Hyperthyroidism happens when there’s too much thyroid hormone in your body. This condition is also called thyrotoxicosis. An overactive or enlarged thyroid gland may produce more thyroid hormone.
Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the front of your neck. It produces thyroid hormones called T3 and T4. These hormones:
- help your body use energy
- help balance body temperature
- help your brain, heart, and other organs function properly
Some types of hyperthyroidism may be genetic. Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in the United States. It’s seven to eight times more common in women than men.
Hyperthyroidism can be easily confused with other health problems. Its range of symptoms includes:
- sudden weight loss
- increased appetite
- anxiety, irritability, and nervousness
- mood changes
- difficulty sleeping
- feeling hot
- sweating
- fast heartbeat or pounding heart
- fatigue or tiredness
- muscle weakness
- hand tremor or slight shaking
- more frequent or other changes in bowel movements
- skin thinning
- fine, brittle hair
- menstruation changes
- enlarged thyroid gland (goiter)
- swelling at base of your neck
- eye changes
- red, thick skin on upper feet and shins
Treatment is necessary if you have hyperthyroidism. High levels of thyroid hormones in your body can be toxic. Left untreated, hyperthyroidism may lead to heart problems, bone loss, fracture risk, and other issues.
Your doctor may prescribe antithyroid medications. These drugs help to balance an overactive thyroid gland. In some cases, treatment may include radiation therapy or thyroid surgery.
Certain foods can help keep your thyroid healthy and reduce some of the negative effects of this condition. Some minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients are necessary to balance thyroid function.
A low-iodine diet is usually prescribed prior to some treatments for hyperthyroidism. For example, you’ll need to follow a low-iodine diet before having radiation therapy to remove excess or damaged thyroid cells.
After treatment, it’s still important to balance iodine in your diet. Other foods help to protect your thyroid and reduce the long-term effects of hyperthyroidism.
Low-iodine foods
The mineral iodine plays a key role in making thyroid hormones. A low-iodine diet helps to reduce thyroid hormones. Add these foods to your daily diet:
- non-iodized salt
- coffee or tea (without milk or dairy- or soy-based creamers)
- egg whites
- fresh or canned fruit
- unsalted nuts and nut butters
- homemade bread or breads made without salt, dairy, and eggs
- popcorn with non-iodized salt
- oats
- potatoes
- honey
- maple syrup
Cruciferous vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables and other types may stop your thyroid from using iodine properly. They may be beneficial for hyperthyroidism:
- bamboo shoots
- bok choy
- broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- cassava
- cauliflower
- collard greens
- kale
- mustard
- rutabaga
Vitamins and minerals
Several nutrients are essential for thyroid health and to balance thyroid hormone production.
Iron is important for many vital bodily functions, including thyroid health. This mineral is needed for blood cells to carry oxygen to every cell in your body. Low levels of iron are linked to hyperthyroidism. Get plenty of iron in your diet with foods such as:
- dried beans
- green leafy vegetables
- lentils
- nuts
- poultry, such as chicken and turkey
- red meat
- seeds
- whole grains
Selenium
Selenium-rich foods may help to balance thyroid hormone levels and protect your thyroid from disease. Selenium helps to prevent cell damage and keep your thyroid and other tissues healthy.
Good food sources of selenium include:
- Brazil nuts
- couscous
- chia seeds
- mushrooms
- tea
- meat, such as beef and lamb
- rice
- oat bran
- poultry, such as chicken and turkey
- sunflower seeds
Zinc helps you use food for energy. This mineral also keeps your immune system and thyroid healthy. Food sources of zinc include:
- beef
- chickpeas
- cocoa powder
- cashews
- mushrooms
- pumpkin seeds
- lamb
Calcium and vitamin D
Hyperthyroidism causes weak and brittle bones. Bone mass may be restored with treatment. Vitamin D and calcium are necessary for building healthy bones.
Calcium-rich foods include:
- spinach
- collard greens
- white beans
- kale
- okra
- calcium-fortified orange juice
- almond milk
- calcium-fortified cereals
Vitamin D is found in these low-iodine foods:
- vitamin D-fortified orange juice
- vitamin D-fortified cereals
- beef liver
- mushrooms
- fatty fish
Healthy fats
Fats that are from whole foods and largely unprocessed may help reduce inflammation. This helps to protect thyroid health and balance thyroid hormones. Nondairy fats are important in a low-iodine diet. These include:
- flaxseed oil
- olive oil
- avocado oil
- coconut oil
- sunflower oil
- safflower oil
- avocado
- unsalted nuts and seeds
Spices
Some spices and herbs have anti-inflammatory properties to help protect and balance thyroid function. Add flavor and a dose of antioxidants to your daily meals with:
- turmeric
- green chilies
- black pepper
Excess iodine
Eating too many iodine-rich or iodine-fortified foods may lead to hyperthyroidism or worsen it in some cases.
A teaspoon of iodized salt gives you 284 micrograms of iodine. Seafood has the most iodine. Just 1 gram of seaweed contains 2 milligrams (mg) of iodine. The recommend dose of iodine is about 1.1 mg per day. A low-iodine diet requires even less.
Avoid the following seafood and seafood additives:
- fish
- seaweed
- prawns
- crabs
- lobster
- sushi
- carrageen
- agar-agar
- algae
- alginate
- nori
- kelp
Avoid other foods high in iodine such as:
- milk and dairy
- cheese
- egg yolks
- iodized salt
- iodized water
- some food colorings
Some medications also contain iodine. These include:
- amiodarone (Nexterone)
- cough syrups
- medical contrast dyes
- herbal or vitamin supplements
Nitrates
Chemicals called nitrates may cause your thyroid to absorb too much iodine. This can lead to an enlarged thyroid and hyperthyroidism.
Nitrates are found naturally in some foods. Processed foods may contain added nitrates. They may also be found in drinking water. Avoid or limit foods such as:
- processed meats (sausage, bacon, salami, pepperoni)
- celery
- lettuce
- beets
- spinach
- parsley
- leeks
- endive
- cabbage
- fennel
- dill
- turnip
- carrots
- cucumber
- pumpkin
Gluten
In some people, gluten may harm the thyroid by causing inflammation. Even if you don’t have a gluten allergy or intolerance, it may be beneficial to restrict or limit gluten. Check food labels for gluten-containing ingredients such as:
- wheat
- barley
- brewer’s yeast
- malt
- rye
- triticale
While soy doesn’t contain iodine, it’s been shown to interfere with some treatments for hyperthyroidism in animals. Avoid or limit foods with soy such as:
- soy milk
- soy sauce
- tofu
- soy-based creamers
Caffeine
Foods and beverages that contain caffeine, such as coffee, tea, soda, and chocolate, can exacerbate the symptoms of hyperthyroidism and lead to increased anxiety, nervousness, irritability, and rapid heart rate.
If caffeine has this effect on you, then avoiding or limiting your intake may be a good option. Try replacing caffeinated beverages with natural herbal teas, flavored water, or hot apple cider.
Wednesday, February 6, 2019