Many people with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions are familiar with the benefits of glutathione. Glutathione is made in the body, and is a combination of three amino acids. These amino acids are glutamine, cystine, and glycine. While glutathione is important for overall health, it is very important for the health of the immune system (a deficiency in this molecule is associated with impaired T cell function). As a result, anyone with Grave’ Disease or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis needs to have sufficient levels of this substance.
In addition to helping with immunity, glutathione has numerous other functions as well. Since the highest concentrations of this molecule is in the liver, one of the primary functions is to help with detoxification. And since we’re exposed to many different toxins, it once again is essential to have an abundance of glutathione, as it will help the body remove toxins. So for example, when someone takes prescription drugs, the liver is responsible for getting rid of the toxins associated with these medications. And sufficient levels of glutathione is important for this to take place. It also can help to eliminate environmental toxins, including mercury.
Low glutathione levels can also affect the integrity of the gut lining. I’ve mentioned in numerous articles and posts the importance of having a healthy gut with both Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. Problems with the gut can lead to a compromised immune system, and while having sufficient levels of glutathione alone won’t guarantee that someone will have a healthy digestive system, one can’t have a healthy digestive system if they have a deficiency in glutathione.
How Do People Become Deficient In Glutathione?
Two of the main factors which deplete the body of glutathione are poor dietary habits, along with chronic stress. And of course these are two big issues with many people, including those with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid disorders. Of course many of my patients have significantly cleaned up their diets by the time they have consulted with me. And many have also improved their stress handling skills. On the other hand, some people continue to eat poorly and don’t manage their stress well.
Either way, while eating well and managing one’s stress are both important to maintain healthy glutathione levels, this usually won’t be enough to correct depleted levels of this molecule. Don’t get me wrong, as eating well and managing your stress will help to some extent with low glutathione levels. But nutritional supplementation is frequently required to correct this deficiency. The same concept applies with any moderate to severe mineral deficiency, as for example, if someone has a severe zinc deficiency, they probably won’t correct this by eating a lot of zinc-based foods. In this case higher dosages of zinc are usually required to correct such a deficiency. Then after the person has corrected it they can usually maintain the levels through eating well, and perhaps taking a multi-mineral each day.
How Can One Increase The Glutathione Levels?
Even though one usually can’t correct a glutathione deficiency by just eating well, one can still increase the glutathione levels by eating plenty of fresh vegetables (onions, garlic, asparagus, carrots, and cruciferous vegetables are especially good sources), along with some fresh fruits. And if you’re not a vegetarian you can also get some glutathione from meat as well. Eggs can also be a good source. Selenium rich foods such as brazil nuts can also help to raise glutathione levels. Exercising helps with glutathione production, and so this is yet another reason why you want to exercise regularly.
There are supplements you can take, but glutathione isn’t absorbed well when taking it orally. You can take it in the form of a liposomal-based cream, or have it administered through an IV. However, this doesn’t increase the glutathione levels inside the cells, as the best method of doing this is to eat some of the foods I recommended before, and to take some of the precursors of glutathione. Here are some of the precursors and herbs which can help increase the production of glutathione in the cells:
N-acetylcysteine. This is a metabolite of the sulfur-containing amino acid, Cysteine, and metabolizes into intracellular glutathione.
Alpha Lipoic acid. This is a fatty acid found inside all of the cells of the body, and has the potential to recycle glutathione.
Selenium. This mineral is important in the formation of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase, which is necessary to form glutathione.
L-Glutamine. Glutamine is an amino acid that is a precursor to glutathione.
Milk Thistle. An herb that has been shown to increase the levels of glutathione.
How Can One Detect A Glutathione Deficiency?
Determining whether someone has a deficiency in glutathione can be a challenge. There are blood tests available, although they can be costly, and are not entirely accurate. I usually look at the selenium levels, as if someone has a selenium deficiency, then chances are they also have a glutathione deficiency. Unfortunately, many people I consult with do have a deficiency in selenium. And while eating selenium rich foods such as Brazil nuts and sardines can help, supplementation is usually required.
