The diet to follow with hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is also treated at the table: proper nutrition helps therapy and improves symptoms.

Thyroid diseases result from a malfunction of the thyroid gland, located at the base of the neck. If drug therapy is now the first choice solution, sometimes to cure yourself it is better to also take a look at what you put on the table.

What is the thyroid used for?

The task of this gland is to produce hormones:

• thyroxine, also called T4
• triioodiothyronine, also called T3.

Triioodiothyronine is the active form of thyroxine and makes up 20% of the total thyroid product. 80% of hormones are kept in the form of T4, ready to be converted into T3 according to the body’s needs. Thyroid hormones regulate numerous functions of metabolism, including the development of the central nervous system and body growth.

How does the thyroid work?

The proper functioning of the thyroid gland is regulated by the pituitary, another small organ that is located within the brain. This exerts tight control over the thyroid gland through thyrotropic hormone (TSH): when the levels of thyroid hormones circulating in the body are lowered, TSH causes the thyroid to produce and release more of them. If, on the contrary, the thyroid hormone in circulation is too much, the pituitary gland puts the thyroid gland “at rest”.

When the thyroid grows in size: goiter

The most frequent in the world among the pathologies that affect this gland is represented by the goiter. In Italy about 6 million people fall ill with goiter, more than 10% of the population, and the economic impact of this disease is estimated at over 150 million euros per year. In the young population alone, goiter affects at least 20% of people, among whom women are the most affected, with a ratio of 15 to one compared to men.

What happens is that the thyroid increases in size and is visible in the form of bulge at the level of the neck. In the case of hypothyroidism, this occurs precisely because of the reduction of thyroid hormones circulating in the body. As a result, the levels of the TSH hormone increase and therefore the demand for hormone production towards the thyroid increases, which, to meet the increased demand for T3 and T4, undergoes excessive work. This, in turn, results in the increase in the number of cells and the visible enlargement of the gland.

Goiter may be of interest:

• a single area of the thyroid gland, and in this case it is called a lump or uninodular goiter
• multiple areas, multinodular goiter
• a diffuse increase of the entire gland.

Based on the alteration of the functioning, the goiter can be defined:

	Thyroid functioning
Euthyroid goiter	Normal
Hyperfunctioning goiter	Augmented
Hypofunctional goiter	Reduced

If you do not undergo any treatment, it is possible that, with the passage of time and with the worsening of the disease, real nodules will form. In 95% of cases these are benign but in 5% a nodule, dominant within a multinodular goiter, may represent a malignant tumor.

The main cause of this disorder is iodine deficiency in the diet, which in some areas can be endemic.

When the thyroid works too much: hyperthyroidism

It is the most frequent endocrine disorder after diabetes mellitus. It occurs when the thyroid gland is functioning in excess, releasing a large amount of hormones into the body.

Tra le cause dell’ipertiroidismo vi sono numerosi fattori, come:

• una inappropriata secrezione di TSH, dovuta ad alcune forme tumorali, come quelli ovarici
• la presenza di un gozzo iperfunzionante
• l’eccessiva assunzione di ormoni tiroidei.

Ipotiroidismo: se la tiroide è troppo “pigra”

Quando si sviluppa, gli ormoni tiroidei sono prodotti in quantità insufficiente.

Questo può avvenire:

• se ci si sottopone a una terapia mediante radiazioni
• in seguito a malattie metaboliche da accumulo
• in presenza di un’anomala quantità di iodio nell’organismo
• following lesions of the hypothalamus
• in the presence of genetic factors
• in the presence of environmental factors, such as iodine deficiency in the diet
• as a consequence of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune inflammatory disease, which determines the production of antibodies, which in turn damage the proper functioning of the gland.

How to recognize hypothyroidism?

Making a correct diagnosis of hypothyroidism is not always easy. The symptoms can be of a very different nature, but what they have in common is the generalized slowing of metabolism and physiological processes.

Among the most common symptoms are:

• dryness and brittleness of hair
• tiredness and memory difficulties
• thickening of the tongue and slowness in speaking
• decreased sweating
• feeling cold
• low blood pressure
• rough, dry, scaly and sometimes yellowish skin
• increased body weight
• muscle weakness
• variable mood, tending to depression.

