Hi Shirley,

There are many health benefits of fish oils and thyroid health.

Dr. Udo Eramus, author of "Fats That Heal: Fats That Kill" says omega 3 fatty acids are critical to thyroid function because they help form the structures of every cellular membrane in our bodies. He also believes omega 3's increase energy levels of the cells and improve the efficiency of hormones at the receptor sites.

For example, essential fatty acids help diabetics become more sensitive to insulin at their receptor sites. Therefore, diabetics who take fish oils may require less insulin. Dr. Eramus believes the same principle applies to other hormonal functions, especially the thyroid. "With proper essential fatty acid nutrition, what will sometime happen is that you get fewer receptors but they work better."

This would mean that proper levels of essential fatty acids might make the thyroid hormone receptors work better, so that thyroid hormone actually accomplishes its mission.

When thyroid function decreases, your metabolism decreases leading to weight gain. Dr. Eramus believes omega 3 fatty acids help increase energy and suppress appetite, thereby helping weight loss.

Dr. Udo Erasmus on Thyroid Disease, Weight Loss, and the Optimal Diet for Thyroid Patients

The New England Medical Center found there are no side effects from fish oils and they can be used safely by most people.

The health benefits of fish oils may help optimize thyroid health and reduce the amount of thyroid medication needed. Remember to consult your health care provider before beginning a new nutritional regimen, diet or exercise program.

Hope this information is helpful, Shirley. Wishing you all the best, Kevin.

I started eating healthy and exercising in March of 2010 and have lost 48 lbs so far. Since then I have had 2 thyroid blood tests and after each one my doctor lowered my thyroid medication from 112mcg to 110mcg, then from 110mcg to 88mcg. I have been trying to find out online if my change in eating habits and exercising were responsible for this reduction. I could not find anything online to confirm this.

I tried searching "Thyroid Medication and Fish Oil" and came across this site. When I started my diet, I also started taking 1,200 mg of fish oil daily. So it seems as though taking fish oil has made my thyroid hormone receptors work better and therefore my dose needed to be lowered. How wonderful!

Hi Shirley,

I have been taking both for at least four years now - and have no unwelcome side effects.

My experience with Cod liver oil and thyroid medicine is not so positive. I had thyroid cancer 10 years ago and take levothyroxine. I started taking fish oil with my thyroid med in the morning. Before long, I became extremely hypothyroid. When I had a blood draw, my blood splurted everywhere - another sign my blood had thinned. I had been noticing brusing. My doctor increased my synthroid at same time I quit taking fish oil. Next blood test was hyperthyroid, she decreased dose, final blood test still hyperthyroid and now i am back to original dose before taking Cod liver oil! Lesson learned: switched to fish oil and do not take it with medication!

One of the side effects of levothyroxine (also known as Synthroid) is it may increase the effects of blood thinners such as warfarin. Here's a quote from the medicinenet.com website:

"Levothyroxine may increase the effect of blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin). Therefore, monitoring of blood clotting is necessary, and a decrease in the dose of warfarin may be necessary."

Studies have shown fish oils may increase your risk for bleeding (depending on the dosages taken). Therefore, if you're taking thyroid medications such as Synthroid, you may wish to consult with your doctor before adding fish oils to your diet.

You can read more about possible side effects from levothyroxine here.