Hypothyroidism Diet: Know What to Eat

Are you constantly tired and have brain fog? Is your hair falling out and your skin dry and itchy? Are you experiencing mood swings or unusual bouts of depression?   You’re not going crazy. It’s not all in your head.    You may be experiencing symptoms of hypothyroidism, when your thyroid glands ceases to function enough.    With hypothyroidism, your thyroid gland essentially switches into “low power mode” and can’t keep up with the other regular functions of your body.   The good news is, you can support your thyroid and reverse your hypothyroidism symptoms by working with a functional medicine doctor and adopting a hypothyroidism diet plan.  

What is Hypothyroidism?

The butterfly-shaped gland located in the base of your neck is known as the thyroid. This gland produces hormones that affect just about every other organ in your body.   Sometimes the thyroid hormones in the body become low, and a hormone known as TSH acts as a signal to tell the thyroid gland to produce more hormone.    However, people with hypothyroidism have low thyroid hormone levels—no matter how much TSH signals the gland to keep producing hormones.   Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:  

• Fatigue
• Always feeling cold
• Itchy skin
• Weight gain
• Constipation 
• Hair loss
• Depression
• Brain fog
• Loss of muscle strength
• Changes in menstrual cycle

  If you have hypothyroidism, your thyroid gland is essentially underactive. Chronic autoimmune thyroiditis—also known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis—is an autoimmune disease that often causes hypothyroidism. If someone has this autoimmune disease, his or her body attacks the thyroid and prevents it from properly producing thyroid hormone.    Other causes of hypothyroidism include:  

• Inadequate TSH hormone (also known as secondary hypothyroidism)
• Other medical treatments
• Thyroid surgery 
• Iodine deficiency
• Thyroid inflammation 
• Medication side effects

  When most people seek help for hypothyroidism, they’re prescribed medication or treated with thyroid replacement medication.    The problem is, many of these conventional treatments address the symptoms—not the root cause—of hypothyroidism. Traditional healthcare views the body as a jumble of separate systems instead of one unified system that operates together.   Many people have sought out alternative treatments for hypothyroidism, including functional medicine.   

A Functional Approach to Hypothyroidism

At Five Journeys, we adopt a functional approach to treating hypothyroidism. Instead of treating your surface-level symptoms, we dig deeper.   You are a unique being, and your health is affected by every aspect of your life—from what you eat to who you spend time with.    With functional treatment, we help you get to the root of your health issues once and for all. This looks like digging into your current health situation, examining health history, and conducting in-depth testing. Then we come up with a treatment plan for your unique body.   When it comes to treating hypothyroidism (and any health condition), the Five Journeys team often starts with dietary changes. Many of us are eating foods that don’t leave us feeling good. That’s why it’s important to consider hypothyroidism diet changes when it comes to restoring thyroid function and getting back to living a full life.  

Why Does Hypothyroidism Diet Matter?

Scientific research shows that dietary changes benefit those with hypothyroidism. For someone with hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto’s disease, eating certain foods (and avoiding others) leads to thyroid improvements, weight stabilization, and overall lessened symptoms.    Certain vitamins and nutrients found in specific foods are especially beneficial for people with hypothyroidism. They can help improve symptoms such as anxiety, low mood, fatigue, and more.   Eating foods that nourish both body and soul is good for all of us—but especially for those with hypothyroidism.  

Key Nutrients in a Hypothyroidism Diet

There are several specific nutrients ideal for thyroid health and essential for a successful hypothyroidism diet.

Selenium

This mineral shields the thyroid from oxidative stress damage and improves overall function. A selenium supplement may be considered by your functional medicine doctor, but certain foods also contain selenium.  

• Eggs
• Sardines
• Tuna
• Brazil nuts
• Legumes (beans & lentils)
• Chicken
• Shrimp
• Beef 
• Oatmeal
• Ham
• Brown rice

 

Iodine

This mineral helps with thyroid hormone production and is a major factor behind hypothyroidism. Too little iodine often results in people developing hypothyroidism.   However, too much iodine is also harmful to your health. That’s why it’s important to work with a healthcare professional like a functional medicine provider.   Iodine-rich foods include:  

• Dairy
• Whole eggs
• Iodized salt
• Saltwater fish

  The body can only get iodine from outside sources, so a hypothyroidism diet that incorporates iodine is a must  

Zinc

This mineral is beneficial for overall immune health, but it’s especially important for proper thyroid function.  Foods that contain zinc include:  

• Legumes (beans & lentils)
• Pumpkin seeds
• Chicken
• Pork
• Oysters
• Yogurt
• Crab
• Beef
• Fortified cereal

  Zinc supplements have been shown to improve thyroid health along a hypothyroidism diet containing zinc. The functional medicine doctors and registered dieticians and Five Journeys can help you determine a meal plan and supplement regimen that’s perfect for you.  

Find Complete Healing with Functional Medicine

Ready to get started with functional medicine and find complete healing from the inside out? Five Journeys supports individuals with hypothyroidism through lifestyle coaching, hypothyroidism diet support, gut health analysis, overall detox, and more. Book a free discovery call to get connected and learn more about how we can serve you.