The thyroid is a small gland with a big job. It’s a butterfly-shaped organ located in the front of your neck, and it plays a central role in your body’s metabolism and hormone regulation. When your thyroid isn’t working correctly, it can disrupt nearly every system in your body, leaving you feeling drained, foggy, and unwell. Could something as common as fluoride be quietly undermining your thyroid health?
What is the Threat of a Dysfunctional Thyroid?
Your thyroid doesn’t just regulate your metabolism—it’s the conductor of your body’s symphony of hormones. By producing hormones like T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine), it helps control how your body uses energy. Everything from your heart rate to digestion to brain function depends on a healthy thyroid.
When the thyroid malfunctions, it can manifest as disorders like hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid). Symptoms may range from sluggishness, weight gain, and cold intolerance (hypothyroid symptoms) to restlessness, weight loss, and heat sensitivity (hyperthyroid symptoms).
Environmental factors, such as chemical exposure, can have a profound impact on thyroid health. Perchlorate from rocket fuel is one such factor. But exposure isn’t that common. So, it isn’t a major issue for most people.
However, this is one chemical that is in very widespread use, has been accepted as a foundation of public health policy, has been shown scientifically to have negative effects on your thyroid, yet has not been discussed very much until very recently. That chemical? Fluoride.
What is Fluoride and Why Is It Used?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral, but the fluoride most people encounter isn’t the kind found in nature. It’s a byproduct of industrial processes that’s been added to public water supplies and dental products for decades. Initially heralded as a cavity-fighting hero, fluoride gained widespread acceptance in the mid-20th century.
You’ll find fluoride in tap water, toothpaste, mouthwashes, and even processed foods. While it’s credited with reducing tooth decay, the potential risks of fluoride exposure have been downplayed or ignored. A scientific report in 2006 called for action to be taken based on current scientific data showing there was no safety gap between common and dangerous exposures to fluoride. That was over 18 years ago! Only recently, due to a court case that ruled against the EPA is the government being forced to take action on water fluoridation practices.
How Fluoride Affects Thyroid Function
Fluoride doesn’t just protect your teeth—it also competes with iodine, a vital nutrient your thyroid needs to function properly. Iodine is the cornerstone of thyroid hormone production, but fluoride is a halogen like iodine, so it has similar properties that enable it to go where iodine belongs, especially if iodine is in short supply, and so disrupt this delicate balance.
When fluoride is absorbed into the body, it can suppress thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which tells your thyroid how much hormone to produce. Over time, this interference may contribute to an underactive thyroid, leading to symptoms like fatigue, dry skin, and weight gain.
Clinical studies have shown that fluoride can mimic or exacerbate the effects of iodine deficiency, especially in regions where dietary iodine intake is low. The result? A population more vulnerable to hypothyroidism and its ripple effects.
Scientific Studies Linking Fluoride and Thyroid Dysfunction
Scientific evidence supports the link between fluoride exposure and thyroid problems. Epidemiological studies have found higher rates of hypothyroidism in areas where water fluoridation is common. In fact, a 2015 study published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health showed that individuals in fluoridated regions of England had nearly double the risk of developing under-active thyroid compared to those in non-fluoridated areas.
“we found a clear pattern of association between fluoride content in drinking water consumed by the study participants and their circulating TSH concentrations…”
A 2024 meta-analysis summarized findings that fluoridation is linked to increased thyroid dysfunction risk, highlighting the need for reevaluation of current public health policies. The authors stated, “we found a clear pattern of association between fluoride content in drinking water consumed by the study participants and their circulating TSH concentrations. However, this occurred only above 2 mg/L of water fluoride (2.5 mg/L when the studies with the best quality were considered), thus confirming the hypothesis of a non-linear, dose-dependent pattern of association, …” So, the evidence is clear that allowable levels of fluoride (up to 4 mg/L in water) have adverse effects on thyroid function.
Despite this clear evidence, the debate remains contentious. Some studies are limited by outdated methodologies or conflicting data. Still, the weight of evidence suggests that fluoridation of the public water supply should be discontinued, for this reason, but especially for the negative effect on children’s intelligence, which was the subject of the lawsuit against the EPA.
What Happens When The Thyroid is Exposed to Fluoride?
An unhealthy thyroid doesn’t just affect your metabolism—it sends shockwaves through your entire body. When thyroid hormone levels are disrupted, it can lead to chronic fatigue, depression, and difficulty concentrating. Many people also experience unexplained weight gain, which can further affect their physical and emotional health.
For some, fluoride toxicity may exacerbate pre-existing health conditions, making recovery even harder. Individuals with autoimmune disorders, like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, may be particularly sensitive to fluoride’s effects. Understanding your body’s unique susceptibility can make all the difference in protecting your health.
Identifying and Reducing Fluoride Exposure
If you’re concerned about fluoride’s effects, the first step is to identify your primary sources of exposure. Start with your water supply. Is your tap water fluoridated? Find out. The public water quality report will have fluoride concentrations listed if it is added. Home testing kits are also available if you want to be sure.
Reducing fluoride intake doesn’t have to mean sacrificing dental health. You can switch to fluoride-free toothpaste and mouthwash, drink filtered water (using reverse osmosis, distillation, or activated alumina filters), and avoid processed foods that may be prepared with fluoridated water. Nano-hydroxyapatite in toothpaste has been shown to give many of the same dental benefits as fluoride without any toxicity.
Making small, intentional changes can significantly reduce your fluoride burden over time.
Here’s How to Support Thyroid Health Naturally
A strong thyroid depends on proper nutrition. Essential nutrients like iodine, selenium, and zinc play key roles in supporting thyroid function. Incorporating iodine-rich foods like seaweed, selenium-packed nuts (like Brazil nuts), and zinc-rich plant options like oatmeal and wild rice and pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, flax seeds and chia seeds, and lentils can nourish your thyroid from within.
In addition to a diet that emphasizes foods rich in iodine selenium and zine, consider supplements that support thyroid health. At Hallelujah Diet we offer Nascent Iodine and also Glutathione Promoter with Selenium for thyroid and immune system support. The best way to undo fluoride’s effect on the thyroid is to increase your intake of iodine, so supplemental iodine makes sense here.
Lifestyle changes matter too. Reducing stress, getting regular exercise, and prioritizing sleep can optimize your thyroid’s performance. Replace fear of the future with trust in the Sovereign God to help you reduce stress, further supporting thyroid health and peace of mind.
Advocacy and Awareness: The Future of Fluoride Policies
Globally, water fluoridation policies are not popular. While a few countries (USA, Australia, Chile, the Irish Republic, Israel, and New Zealand) continue to fluoridate public water, only about 7% of the developed world’s population has access to fluoridated water. Read more about it here.
Let people you know about fluoride’s dangers. Popular opinion is important in changing health policy. We should have transparent and open public health policies and a robust conversation that truly engages both sides of the argument. After all, public health is not a political issue.
Meanwhile, don’t wait for the government to help you. Take control of your health. Learn the hazards, reduce your exposure, and take steps to support your thyroid naturally. When you act proactively you enable yourself to joyfully carry out the mission that God has given you.
