Hashimoto Hypothyroidism non-functioning thyroid

chitapett

I was diagnosed with hashimoto hypothyroidism and have been experimenting for months to see which balance of meds, diet and exercise will allow me to function with full mental and physical capacity. 1 steps closer and 2 steps back it seems.

Exercise - I focus almost entirely on cardio.
Taking Synthroid at 137MCG and blood work comes back normal
Now for what I think is the hardest part - the food. I've read lots of posts regarding Hypothyroid diets but I'm wondering if since my thyroid doesn't work at all should I focus more on eating foods that allow my synthetic thyroid to breakdown more efficiently (T3 & T4 vs Free T3 and Free T4)? Does it make a difference if the thyroid is non-functioning vs. not functioning enough? Also, hasn't some scientist somewhere consolidated the foods that we should and shouldn't eat?

I'm vitamin D deficient and take a supplement for that - any suggestions for multivitamin to supplement good eating?

Thanks in advance for your time and support.

Firefox7275

Have you considered consulting a registered dietician or checked the thyroid charity websites? What you are asking is basically medical advice. Do you need a multivitamin if your diet is balanced? Good sources of vitamin D include oily fish and to a lesser extent eggs, can you have these?

islandmonkey

Taking Synthroid at 137MCG and blood work comes back normal

What blood work are you getting done? Just TSH, or are they testing free T3 and free T4? TSH is a pituitary hormone, not a thyroid one, and is a terrible indicator of thyroid function) especially in those taking thyroid meds.


As well, are your levels coming back "within normal range", or are they OPTIMAL? Optimal means your free T4 is about mid-range, and more importantly that your free T3 is in the top 1/3 of the range your lab uses.

should I focus more on eating foods that allow my synthetic thyroid to breakdown more efficiently (T3 & T4 vs Free T3 and Free T4)? Does it make a difference if the thyroid is non-functioning vs. not functioning enough? Also, hasn't some scientist somewhere consolidated the foods that we should and shouldn't eat?

There is no food that allows synthetic thyroid hormone to convert more efficiently - your body converts regular/natural T4 into T3 by dropping off a single iodine molecule. The synthetic T4 isn't bioidentical to natural T4, and therefore doesn't convert as directly.

There are several vitamins and minerals used in the conversion process, and low levels of these will mean less conversion and lower free T3, regardless of whether it's synthetic or natural. Selenium in particular is used, but also iron -- I would get your iron and ferritin (iron storage, essentially) tested.


Also, just to clarify because it sounds a bit confused in your comment: Total T3/T4 tests all of the thyroid hormone in your blood; the amount circulating freely and available for use, and the amount bound to carrier proteins and unavailable for use. The "free" T3/T4 tests are telling you just the amount that is circulating freely and available for use. (i.e. the conversion is from T4 into T3, not from T3 into free T3). Approx. 95-99.9% of T3 is bound to carrier proteins and unusable, therefore you really need to have your FREE T3 tested.



All that said - since you're on a T4-only supplement you really need to have your free T3 tested. If it's too low, especially in comparison to your free T4 levels, I'd look at switching to a natural/dessicated med like Armour or Nature Thyroid, as they contain both T3 and T4 (along with T2, T1 etc).

I'm vitamin D deficient and take a supplement for that - any suggestions for multivitamin to supplement good eating?

How much are you taking, and is it D3? Also, how deficient are you? Most people with thyroid issues need their Vit D levels up around 60-80, while 40 is considered "normal". Personally, I'm on 4000 IUI daily to raise my levels up from 41.