Thyroid Nutritionist
Our Thyroid Nutritionist regularly works with clients to help find better health. We have written this article to help explain the complexity of the thyroid disorders, symptoms and how you can help improve its health through dietary changes and working with our nutritionist.
What is the Thyroid Gland?
The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland in the neck and is part of our endocrine system. It’s a very important part of the intricate human physiology due to its essential role in controlling the rate of energy production, maintaining body temperature, regulating children’s growth and affecting brain chemistry. One of its main functions is to produce hormones (T4 and T3) that help control growth, cell repair and metabolism and every cell in the body has receptors for thyroid hormones.
Types of Thyroid Disorders
Some of the most common disorders of the thyroid are Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (under-active thyroid, autoimmune), Graves’ disease (over-active thyroid, autoimmune), goitre (swollen thyroid gland), and thyroid nodules. Thyroid function can be altered by several factors: nutrients (tyrosine, selenium and iodine), toxins (fluoride, chlorine or moulds), physical or mental stress, bacteria and viruses. Considering that the thyroid acts within a wider context including the immune system, brain function and hormonal balance, addressing the whole body is a logical way to support the thyroid health.
How Common are Thyroid Problems?
The prevalence of an under-active thyroid disorder is approximately 2% in the UK and between 0.5 and 2% for an over-active thyroid. Women are more likely than men to have a thyroid gland disorder and levothyroxine is the third most prescribed drug in the United Kingdom.
What are the Early Warning Signs and Symptoms of Thyroid Problems?
Thyroid dysfunction can result in many different symptoms. Hypothyroidism (under activity) can cause weight gain, fatigue, low libido, cold intolerance, dry skin, constipation, difficulty concentrating, depression, elevated blood cholesterol levels, puffy, irregular or heavier than normal menstrual cycles and pain, stiffness or swelling in joints. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism (over activity) include anxiety, heat intolerance, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, increased sweating, insomnia, weight loss, more frequent bowel movements, muscle weakness, tremor and itching/hives.
Autoimmune Thyroid Disease
Dysregulation of the immune system can lead to an autoimmune attack on the thyroid gland. Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) is the most common human autoimmune disease. The two major clinical manifestations of AITD are Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. AITD is characterised by lymphocytic infiltration of the thyroid gland, leading either to follicular cell damage, thyroid gland destruction, and development of hypothyroidism (in Hashimoto) or thyroid hyperplasia, induced by thyroid antibodies which activate thyrotropin receptor on thyrocytes, leading to hyperthyroidism (in Graves’).
What Nutrients does the Thyroid Need?
Foods alone won’t reverse thyroid disorders, but a combination of the right nutrients and medication, when needed, can help restore impaired thyroid function and minimise your symptoms.
What Nutrients do you Need for Hypothyroidism:
Assess & correct Iodine, Selenium, Iron, Zinc, vitamin A & D status. Consumption of omega 3 and iron for the production of thyroid hormone T4. Consumption of magnesium, B vitamins and zinc, all involved in the production of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). Consumption of iodine and selenium – both required for the thyroid hormones T4 and T3 and more importantly, the conversion of T4 to T3, the active form of thyroid hormone that the body uses. Vitamin C consumption, helping to draw iodine to the thyroid gland. Vitamin A consumption which binds T3 to their receptors for optimal function.
*Supplementing with these nutrients needs careful consideration from a nutritional therapist to avoid undesired side effects.
What Nutrients do you Need for Hyperthyroidism:
Consumption of Vitamin A, C and E rich foods for their antioxidant benefits. Tissues exposed to high levels of thyroid hormones are known to be susceptible to free radical-mediated injury. Selenium consumption as it helps to regulate thyroid antibodies and thyroid function. Zinc consumption as low levels are inversely related to plasma thyroxine levels. Magnesium rich foods may reduce tremors, muscular aches and palpitation associated with hyperthyroidism. B vitamins play a role in preventing nervous tension and anxiety.
*Supplementing with these nutrients needs careful consideration from a nutritional therapist to avoid undesired side effects.
Can a Nutritionist help with Thyroid Problems?
Hormonal imbalance is our main passion here at Wellthy Clinic. Having a well balanced diet is a good starting point. However, it is important to identify why you have a thyroid dysfunction, have your thyroid checked and perform a comprehensive thyroid blood tests to address the imbalances effectively. It is also essential to always look at the bigger picture and the context in which the dysfunction has developed in order to tailor a therapeutic plan and gain the best results.
Hypothyroidism Diet:
Consumption of regular and adequate amount of proteins is essential as they are the building blocks of thyroid hormones. Eating at least 5-7 portions of fruits and vegetables daily ensures adequate intake of vitamins and minerals essential for a proper thyroid function. Hypothyroidism maybe associated with insulin resistance and blood sugar dysregulation therefore it is advised to follow a blood sugar balancing diet focusing on plenty of vegetables, proteins and high quality fats.
