 Jan;5(1):40-2. doi: 10.4103/0974-7753.114714. PMID: 23960398; PMCID: PMC3746228. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3746228/
[6] Luthuli, Sibusiso, Siya Wu, Yang Cheng, Xiaoli Zheng, Mingjiang Wu, and Haibin Tong. 2019. "Therapeutic Effects of Fucoidan: A Review on Recent Studies" Marine Drugs 17, no. 9: 487. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6780838/
[7] Santos JE, Kalk WJ, Freitas M, Marques Carreira I, Castelo Branco M. Iodine deficiency and thyroid nodular pathology--epidemiological and cancer characteristics in different populations: Portugal and South Africa. BMC Res Notes. 2015 Jul 1;8:284. doi: 10.1186/s13104-015-1155-3. PMID: 26126625; PMCID: PMC4504064. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4504064/