Last Updated on July 13, 2026 by Carrie Korem, FNTP
A thyroid cyst is a growths that is filled with fluid or is partly solid. According to the medical community, thyroid cysts are low risk and are almost always benign. I’ve worked with many clients who had a thyroid cyst and over time, they saw the cyst reduce or completely go away naturally (confirmed by their doctor). So, let’s dive into some simple ways to reduce a thyroid cyst naturally.
What are the Symptoms of a Thyroid Cyst?
Some common symptoms of a thyroid cyst are a visible lump in the neck, throat discomfort, difficulty swallowing or a hoarse voice.
What Causes a Cyst on the Thyroid?
As a Functional Nutritionist, I look at thyroid health from a functional and integrative perspective to understand why the body is doing whatever it’s doing. The body never does anything without a reason, so if there is a thyroid cyst, there is always a reason.
Here are some common root causes of thyroid cysts:
1. Thyroid cysts and nodules can form when the body needs a place to store things it cannot properly clear out. This might include heavy metals like mercury or lead, or leftover toxins from mold exposure or chronic infections like Lyme disease. If your liver, lymph system, or other detox pathways are overworked, your body may wall off these substances somewhere safer until it has the resources to deal with them. Sometimes that “somewhere” is your thyroid tissue.
2. 1/3 of your lymphatic system is in the neck and up into the head. Your thyroid sits right in the middle of an important lymph drainage pathway. If that pathway gets congested, whether from a sluggish liver or just poor lymph flow in general, fluid can build up and cysts can form as a result.
3. A thyroid cyst can be a sign that your tissue is not getting what it needs to repair and function the way it should. For your thyroid specifically, this can often mean low iodine or low selenium, two minerals your thyroid depends on. But it can also point to a bigger picture of mineral depletion, since our soil and our food supply are simply not as nutrient dense as they used to be.
5 Ways to reduce a thyroid cyst naturally
1. Avoid all chlorine, fluoride and bromine – Chlorine, fluorine, bromine and iodine are all halogens and can displace iodine which can lead to thyroid cysts or nodules.
If these other chemicals displace iodine, then your thyroid won’t be able to store iodine as it needs to or produce the proper amount of thyroid hormone needed for your body.
Here’s how I recommend avoiding these three chemicals:
– Filter your drinking and bathing water. Here are some of my favorite water filters at a variety of different price points:
Clearly Filtered pitcher (use the code ORGANIC10 to save 10%)
Radiant Life Countertop Filter (use the code CARRIE to save 10%)
Clearly Filtered under sink filter (use the code ORGANIC10 to save 10%)
Radiant Life Shower Filter (use the code CARRIE to save 10%)
– Avoid using bromated flour or white flour that contains potassium bromate. Keep in mind, pastas and baked goods can contain this kind of flour as well. In 1982, researchers in Japan published a series of studies showing that potassium bromate causes thyroid cancer in rats and mice. Potassium bromate is illegal in the EU, Canada and Brazil, but is still allowed here in the US.
– Reduce your exposure to fire retardants. Don’t purchase clothing that is sprayed with them, wash all clothing before wearing and, if possible, choose mattresses and carpets that are free of fire-retardants.
2. Avoid all processed foods – The foods you eat make up the cells of your body and also give your body the tools it needs to make thyroid hormones. So the foods you eat will play a role in the health of your thyroid tissues.
Here’s more info on the kind of nutrient-dense diet I recommend if you have thyroid disease.
3. Increase Iodine Consumption – Iodine deficiency can cause thyroid cysts, so increasing your intake of iodine-rich foods or taking an iodine supplement can be helpful to reduce thyroid cysts.
How Much Iodine Do I Need Each Day?
While the RDA is 200mcg, most thyroid experts believe this is too low. Many medical doctors who specialize in thyroid health such as Guy Abraham, M.D., and David Brownstein, M.D., recommend amounts anywhere between 12.5 and 37.5 mg daily.
In our practice, we’ve found that doses closer to 600mcg – 6mg daily are well tolerated, but it’s important to remember that we are all biochemically individual, so what works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for another.
