Can diet cure a thyroid problem?

[Lillywing]

Has anyone cured their over or under active thyroid through diet? I’ve been reading a lot about processed foods, dairy, gluten,sugar etc causing thyroid problems among other problems and that excluding them and eating lots of probiotics, fermented foods and eating a totally fresh diet can really fix it. I’m going to give it a try. Any experience of this and feedback I’d love to hear!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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High antibodies confirms autoimmune thyroid disease

Plus you had half thyroid removed

So it’s likely that you will need levothyroxine eventually

Strictly gluten free diet and/or dairy free diet can help improve symptoms.....but with only half thyroid that’s under attack you are likely to become hypothyroid

Low vitamins needs improving and regularly retesting at least annually

[Lillywing in reply to SlowDragon]

I’ve read autoimmune diseases are linked to leaky gut due to certain dietary choices. Now I am making antibodies which I was negative for prior to surgery, and my T4 is nearly at maximum normal rather than hypo this is why I’m investigating causes for that. I generally eat a lot of dairy and wheat based products so these are my starting points. I will update after a month of doing it when I will have bloods redone

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Lillywing]

Now I am making antibodies which I was negative for prior to surgery

Physical damage, such as surgery or an accidental injury, are well-known to result in thyroid peroxidase antibodies and/or thyroglobulin antibodies.

Thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin (an enzyme and a protein) should only exist with the thyroid itself. When the thyroid is damaged - whether a physical injury (including surgery) or by lymophocytes - these two substances might be found in the bloodstream. That is when the immune system releases antibodies to help in cleaning them up.

After injury, we might hope that healing will prevent any further release of thyroid peroxidase and/or thyroglobulin. In time, we would then expect the antibody levels to drop.

With lymphocytic damage, there can be an ongoing release of thyroid peroxidase and/or thyroglobulin, resulting in extremely long-term raised antibodies.

[Lillywing in reply to helvella]

Really helpful information. Thank you! I did wonder and it makes perfect sense.

[Bluespots in reply to helvella]

Do you think a heavy blow to the back of the neck ( accident while moving furniture) could do it. My symptoms and health have gone crazy since this injury. Blood results all over the place and very ill for nine months now. I know a blow to thyroid gland itself can exacerbate; I cannot help but think the blow to the back of my neck has done the same. Anyone have any clues. Thank you.

[Lillywing in reply to Bluespots]

I would guess it really could!! What are your bloods showing?

[Bluespots in reply to Lillywing]

Unfortunately, I wasn't monitored properly by GP for thyroid at they time, so there is no data from before. Bloods had been stable on Levo, then they went a big funny, up and down and all around. They dropped my Levo dose ( I think they make a mistake reading the bloods though because having checked at GP they were ok. No idea why he dropped meds. Anyway, that led to big hoohah; recent bloods, badly short of Levo. Dose has gone up again. Thanks

[Lillywing in reply to Bluespots]

Hope it settles down very soon!! Can make you feel so awful!

[Bluespots in reply to Lillywing]

Beginning to settle a bit now, I think my heart has taken a battering, so I think some of my slow recovery is connected to that. Slowly getting better, with lots of help from this forum. Thank you.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

I’m not sure about ‘curing’ but I certainly feel better from improving my key vitamins from a combination of healthy eating and supplementation. Having my thyroid medication dosage and vitamins optimal, in combination with being gluten free, has reduced many adverse symptoms. However, need Levothyroxine to supplement what my thyroid cannot make, so I do not envisage reducing it (unless I add T3).

[jrbarnes]

I made it a couple years without levothyroxine after my partial thyroidectomy but then the fatigue returned and my TSH was 5. Having the partial took me from subclinical to overt hypothyroidism. Mine turned out benign as well. The surgeon advised the other side should pick up slack and my endo never told me to check back in with him after the procedure, which was the reason I didn't take and medication. Eating well or restricting certain food items did not help my body to produce more T4, however one time I cut out gluten for one year and I felt better.

[Billyboy2u]

I’m cured I think. For 1 whole year after stop n block where I stopped alll medication. On the advice of my endo.

[Lora7again in reply to Billyboy2u]

I don't think you are cured I'm afraid but you can go through many years of remission. My last one lasted 4 years and then I was ill for about 3 years. I am now on my second and it has just been over a year now. I hope this one lasts longer but I doubt it will because of all the stress I and everyone else is under at the moment. I have just heard another complete lockdown is on the cards starting next week and to last for 4 weeks which is already making me feel jittery.

[Lillywing in reply to Billyboy2u]

Have you amended your diet?

[Billyboy2u in reply to Lillywing]

If asking me ? No I still eat the bad stuff. Bacon sarnies and all the stuff that’s bad for you.

I’ve still got my thyroid. I don’t think I’d ever have it removed but that could change if cancer became an issue.

[Lillywing in reply to Billyboy2u]

So you just stopped meds and got fixed? You were lucky!

[Billyboy2u in reply to Lillywing]

So far. Yes and I was on deaths door. Highest readings my endo had ever seen. Kept in hospital then felt great with the meds and like everyone shocked when told to stop everything. But. Seems they were right For how long. Well. Time will tell.

[Lillywing in reply to Billyboy2u]

How extraordinary!!

[userotc]

Basically I asked the same question on here several weeks ago (can send link if you can't find). Some similar replies to yours eg improved but not cured.

Personally I believe there's scope, as indicated by Isabella Wentz, but it should be a fuller protocol than just diet eg stress control, albeit diet is key.

NB I can't offer personal experience.

[Reed2]

No u need taking meds