Session Description
The use of dietary supplements and keeping of a restricted diet has become increasingly popular in recent years, with 52% of the U.S. general adult population reporting use of a supplement in 2011-2012 and 17.1% of U.S. adults aged =20 years reporting adherence to a specific diet during 2015-2018. In particular, dietary supplements and dietary interventions to improve thyroid health are becoming increasingly popular. Patients may be taking supplements or adhering to special diets, possibly in combination with prescribed thyroid or anti-thyroid medications, in an effort to maintain or decrease thyroid autoimmunity, preserve normal thyroid function, or mitigate the risks of thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer. A greater understanding of the benefits, potential harms, and uncertainties around various non-prescription supplements and diets is important to care of the thyroid patient.