Hypothyroid Tips

jpoutney
jpoutney Posts: 30 Member
Recently diagnosed and looking into how my diet can be better. I've read some places that off-limits are strawberries, legumes and nut butters!!! Seriously...those are current staples in my diet. Can anyone explain this to me (I have a medical background so can take the science if anyone has it). Have you heard this? Any other tips?

Replies

  • crissylarue106
    crissylarue106 Posts: 2 Member
    I don't know about the strawberries, but my understanding is that nuts and legumes contain lectins that can cause intestinal permeability, which can lead to or compound problems with autoimmune diseases. Sarah Ballantyne aka The Paleo Mom has a lot of detailed scientific information on her website and in her books....I believe she is a PhD, and has multiple autoimmune disorders including Hashimotos Thyroiditis. God luck!
  • crissylarue106
    crissylarue106 Posts: 2 Member
    Good luck!
  • KDar1988
    KDar1988 Posts: 648 Member
    I am hypo but not ever been told to follow a specific diet. I had read about avoiding soy and vegetables considered goitrogens, like broccoli and cauliflower. I had found this website a while ago http://www.naturalendocrinesolutions.com/articles/goitrogens-thyroid-inhibiting-foods-you-should-avoid/ but I don't know if it's valid. It's hard to find the right answers.

    I wish you luck...I've been like this for over 20 years.
  • Shells918
    Shells918 Posts: 1,070 Member
    I have hypothyroidism and take meds to correct. I've never been told to avoid certain foods for it and I see a dr and registered dietitian regularly.
  • try2again
    try2again Posts: 3,562 Member
    Hmmm... never heard of this before, but that list of goitrogen veggies is pretty much the bulk of my veggies. It would take some convincing for me to think the threat of worsening hypothyroidism is greater than the threat to my body from avoiding those power-packed veggies. But I'll read up...
  • lucys1225
    lucys1225 Posts: 597 Member
    I was recently diagnosed also and was told not to eat RAW carciferous vegetables. As long as you cook them, they're fine to eat. I also read about strawberries and asked my doctor and she said that it's fine to continue to eat them. I don't know if you are on medication but I am currently on Synthroid and a lot of dietary restrictions (limiting high fiber foods, food timing, etc.) has more to do with the absorption of Syntroid rather than hypothyroidism.
  • IronlessWomann3
    IronlessWomann3 Posts: 11 Member
    Do you have Hashimoto's? If so, a gluten and dairy free diet helps. And there are people who will comment on this I'm sure and say how that's nonsense and the only cure is to take a pill every day. Not true. You can research it if you don't believe me. A gluten and dairy free diet helps lower antibodies and helps you feel a lot better.
  • fishshark
    fishshark Posts: 1,886 Member
    Do you have Hashimoto's? If so, a gluten and dairy free diet helps. And there are people who will comment on this I'm sure and say how that's nonsense and the only cure is to take a pill every day. Not true. You can research it if you don't believe me. A gluten and dairy free diet helps lower antibodies and helps you feel a lot better.

    stop.
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    jpoutney wrote: »
    Recently diagnosed and looking into how my diet can be better. I've read some places that off-limits are strawberries, legumes and nut butters!!! Seriously...those are current staples in my diet. Can anyone explain this to me (I have a medical background so can take the science if anyone has it). Have you heard this? Any other tips?

    1) Take your meds, religiously, exactly as prescribed
    2) Keep up with your appointments to see how things are going and if your meds need adjustment. These appointments are usually frequent, like every few weeks, in the beginning or if something unusual happens (e.g. pregnancy or new symptoms), once or twice a year otherwise.
    3) Make sure you are treated by an endocrinologist, and not any other type of dr.
    4) If you have questions, talk to your dr. Absolutely do not listen to random people, in real life or online. Hypothyroidism is very common, which means there are a ton of miracle cures, list of foods and beverages that supposedly help or make things worse, lists of elimination diets, supplements, conspiracy theories and a ton of other nonsense. In brief, it is all exactly this: nonsense. If in doubt, ask your dr.
  • lseed87
    lseed87 Posts: 1,105 Member
    1stphorm has a thyroid product out
  • jpoutney
    jpoutney Posts: 30 Member
    Thanks everyone. Yes, assuming it's Hashimoto's. It's taken me a year to get my synthroid dose at the right level. Just seemed to high to me (112mcg). Most of the patient's I see (I work in Labour & Delivery) are my age and a lot are hypothyroid and I've never seen anyone on my dose! Seriously. So, just wanted some tips. I did know about the goitrogens and steaming cruciferous stuff. I eat them occasionally but was more concerned about those things I tend to eat every day - like strawberries and legumes. I take my pill religiously in the morning and wait the half hour to eat/drink. I don't limit my fiber though once I do eat breakfast...my pharmacist said as long as I waited the half hour it's fine. I like my oatmeal, chia, peanut butter & strawberries for breakfast! Have a great day everyone and I really appreciate the advice and support! Spread the word for others to be tested - I was misdiagnosed and on antidepressants unnecessarily for a few years.
  • Char231023
    Char231023 Posts: 700 Member
    KDar1988 wrote: »
    I am hypo but not ever been told to follow a specific diet. I had read about avoiding soy and vegetables considered goitrogens, like broccoli and cauliflower. I had found this website a while ago http://www.naturalendocrinesolutions.com/articles/goitrogens-thyroid-inhibiting-foods-you-should-avoid/ but I don't know if it's valid. It's hard to find the right answers.

