Greens

[Lynn101]

Has anyone heard that greens such as kale, broccoli leafy cabbage should be avoided if you have thyroid issues

[Aurealis]

Yes I believe they are so called goitrogens, supposed to stimulate tsh and lead to goitre. I eat them and don’t have either. But I don’t eat to excess.

[Hidden]

I have heard that Brassicas (cruciferous vegetables) like the ones you mentioned are goitrogenics and are often not the best for thyroid problems. But I understood the reason was because eating them raw was the problem. Since then I still eat them but always steam, stir-fry, in soup, etc. When they are slightly cooked their goitrogenic properties are much more innocuous. Hope this helps. irina

[greygoose]

They're called goitrogens. But, so are about a dozen other fruit and veg that hypos eat every day without even knowing they're goitrogens. So unfair to pick on the leafy greens!

You would have to eat an awful lot of them to have a problem. No, they don't stimulate the TSH - strange idea - what they do is impede the up-take of iodine by the thyroid gland, so that it cannot make as much hormone. And, if it gets too bad, the thyroid swells into a goitre in an effort to absorb as much iodine as possible. BUT this will only affect people who rely completely, or partially, on their thyroid for their hormone. If you are taking a full replacement dose of thyroid hormone replacement, they are not going to affect you. They don't affect your levo.

The only exception to this is soy, because soy is not only a goitrogen, it also has an effect at a cellular level, impeding the cells from absorbing thyroid hormone.

But, goitrogens might affect people who are hypo and undiagnosed. They are the ones that need to be careful and eat them in moderation. And, one shouldn't rely on the myth that cooking destroys the goitrogenic element. Because, if you are particularly sensitive to a particular goitrogen - and not all people are affected by all goitrogens - then cooking will not help you.

[Hidden in reply to greygoose]

Thanks. With more info I will probably let some go. I really want my thyroid meds (hard won btw) to work as well as possible. Thanks GG for the current info. I never eat tofu anymore-haven't for a long time. It was one on my favorite foods-lost a lot of weight using it as a protein sub-esp in soups. By the way, for anyone who eats it, esp in the US, eat organic. Our 2 most GMO products here are soybeans and corn.🐱

[greygoose in reply to Hidden]

Goitrogens, as I said, have no effect on your thyroid 'meds'. So why would you 'let some go'? Or have I misunderstood the meaning of that phrase?

Humans can't absorb the protein in soy.

[Hidden in reply to greygoose]

Hi GG. I think I misunderstood the post. What I thought I read was the goitrogens would inhibit absorption. So I thought I should eat less eat less cruciferous vegetables. Any info is appreciated. I reread and see now since I am diagnosed and receiving good treatment I can eat my veggies. Should they still be cooked? I used to put raw brocccoli and cauliflower in salads. Now I add to soups toward the end of cooking so they don't disintegrate.

[greygoose in reply to Hidden]

I'm pretty confident that they will not affect you if you eat them raw. I eat raw cauliflower - although I can't say I fancy raw broccoli! lol

What I actually said was that soy inhibits absorption of thyroid hormone by the cells. But, it's the only goitrogen that does. You don't need to worry about the others. Enjoy your veggies!

[Hidden in reply to greygoose]

Got it! Thanks.🐈

[greygoose in reply to Hidden]

You're welcome.