What is Hyperthyroidism:

Hyperthyroidism is a health condition associated with your thyroid. It causes an overactive thyroid which can lead to various symptoms and complications.

Your thyroid is responsible for regulating and producing hormones. These hormones are responsible for your metabolism. It is also responsible for regulating calcium levels in your body. Hyperthyroidism causes an increase in your metabolism resulting in you losing excessive weight. This is because your body is producing an excess amount of thyroxine. This can also cause you to have cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat). 

  

What Can Cause Hyperthyroidism?

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped organ at the base of your neck. It is located just below your Adam’s apple. Several reasons can cause an overactive thyroid. The most common cause being Graves’ disease. It is an autoimmune disease that stimulates your immune system to form antibodies. These antibodies stimulate your thyroid to become overactive and secret excessive amounts of hormones.

Other causes may include:

• • Genetic factor as it tends to run in families

• • Inflammation of the thyroid

• • Excess iodine

• • Benign tumour of the thyroid or pituitary gland

• • An increased amount of tetraiodothyronine in your diet

Risk Factors for Hyperthyroidism:

They are multiple risk factors for hyperthyroidism:

• • Family history of Graves’ disease
  • Female Gender

• • Personal history of chronic illnesses such as:
  • Type 1 Diabetes
  • Primary adrenal insufficiency
  • Pernicious anaemia

  

What Are the Most Common Symptoms Of Hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism mimics the symptoms or various health problems which makes it difficult to diagnose. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:

• • Hypermetabolic state

• • Rapid heart rate

• • Elevated blood pressure

• • Hand tremors

• • Increased sweat

• • Frequent bowel movement

• • Weight loss

• • Irregular menstrual cycle

• • Increased appetite

• • Difficulty concentrating

• • Fine brittle hair

• • Restlessness

• • Nervousness

• • Itching

• • Nausea vomiting

• • Hair loss

• • An enlarged thyroid

• • Skin thinning

Symptoms that require immediate medical attention include:

• • Loss of consciousness

• • Dizziness

• • Shortness of breath

• • Fast and irregular heartbeat

Hyperthyroidism can lead to arterial fibrillation and congestive heart failure.

How To Treat Hyperthyroidism:

Medication:

This is the most common treatment of hyperthyroidism. Antithyroid medications such as methimazole are used to inhibit thyroid hormone production.

Radioactive iodine:

Another common treatment given to people struggling with hyperthyroidism is radioactive iodine. It helps by destroying the cells that are responsible for producing thyroid hormones.

It can cause certain side effects such as dry eyes, dry mouth, sore throat, and changes in taste. Precautions are necessary for a small period to prevent radiation from spread to others.

Surgery:

Surgery can be performed to remove a section of your thyroid gland. The drawbacks of surgery are that you might need to take hormone supplements to prevent hypothyroidism. And surgery may lead your thyroid gland to become underactive and secrete very little hormone. You might also need to take beta-blockers that will help control your blood pressure, rapid pulse, and anxiety.

Dietary Changes That Can Help with Hyperthyroidism:

Having a healthy and balanced diet can help you manage symptoms of Hyperthyroidism. There is no specific diet plan that you should be following. Your diet should have a balance of different vegetables, healthy grains, fruits, and lean protein sources. You need to have foods that will provide you with nutrients.

If you are diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, it means that you have a fast metabolism and you have lost a great deal of weight. Your doctor will suggest you a diet that helps you gain weight. The diet plan may include daily meals and snacks which will help you get more calories.

Foods to Include in Your Diet:

Low-iodine foods:

Iodine may aggregate your symptoms. As iodine plays an important role in the making of thyroid hormone. A low-iodine diet may be suggested by your doctor to reduce thyroid hormone. Here are some examples of food that you should add to your diet:

• • Non-iodized salt

• • Unsalted nuts and butter

• • Fresh or canned fruit

• • Egg whites

• • Coffee or tea

• • Gluten and dairy-free bread

• • Unsalted popcorn

• • Potatoes

• • Honey

• • Oats

• • Maple Syrup

Cruciferous vegetables:

Cruciferous vegetables act by inhibiting your body from using iodine to make thyroid hormones. Here are few examples of cruciferous vegetables that may be beneficial for hyperthyroidism:

• • Broccoli

• • Brussels sprouts

• • Bamboo shoots

• • Bok choy

• • Cauliflower

• • Kale

• • Cassava

• • Collard greens

• • Rutabaga

• • Mustard

Vitamins and minerals:

Vitamins and minerals are a crucial part of our diet. They are also essential for your overall health and help balance thyroid hormone production.

7 Best Supplements for PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)

Iron:

Iron plays a vital role in our bodily function. Iron is required by blood cells to carry oxygen to cells in your body. It also plays a vital role in thyroid function. Low levels of iron have been associated with hyperthyroidism. Here are examples of food that are rich in iron:

• • Lentils

• • Dried beans

• • Poultry such as turkey and chicken

• • Green leafy vegetables

• • Whole grains

• • Read meat

• • Seeds

Selenium:

Selenium is an antioxidant and works by preventing free radicle cell damage to your thyroid and other healthy tissues. Selenium rich foods also work by balancing thyroid hormones and protecting your thyroid from diseases.

Here are examples of selenium-rich foods:

• • Chia seeds

• • Tea

• • Brazil nuts

• • Meat such as beef and lamb

• • Mushrooms

• • Brazil nuts

• • Rice

• • Couscous

• • Sunflower seeds

• • Poultry such as turkey and chicken

• • Oat bran

Zinc:

Zinc helps to strengthen your immune system and keep your thyroid healthy. It also helps use your food for energy.

