hypothyroid diet

[VeganMan]

hello everyone

My question here is if there is any possibility of lack of vitamins/minerals might influence absorption/effectiveness of levothyroxine dr

[whispers60]

yes, yo put it simply. If you use the search function on the page you will find a wealth of information on this particular subject

[bluebug]

Yes this is why people are advised to have ferritin, folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin D levels tested and to supplement them until they are optimal. Then supplement on a maintenance dose to keep them there.

Adequate levels, which are levels that are high enough just to prevent most diseases, are not high enough to ensure that thyroid hormones will work properly.

As already said if you search you can find more information on this.

[VeganMan in reply to bluebug]

tx for the reply,

i have another question, lets imagine im suspicious that i have a deficiency in those nutrients u guys just mention, and i run the blood test and my Tsh T3 and T4 was everything in normal state, (im a hypothyroid patient ofc), i take the levothyroxine daily as regular......should i still be worried that levothyroxine isnt doing its job because those defeciencies ....(dont know if u guys follow my idea here)

[teenarocks in reply to VeganMan]

Basically the answer to this is "maybe". If your blood tests are "normal" and you feel perfectly healthy then you are probably OK. But if your blood tests are "normal" and you still have symptoms then be suspicious of your nutrient intake. Ferritin, folate, B12, D. But also selenium and zinc. If you have tested positive for autoimmune thyroid disease then also eliminate gluten, dairy, soy, caffeine, alcohol and sugar. Also when I say "normal" blood test results they may fall in the normal range but may not be optimal for you if you are still symptomatic. Everything depends on how you are feeling.

[bluebug in reply to VeganMan]

The problem is doctors see being in range as "normal". This is not true for many people and in some tests done on the NHS the lower boundary of the range is lower than what other health organisations e.g. WHO or research advise.

Therefore run your tests, get the results AND ranges then start a new thread with your results and ranges in. Make it clear to everyone you are vegan and indicate whether you eat things like nuts, fermented foods etc regularly.

Posters will then advise what is optimal in terms of nutrients.

Also as teenarocks states you will may have to change your diet. As you are vegan you are probably not eating so many processed foods as other people but you may still need to eliminate gluten.

[VeganMan in reply to bluebug]

hi again guys, many tx for the replies

well i might say i make the exactly same question in another hypothyroid forum, and i like to share with u what had been said: i like to hear from you people whats your thoughts about this contrary view

"People taking levothyroxine frequently remain too low in the range for the biologically active thyroid hormones Free T4 and Free T3. Even when the dose is high enough to raise Free T4 to the top of its range, frequently the Free T3 will remain too low in its range to relieve symptoms.

When hypothyroid the patient often does not produce adequate stomach acid to absorb vitamins and nutrients well. The result is low Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin (iron). So the low vitamins/minerals don't cause the problem with taking thyroid med, the hypothyroidism causes problems absorbing enough vitamins/minerals.

Just because your thyroid test results were within their reference range doesn't mean they are optimal. Please post your test results and reference ranges shown on the lab report. Also please tell us about any symptoms you have. "

[bluebug in reply to VeganMan]

It's not a contrary view people have simplified things for you due to how you asked your original question.

If you know anything about human physiology or biochemistry you would be aware that most nutrients including vitamins and minerals are not absorbed in the stomach but the small intestine. @snapdragon, below has alluded to this and the leaky gut theory but hasn't gone into depth as your question doesn't ask for that detail.

Even then there are exceptions for example the majority of vitamin D humans make is done through the skin from sunlight (UVB rays) with a process that involves the liver and kidneys. Taking vitamin D supplements, which are absorbed in the small intestine, is not the natural way the majority of humans on Earth make vitamin D. Inuit and similar people who live very far North have to rely on animal fats e.g. oily fish to get their vitamin D being the exceptions. So why you may have hypothyroidism if you were outside most of the year every day in daylight for hours at a time without sun cream in you shouldn't be deficient in vitamin D.

Even then answering your question about the contrary view I've ignored things like whether you have any other diseases and whether you are actually able to convert T4 into T3.

In other words if you want a detailed replies you need to ask a detailed question. Also if you brand around terms like "normal" when mentioning thyroid hormone levels then you will get simplified replies as most posters on thyroid forums know that lab ranges aren't what they seem.

[VeganMan in reply to bluebug]

hi again, u might think im little annoyng guy, but i couldnt resist to transcript this conversation i have with several MD yesterday. once again i want hear from you, hope u dont got me wrong here, thts not my intention at all, so here it goes

Hello

My question here is if there is any possibility of lack of vitamins/minerals might influence absorption/effectiveness of levothyroxine drug?

ty

Answer

12 hours ago

Dr.Rahul Rathee

MBBS., MD

Hello

No there is no effect on absorption of levothyroxine with any mineral/vitamin deficiency

Regards

hello

well im hypothyroid patient for many years

Dr. Ankita, 14 hours ago

I see.

Dr. Ankita, 14 hours ago

If you have any medical related question or concern, feel free to ask. I am here to help.

i just start to follow a vegan diet, my question is if any lack of vitamins/minerals might influence on levothyroxine absorption/efectiveness

Dr. Ankita, 14 hours ago

That is a very rare possibility. But following a proper and balanced diet is important.

hello

Dr. Kia, 14 hours ago

im a hypothyroid patient

i just start to follow a vegan diet regimen

Dr. Kia, 14 hours ago

Okay...

my question here if lack of vitamons/minerals might inflence negatively levothyroxine absorption/effectiveness

Dr. Kia, 14 hours ago

No. Such a scenario is not usually seen or considered in general, Mikell. However, it is advised to take a diet rich in iodine for better thyroid function.

Dr. Kia, 14 hours ago

Also foods that are goiterogenic, such as cabbage, cauliflower, kale, brussel sprouts, broccoli etc. are avoided usually.

Dr. Kia, 14 hours ago

Are you on medications for the thyroid problem?

yes ive been taking levothyroxine since im 18

Dr. Kia, 14 hours ago

That's good to hear. Do you get periodic checkups and thyroid levels checked as well?

yes indeed, everything is at normal ranges latelly,ok dr many thanks for the help, i wish u good day

[bluebug in reply to VeganMan]

If you are hypothyroid you need to avoid extra iodine!

It's hypothyroidism 101.

Levo contains all the iodine you need.

Also we have had debates on here about the fact many of us don't consider most medical doctors scientists.

This means they prescribe or tell you things without knowing the reason for it. One recent example is a thread where it was mentioned that some GPs were prescribing calcium and vitamin D supplements for those with vitamin D deficiency but in range calcium levels.

In terms of leaky gut there is now loads of stuff on how your gut health - your gut bacteria - can influence your weight plus it is also thought to influence your immunity and absorption of nutrients.

I suggest like with your conversion to veganism you do your own research. There are simple courses on statistics online if you didn't have the chance to study it in education. Then all you need to do is understand the different types of clinical trials which you can look up as you go along. As long as every book, blog or online video refers to research papers you can then look up the papers to see if the claims are what the author says and whether the papers are biased.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Plus, if have Hashimoto's then many, many of us find gluten intolerance is a big issue.

Low stomach acid is sometimes another other culprit (often misdiagnosed and mistreated as High acid)

[EleanorM-G]

100% yes! Recent blood tests showed I was under medicating. Since coming on here & getting amazing advice on vitamins & the best times to take T4 & T3, I am a new woman. I haven't actually increased my t3 & 4 at all but my newest results (done only 3 wks later) show I am now right on track! All because I wasn't absorbing properly!

I am feeling amazing!