Researchers tested whether turmeric supplements combined with an anti-inflammatory diet could help people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, a condition where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland. In a 12-week study with 57 patients, those taking turmeric supplements showed some improvements in thyroid antibody levels and modest changes in body measurements compared to those taking a placebo. While the results are promising, scientists say more research is needed before turmeric can be recommended as a standard treatment for this condition.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether taking turmeric supplements along with eating an anti-inflammatory diet could improve thyroid function and blood fat levels in people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (an autoimmune thyroid disease).
  • Who participated: 57 adults with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis were split into two groups: one received turmeric supplements plus a special diet, and the other received a placebo pill plus the same diet.
  • Key finding: After 12 weeks, the turmeric group showed a significant reduction in anti-TPO antibodies (immune proteins attacking the thyroid) compared to placebo. Thyroid hormone levels also improved in the turmeric group, though the difference between groups wasn’t statistically significant after accounting for other factors.
  • What it means for you: Turmeric supplements may help reduce thyroid inflammation in Hashimoto’s disease, but the evidence is still preliminary. Don’t replace your current thyroid medication with turmeric—talk to your doctor before adding supplements to your treatment plan.

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is considered one of the strongest types of scientific studies. Researchers randomly assigned 57 patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis into two equal groups. One group received 1,320 mg of curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric) daily plus an anti-inflammatory diet, while the other group received a placebo (fake pill) plus the same diet. Neither the patients nor the researchers knew who was getting the real supplement—this is called a “double-blind” study, which helps prevent bias.

The study lasted 12 weeks, and researchers measured several things at the beginning and end: body measurements, thyroid antibody levels, thyroid hormones, and blood fat levels. This approach allows researchers to see if the turmeric made a real difference beyond what the diet alone could do.

The study was officially registered in a clinical trials database before it started, which is important because it shows the researchers planned their work carefully and weren’t just reporting results that looked good.

Using a randomized controlled trial design is important because it helps prove cause-and-effect relationships. By randomly assigning people to groups and using a placebo, researchers can be more confident that any improvements came from the turmeric itself, not from other factors like diet changes, exercise, or the placebo effect. The double-blind design prevents both patients and researchers from unconsciously influencing the results.

This study has several strengths: it’s a randomized controlled trial (the gold standard), it was registered before starting, and it used a placebo control group. However, the sample size of 57 people is relatively small, which means results might not apply to everyone. The study only lasted 12 weeks, so we don’t know if benefits continue longer. The journal information is incomplete, making it harder to assess the publication’s reputation. These factors mean the findings are promising but not definitive.

What the Results Show

The most important finding was that people taking turmeric supplements showed a significant reduction in anti-TPO antibodies compared to the placebo group. Anti-TPO antibodies are immune proteins that attack the thyroid, so lowering them suggests the turmeric may help calm down the immune system’s attack on the thyroid.

Within the turmeric group, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and T3 hormone levels both decreased significantly. TSH is a hormone that tells your thyroid to work harder, so lower TSH can mean better thyroid function. However, when researchers compared the turmeric group directly to the placebo group using statistical adjustments, these differences weren’t quite statistically significant.

Both groups showed improvements in waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio (body shape measurements), with slightly larger improvements in the turmeric group. This suggests the anti-inflammatory diet helped both groups, and turmeric may have added a small extra benefit.

The turmeric group showed a trend toward higher HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol), though this wasn’t statistically significant. Other blood fat measurements didn’t change meaningfully in either group.

Body composition improvements were similar between groups, suggesting the anti-inflammatory diet was the main driver of weight and shape changes. The trend toward better HDL cholesterol in the turmeric group is interesting but not conclusive—it could happen by chance. No serious side effects were reported in either group during the 12-week period.

Previous research has suggested that turmeric’s active ingredient (curcumin) has anti-inflammatory properties that might help autoimmune diseases. This study adds to that evidence by showing turmeric may specifically help reduce thyroid antibodies in Hashimoto’s disease. However, most previous studies were smaller or used different designs, so this research helps fill important gaps. The findings align with the general idea that anti-inflammatory approaches may benefit Hashimoto’s patients.

The study only included 57 people, which is a small sample size. Results might differ in larger groups or different populations. The 12-week timeframe is relatively short—we don’t know if benefits last longer or if they increase over time. The study didn’t track whether participants actually followed the anti-inflammatory diet, which could affect results. The journal information is incomplete, making it harder to verify the study’s quality. Finally, the study didn’t compare turmeric alone versus diet alone, so we can’t tell how much benefit comes from each component.

The Bottom Line

Based on this study, turmeric supplements may help reduce thyroid inflammation in Hashimoto’s disease (moderate confidence level). However, this research is preliminary, and turmeric should not replace standard thyroid medication. If you have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, discuss with your doctor whether adding curcumin supplements (around 1,300 mg daily) might be appropriate for you. Combining supplements with an anti-inflammatory diet appears more beneficial than either approach alone.

This research is most relevant to people with diagnosed Hashimoto’s thyroiditis who are looking for additional ways to manage their condition alongside standard medical treatment. It may also interest people with other autoimmune conditions, though this study only tested Hashimoto’s patients. People without thyroid disease shouldn’t assume turmeric supplements will prevent thyroid problems. Anyone taking thyroid medications should consult their doctor before adding supplements, as interactions are possible.

In this study, measurable improvements in thyroid antibodies appeared after 12 weeks. However, individual responses vary. Some people might see benefits sooner, while others might need longer. Don’t expect dramatic changes—the improvements were modest. It typically takes several weeks for supplements to show effects, so give any new supplement at least 8-12 weeks before deciding if it’s working for you.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily curcumin/turmeric supplement intake (yes/no), anti-inflammatory diet adherence (rate 1-10 daily), and thyroid symptoms like fatigue, weight changes, and mood. Record these daily in your app to identify patterns over 12 weeks.
  • Start taking a curcumin supplement (1,300 mg daily with food for better absorption) while simultaneously adopting an anti-inflammatory diet rich in vegetables, fish, and whole grains. Log both actions daily in your app to build consistency and track which combination works best for you.
  • Set monthly reminders to assess overall thyroid symptoms and energy levels. Every 3 months, ask your doctor to recheck your thyroid antibody levels (anti-TPO) and thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, T4) to objectively measure whether the supplement and diet combination is helping. Use your app to track these lab results over time.

This research is preliminary and should not replace standard medical treatment for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Always consult your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you take thyroid medications, as interactions are possible. Turmeric supplements may not be appropriate for everyone, particularly those with bleeding disorders, gallbladder problems, or those taking blood thinners. This study involved only 57 people over 12 weeks, so results may not apply to all patients. More research is needed before turmeric can be recommended as a standard treatment for thyroid disease.