In summary, glutathione is commonly deficient in people with Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. And because this substance is important for immune system health, as well as the health of the liver and the gut, it is important to correct this deficiency. While it is difficult to increase the intracellular levels by taking glutathione supplements orally, one can increase their levels by eating foods that help to increase the production of glutathione, as well as taking certain precursors, such as alpha lipoic acid, selenium, and L-Glutamine. The herb milk thistle can also help to increase glutathione production.
Although n-acetylcysteine is useful in correcting cysteine deficiency, ribosylcysteine is recognized as a form of cysteine offering better absorption and function.
Ribosylcysteine, or Ribose-Cysteine is recognized in improving liver and kidney function. It is also known as Riboceine, and commercially sold as a MaxOne supplement.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid, Selenium and Silymarin (Milk Thistle) are the main supplements used by Dr. Burt Berkson to regenerate the liver after amanita mushroom poisoning.
http://www.prescription2000.com/images/stories/transcripts/2010-01-22-burt-berkson-lipoic-acid-naltrexone-transcript.pdf
Save the hassle and take the acetyl version of glutathione. Acetyl-glutathione survives the intestinal tract and actually gets into cells more effectively than intravenous glutathione. Naturedoc.com is the cheapest source I have come across in terms of grams to the dollar, but there are other brands who have fewer grams per capsule and fewer caps per bottle, so are cheaper per bottle (but not per gram). Hope that makes sense.
Hi Boe,
Thank you for bringing this up. When recommending glutathione to my patients I typically recommend an acetylated form. A liposomal form can also be a good option.
Can you take reduced Glutathione and L glutamine together between meals to improved thyroid health/ hashimoto.
Hi Shana,
I commonly recommend N-acetylcysteine to my patients, which is a precursor of glutathione. One can also take acetyl glutathione, but I typically use the precursors. If someone has a leaky gut then taking higher doses of L-glutamine in between meals can be beneficial in helping with gut repair.
Hi,
Can I take the l-glutathione 400-750mg a day for my hyperthyroid while I’m nursing, instead of 10-15mg of metimazole a day?
Hi Mel,
Obviously the goal of taking the methimazole is to decrease the thyroid hormone levels. Taking glutathione doesn’t have anti-thyroid activity, and so I can’t say that this would be an adequate substitute for methimazole.
i have goiter 2 yrs ago. it is possible for me to take injectable glutathione?
Hi Trish,
You might be able to find a medical doctor who can help you with the injectable glutathione, although you migh do fine with an acetylated or liposomal form of glutathione.
Hello,
I cannot tolerate high sulfur food and supplements such as NAC. They are hard on my stomach. Instead I use the glutathione cream. However my insurance no longer covers it so I would like to make my own. Is there a powder form that you recommend that I can mix with a nontoxic lotion or coconut oil??
Thanks Doc! 🙂
Hi Bernadette,
Unfortunately I don’t know of any powdered form of glutathione, as the acetylated form of glutathione I recommend comes in a capsule.
Hi doc. What ingredients of glutathione capsule or vitamin c may cause hair fall… I was taking a glutathione capsule for almost a week and I’ve noticed my hair started to fall. Is this normal? Pls doc help me. Thank You
Jona, I haven’t heard of glutathione causing hair loss. Of course everyone is different, but usually hair loss is caused by hormone imbalances or nutrient deficiencies.
Hi i want to know if dr replied to your questions. Please email me
Dr. Eric,
I take Naturethroid upon waking.
I also take Lipsomal Glutathione (sublingual) along with many other supplements including one that contains Milk Thistle, N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine and Alpha-Lipoic Acid. And I eat two Brazil Nuts daily.
I take the majority of my supplements at lunch time so they do not interfere with my Naturethroid.
My question is – Can I take my Glutathione shortly after I take my Naturethroid or will it possibly interfere with the absorption of my Naturethroid?
THANK YOU!!
