How Diet Can Optimise Thyroid Health

Your thyroid health is the central hub of your metabolism and if this starts to misfire then you may start to slow right down and eventually it may become clinically under-active. Diet and stress management are two ways that you can help to support your thyroid health. Read more about how you can take positive action to keep your thyroid working at its best.

Hypothyroidism (also known as under-active thyroid) is a common endocrine disorder where the thyroid gland does not produce sufficient thyroid hormone. Symptoms may include fatigue, intolerance to the cold, depression, constipation, dry skin and a swelling at the front of the neck known as a goiter. Thyroid function is typically tested by your GP by measuring TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). The most common form of hypothyroidism is an autoimmune condition, known as Hashimoto’s. This occurs when the body mistakenly attacks its own thyroid gland. We at NatureDoc are able to offer in depth functional testing to assess TSH, T4, T3 as well as thyroid autoantibodies (to determine if there is an autoimmune component to the condition).

Hypothyroidism in pregnancy may lead to problems with physical and mental development of the foetus so it is really important this is well managed during pregnancy.

A diagnosis of an Underactive Thyroid is typically treated with prescription Levothyroxine (synthetic thyroid hormone). It is also very important to ensure you support your body nutritionally as there are a number of key nutrients required for optimal thyroid function, as well as lifestyle factors.

Thyroid Problems & Gluten Sensitivity

If you suffer from an autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s), we would strongly advise removing gluten from your diet. The molecular structure of gliadin, the protein portion of gluten, closely resembles that of the thyroid gland. When gliadin ruptures the protective barrier of the gut  and it enters the bloodstream (this happens in cases of “leaky-gut”, which is very common in auto-immune conditions), the immune system can identify that the gliadin needs to be destroyed. These antibodies to gliadin can also cause the body to attack thyroid tissue at the same time, therefore worsening your symptoms.

Although a gluten free diet is sometimes perceived as ‘faddy’, the evidence is strongly backed by science here therefore a gluten free diet is certainly a good idea if you have a diagnosis of Hashimoto’s (autoimmune) Thyroiditis. If you would like to have confirmation that gluten/gliadin is one of your triggers or that you have “leaky-gut”, then we can organise blood testing through Cyrex Laboratories.

Thyroid & Stress

Stress can impact negatively on the thyroid by affecting the conversion of thyroid hormone, T4, to its more active form in the body, T3.

Making some lifestyle changes to reduce the impact of stress and putting changes in place to reduce your stress ‘load’ will have a significant impact on your thyroid health. Introducing some relaxation methods can also help to reduce the impact of stress. Also try yoga, meditation and practicing mindfulness.

So if you want to have a thyroid that is working at its best then do try to incorporate some of these ideas into your daily routine to see if it makes a difference to you. If you need more help to support your thyroid or need testing, then do please get in touch.