Foods that affect thyroid function or medication absorption?

[SleepyGardener]

Hi, I recently had a conversation with someone about how people with an underactive thyroid should avoid drinking lemon balm tea, I’d never heard this before. I’ve also heard soy products can affect thyroid medication absorption. So are these statements true? Is there a difinitive list somewhere that I can read to check what I should and shouldn’t have?

[greygoose]

Soy is true. It can stop your cells absorbing thyroid hormone replacement. But, I've never heard of lemon balm being a problem before.

There are plenty of lists around, but most of them are rubbish. As long as you cut out soy, artificial sweeteners, processed oils, and processed foods because they usually contain all of the those, you should be alright.

If you have high antibodies (Hashi's) you might feel better if you adopt a gluten-free diet. And, if you find anything disagrees with you, it might be better to avoid it, but apart from all that, you can eat what you like!

[CS1964 in reply to greygoose]

GG does that include Soya Lecithin in chocolate?

[greygoose in reply to CS1964]

Good question. Some say yes, some say no. I say no. But, monitor yourself when you eat it. Do you feel any effects after? If so, best to source soya lecithin-free chocolate (health food shop, perhaps). If not, then carry on eating it.

[Ania22 in reply to greygoose]

Many chocolates, for example Lidl ones at 39 pence and the ones with nuts contain sunflower lecithins. I personally buy them as soya is not any good, even if you do not have thyroid problems.

[CS1964 in reply to greygoose]

I eat chocolate everyday...a big weakness...I don’t think it affects me.....thank goodness as I hate the gluten free regime.....so chocolate is my vice.. I wii, however keep a track on side effects 😃

[Hidden in reply to greygoose]

Yeah it's very much down to the individual I tried the verious lists of stuff you can eat not many suited me big surprise honey most people say is god's gift knocked me for six hth .

[Bluedragon]

Lemon balm- Melissa - is a herb used in the treatment of hyperthyroidism and as such can be said to be contraindicated in hypo.

I would say have in small amounts. It’s such a lovely, uplifting herb, it would be a shame not to have it occasionally.

Jo

[Hidden in reply to Bluedragon]

Hi there. This tea contains only 5% lemon balm. Would it be ok to have it every day if you're hypothyroid?

amazon.co.uk/Clipper-Organi...

[Bluedragon in reply to Hidden]

It would be fine- hardly anything in it.

[Hidden in reply to Bluedragon]

Thank you so much for your reply Bluedragon . Ill have a couple of cups tonight then 😉 . Much appreciated.

[Hidden in reply to Bluedragon]

Sorry for the delay. I didnt get a notification but i have replied below . Many thanks.

[Hidden]

They tell you not to eat to many brassicas as they cause goitres yet drs tell you too little causes goitres!. Confusing or what ..

[Phoenix605 in reply to Hidden]

From a good ferret on the net the concensus seems to come down on the side of Brassicas being goitrogenic when raw and that as long as they are well cooked (no more aldente im afraid) they are not an issue. If you microwave them rather than boiling you retain more of the vits and nutrients that help support thyroid function. I am fussy about veggies and eat a lot of well cooked cauli and broccoli with no ill effect.

[greygoose in reply to Phoenix605]

They're not really an issue raw, unless you have a bad reaction to them. A lot of rubbish is written on the subject of goitrogens. If you are on a full dose of thyroid hormone replacement, they cannot have any effect on you at all.

It's not just brassicas and broccoli that are goitrogenic. The list is very long. You probably eat quite a lot of them without the slightest effect. Enjoy!

[Howard39]

Hi

My meds are absorbed before I eat anything.

I totally agree with greygoose all those items should be avoided. Technically fermented soy should not interfere- say if you were making kefir. That said it’s hardly a natural product and most is genetically modified so not great for your health.

My thyroid antibodies reduced when I cut out sugar too.

Lemon balm I was taught is ok with hyperthyroidism but not hypo. There are hundreds of products and oils that you could use instead. Was there anything in particular you wanted to use it for?

Best wishes

[HashiHolly in reply to Howard39]

Hi Howard39 - read your reply with interest as I've been trying to reduce my thyroid antibodies but have a terribly sweet tooth. I've given up processed sugar but have been having fruit and making some gluten free treats with maple sugar and/or honey. Did you cut out all sugar, including fruit? Or just the white stuff! Cheers, Holly

[greygoose in reply to HashiHolly]

Sugar won't have any effect on your antibodies.

[Howard39 in reply to HashiHolly]

Hi

My specialist insists on it. Max one fruit per day say berries. Also gluten free ( naturally) and low carbs. Given she has 5k patients on thyroid meds on this ill defer to her.

I found this decent study

ncbi.nim.nih.gov it’s worth a read.

[CS1964 in reply to Howard39]

Hi Howard, can you post that link again, I could not open it.... I eat Gluten free , which is bad enough...but giving up sweets....😞

[Angel_of_the_North]

Lemon balm is used as an alternative treatment for overactive thyroid. naturalendocrinesolutions.c...

[Stranded]

Someone above said artificial sweeteners should be avoided. Why? I was treated for a full year for over active thyroid. I was prescribed Neomercazole Tabs for a full year to reduce the over activeness of my thyroid. (I wish I hadn't taken them for the full year), as now my thyroid is under active & I can't eat whatever I want as before, without gaining weight rapidly. Now I prefer to use artificial sweeteners because of the rapid weight gain aspect. (Also it saves me having to go to the dentist for cavities).

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Stranded]

The argument is that (some? most?) artificial sweeteners can have some similar effects on our bodies to sugars. This appears counter-intuitive but there is some science behind the idea. Of course, not directly the calorific content that sugars provide.

The better answer would appear to be to eat a generally less-sweet diet rather than the same sweetness level by using artificial sweeteners.

[greygoose in reply to Stranded]

greenmedinfo.com/blog/splen...

[HEA72 in reply to Stranded]

Hi Stranded, Professor Tim Spector has lots of science info on the negative effects of artificial sweeteners in the body. He comes up in Google searches.

Personally I have completely stopped consuming them for a while now and like Helvella says, have reduced the sweet options in my diet. I opt for fruit and a bit of organic honey here and there now to satisfy my sweet tooth.

[Rose_]

As your thyroid medicine is converted in the liver, lemon water flushes out toxins when you drink it in the morning. I drink a big pitcher of lemon water with honey first thing in the morning. My body likes it

[Cheetara79 in reply to Rose_]

Hi Rose

I drink the same first thing in the morning too but with hot water, also add cinnamon power or quills and turmeric. Like you my body also likes it! Do you drink your tonic before or after thyroid meds? I drink my after as wake up early.

[Machinations]

I just don't seem have problems with my thyroid meds n maybe because I only drink black Yorkshire tea for three hours before ingesting any food. I get hungry yes but I feel good generally for waiting the three hours, whereas beforehand during less waiting time I felt ill.

I believe some endos are now saying take thyroid meds at night on a very empty stomach.

[Hidden]

Eating quality chocolate should help, if your going for it get the good stuff😊

[Flissie in reply to Hidden]

Yes try getting some OMBAR Organic Raw Chocolate 90% - just three ingredients and NO soy lethicin etc etc etc etc etc etc etc. I square is enough!

Felicity