If you feel you need supplementation, I always recommend consulting with a practitioner who is well-versed in nutrition to help you figure out the best dosage for your body.
And, if you have elevated fT4 or Graves’ you definitely need to talk to your practitioner about the amount of iodine in foods that is appropriate for your situation.
Best Food Sources of Iodine
The body does not make iodine, so it’s essential to include it as part of your diet.
Here’s a list of the amount of iodine in various foods for reference (according to the NIH):
4. Castor oil packs over the liver and thyroid
One-third of your lymph is located in the neck and into the brain. Your thyroid is also located in your neck, so putting a castor oil pack over the thyroid can help improve blood flow, bring more oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, reduce swelling, and remove toxins.
How to do a castor oil pack over the thyroid:
Please note: It’s imperative to first do castor oil packs over the liver for several weeks before trying one over the thyroid. Follow the directions below (but use the entire piece of flannel) and do a pack over the liver 3-4x a week for 4 weeks. After you’ve been consistent doing this for 4 weeks, then cut a small rectangle out of the flannel that will fit easily over the front of your neck where your thyroid is located.
1. Drizzle the castor oil over a small rectangular piece of cotton flannel that fits easily over your neck. I keep my flannel in a large glass Tupperware to catch any oil that might drip and then I drizzle the castor oil over the flannel.
2. Fill up your hot water bottle.
3. Set the dish with the flannel, the ziploc bag (or piece of parchment paper), and old towel on your nightstand or next to your bed.
4. Lie down and place the cotton flannel over the thyroid. Remember: only do this after you’ve been consistent with doing a castor oil pack over your liver 3-4x a week for 4 weeks.
5. Put the ziploc bag (or parchment) on top of the flannel. The plastic should not touch your skin.
6. Place one layer of the old towel over the pack.
7. Place the hot water bottle on top of the towel.
8. Lie down and keep the castor oil pack on the thyroid for 15 minutes*. Remove the pack and wipe the area with the old towel to remove any castor oil. Follow with a pack over the liver for 45 minutes.
9. Repeat as necessary.
*If you have been diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism or Graves’ then it’s usually best to only do the pack for about 5-10 minutes after you’ve spent one month doing packs over the liver 3-4x a week.
How long should I do the castor oil packs?
I recommend first doing a castor oil pack over your liver 3-4x a week for 45 minutes. Then, start doing them over the thyroid as directed above.
I would continue doing a pack over the thyroid and liver 3x a week along with the other steps listed above until you see the results you are looking for.
5. Daily movement – As I mentioned above, 1/3 of your 600+ lymph nodes are in the neck. So, if you have poor lymphatic flow this can lead to or contribute to nodules. So, moving the body daily is imperative for good lymphatic flow.
I’m also a big fan of doing the Big 6 daily. This will help improve the lymphatic flow in your head and neck.
Most of my clients see changes in their cysts (confirmed by their doctor) within 3-4 months when they are following all of the steps listed above (avoiding chlorine, fluoride, eating a nutrient-dense diet, etc.)
How can I learn more about the steps I can take for my thyroid?
I have four fantastic options for you!
- To download my 50 of my top tips to support the thyroid naturally, tap here. I’ll also send you an educational email every few days to help you learn how to support your body naturally.
- If you’d like to learn from first steps you can take to help support your thyroid, check out my class, “5 Keys to Thyroid Hormone Balance”. It’s just 45 minutes and I promise you’ll learn something new!
- If you’re looking for a step-by-step plan for Hashimoto’s that truly works (no more piecing together info!), check out my 90-Day Thyroid Reset Program.
- Book a consult with me for one-on-one help. Here’s info about what working with me looks like.
Disclaimer: The purpose of this post is to give an overview of thyroid cysts from a holistic perspective. Due to biochemical individuality there can be many various reasons for the root causes of thyroid issues, and many ways to help improve thyroid in balance in the body. This information is not intended to take the place of your doctor’s advice.
