Don't Overlook This Tiny Gland
Millions of Americans start their mornings the same way: by taking one tiny pill before breakfast.
But this week, some of those pills became the subject of a nationwide Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") recall.
You see, certain lots of the generic drug levothyroxine – a medication for treating hypothyroidism – were found to be subpotent. That means these pills might contain less of the active ingredient than the label indicates.
The FDA has classified this as a Class II recall. In other words, while the affected medications "may cause temporary or medically reversible" health problems, the risk of serious harm being done is considered low.
Perhaps you're reading this and thinking, "I don't take this stuff, so this doesn't apply to me." Well, think again...
Thyroid disorders are extremely common – second only to diabetes among endocrine conditions. And we become more at risk as we get older... Factoring in both treated and untreated cases, roughly 1 in 4 adults aged 65 and older suffers from some form of thyroid dysfunction.
Unfortunately, lots of folks don't even realize they have a thyroid problem...
According to the American Thyroid Association, about 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease. But as many as 60% of these folks are unaware of their condition – which brings us back to this week's recall...
So what's all the fuss over a pill that's just a little weaker than it should be?
Levothyroxine is what's called a narrow therapeutic index drug. That's just a fancy way of saying that there's a pretty small window between a dose that's too high and a dose that's too low.
As a result, doctors try to keep their patients' thyroid-hormone levels as consistent as possible. Even relatively small changes in the amount of medication your body gets can affect how well the drug controls your symptoms.
The reason why comes down to the tiny gland that produces these hormones...
The Butterfly in Your Throat
Weighing just around an ounce, the unassuming thyroid gland is tucked away at the base of your neck. This small, butterfly-shaped organ has an outsized job: It controls your body's metabolism and more. It also affects nearly every other organ in your body, including your heart, muscles, digestive system, and brain.
Your thyroid accomplishes this feat by producing a steady stream of chemical messengers. These hormones regulate the amount of energy you use to keep your heart working, your muscular and digestive systems functioning, your brain working and developing, and your bones healthy.
Simply put, every cell in your body relies on these hormones to tell them how quickly or slowly they should work. And that's why you don't want your thyroid-hormone levels bouncing around.
Too much, and your body starts running too fast in what's called hyperthyroidism. Not having enough means everything starts slowing down, which is hypothyroidism.
Thyroid-disorder symptoms overlap with dozens of other diseases. So what may look like a medley of unrelated symptoms could all point to a problem with your thyroid gland.
For instance, a quick check on "fatigue" as a symptom pulls up more than 25 different causes, from cancer to stress to overeating.
Here's a look at some of the most common symptoms of thyroid dysfunction...
Unfortunately, these symptoms are so common that doctors often misdiagnose thyroid conditions. That's because thyroid dysfunction can often look like many different little problems instead of a single, pervasive disorder.
Remember, your chances of having thyroid issues increase as you age. And with that comes a host of problems – for instance, your metabolism might break down medications too fast (hyperthyroidism) or too slowly (hypothyroidism).
So what can you do to take care of your thyroid before that happens?
Top Nutrients for Thyroid Health
It turns out, most of the foods your thyroid needs are the same ones we've long recommended for your overall health and wellness...
Your thyroid needs three trace elements... which you only need to ingest in super small quantities. But they play a supersized role in keeping your thyroid in tip-top shape. Here are the most important trace elements and where you can find them:
Iodine: Just like you need to eat protein to make muscle, you need iodine to make the thyroid hormones T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine).
Seaweed is incredibly high in iodine. One serving has about a full day's worth of iodine... so you definitely don't need to pop any supplements. Cod, scallops, and oysters are also rich in iodine, as are Greek yogurt and eggs.
And here's another reason to steer clear of iodine supplements... They often contain more iodine than the label promises. And too much iodine can easily tip the balance toward hyperthyroidism because your thyroid uses iodine to make the hormones. High iodine levels can also lead to thyroid inflammation and are even linked to thyroid cancer. So you'll want to be very careful to not overdo this element.
Iron: Iron helps your thyroid because an enzyme called thyroid peroxidase ("TPO") uses this mineral. In turn, TPO helps attach iodine to molecules used for building thyroid hormones.
Do what I do and get your iron from organ meats, red meat (like beef and lamb), oysters, and clams. And don't forget to add in plant-based sources like spinach, lentils, and beans.
Selenium: You need this stuff to turn all of that T4 into T3. Specifically, it's needed in enzymes called deiodinases that play a big role in the conversion process. Selenium also protects your thyroid from the damaging effects of oxidative stress.
You can find selenium in Brazil nuts, yellowfin tuna, oysters, lobster, and sunflower seeds.
Don't forget... Taking care of your thyroid now will help guard against problems in the future.
If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above and can't pinpoint why, make sure to get your thyroid checked. You can measure your thyroid's function through a simple blood test called a thyroid-stimulating hormone test. Take the time to find a specialist, too – specifically, an endocrinologist. They can better evaluate your symptoms and get you on medication if necessary.
And the thyroid isn't the only small part of your body capable of causing some big problems...
Earlier this month, I explained to Retirement Millionaire subscribers why tiny kidney stones can bring even the toughest folks to their knees... And, more importantly, I revealed what you can do to reduce your risk. (If you missed it, you can read the issue with a trial subscription of my flagship newsletter.)
What We're Reading...
- Something different: The marmots have made it onto this adult-content website.
Here's to our health, wealth, and a great retirement,
Dr. David Eifrig and the Health & Wealth Bulletin Research Team
July 30, 2026