Anyone with low thyroid? What are you eating??

low thyroid levels are associated with high LDL cholesterol. be more mindful of the cholesterol content of what you eat.

the thing I found to avoid is soy products, which surprised me. I thought soy (tofu, soy beans, soy milk) would be healthy but not for those with low thyroid. ask your doctor for more information on low thyroid, it causes other problems like high blood pressure and high LDL and can cause high blood sugar.

You really don't HAVE to avoid anything or drastically change your diet. Although, I do agree with limiting the soy, if you do consume soy products. I was diagnosed about 2 years ago as hypo and yes I take the levothyroxine. I also happen to be one of these "nutrition practioners" the above article link mentions. Just take your med about 30-60 minutes before you eat anything and take iron, calcium or vitamin D supplements 3-4 hrs separate from the levothyroxine. I take the levo in the AM and the vitamin D and multivitamin at night. Also, if you haven't already, get your vitamin D level checked. I eat anything (really, ANYTHING) I want, within my calorie limit and exercise and I have had no problems losing weight (1730 calories). My cholesterol numbers are also very good. I'm averaging a pound a week which is right on target for me. Please don't cut to 1000 calories. Good luck!

My vitamin D levels were actually low...so were my iron levels so I'm taking supplements for those as well as my multivitamin and fish oil. I pretty much do the same thing except my doctor has my rx broken up into 2 pills daily of the supplements so I've been talking the medicine for my thyroid as soon as I get up and eat breakfast after I shower/get ready for the day and then take the vitamin d and iron at lunch and before bed.

I'm glad to hear you don't cut to those levels because that seems nearly impossible based on the last couple days of logging. I'm just getting started logging (I joined a long time ago but was never really serious about keeping track until now) and I'm trying to plan everything out, but yesterday ended up feeling really hungry after about 1150 cals. I'm sure I can be more diligent but I'm not sure 1000-1200 every day is realistic?

I noticed I was starving the first few days of dieting, but the other day when I actually ate 1200 calories (and didn't exercise), I felt full and only really wanted food as a comfort and not out of hunger. Give it a couple of days.

Also, I am hypothyroid, and the whole soy thing is actually only true for those who are borderline and risk getting on medications. I don't avoid soy and the jury is still out on that. That being said, I try not to eat more than 1-2 servings of soy a day. But I am mostly vegetarian except I eat fish. Which I guess would make me a pescetarian.

Another hting I have heard about thyroid problems is to avoid cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, kale, etc. I CANNOT do this. No way. Sorry, love those veggies. I eat them anyway.

The last thing I am going to say about being hypothyroid, is if you have any stomach problems get tested or talk to a doctor about gluten sensitivity. I went my whole life having thyroid problems and diarrhea/stomach cramps until a doctor FINALLY suggested I might be gluten sensitive. I cut out gluten, and my stomach problems are much better. The jury is still out on whether my thyroid will improve (it was a recent change)

I was recently diagnosed with having a low thyroid and put on medicine to help correct it (don't get me wrong--I'm not blaming my weight problems on my thyroid--that can be attributed to bad habits 100%).

What I'm wanting to know is should I be eating any differently because it's low? Are there certain things I should be avoiding or will losing weight for me still be a matter of just cutting back, eating right, and working out?

Synthroid isn't technically a medication; it's a hormone. It's just to replace what you lost that your body would normally make.

I would avoid soy products. They're bad for some people, trust me.
Also avoid too much iodine all at once, or in a given week. (i.e. don't eat fish and avocados every day). Iodine is essential, but too much can make things worse too, just like too little. Also, no food within that hour or so period of time after taking T4 on an empty stomach in the morning. And no calcium, iron, or soy-containing foods for several hours after.

Weight, fatigue, constipation, and high cholesterol can be issues, but should not be once your levels are normal again. Do not go on a cholesterol-lowering med when it's the thyroid levels causing the issues (if you ever face that situation). For almost everyone, normal TSH should be under 4.0, and actually under 3.0 for the vast majority when managed properly.

Adequate Vitamin D is also crucial. Most good endocrinologists will have patients take supplements.

My husband and mother in law have had low thyroid issues for years. My husband has been on medication obviously and he can tell when he needs an adjustment because he is extremely tired, he normally has tons of energy, he is very active, he works 2 jobs and we have 2 small,active kids, he's never had an issue with his weight and our doctor said as long as your Synthroid is at the right dose you shouldn't. My Mother in law always blamed her weight on her low thyroid issue but oddly enough since she found MFP she has lost 85 pounds.

Most people don't realize you shouldn't take Synthroid with milk, I think you're suppose to wait an hour before ingesting dairy or it doesn't work properly, my husband was told this and once he told his mother she has felt better. Low thyroid really has to be monitored, make sure to get you blood work done at least once a year to make sure your medication is correct, more if you don't feel well or extra tired. Good luck!

2 to even 4 hours for anything with Calcium in it. The exception is someone who has always had a little milk in their morning coffee and feels fine and has had normal levels for many years. Patients were in the past not advised to avoid calcium, and some who have been on it a long time will have had their blood levels titrated to compensate for that behavior.

avoid anything soy and take your meds at the same time daily and min 1 hr before eating anything.

bump

2 to even 4 hours for anything with Calcium in it. The exception is someone who has always had a little milk in their morning coffee and feels fine and has had normal levels for many years. Patients were in the past not advised to avoid calcium, and some who have been on it a long time will have had their blood levels titrated to compensate for that behavior.

Thank you for the correction!!!! I'm going to let my husband know as he has had his Synthroid adjusted frequently and he drinks a lot of milk, he usually waits one hour, sometimes 2, I wonder if it would be smart to take it at night before you go to bed?
[/quote]

Some people do benefit from taking it at night, but most do it first thing in the morning. Talk to the doc. Personally, I couldn't do that; I'm always eating in the evening...especially my cereal and milk I couldn't have in the morning!

I actually never realized you had to wait that long for dairy! Thanks for the tip!!!

I wait 2-3 hours for milk, personally.