Can my mother 67 years with goiter taking daily thyroxine and undergone 2 months reversal surgery (having diarrhoea at the moment) can take gluthathione
Good day
I am suffering hyperthyroidism long time ago til now still taken medication tapazole 5mg but just wanted to plan to take glutathione if not risky to my situation, please i need your advice
Thank you ❤️❤️❤️
Hi Ma’am 🙂 I would like to ask if you take glutathione while you are having a hyperthyroidism? Thank you 🙂
Dr Eric
I have Hashimotos. It runs in my family. My sister ,father and grandmother have hashimotos as well. My Daughter suffers from a kidney disease that is called cysturia. Where she collects the amino acid Cystine in her kidney and it creates kidney stones. Do you know anything about this disease.? Is it connected somehow to the endocrine system. All the doctors she has went to don’t know why this occurs. She has been suffering terrible for years. I had an ultrasound when she was a fetus and she had a build up in her pelvic area of calcification then. She was born with this malfunction going on. She has other problems through out her body. I feel like this has caused her body to be off balanced from the beginning. Thank you for your time.
Robin, I can’t say that I have much experience with cystinuria. Although many cases of kidney stones are caused by high oxalates, I realize that this isn’t the case with cystinuria. There does seem to be a genetic component, and while improving her diet and lifestyle may help with this, unfortunately I don’t have any specific recommendations to give.
Dr. Eric
I have a tyroid and I take my medication carbimazole 10mg it is possible to take luxxe white? Please Dr. Eric advise me.
Dear Doctor
Good day!
Recently my hyphothyroid became active, can i take glutathione capsule 800 mg with contents of collagen vit c and tomato crystal from Uno Premier?
Hi Lila,
Although everyone is different, most people with hypothyroidism can take glutathione and vitamin C without a problem. I can’t say I’m familiar with the product you mention from Uno Premier.
Hi doctor Eric
Which medicine to take first.. glutathione or levothyroxine as i heard both to be taken in empty stomach in the morning?
Rima, I would take the levothyroxine first, and then the glutathione 30 to 45 minutes later.
Hi! I’m taking levothyroxine daily. Is it fine if I also take glutathione capsules? Thanks
Cristine, I’ve had many patients take NAC or glutathione supplements while on levothyroxine, although I probably would take the glutathione at least 30-45 minutes after taking the levothyroxine.
Dear Dr Eric,
I need help, which product of Cellgevity will you recommend for goitre treatment that has been enlarging. had for over 10yrs now . Or what will be your advice as the first line of treatment. Looking forward to your reply. Thank you so much
Mamalika, I’m not familiar with Cellgevity, and so I can’t say that I recommend this for a goiter. I’m not sure if you have read the following article I wrote, which hopefully will answer some of your questions:
https://www.naturalendocrinesolutions.com/articles/can-supplements-and-herbs-shrink-your-goiter/
Hi Doc,
I want to know if is it fine to take a Glutathione food supplement while i’m taking a levothyroxin medication for my hypothyroid problem?
Thank You!
Dr Eric, thank you for taking your time to answer our questions. I have hyperthyroidism. Currently on carbimazole 5mg bd. And I also have high blood pressure. Taking propranolol 40mg daily . Can I take glutathione injection ,( tationil 600mg) weekly. Thank you
Hi Dr.Eric,ive had my thyroid removed 2years ago which resulteď to hypothyroidism now I take levothyroxine daily too,recently ive been taking L-glutathione,it helps me get to sleep and provide me with energy,but i also noticed that at a certain time in the morning,i experience a brain fog ,is this normal ,should i continue drinking my L-gluta?thanks
Melissa, although most people do fine with taking glutathione supplements, you should always listen to your body, and so if you’re confident that the glutathione is causing your brain fog I’d stop taking it, or consider switching to a different form (i.e. acetylated glutathione) and see how you do.
Hello Doc Eric! I’ve been taking Methimazole for my Hyperthyroid. Is it okay for me to take this Glutathione supplement? It’s called “Carlson Glutathione Booster with Alpha Lipoic Acid” it has Selenium and Vitamin E.Thank you!