    I wish you luck...I've been like this for over 20 years.

    Sorry I stopped reading that after she said you could cure Hypo by not eating those foods. No
  • Michael190lbs
    Michael190lbs Posts: 1,510 Member
    I'm on 137 synthroid and have been for 20 years no diet restrictions
  • RoseTheWarrior
    RoseTheWarrior Posts: 2,035 Member
    I'm hypo and been on Synthroid for about a decade. I lose weight no problem, and have no bad side effects. I have no dietary restrictions.
  • bellaa_x0
    bellaa_x0 Posts: 1,062 Member
    edited April 2016
    jpoutney wrote: »
    Thanks everyone. Yes, assuming it's Hashimoto's. It's taken me a year to get my synthroid dose at the right level. Just seemed to high to me (112mcg). Most of the patient's I see (I work in Labour & Delivery) are my age and a lot are hypothyroid and I've never seen anyone on my dose! Seriously. So, just wanted some tips. I did know about the goitrogens and steaming cruciferous stuff. I eat them occasionally but was more concerned about those things I tend to eat every day - like strawberries and legumes. I take my pill religiously in the morning and wait the half hour to eat/drink. I don't limit my fiber though once I do eat breakfast...my pharmacist said as long as I waited the half hour it's fine. I like my oatmeal, chia, peanut butter & strawberries for breakfast! Have a great day everyone and I really appreciate the advice and support! Spread the word for others to be tested - I was misdiagnosed and on antidepressants unnecessarily for a few years.

    do you dose correctly? i was on 112mcg as well, but my doctor was an idiot and never told me the correct way to take my meds (only found out once i switched to an endocrinologist associated with NYU Medical) hence why the absorption was hindered and my dose kept being increased - no food OR caffeine within 1 hour of taking, no taking other prescribed medications at the same time, waiting to take vitamins until X hours of taking your synthroid (forget the exact number, but you can find it online).
  • jpoutney
    jpoutney Posts: 30 Member
    Do you all take your meds in the morning? I'm ok with not eating in the morning, but like my coffee within a half hour... Maybe I should literally have it at the bedside and take it as soon as I wake. It's frustrating because everything you read says for better metabolism to eat within an hour of waking up! Ugh...
  • gbebedoll570
    gbebedoll570 Posts: 28 Member
    I take levothyroxine 150 mcg.. I take them first thing in the morning and do my 30-60 mins walk. Then when I get back, I eat breakfast..

    It took me over a year (and a huge weight gain) to finally get the proper dosage..
  • Char231023
    Char231023 Posts: 700 Member
    jpoutney wrote: »
    Do you all take your meds in the morning? I'm ok with not eating in the morning, but like my coffee within a half hour... Maybe I should literally have it at the bedside and take it as soon as I wake. It's frustrating because everything you read says for better metabolism to eat within an hour of waking up! Ugh...

    Yes you should take it the moment you wake up. The metabolism thing is false. You are not going to mess up you metabolism it you wait the full hour.
  • try2again
    try2again Posts: 3,562 Member
    I take levothyroxine 150 mcg.. I take them first thing in the morning and do my 30-60 mins walk. Then when I get back, I eat breakfast..

    It took me over a year (and a huge weight gain) to finally get the proper dosage..

    This sounds like you experienced weight gain after starting your meds, but only until the dosage was correct? I don't get that. I am interested because I was just diagnosed and beginning meds, and the doctor mentioned that replacing the thyroid should help with weight loss.
  • try2again
    try2again Posts: 3,562 Member
    Sorry- problem with italics ;)
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    jpoutney wrote: »
    Do you all take your meds in the morning? I'm ok with not eating in the morning, but like my coffee within a half hour... Maybe I should literally have it at the bedside and take it as soon as I wake. It's frustrating because everything you read says for better metabolism to eat within an hour of waking up! Ugh...

    Coffee after half an hour is fine with most levothyroxine pills - no experience with synthroid, I am in Europe. You can even eat after half an hour. If you can get levothyroxine in gel caps (tirosint where I am) you can even have your coffee almost immediately after your meds, although still not eating for half an hour.