In women, in addition to the symptoms mentioned above, alterations in the menstrual cycle can also be observed, up to the complete absence of menstruation.

Since the symptoms are rather non-specific and could be linked to another condition, it is important to seek medical attention if you suspect you have this disease. The certainty of a thyroid problem, in fact, is possible only after undergoing tests to verify, among other things, the levels of hormones linked to the functioning of this gland.

A cure for hypothyroidism is possible

The first choice therapy is pharmacological substitution: it involves taking levothyroxine, which replaces the hormone T4, deficient in these patients.

Hypothyroidism in most cases is a chronic disease. This means that drugs must be taken for life: fortunately, today the format in pills or tablets is also available, which makes taking the drugs very easy.

The only difficulty for patients is to remember to take the medicine indicated by the specialist every day.

Health comes with eating (well): diet and hypothyroidism

Eating healthy foods is the first rule to keep in good physical shape, especially for those suffering from this disease.

In fact, paying attention to nutrition can be of great help. In some cases, the foods we ingest can, for example, interact with the drugs used for therapy, modifying their effectiveness.

If you suffer from hypothyroidism, it is best to avoid certain foods, such as:

• soy, which interferes with the absorption of levothyroxine
• Dried algae, despite being a source of iodine, can hinder the proper functioning of the thyroid
• coffee, which blocks the absorption of levothyroxine
• alcohol, which may alter the production and action of thyroid hormones, including those taken through therapy.

Undoubtedly choosing a diet adapted to your needs is not an easy task. The best thing, therefore, is to consult with your doctor or a nutritionist.

Iodine and thyroid

The proper function of the thyroid gland is ensured by an adequate supply of iodine through the diet. This mineral is absorbed by the thyroid in the form of iodide, to be then chemically combined with the amino acid thyroxine and used for the synthesis of thyroid hormones.

Present in our body in quantities of 15-20 mg, according to the Ministry of Health the necessary daily intake of iodine is estimated at 150 μg per day.

The presence of this element in food is very variable and often too little compared to human needs. For this reason, it is useful to bring to the table (in moderation) iodized salt, now widespread in supermarkets. Be careful, however: if you suffer from overt thyroid diseases, the addition of iodine can worsen the disorder, because it risks overstimulating the thyroid.

Selenium

Another essential component to keep the thyroid healthy is selenium. For patients suffering from hypothyroidism, the doctor may recommend taking specific dietary supplements.

Sources of selenium in our diet are cereals, meat and fish.

Vegetables: cross and delight

Although fruits and vegetables are welcome in any diet, for those suffering from hypothyroidism you should pay attention to cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli or cauliflower that could interact with iodine absorption.

However, it is good to specify that vegetables of this type have shown a similar effect only when taken in large quantities. Don’t worry, then: one or two daily servings do not cause any damage!

The role of gluten

It is not a problem only for celiacs. In fact, it seems that gluten can irritate the intestine, reducing the absorption of levothyroxine administered as replacement therapy.

Less fat and sugar

This is always true, but particularly when suffering from hypothyroidism. In fact, the metabolism slows down and it is easier to put on weight. In addition, fats also reduce the absorption of levothyroxine.

As for oil, and in particular coconut oil, according to some it would be an effective remedy against this pathology. Unfortunately, it is not with food that hypothyroidism can be cured, but to date there are no studies that contradict or support the use of this substance. It is therefore a rule not to abuse it.

A question of fibres

Fiber, contained in vegetables, fruits (even seeds) and cereals, is essential for good intestinal health. The recommended daily dose is 20-35 g. In case of hypothyroidism, however, excessive consumption of these substances can interfere with replacement therapy.

The double face of milk

When it comes to hypothyroidism this food, rich in proteins and other components useful for the well-being of our body, has a double face: if on the one hand it neutralizes gastric acidity, facilitating intestinal absorption, on the other it contains amino acids, which hinder this action. Better to avoid it, therefore, or take it carefully.