Does taking fish oil (omega 3 fatty acids) help the thyroid?

[yankeeRN]

I had been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism,Grave's disease for me, in Sept 2011. It has been a roller coaster ride with up and down with the anti-thyroid med--PTU for me. In January of 2014 I started taking fish oil twice a day because of it's anti-inflammatory properties --I got my md's approval first. So, for meds, I was taking PTU, a multivit and then fish oil. About 6 months after I was taking the fish oil my FT3 and FT4 had dropped plus my undetectable tsh was now detectable (low end of normal) --I was also having symptoms of hypothyroid so this necessitated a decrease in my PTU ever so slightly (decreased by 25mg every 6 or more weeks depending on labs). I am happy to report that as of Oct 2 2015 I have not taken any PTU because I had been weaned down to PTU 25mg daily and even though I asked my endo if I should take it every other day he thought it was such a small dose that I should just stop it all together and see where things go. Labs as of Nov 23 ish were good and I feel great--I am so praying that this can last forever and that this is remission.  I am so trying to avoid stress but it is overflowing in my life (recent family member diagnosed cancer, adult son moving from north to way down south, job is crazy, etc).  BUT I am wondering if the fish oil has helped me achieved this PTU free and thyroid stabilizing--I know it is early but so far so good.  I think there should be studies with the use of fish oil --or maybe it is just coincidental that I was taking the fish oil and all improved--I will continue to take the fish oil just in case it was the reason for my improvement. What do the experts think?? Does fish oil help???

[Barb135]

I think research into the effects of fish oil on thyroid hormones is minimal and sketchy, at best, anyway...  You're right about the anti-inflammatory properties and for many of us, whether hyper or hypo, anything to get rid of inflammation, far outweighs other considerations...

If you've been taking the fish oil since 2014 with no ill effects, I doubt it's going to make you go hyper, at this point, unless you start taking mega doses, and even that may not have that great an effect on thyroid hormones...

[yankeeRN]

It has been 1 yr and 4 months in remission----I continue on the fish oil.  I feel great:)  They might want to do studies on fish oil in resolution of autoimmune thyroid/other autoimmune diseases--I may have stumbled on to something ---it is working for me....

[Barb135]

Notice that the articles say fish oil "increases" thyroid hormone uptake, which is good for HYPOTHYROIDISM... again, you're dealing with hyperthyroidism, so you could be doing the opposite of what you want...

"According to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, daily intake recommendations for omega-3s are 0.7-1.6 grams per day, depending on age and gender. Daily intake recommendations for omega-6s are 7-16 grams per day, depending on age and gender."

There is also Omega-9 fatty acid, which must be balanced with the Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids... Omega-9 comes from a family of monounsaturated fats (MUFA's) that are also very beneficial... The best for you sources of Omega-9 fatty acids are olives and olive oil, peanuts and peanut oil, avocados, other nuts.  It's best to get Omega-9 from foods...

[yankeeRN]

It also says something about the omega -3's with anti-inflammatory effects .Since early Oct 2015 I have been off my PTU and so far labs are good.  I had started the fish oil in Jan of 2014 and  after4 - 6 months is when I started to go hypothyroid but remember I was also taking  the PTU which was suppressing my thyroid which was weaned down and now on no PTU.  I get lots of omega-9's--I eat a variety of nuts several times a week (most times daily).  Are you saying staying on the fish oil might make me hyper?  Thus far it has been 2 years on the fish oil.  

[yankeeRN]

One thing I did read about the omega fatty acids is that there is a ratio between omega-3's and omega -6's that it is an important balance to keep in the body--sorry I cannot remember the ratio.....

[yankeeRN]

Thanks for responding. I only take 1000mg of fish oil twice a day--I didn't want to "rock the boat"--if I stopped it or increased it (no pun intended with the rocking the boat and the fish--lol)--So far so good for me--I am not stopping the fish oil--so far it seems to be doing something great for my thyroid who am I to question this?? --I was just wondering if anyone had any experience--thanks for the quote.

[Red_Star]

I found a few other article on omega 3 fatty acids.

Excerpt from Newsmax - 5 Vitamins and Supplements for Thyroid Health...

"1. Omega-3 fatty acids: University of Maryland Medical Center suggests omega-3 fatty acids can help "decrease inflammation and help with immunity" for thyroid support. In addition, some studies have indicated that omega-3 fatty acids can increase thyroid hormone uptake."

Excerpt from Livestrong - Fish Oil & the Thyroid

"While the strongest evidence for fish oil is for heart disease, there is also some evidence that suggests fish oil may increase thyroid hormone uptake - good news for those with hypothyroidism. In a study published in the "Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry" in 2010, rats received diets containing either soybean oil or fish oil. The author, Souza, found that thyroid hormone receptors and enzyme levels involved in thyroid hormone uptake were higher in the fish oil group. Fish oil can also reduce inflammation, a cause of hyperthyroidism."

[Barb135]

I hit post too soon - I meant to say, that's a topic for research, as I'm not sure whether studies have been done or not.  Have you researched it, at all?

[Barb135]

Sorry I missed your original post... other than the Mercola article referenced above, I've never seen any studies linking fish oil with thyroid function.  Fish oil has been linked to lowering cholesterol levels, which "has" been linked to hypothyroidism, but you're dealing with hyper, not hypo...

[Red_Star]

Excerpt from Is Your Thyroid Out of Balance? by Dr Mercola...

"Fortunately, we are coming out of the “fear of fat” era that has caused major health problems, and there has been a resurgence of interest in the connection between omega-3 oils and health. Some compelling studies and a variety of sound physiological principles suggest that fish oil supplements in doses of three to five grams per day are helpful in restoring thyroid function."

This is interesting. I just bought two bottles of Krill oil (insane bargain of $2 reduced from almost $100). :)

[yankeeRN]

Ok........ so I guess no one knows--I feel great so I will continue with the fish oil just in case.....