Did you know that small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck, also known as the thyroid, plays a vital role in regulating the body's metabolism, energy production, and overall balance? It produces hormones — primarily thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) — that influence nearly every organ, tissue, and cell. These hormones control how fast the body uses energy, how it produces heat, and how the heart, muscles, and digestive system function. The thyroid also helps regulate mood, brain function, and bone maintenance. When the thyroid doesn’t work properly, it can lead to a range of health issues. An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) slows the body down, causing fatigue, weight gain, and depression, while an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) speeds things up, leading to weight loss, anxiety, and a racing heart. Because of its wide-reaching influence on essential bodily functions, the thyroid is crucial for maintaining overall health and balance.
Due to its massive importance, providing adequate nutrition for the thyroid is imperative. Nutrients required for the thyroid include iodine, selenium, iron, zinc, copper, retinol, but today we want to highlight specifically a very well known mineral that isn’t typically associated to thyroid health- and that’s magnesium.
Magnesium is essential for thyroid health because it supports several key processes that keep the gland functioning properly. One of its most important roles is helping the body convert the thyroid hormone T4 (thyroxine) into the more active T3 (triiodothyronine), which is the form that cells can actually use to regulate metabolism and energy production. Without enough magnesium, this conversion slows down, potentially leading to symptoms of hypothyroidism like fatigue, weight gain, cold extremities, constipation, dry skin and brain fog — even if thyroid hormone levels appear normal.
Magnesium also supports the production of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which signals the thyroid to release hormones in the first place. Additionally, magnesium has anti-inflammatory properties that may help protect the thyroid from autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or Graves' disease, which can disrupt thyroid function. Since stress can negatively impact the thyroid, magnesium’s calming effect on the nervous system and adrenal glands is another bonus, helping to reduce stress-related hormone imbalances.
Therefore, because magnesium is so important for thyroid function, magnesium deficiency can contribute to thyroid dysfunction, and when that happens, a mix of symptoms can appear — often overlapping with common thyroid issues like hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Here’s a breakdown:
If magnesium deficiency leads to hypothyroid-like symptoms (underactive thyroid):
-
Fatigue and weakness — The thyroid struggles to convert T4 into active T3, slowing metabolism.
-
Weight gain or difficulty losing weight — A sluggish thyroid means the body burns fewer calories.
-
Cold intolerance — Poor thyroid function affects heat production.
-
Muscle cramps, twitches, or weakness — Magnesium supports muscle function, and a deficiency can lead to cramps or spasms, which may worsen with low thyroid hormone levels.
-
Constipation — Slowed digestion is common with both magnesium deficiency and hypothyroidism.
-
Brain fog, poor concentration, or memory issues — Magnesium helps with nerve function and brain health, so low levels may worsen cognitive sluggishness linked to hypothyroidism.
-
Depression or anxiety — Both magnesium and thyroid hormones regulate mood, and a deficiency in either can contribute to mental health struggles.
If magnesium deficiency triggers hyperthyroid-like symptoms (overactive thyroid):
-
Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat — Magnesium helps regulate heart rhythm, and low levels combined with excess thyroid hormone can cause a racing or irregular heartbeat.
-
Muscle weakness or tremors — Magnesium is essential for muscle function, and deficiency may worsen muscle tremors or weakness seen in hyperthyroidism.
-
Insomnia or poor sleep — Magnesium promotes relaxation, and a lack of it can amplify sleep disturbances from an overactive thyroid.
-
Irritability or nervousness — Both magnesium deficiency and hyperthyroidism can heighten feelings of anxiety or restlessness.
Since magnesium supports thyroid hormone production, conversion, and overall cellular function, a deficiency can create or worsen imbalances in either direction — making symptoms more intense or harder to diagnose.
So how do you even know if magnesium is your actual problem?
Best way to test is to run a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) with us, which you can do so by clicking here. However, if you’re ready to try out magnesium, since so many are depleted anyway and it is vital for hundreds of enzymatic reactions in the body, you can check out our Upgraded Magnesium products here!