Soy and hypothyroid

[topaz1]

Can someone put me right please? I think I have read that we should not eat ordinary soy products but fermented soy is OK. Am I correct? many thanks

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

topaz1

That's what I understand.

Here are a couple of articles from the British Thyroid Association mentioning soy:

btf-thyroid.org/thyroid-and...

Soya

Soya interferes with thyroxine absorption, therefore if you are taking thyroxine you should try to avoid soya. If you wish to take soya, there should be as long a time interval as possible between eating the soya and taking the thyroxine.

There is evidence of certain brands of soya milk being withdrawn from sale by authorities in countries such as Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Japan because they contained excessive amounts of iodine or being highly enriched with seaweed products that naturally contain iodine.

btf-thyroid.org/thyroid-and...

Despite the possible benefits, there have been some concerns that soy may adversely affect thyroid function and interfere with the absorption of synthetic thyroid hormone. However there is little evidence that soy foods or phytoestrogen supplements affect thyroid function in people with normal thyroid function. In people with borderline thyroid function and low iodine intake, soy foods may increase the risk of hypothyroidism. Therefore, it’s important for people who regularly consume soy food to ensure their intake of iodine is adequate. There is also evidence to suggest that soy foods may inhibit the absorption of thyroxine and increase the dose of thyroid hormone required by hypothyroid patients.

[topaz1 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanbk you for your reply and the links. I think I will steer clear of any soy.

[thyreoidea in reply to SeasideSusie]

Is soya problematic as an ingredient in small amounts?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to thyreoidea]

As those articles don't mention that there is a safe amount to take (as in it wont cause any problems thyroid-wise) then personally I would avoid it whatever the amount.

[greygoose]

As I see it, the greatest danger with soy is that it impedes the uptake of thyroid hormone by the cells. So, you can have good levels in the blood but still be hypo.

That is certainly the case for unfermented soy, but I think the jury is still out on fermented.

[topaz1 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for your reply. Seems sensible to avoid soy until there is a clear answer!

[greygoose in reply to topaz1]

I agree.

[TSH110 in reply to topaz1]

I would avoid it. I was a tofu nut loved the stuff. I think there are two ways of making it and most is not good. I wondered why endame beans made me feel so awful I soon stopped those - the predictive text changed them to endgame - how appropriate! I never eat tofu or soya now it’s hidden in all sorts of foodstuffs, like chocolate, so read the labels carefully to be sure your not eating it unwittingly.