✪ Key Takeaway: Licorice is not always bad for hypothyroidism and may actually help when used correctly in specific situations.
Introduction
You have probably heard that licorice is terrible for your thyroid health.
This warning gets repeated so often that many people with hypothyroidism avoid licorice completely without understanding the full story.
Hi, I am Abdur, your nutrition coach, and today I am going to explain when licorice helps hypothyroidism, when it harms, and how to use it safely based on your specific situation.
What Makes Licorice Controversial For Thyroid Health?
Licorice contains a compound called glycyrrhizin that affects multiple hormone systems in your body.
This compound can interfere with an enzyme called 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase that regulates cortisol metabolism.
When this enzyme gets blocked, your cortisol levels stay elevated longer than they should.
High cortisol can suppress thyroid hormone production and conversion of T4 to T3, which is the active form your body actually uses.
This mechanism is why many health professionals warn against licorice for people with hypothyroidism.
However, this same cortisol-extending effect can actually benefit certain thyroid patients.
✪ Fact: Glycyrrhizin makes up about 10-25 percent of the dry weight of licorice root.
When Does Licorice Actually Help Hypothyroidism?
Many people with hypothyroidism also suffer from adrenal fatigue or low cortisol levels.
Your adrenal glands and thyroid work together in a delicate balance that affects your entire metabolism.
When your cortisol drops too low, you experience crushing fatigue, poor stress response, and worsening thyroid symptoms.
Licorice can help by extending the life of the cortisol your body produces, making each molecule work longer.
This support allows your adrenal glands to recover while maintaining adequate cortisol for thyroid hormone conversion.
Studies show that licorice can improve energy levels and reduce fatigue in people with both low cortisol and hypothyroidism.
The key is knowing your cortisol status before using licorice as a therapeutic herb.
✪ Pro Tip: Get a cortisol saliva test that measures levels at four different times throughout the day to know your true cortisol pattern.
When Should You Avoid Licorice With Hypothyroidism?
If you already have high cortisol or normal cortisol levels, licorice will likely worsen your thyroid function.
Elevated cortisol suppresses thyroid-stimulating hormone and reduces the conversion of T4 to active T3.
People with high blood pressure should also avoid licorice because it can raise blood pressure further.
Licorice affects aldosterone, a hormone that regulates sodium and potassium balance in your body.
This can lead to sodium retention, potassium loss, and increased blood pressure in susceptible individuals.
Pregnant women should avoid licorice completely because it may increase the risk of preterm birth and affect fetal development.
Anyone taking thyroid medication should consult their doctor before adding licorice to avoid potential interactions.
✪ Note: Licorice can interact with diuretics, blood pressure medications, and corticosteroids, so always check with your healthcare provider first.
How Much Licorice Is Safe For Thyroid Patients?
The safe dosage of licorice depends on whether you are using it therapeutically or consuming it occasionally.
For therapeutic use with low cortisol, most practitioners recommend 200-600 mg of standardized licorice extract daily.
This amount should only be used for short periods, typically three to six weeks, followed by a break.
Some people prefer deglycyrrhizinated licorice, which has the glycyrrhizin removed and does not affect cortisol or blood pressure.
However, deglycyrrhizinated licorice will not provide the adrenal support that whole licorice offers.
Occasional consumption of licorice candy or tea is generally safe for most people with hypothyroidism.
The problems arise when people consume large amounts daily without knowing their cortisol status or monitoring their blood pressure.
✪ Pro Tip: Start with the lowest effective dose and monitor your symptoms, blood pressure, and energy levels weekly when using licorice therapeutically.
What Other Factors Should You Consider?
Your individual response to licorice depends on your genetics, current health status, and other medications or supplements you take.
Some people are more sensitive to glycyrrhizin and experience side effects at lower doses than others.
If you have autoimmune thyroid disease like Hashimoto’s, licorice may provide additional benefits through its anti-inflammatory properties.
Research shows that licorice contains compounds that can modulate immune function and reduce inflammation.
However, this potential benefit must be weighed against the cortisol effects and your specific health situation.
Working with a knowledgeable practitioner who understands both thyroid function and adrenal health is crucial for safe licorice use.
Regular monitoring of thyroid hormones, cortisol levels, blood pressure, and electrolytes helps ensure licorice is helping rather than harming.
✪ Fact: Licorice has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years to harmonize other herbs and support overall health.
The Bottom Line
Licorice is not universally bad for hypothyroidism and can actually help when used appropriately in people with low cortisol.
The right herb at the wrong time becomes the wrong herb, so knowing your individual hormone status is essential before using licorice therapeutically.
I would love to hear your experience with licorice and hypothyroidism, so please share your thoughts or questions in the comments below.
References
At NutritionCrown, we use quality and credible sources to ensure our content is accurate and trustworthy. Below are the sources referenced in writing this article:
- Natural Endocrine Solutions: Herbal Spotlight: Licorice and Thyroid Health
- PubMed Central: Glycyrrhizin and Metabolic Effects
- University of Rochester Medical Center: Licorice Root Information
- Healthline: Licorice Root Benefits and Side Effects