Hyperthyroidism Diet:
In order to compensate for the increase in metabolism, a high calorie, nutritionally dense diet would be ideal with the introduction of small but frequent meals everyday. Each meal should include adequate amount of proteins to keep cravings and hunger under control. Broccoli, watercress, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, Japanese radish and cauliflower possibly should be consumed raw as cooking inactivate beneficial compound for hyperthyroidism.
How to Talk to your Doctor about Thyroid Problems:
What actually gets tested? In the UK, the first thing doctors test is Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) levels. TSH is the hormone that tells your body to produce the actual thyroid hormones. If TSH is within range, your GP will unlikely perform any further tests on the assumption that the rest of the thyroid hormone-producing cascade is working correctly. If TSH is raised, your body is working harder than necessary to produce the right levels of thyroid hormones. At this point, your doctor may repeat the TSH test in a few months in order to compare levels.
Alternatively, they might test your Thyroxine (T4) levels to determine whether or not you’re producing the right levels of this hormone. If this level is below range, you’ll likely be prescribed a synthetic form of thyroxine to supply the body with what it is not making itself. If the levels is above range, which suggests an overactive thyroid, you may be prescribed carbimazole and perhaps a beta-blocker.
Do you Have an Autoimmune Thyroid Problem?
Another vital piece of information, which isn’t often covered by the standard GP test, is for the presence of autoimmune thyroid antibodies (thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin). This indicates your immune system is attacking your thyroid. The autoimmune disease Hashimoto’s Disease (a form of underactive thyroid) is incredibly common but unless your GP tests for the antibodies, you won’t know that you have it.
GPs generally don’t test for this as it doesn’t affect their clinical management of you – whatever the diagnosis, you’re still going to be prescribed thyroxine. However, this test is important to nutritional therapists, as the diagnosis requires an entirely different treatment protocol. You may have high levels of these antibodies, but no symptoms of an underactive (or overactive) thyroid. The autoimmune element always comes first. Hashimoto’s (underactive) and Graves’ (overactive) disease affect the thyroid, but they are actually immune system disorders.
What to Avoid if you have Hypothyroidism?
Goitrogens are substances that interfere with thyroid hormone production: Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, cauliflower especially raw, cassava) & tobacco smoke, Chloride, Fluoride, Phytoestrogens from soy, Quercetin, Resveratrol, drinking water, processed meats, environmental pollutant found in many water supplies & cow’s milk. Keep food sensitivity under control (e.g gluten, lectins). Reduce risk factors (stress, smoking, gut dysbiosis, nutrient depletion). Assess additional triggers (heavy metals, infections, food cross reactivity). Review diet & lifestyle for excess exposure to goitrogens.
What to Avoid if you have Hyperthyroidism?
Consumption of Iodine foods (kelp, seaweed, vegetables grown near the ocean, seafood, iodised salt, some supplements) should be carefully evaluated. Keep food sensitivity under control (e.g. gluten and dairy). Reduce risk factors (stress, smoking, gut dysbiosis, excess iodine intake). Assess additional triggers (heavy metals, infections, food allergies).
How can a Woman Lower her TSH level?
Increase iodine, selenium and zinc rich food consumption as a first line intervention. Exercise is particularly important in a treatment program for hypothyroidism. Exercise stimulates thyroid gland secretion and increase tissue sensitivity to thyroid hormone. Also, exercise has been shown to prevent the decline in metabolic rate in response to dieting. However, many people with a thyroid condition experience exercise intolerance therefore engaging in the right type of physical exercise is imperative to maintain energy, stress and side effects in check. Pilates is a low impact yet effective strength training suitable for people with thyroid conditions.
Our Approach to Thyroid Conditions:
Identify any underlying root causes, contributing factors, infections, nutrient deficiencies, intestinal permeability, whether the thyroid disease is autoimmune or not, toxic exposures, structural abnormalities, etc.
Reduce inflammation, toxic exposures, any infections identified, immune dysregulation, etc.
Optimise detoxification pathways – improve hydration, encourage daily bowel movements, lymphatic drainage and ensure adequate sleep.
Support healthy immune function. Support the structural/musculoskeletal system. Support the nervous system for mental health.
Create a personalised nutritional plan to empower you to make positive changes and navigate your own health journey in a new and different way.
Eleonora is a Nutritional therapist, structural & cranial Osteopath and Pilates instructor. She is passionate about getting to the cause of thyroid symptoms given her own personal issues that she was able to overcome from adopting a more natural approach.