Diet

[Lisa-1967]

Does anyone think diet can help with under active thyroid?

[Mary-intussuception]

Yes . A healthy, varied, well balanced diet with plenty of fibre and water. Fresh foods as far as possible, 3 pieces of fruit a day. Not making yourself eat anything you don't like. Avoiding/denying stress. Distraction from pain. Keeping as positive as possible. All help towards general well being.

X

[greygoose]

Depends what you mean by 'help'. If you mean 'make the thyroid work better', then no, l don't think it can. If you mean 'make you feel better whilst suffering from an under active thyroid' then yes. I think it can to a certain extent. A gluten free diet might reduce antibodies and help you feel better. High selenium foods might also lower antibodies and improve conversion. Completely goving up unfermented soy will mean that thyroid hormone is better absorbed by the cells. But if you're looking for a diet that will allow you to come of thyroid hormone replacement, then I'm afraid your going to be disappointed.

[dang]

Yes

[catrich]

Anecdotally, the evidence that diet can help an enormous number of conditions is overwhelmimg. There are also plenty of scientific studies too, but the influence of the food industry means these studies are harder to find. A good many don't get published because many scientific journals are not independent. Many autoimmune diseases respond to restricted diets - this includes hashimotos of course.

For what it's worth, most people benefit from reducing ( dramatically?) grains and sugar and increasing healthy fats. Exercise, sleep, reduce stress. So, though you may well need to be on thyroid hormone replacement all your life, your general health and well being can invariably improve with an optimal diet ( which would optimal for you...though personalisation would not include fried pizza, soft drinks and doughnuts )

When we know more about the thyroid( in all its states) and more about the damage our diets can do to our bodies we might be able to answer your question more definitively.

[Katepots]

Absolutely.

Gluten, casein, soy free.

Avoid cruciferous if make thyroid/goitre sore or enlarge. I moderate as can't live without but they do definitely make my goitre angry.

[Kerynz]

The answer to your question also relies on what is causing your thyroid to be under active. I can't comment on auto-immune disease and thyroid/diet. However, my thyroid issue was caused by a virus and my endocronologist commented that I can expect "full recovery" if my thyroid has not been too damaged by the virus. Only time will tell. Meanwhile, it is common sense for me to aim to live a healthy life with a good balanced diet which supports the function of my thyroid and every other organ in my body.

[Elven]

I do best on low carb, high(er) fat (I am vegetarian) and when I avoid sugar in particular. Eating low carb often cuts out gluten! I am doing well on 200mcg levothyroxine daily. Was diagnosed 16 months ago. I take coconut oil in coffee and put butter on vegetables. I eat moderately. Occasionally I have treats - not perfect! - but eating low carb has made a huge difference and allowed me to lose a lot of weight. Good luck x