Causes of Hypothyroidism

• Hypothyroidism is most often caused by autoimmune disease, according to the Mayo Clinic. Other common causes include overreaction treatment for hyperthyroidism, thyroid surgery, or side effects of other medication. Nutritionist Raymond Peat says that patients with hypothyroidism often have low magnesium levels, although this is not considered a cause of low thyroid hormone production.
  
  

Increasing Magnesium Intake

• In order to increase magnesium uptake, Peat recommends patients change their diet. A diet rich in meat and orange juice can help increase magnesium levels, according to him. Leafy green vegetables are also an excellent source of magnesium.
  
  

Magnesium Supplements

• In order to affect thyroid levels, you may also take a magnesium supplement. Peat recommends magnesium carbonate for those people interested in taking oral magnesium. Side effects may include headaches or hemorrhoids.
  
  

Other Alternative Treatments

• Magnesium deficiency is only one symptom of hypothyroidism. Peat says that low levels of protein contribute to hypothyroidism. He recommends Vitamin E supplements and adding more fruit, juice, and milk to your diet. He also says that people with hypothyroidism should reduce the amount of aerobic exercise they do, as build-up of lactic acid during exercise can interfere with thyroid production.
  
  

Concerns

• Some people may be allergic to certain magnesium compounds. Magnesium sulfate, a common compound of magnesium often used to treat disease, can cause hives or difficulty breathing, according to drugs.com. Acucell Nutrition, a website providing information about nutritional supplements, says that overuse of this compound can cause kidney disease and depression. Talk to a doctor familiar with the effects of magnesium prior to beginning any type of magnesium treatment to make sure the type of magnesium you plan to take is safe to use.