About every tenth person in Germany suffers from hypothyroidism. In the case of severe forms of hypothyroidism, medication is always needed. But diet also plays an important role. Here are six things sufferers should be aware of.
Depending on the severity of the hypothyroidism, medication with thyroid hormones (L-thyroxine) is necessary to alleviate symptoms such as fatigue, reduced performance or unwanted weight gain. In Germany, over 4 million people are treated with thyroid hormones. On the one hand, the causes are of a genetic nature, on the other hand, a severe deficiency in the minerals iodine and selenium can promote hypothyroidism. Diet therefore plays an important role in many cases in order to ensure an adequate supply of nutrients and, for example, to prevent the formation of a goiter.
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Hypothyroidism: 6 nutrition tips
1. Balance your diet with your medication
Fortunately, diseases of the thyroid gland can usually be treated very well with the help of thyroid hormones such as L-thyroxine. However, the success of the treatment can be impaired if all the nutrients that the thyroid gland needs are not available in sufficient quantities. You should never take nutrient preparations with iodine, selenium or iron yourself , but always coordinate this with your doctor. Supplementation adapted to your needs and blood values is essential to avoid overdoses, for example. If you are taking large amounts of iodine or selenium in tablet form, you may need to be careful with foods that contain large amounts of these minerals. Such are Brazil nutsvery selenium-containing and should be dosed carefully. On average, two Brazil nut kernels already cover your daily needs – however, the selenium content of the nuts can vary greatly.
Important: Discuss not only taking medication and nutritional supplements with your attending physicians, but also how you should adapt your individual nutritional situation to the respective tablets.
2. Be careful with dairy products and bottled water
In addition to the minerals iodine, selenium and iron, calcium can also play a crucial role for people with hypothyroidism. However, the point here is not that the thyroid gland needs calcium, but that there are unwanted interactions between calcium ions and the thyroid hormones ingested. According to studies, an increased number of calcium ions inhibits the absorption of thyroid hormones in the digestive tract. In practice, this means that dairy products or mineral water rich in calcium should not be taken at the same time as thyroid hormones – unless your doctor has specifically tailored the dose for you. You should therefore also discuss your eating habits with the doctor treating you in order to avoid unwanted interactions between the substances.
3. Reach for healthy sources of iodine
At least a slight undersupply of iodine is not uncommon in Germany. However, if you observe the following small tips in everyday life, you should be well supplied with the mineral that is so important for the thyroid gland:
- Use iodized table salt
We should all be careful with salt, as overconsumption can increase blood pressure and damage the intestinal flora. However, if you salt, you should always do so with an iodized variant. In this way you can contribute to covering your iodine requirements without a major change in diet. - Eat fish once or twice a week
In addition to essential omega-3 fatty acids, sea fish also contains a good portion of iodine. Therefore, most nutritional societies recommend putting fish on the table once or twice a week. However, due to the sometimes high level of pollution from predatory fish, you should not overdo it with consumption. Good to know: Algae can also be a valuable source of iodine. In some cases, however, the amount of iodine contained varies greatly, which is why experts currently advise against consuming it too often. - Reach for dairy products
Because livestock feed is enriched with the mineral, all dairy products also contain iodine. There are small differences between the individual foods. Hard cheese and milk have the highest iodine content with around 120 micrograms per kilogram or liter – however, there are sometimes large fluctuations between the manufacturers and the type of husbandry. Yoghurt and quark have a little less iodine. Because of the interaction between calcium ions and thyroid hormones mentioned above, you should allow a two hour interval between taking your thyroid hormones and consuming dairy products unless your doctor has adjusted your dose accordingly.
You can find more foods containing iodine here >>
4. Reach for healthy sources of selenium
Since selenium is also extremely important for the function of your thyroid gland, you should always make sure that you include appropriate foods in your diet. Due to the relatively selenium-poor soils in Europe, the selenium supply can be endangered, especially with a vegetarian or vegan diet. With the right food, however, covering daily needs is not a problem:
- Reach for oatmeal, mushrooms & Co.
Brazil nuts are potentially a healthy source of minerals, vitamins and fatty acids – but only if their selenium content is checked carefully. Fortunately, you can also easily ensure your selenium supply with other foods. These include oatmeal, brown rice, mushrooms, lentils, fish, as well as onion vegetables, broccoli and white cabbage. - Be careful with Brazil
nuts Brazil nuts are among the foods with the highest selenium content. However, studies have shown that the selenium content of Brazil nuts can vary greatly. Therefore, the German Society for Nutrition (DGE) recommends eating a maximum of two Brazil nuts per day to avoid an overdose. A selenium overdose can cause diarrhea, hair loss, brittle nails, tooth decay and cardiac insufficiency, which is why independent supplementation without medical supervision is strictly discouraged.
5. Caution in pregnancy and lactation
Since there is a significantly increased need for iodine during pregnancy, hypothyroidism can worsen during pregnancy or, in extreme cases, even develop for the first time. In order to prevent a dangerous undersupply of the mineral, many pregnant women are prescribed iodine tablets. The greatly increased need cannot usually be covered through diet alone. Therefore, always follow the instructions of the doctor treating you so as not to endanger your own health and that of the child.
When breastfeeding, the need for iodine is even higher than during pregnancy, and the mother must ensure that the infant has an adequate supply of the mineral through the milk. In many cases, therefore, iodine supplementation must be carried out until the end of the breastfeeding period.
6. Eat your fill of vegetables
Unfortunately, many people with an underactive thyroid experience unwanted weight gain – especially if they are not well controlled with medication. In addition to close medical treatment, it is therefore advisable to pay particular attention to the calorie balance. The easiest way to do this is to focus on vegetables and other unprocessed plant-based foods, as they are very low in calories and extremely rich in nutrients . Broccoli, peppers, green cabbage, peas etc. are welcome to play the main role in the main meals and not just be a small side dish. Supplement the vegetables with legumes, whole grains and nuts – this way you can cover your need for protein and essential fatty acids at the same time.
Also interesting: 3 nutritional tips for hyperthyroidism >>
Book tips for hypothyroidism
Would you like to learn more about thyroid disease and continue your education independently? Then maybe “Power for the thyroid gland – everything for a healthy hormone balance” by Prof. Dr. Michaela Axt-Gadermann is just the thing for you. Or would you just like to get to know suitable and delicious recipes for an underactive thyroid? How about the “Hashimoto cookbook: The 150 best recipes for optimal Hashimoto nutrition and a symptom-free life” from the recipe professionals?
