hypothyroidism or hashimoto's - need diet suggestions

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jadesign19
jadesign19 Posts: 512 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Does anyone have any suggestions on diet (other than watching calories) for people suffering with hypothyroidism (the slowing of the thyroid hormones and metabolism) and / or hashimoto's? I'm looking to lose more than ounces per week. Thanks:)
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Replies

  • coxy1968
    coxy1968 Posts: 77
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    Hello, I am new on here and I too have a problem with thyroid as I had to have my thyroid gland removed so my metabolism is zero and I am really struggling to lose weight.
  • noneya2010
    noneya2010 Posts: 446 Member
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    I also have hypothyroidism and was on synthetic thyroid meds until about 3 months ago when I asked my doc to let me try armour. Within 4 days, I had noticeable improvement in my symptoms. Still not on enough dosage though and still having difficulty losing weight. Tomorrow I'm going to a specialist who mentioned getting a compounded combo T3/T4.

    I've been on low-carb since last Friday and down 7 pounds so far. I think you need to evaluate what works best for your body (some do better on just low-cal where others do better on low carb, etc.) and try it all out and see what ultimately works for you.

    I am convinced to get the weight loss going, I have to get the thyroid under control so I'm getting excited that I have found a doctor who is well versed in this area.

    Good luck!
  • Canonoch
    Canonoch Posts: 120
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    I've been Hypo for over 15yrs. Studies show that selenium and iodine help with tyroid function. until this past year I used to takk 300mcg now for the past year reduced to 225. .

    http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/topsupplements.htm
  • schobert101
    schobert101 Posts: 218 Member
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    There is not anything you need to do differently diet or exercise wise just because you have hypothyroidism, just make sure it is adequatey treated and do what everyone else here is doing.......eat healthy, watch the calories etc etc
  • VickiMitkins
    VickiMitkins Posts: 249 Member
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    I was diagnsed with Hashimoto's' in my late 20's almost 20 years ago. I have been on Synthroid the entire time. I went from about 140 at diagnosis to 195 at highest weight 6 months ago. I said enough was enough and I did not want to hit that 200 mark. It is a very difficult condition to deal with and maintain a healthy weight. The best advice I can give is to take the medications exactly as prescribed (empty stomach, etc) and move as much as possible. I think the thing that hurt me the most was going from jobs where I had to move all the time (waitress) to my career as a paralegal where I am at a computer all day. I really work on moving as much as possible throughout my day (walking dog 30 min in am, household work and chores most evenings and gym a couple nights - planning to add yoga a couple nights also). The upside of doing extra house work and chores during the evening is more free time on the weekend and I am liking that. As you lose weight you will need less medication (dosage is based partly on weight). I have managed to lose 15 lbs since October. It is slow, but can be done. I could proably lose more, but don't want to go down to 1200 calories a day. I'm at 1400 a day and that keeps me satisfied. Be patient and move as much as you can!
  • jadesign19
    jadesign19 Posts: 512 Member
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    I've been Hypo for over 15yrs. Studies show that selenium and iodine help with tyroid function. until this past year I used to takk 300mcg now for the past year reduced to 225. .

    http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/topsupplements.htm

    Have you been able to lose weight? I'm on 137mcgs a day. I'm on 1200 cal and starting to cut back on sodium and carbs. Do you have a specific diet to help you feel more energetic?
  • jadesign19
    jadesign19 Posts: 512 Member
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    I was diagnsed with Hashimoto's' in my late 20's almost 20 years ago. I have been on Synthroid the entire time. I went from about 140 at diagnosis to 195 at highest weight 6 months ago. I said enough was enough and I did not want to hit that 200 mark. It is a very difficult condition to deal with and maintain a healthy weight. The best advice I can give is to take the medications exactly as prescribed (empty stomach, etc) and move as much as possible. I think the thing that hurt me the most was going from jobs where I had to move all the time (waitress) to my career as a paralegal where I am at a computer all day. I really work on moving as much as possible throughout my day (walking dog 30 min in am, household work and chores most evenings and gym a couple nights - planning to add yoga a couple nights also). The upside of doing extra house work and chores during the evening is more free time on the weekend and I am liking that. As you lose weight you will need less medication (dosage is based partly on weight). I have managed to lose 15 lbs since October. It is slow, but can be done. I could proably lose more, but don't want to go down to 1200 calories a day. I'm at 1400 a day and that keeps me satisfied. Be patient and move as much as you can!
    [/quote

    I thank you for your response. I evercise 6 days a week at 40mins each time in the am and am constantly moving all day. My key factor is diet. I'm just wondering if anyone found something that works.
  • jadesign19
    jadesign19 Posts: 512 Member
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    Hello, I am new on here and I too have a problem with thyroid as I had to have my thyroid gland removed so my metabolism is zero and I am really struggling to lose weight.

