Diet and Thyroid Medication

Thyroid and diet do go hand in hand, as anyone with a low thyroid can tell you. People with low thyroid-called hypothyroidism-often experience ups and downs that do not seem linked to any one issue. One day they feel fine, and the next day they feel fatigued, cold, and depressed. While people with this condition may think it's just par for the course, think again: the problem may be your diet.

How can food and your diet affect your condition? Your metabolism is intricately linked with the butterfly-shaped gland in the middle of your neck. The thyroid handles complex endocrinological and metabolic processes; diet is part of the metabolic process as well.

For instance, your doctor who prescribed your replacement hormone medication may have told you to take the medication on an empty stomach, and wait an hour before eating, or take the medication two to three hours after eating. In other words: take the meds on an empty stomach only. But why? Diet.

1. The medication is absorbed more readily into your system.

2. The medication is absorbed in the same manner every day, with decreases inconsistencies and uneven levels of thyroid medication in your bloodstream.

3. Replacement hormone can be very sensitive to vitamins and minerals, particularly calcium and iron. Many people take multivitamins with their prescription drugs. If you take medication, this is a huge mistake; thyroid meds need to be taken completely separately from any item with calcium or iron.

4. Many foods contain calcium. Swallowing your thyroid medication with a big glass of cold milk is going to neutralize some of the medication; the calcium in the milk is the factor, and the mixture of calcium in your diet at the wrong time can be detrimental to medication absorption.

5. Many foods contain iron. Taking your medication while eating a big steak and a green, leafy salad will neutralize some of the medication as well; the iron in both foods blocks the body's ability to absorb some of the hormone replacement.

6. Soy is a thyroid depressant. A little soy is good for your heart. Too much soy is bad for your hypothyroidism. Limit soy intake to ten to twenty soy protein grams per day.

7. Cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli can all depress the thyroid. These are very healthy vegetables, and should not be stricken from your list of safe, healthy foods to eat. However, eat them in moderation, with one or two half-cup servings per day.

8. Caffeine-the jury is still out. Some studies show that caffeine can have a negative effect, while others say reasonably caffeine consumption of 500 milligrams of caffeine per day is fine (that's about 2-3 cups of coffee or soda per day).

All of these dietary factors influence how much medication your body receives and absorbs, which affects your energy level, skin quality, ability to exercise, mood level, and so forth. The complex relationship between thyroid and diet can't be ignored if you have a diagnosis of hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.

Imagine that every morning you've dutifully taken your thyroid medication with your multivitamin, while drinking your coffee with milk in it. Ack! Understanding the role that diet plays in managing your symptoms and your condition is crucial to proper health. A thyroid diet doesn't mean deprivation; it means keeping track of your diet to make sure you reach optimal metabolic, physical, and mental health.