Is millet bad for the thyroid?

[Farrugia]

I've been gluten free for a year now and one of the GF grains/flours I use in baking is millet. I've just read online that millet contains 3 goitrogenic flavonoids that are not destroyed by cooking and so it should be avoided by people with thyroid problems (I have Hashimoto's). Does anyone know about this? Is it ok to use a small amount in combination with other GF flours or is it best avoided completely?

[greygoose]

Ah, the dreaded Goitrogen Myth! If you are on thyroid hormone replacement, then the only goitrogen that is likely to affect you is soy. A goitrogen acts by impeding the uptake of iodine by the thyroid, meaning that it makes less hormone. If you take THR, not only do you take in extra iodine, but your need for iodine is greatly reduced, so goitrogens are not likely to have any effect on your thyroid hormone levels.

And, even if you're not on THR, you'd have to eat enormous amounts of goitrogens for them to harm you. Cooked or uncooked.

Soy is different, because as well as being a goitrogen, it also impedes the uptake of thyroid hormone by the cells. So, best to avoid that. But, if you haven't experienced any ill effects from eating millet, then carry on eating it.

[Farrugia in reply to greygoose]

Thanks - that's a relief. I've just perfected my gluten free loaf making which contains millet grain and is really delicious so it would be disappointing to have to ditch it!

[greygoose in reply to Farrugia]

Enjoy!

[Hashihouseman in reply to greygoose]

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/165... is not an issue on thyroid replacement

[Lizzo30]

Millet is one of the worst things you could eat if you have unmedicated hypothyroidism , that said you have hashimotos but I would still steer clear of it

[greygoose]

lol