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Tyrosine and Thyroid Hormone
Tyrosine is an amino acid; it’s considered non-essential because the liver can make it from the nutrients the body extracts from food. People with hypothyroidism usually have a sluggish liver so tyrosine production can sometimes be slowed. Supplementing with tyrosine can be beneficial for some people.
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Hypothyroidism slows down every process in the body and the liver can be effected too, but not necessarily enough to show up on tests and require medical intervention. Most health professionals refer to a slow-functioning but otherwise healthy liver as “sluggish.”
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Adequate tyrosine is essential for the production of thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland needs both iodine and tyrosine to make T4. Theoretically, supplementing with tyrosine can increase the production of T4. People taking prescription T4 and supplementing with tyrosine run the risk of having too much T4 in their systems, so regular blood tests and monitoring of symptoms is important if supplementing with this amino acid. For most people, taking 500mg or less of tyrosine per day is generally safe.
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People with hyperthyroidism should not take tyrosine. People who are prone to mania or who have anxiety disorders should not take tyrosine. People who have heart conditions or blood pressure issues shouldn’t take tyrosine as it can increase blood pressure.
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Side effects of tyrosine are: insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, and nervousness. If taken as a supplement, tyrosine is best taken early in the day so it doesn’t interfere with sleep.
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Tyrosine, and other amino acids, are usually listed on product containers with an ‘L’ as in l-tyrosine. The L refers to the amino acid being in it’s free form, meaning it’s not attached to anything else. Amino acids that are linked to other amino acids, or amino acid chains, form proteins; and the body has to break them down to get individually needed amino acids. Free-form amino acids are preferred because the body can readily use them.
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Sources of tyrosine are:
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Meat, poultry, and fish
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Dairy products
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Seeds and nuts