Here are examples of food that are rich in zinc:

• • Lamb

• • Mushrooms

• • Beef

• • Cashews

• • Beef

• • Chickpeas

• • Pumpkin seeds

• • Cocoa powder

Calcium and vitamin D:

Hyperthyroidism may cause you to have weak and brittle bones. To help with that you need to intake vitamin D to restore bone mass. To build healthy bones calcium plays a vital role. 

Here are some examples of calcium-rich foods:

• • Kale

• • Calcium-fortified orange juice

• • Okra

• • Almond milk

• • Collard greens

• • Calcium-fortified cereals

• • Spinach

• • White beans

[wpcode id=”14743″]

Vitamin D is found in these low-iodine foods:

• • Fatty fish

• • Beef liver

• • Mushrooms

• • Vitamin D-fortified orange juice

• • Vitamin D-fortified cereals

Healthy fats:

Fats that are obtained for unprocessed whole foods help reduce inflammation in the body. These help balance thyroid hormones and protect the thyroid. It is important your intake nondairy fats in a low-iodine diet. 

Here are examples of food rich in healthy fats

• • Sunflower oil

• • Olive oil

• • Coconut oil

• • Flaxseed oil

• • Avocado

• • Avocado oil

• • Safflower oil

• • Unsalted nuts

• • Unsalted seeds

Spices:

Spices not only add flavour to our food but are rich in antioxidants. Spices have anti-inflammatory properties that balance thyroid hormones and protect thyroid function.

• • Black pepper

• • turmeric

• • Green chillies

Foods To Avoid If You Have Hyperthyroidism:

Excess iodine:

Eating a diet with iodine-rich foods or iodine-fortified food can cause worsening of your symptoms or can even lead to hyperthyroidism. To prevent that from happening you need to follow a low-iodine diet.

Avoid the following seafood and seafood derivatives:

• • Algae

• • Nori

• • Prawns

• • Sushi

• • Fish

• • Crabs

• • Seaweed

• • Lobster

• • Carrageen

• • Algae

• • Agar-agar

• • Kelp

Avoid other foods high in iodine such as:

• • Iodized salt

• • Cheese

• • Iodized water

• • Egg yolks

• • Milk and dairy

• • Some food colourings

Some medications also contain iodine. These include:

• • Herbal and vitamin supplements

• • Cough syrup

• • Amiodarone (Nexterone)

• • Medical contrast dyes

Gluten:

In certain people with a gluten allergy or intolerance foods containing gluten may cause inflammation of the thyroid. Even if you do not have gluten allergy or intolerance it may be beneficial to avoid r restrict gluten intake.

You can check the food labels for gluten-containing ingredients such as:

• • Rye

• • Barley

• • Malt

• • Wheat

• • Brewer’s yeast

• • Triticale

Soy:

Soy itself does not contain iodine but it has been shown to interfere with certain hyperthyroidism treatments in animals. You should avoid or limit foods that contain soy such as:

• • Soy sauce

• • Tofu

• • Soy milk

• • Soy-based creamers

Caffeine:

Caffeine-containing foods and beverages can exacerbate the symptoms of hyperthyroidism. It can lead to nervousness, anxiety, irritability, and rapid heart rate. If you notice that caffeine has this effect on you you should avoid or limit intake.

Avoid drinks containing caffeine such as:

• • Coffee

• • Chocolate

• • Soda

• • Tea

You can replace caffeinated beverages with hot apple cider, herbal teas, or flavoured water.

A Low-Iodine Menu to Get You Started:

Menu Options

Breakfast:

• • Slice of toast

• • Herbal tea

• • Fruits or fruit juice

• • Oatmeal with honey, apple sauce, maple syrup, walnuts, fruits, or cinnamon.

• • Egg Beaters 

Lunch:

• • Fruits – fresh, frozen or canned

• • Vegetarian or chicken with rice soup

• • White or brown rice with vegetable plate (fresh or frozen)

• • Matzo crackers

• • Salad – fruit or vegetable – oil and vinegar dressing

• • Herbal tea

Dinner:

• • Fruits

• • Potato – baked or broiled 

• • 6 oz Roast beef, lamb, veal, pork, or turkey

• • Salad – fruit or vegetable – oil and vinegar dressing

• • Vegetables (fresh or frozen)

• • Herbal tea 

Snacks:

• • Unsalted nuts

• • Unsalted peanut butter (great with apple slices, carrot sticks, crackers or rice cakes)

• • Fruit juice

• • Dried fruits such as raisins

• • Applesauce

• • Fresh fruit or juice

• • Fresh raw vegetables

• • Home-made bread and muffins

• • Matzoh and other unsalted crackers 

 

Some Final Thoughts:

 

Hyperthyroidism might not always be preventable but it is treatable.

If you experience any of the signs of hyperthyroidism, see your doctor. Follow your treatment plan as prescribed, including any dietary advice.

Consult your doctor or a dietician about making short- and long-term dietary modifications. This can help to balance thyroid function and prevent your body from hyperthyroidism’s side effects.

On a low-iodine diet, eat home-cooked nutritious meals. Restaurant, boxed, or processed meals, as well as prepared sauces and marinades, should be avoided. These may have iodine added to them.

It can be more difficult to get enough vitamin D and calcium on a low-iodine diet. If you want to take supplements for these nutrients, talk to your doctor or a dietician.

Consider joining a thyroid support group. The majority of dietary limitations will only be in place for a short period. Other dietary modifications should be made as part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle to improve overall health and wellness.