    What meds did they put you on? did they specify a diet plan?
  • VickiMitkins
    VickiMitkins Posts: 249 Member
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    I was diagnsed with Hashimoto's' in my late 20's almost 20 years ago. I have been on Synthroid the entire time. I went from about 140 at diagnosis to 195 at highest weight 6 months ago. I said enough was enough and I did not want to hit that 200 mark. It is a very difficult condition to deal with and maintain a healthy weight. The best advice I can give is to take the medications exactly as prescribed (empty stomach, etc) and move as much as possible. I think the thing that hurt me the most was going from jobs where I had to move all the time (waitress) to my career as a paralegal where I am at a computer all day. I really work on moving as much as possible throughout my day (walking dog 30 min in am, household work and chores most evenings and gym a couple nights - planning to add yoga a couple nights also). The upside of doing extra house work and chores during the evening is more free time on the weekend and I am liking that. As you lose weight you will need less medication (dosage is based partly on weight). I have managed to lose 15 lbs since October. It is slow, but can be done. I could proably lose more, but don't want to go down to 1200 calories a day. I'm at 1400 a day and that keeps me satisfied. Be patient and move as much as you can!
    [/quote

    I thank you for your response. I evercise 6 days a week at 40mins each time in the am and am constantly moving all day. My key factor is diet. I'm just wondering if anyone found something that works.

    A somewhat higher protien diet seems to work better for me. By no means low carb, but more protien the MFP specifies. You may need to play with it a bit to see what works best for you. The one thing I know for sure is that you don't want to go too low on daily calories. It can just make things worse because your body will just conserve even more. Good luck.
  • coxy1968
    coxy1968 Posts: 77
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    Hi I am on 125mcg of thyroxine per day, they have not specified what to eat or not to eat.
  • coxy1968
    coxy1968 Posts: 77
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    Hello, I am new on here and I too have a problem with thyroid as I had to have my thyroid gland removed so my metabolism is zero and I am really struggling to lose weight.

    Hi I am on 125mcg of thyroxine per day, they have not specified what to eat or not to eat.
  • Red13
    Red13 Posts: 287 Member
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    There are certain things that can help/hinder your thyroid function.
    I've seen this many of times in different articles, although it's hard to not eat something that's a superfood:

    "Consume the following in moderation because they may suppress the thyroid function: Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, kale, mustard greens, spinach, peaches and pears."
    They also say it's better if you do eat these foods to cook them as then they do not have such a large negative effect on the thyroid.

    Some other things you can do are eating more frequently to keep your metabolism up. Make sure to take a multivitamin, and increase your selenium intake:

    "Selenium may be the most important nutrient in a diet for hypothyroid. This trace mineral is an antioxidant and is essential for converting the thyroid hormone your body produces, T4, into its active form, T3. Brazil nuts are an incredibly good source of selenium, but you can also get it from some lean meats."
  • jadior
    jadior Posts: 191 Member
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    Same problem here. I am on Levoxyll as well as Cytomel for the T3 aspect. My metabolism hasnt changed. I do believe that the only way to lose is to move and move more. For those of us with this issue, we have to accept the fact that it is going to take us double the work of those who don't have a problem with their thyroid. It stinks, but this is what I'm discovering.

    Best of luck with your wt. loss journey!
  • bugnbeansmom
    bugnbeansmom Posts: 292 Member
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    I have found that I do best when I eat several times a day and stay between 1200-1300 a day. If I try to eat the 1200 net some people say, I find that I am not losing a darn thing and I just can't eat that much food! I have lost 20 in the first 43 days. I have worked hard enough to have lost 40 though! :grumble: I can also tell when my medication levels are off because I get grouchy, tired, and I plateau. I have been sitting at the same weight for almost two weeks now. I feel better about my measurements becuase I am still seeing reduction there. :happy: the difference between the first few weeks and the last two has been quality of calories. I did really well the first few weeks snacking on hummus, veggies, lean meats, whole wheat etc. The last few weeks, I have been on point with calories but the quality of those calories has been far less so as a result I have eaten fewer times a day. You can feel free to friend me and check out the difference in my calorie source the last few weeks vs. the first few weeks. Hope this helps. And thanks for asking this question. I will also take any advice I can get!
  • bugnbeansmom
    bugnbeansmom Posts: 292 Member
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    I also found this link to a weight routine designed to build lean muscle which burns more calories.

    http://exercise.about.com/od/exerciseworkouts/Strength_Training_and_Specialty_Workouts.htm

    Think I will give it a try.
  • amehrkens
    amehrkens Posts: 162 Member
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    I also have Hasimotos/hypo for about 15 years now. I have lost 114lbs by movning more and eating less. I wouldn't say there is an secret to it. It takes time to get your body to adjust before the weight starts to come off. Just give it time and don't get discouraged! I take 175mcg of synthroid.
  • jadesign19
    jadesign19 Posts: 512 Member
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    Thanks so much - I'm going to try these.
  • Amajoy
    Amajoy Posts: 140 Member
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    I would suggest going to your book store and picking up a book called "The Thyroid Diet" I saw it the other day when I was looking for "Nutrition for Dummies". I took about 10 mins to shuffle through the thyroid diet just to see if it had any valuble information. I have a hypothyroid myself, but after reading through it I was pretty much already doing everything right so there was no need for me to purchase it.

    But you may want to take a look because if gives you a few different diet options... Looks like a good book if you are not 100% sure you are doing things correctly.
  • coxy1968
    coxy1968 Posts: 77
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    Hello, I am new on here and I too have a problem with thyroid as I had to have my thyroid gland removed so my metabolism is zero and I am really struggling to lose weight.

    What meds did they put you on? did they specify a diet plan?


    No specific diet planned but i am on 125mcg of thyroxine per day and I have been on that for 2 years as my bloods indicate that is all i need, got another blood test tomorrow but I am not expecting it to change.
  • VickiMitkins
    VickiMitkins Posts: 249 Member
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    My belief as well.

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