Hypothyroidism: Symptoms and proper nutrition!

The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck, behind and below the Adam’s apple area. It produces important hormones and two of them are triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine or tetraiodothyronine (T4). These hormones are critical to the body’s ability to produce energy.

Only the thyroid gland has cells capable of absorbing iodine. We get iodine through our diet and the thyroid gland combines it with the amino acid tyrosine to produce the hormones T3 and T4. Numbers 3 and 4 refer to the number of iodine atoms that these two hormones have. When the thyroid gland is functioning properly, about 80% is T4 and 20% is T3.

T3 and T4 travel through the bloodstream. T4 is the storage hormone and T3 is the biologically active hormone, the one that has an effect at the cellular level. The thyroid gland may produce less T3, but the body uses a larger amount as it converts stored T4 to T3. This transformation can take place in the thyroid, liver, brain and other organs. T3 increases the metabolic rate of cells and stimulates cells to produce a number of different hormones, enzymes, neurotransmitters and muscle tissue. It also helps cells use oxygen and release carbon dioxide, which improves metabolic function.

The release of hormones from the thyroid is part of a process that involves the hypothalamus and the hormone thyroid stimulating hormone (TRH: thyroid stimulating hormone) as well as the pituitary gland. Thyrotropin signals the thyroid to make thyroid hormones and release them into the bloodstream. When the pituitary gland feels that there are not enough in the body, TSH rises. But sometimes either the thyroid or the feedback system is not working properly. If you do not produce the thyroid hormone levels that your body requires, you have hypothyroidism.

What are the causes?

Hypothyroidism develops for a variety of reasons. In developed countries the most common reason is an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto, in which the immune system attacks and destroys the thyroid, making it unable to gradually produce a sufficient amount of hormones. In developing countries, the most common cause of thyroid dysfunction is iodine deficiency. Also, when you are taking certain medications, such as e.g. lithium, thyroid capacity may be reduced.

What are the symptoms?

Hypothyroidism slows down a variety of bodily functions. It rarely causes symptoms in the early stages but over time it can cause health problems such as obesity, joint pain, infertility and heart disease. The most common symptoms are [1]:

• Fatigue
• Hair loss and weak hair
• Poor circulation, dizziness and hypersensitivity
• Fragile and thin nails
• Swelling of feet and hands
• Joint pain (arthralgias) and muscle cramps
• Muscular weakness
• Low body temperature and increased sensitivity to cold
• Constipation
• Dry skin
• Weight gain
• Hoarseness of voice
• Elevated blood cholesterol levels
• Decreased heart rate
• Depression
• Impaired memory

Hypothyroidism is a chronic condition that needs to be treated, the symptoms can gradually become more severe. The constant effort of the thyroid gland to release more hormones can lead to its swelling (goiter).

The treatment is based on the patient taking the hormones that he can not make. The treatment given is synthetic thyroxine (T4), which is the same as the hormone produced by the thyroid.

Hypothyroidism and diet

Food alone can not cure it, however, a combination of the right nutrients can help – along with medication – to restore thyroid function and minimize symptoms.

Iodine

Iodine is stored in the thyroid gland and is an essential component of its hormones [2]. Iodine deficiency can cause goiter, thyroid nodules and hypothyroidism. If you have iodine deficiency, you can add iodized salt to your meals. But you should be careful because increased salt consumption can lead to a rise in blood pressure and other problems.

Alternatively you can eat more iodine-rich foods such as seaweed, fish, dairy products and eggs. In plant foods, the iodine content depends on the soils in which they are grown. In animal foods, the amount of iodine comes from the animal’s diet. Eating a balanced diet makes it unnecessary to take iodine supplements. In fact, too much iodine can cause hyperthyroidism in some people.

Selenium

Selenium helps to activate thyroid hormones so that they can be used by the body. This metal also has antioxidant benefits, which means that it can protect the thyroid gland from free radicals [3]. Research has shown that in cases of autoimmune thyroiditis, increased selenium intake can slow the progression of the disease. In pregnant women without hypothyroidism, but the presence of antibodies that cause thyroiditis has been found, selenium reduces the risk of postpartum thyroiditis.

Zinc

Like selenium, zinc helps the body activate thyroid hormones [4]. Studies also show that zinc can help the body regulate thyrotropin, the hormone that signals the thyroid gland to release its hormones. Zinc deficiency is not common in developed countries. If you have hypothyroidism it is good to include in your diet more foods rich in zinc, such as oysters and other shellfish, beef and chicken.

Iron

Make sure you have enough iron. An enzyme called TPO (Thyroid Peroxidase) that is involved in the synthesis of thyroid hormones is activated when it binds heme and there must be sufficient iron in the body. Iron is essential for the production of thyroid hormones T3 and T4 [5]. Its deficiency means reduced TPO activity and therefore reduced production of thyroid hormones.

Foods to avoid

A number of plant ingredients are called goitrogens which implies that they can increase the risk of goiter. Goitrogens are compounds that can affect the normal function of the thyroid by reducing e.g. the amount of iodine that reaches the gland -goiter means goiter. This is the case, for example, with kale, classic cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. However the problem can only exist if you already have low iodine levels in your body [6]. Soy can also affect the thyroid’s ability to produce its own hormones or absorb T4 [7].

If you have hypothyroidism, and you are taking T4, you should generally do it on an empty stomach. Too much fiber can affect its absorption. Some foods, supplements or medicines can have the same effect. Avoid taking nuts, soy, iron supplements or iron-containing multivitamins and calcium supplements with you [8].

Gluten can contribute to thyroid disease in a number of ways, including causing inflammation, and it should be noted that another protein found in milk, casein, mimics gluten [9]. Some people think that people with hypothyroidism should follow a gluten-free diet. This idea is supported by a 2018 clinical trial in women who had Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and followed a gluten-free diet for six months [10].

At Vita4you.gr you will find a great variety of supplements for hypothyroidism!

References

1. Hypothyroidism.
2. Iodine Deficiency Disorders in the Iodine-Replete Environment.
3. Selenium and thyroid autoimmunity.
4. Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Thyroid Hormone Function. A Case Study of Two College Females.
5. Multiple nutritional factors and thyroid disease, with particular reference to autoimmune thyroid disease.
6. Naturally Occurring Food Toxins.
7. The role of micronutrients in thyroid dysfunction.
8. Hypothyroidism diet: Can certain foods increase thyroid function?.
9. Thyroid Diseases and Diet Control.
10. The Effect of Gluten-Free Diet on Thyroid Autoimmunity in Drug-Naïve Women with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: A Pilot Study.