Hyperthyroidism Diet: what to eat when your thyroid is overactive

What do you mean by Hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism means that your thyroid gland produces more of thyroid hormones than your body actually needs. Thyroid hormones controls that how your body uses energy so it nearly affects every organ of your body. With excess of thyroid hormones , the body functions speeds up- means it speeds up your metabolism too. That can cause many symptoms like weight loss, hand tremors ad irregular heartbeat patterns. It can look alike other health conditions so its hard to diagnose in early stages but symptoms like weight loss , fast heartbeat patterns, heart palpitations, increased hunger, nervousness, anxiety, sweating without heat, changes in menstrual cycle, warm moist skin can still more relevantly confirm for the hyperthyroidism issue.

What it do to our body?

The thyroid gland produces two hormones like T3 and T4 hormones , the decrease or increase of these hormones can affect the body .They contribute to the rate at which our body uses fats and carbohydrates, our body temperature management, heart rate, essential for growth and brain development, regulate muscle function as well. But excess of these hormones causes issues with every function and symptoms appears.This Hyperthyroidism condition is caused due to the family history, recent pregnancy, Overactive thyroid nodules, too much of iodine consumption, Inflammation of thyroid gland and graves disease.

Graves disease vs hyperthyroidism?

Graves disease and Hyperthyroidism both of the conditions are involved in thyroid gland , resulting in excess thyroid hormone production, but In Graves disease, the immunes system attacks and misunderstand its own body system, The body then produces an antibody which acts similar to TSH[ thyroid stimulating hormone] and produces more of thyroid hormones. On the other hand, hyperthyroidism can be used for the broader aspect that encompasses the excess levels of thyroid hormones because of any of the reasons . This may also be caused by graves disease or other factors.

Diagnostic tests?

Some of the Hyperthyroidism issues may be asymptomatic in the initial stages , we cannot be get assured with the clinical symptoms or physical examinations. Lab tests are must to get a clearer image that what’s going in our body. These tests include –
-T4 , Free T4 and T3 level test
-TSH[ Thyroid stimulating hormones ] test
–Thyroid antibody test
-Calcitonin levels in blood
-Ultrasound and MRI for thyroid gland

Getting into the relationship of thyroid with diet?

Diet provide all the essential nourishment to the body which it needs at everypoint and that makes our body healthy but normal or balanced healthy diet doesn’t fits for the overactive thyroid . It needs special attention as due to the condition the metabolism has increased which means weight is already reducing but the hunger is increased. As T3&T4 Levels raised, the metabolic rate increases, so on the energy expenditure of the body and now the body uses more of calories, protein & nutrients. Moreover, Eliminating those food items which triggers the thyroid gland. So diet need to be closely monitor while person has hyperthyroidism.

What to Eat while having overactive thyroid?

– Protein rich diet
During Hyperthyroidism, due to increased metabolic rate, protein requirement increases and if the body consumes less than required then it may end up with muscle loss along with weight loss. So protein sources like egg, chicken, fish, legumes, pulses, paneer, curd should be included.

–Selenium
Selenium keeps thyroid and other tissues healthy and helps maintain a balance of thyroid hormones but  over-consumption of selenium may leads to toxicity.
Sources like sunflower seeds, eggs , brazil nuts and more .

–Antioxidants
Thyroid issues can be caused due to oxidative stress , where the free radicals can damage the tissues and cells, to reduce this in hyperthyroidism, antioxidants foods like berries, amla,citrus fruits, pomegranate etc are planned.

–Anti-inflammatory foods
One of the symptom of hyperthyroidism due to oxidative stress is inflammation and swelling, which requires anti inflammatory foods like turmeric, flaxseed, walnuts, chia seeds etc.

-Calcium and vitamin D
Hyperthyroidism can cause weak and loose bones over the time so for that proper calcium and vitamin D requirements should be planned. 

What to avoid or limit?

-Iodine rich diet

Rich in iodine diet should be avoided as too much of iodine in hyperthyroidism where already thyroid hormones are being produced in excess, will worsen the condition by causing thyroid glands to produce more thyroid hormone.

-Stimulants

Stimulants here means by caffeine , that can trigger the hyperthyroidism by giving the feeling of anxiety, nervousness, alertness, increased heart palpitations and can also causes insomnia and alcohol which can interfere in absorption of some important nutrients , medicines and stresses liver as well.

– Goitrogenic foods

foods like cruciferous foods like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale , more. and soya products like soyabean, tofu etc contains some substances in them which helps to stimulates the thyroid hormones activity, which again can trigger the situation in hyperthyroidism by contributing more on more production of hormones but still in very moderation and cooked form this can be consumed.

Sample Indian plan for hyperthyroidism

Early morning- 1 glass coriander fennel mix drink + 1 brazil nut + 4 soaked almonds + 1 walnuts

Breakfast- Banana oatmeal with flaxseeds, walnuts and almond milk

Mid morning-  fruit +  tsp soaked chia seeds

Lunch-1 bowl protein rich sabji  + 2 oats chapati + salad/ chicken rice + curd [ add flaxseed powder]

Evening- herbal tea + roasted makhana/ chana

Dinner- 2-3 pcs lauki paneer kebabs + homemade chutney / roti + sabji / Egg omelette

Bedtime- 1/3 inch ginger fennel mix drink

How hyperthyroidism can causes weight loss despite increased hunger?

Due to hyperthyroidism , t3 and t4 hormones are elevated which increase the metabolic rate and the energy expenditure. So even if the person eats a lot in a day , the metabolism works so fast that it uses all the energy from food very quickly during that time. Calories burned that time may be higher than calories consumed even after eating good amount. This results into weight loss and can go to extreme, that needs to be taken care of. Moreover , there is a nutritional deficiency also which can be clearly observed with the muscle loss or weakness, anxiety in some people.

Can diet cure hyperthyroidism?

Diet alone won’t fit for this condition, diet can act as a part of treating hyperthyroidism and not worsening it. Diet can help with this to the most extent but cannot claim it to cure. It can help reduce symptoms that were aggrevated, prevent nutritional deficiencies, prevent weight loss with proper diet and also support muscle and bone health. With diet some other lifestyle factors are also responsible for treating thyroid like sleep factor, stress management, limit stimulants and physical activity. And sometimes in severe conditions, medical support is also needed for the improvements but all the way diet will remain also an important part for thyroid conditions.

Dietitian’s Approach-

At Indyte, Dietitian Priyanka  has managed a lot cases of thyroid either its hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, but one thing she understand is everybody gives different response to thyroid conditions. The symptoms are different, body response towards weight gain , some are asymptomatic – so these conditions are little tricky to be managed and requires more understandings. Her Approach is not just about creating a thyroid diet or eliminating foods. She believes to coordinate and understand more to the clients that how are they actually taking that condition. She figures out the root causes where it started , about their lifestyle, eating pattern, dietary recall , medical history and accordingly motivate the client first . She create a personalised diet plan checking on their current symptoms, weight and tries to improve the overall health like managing weight, nutrient deficiencies, balanced nutrition and gut issues. Some of items may be restricted so that hyperthyroidism doesn’t get triggered, but not eliminated. At the same time, She ensures that the plan should be made according to the person’s availabilities, groceries and the time if the are working.

She is a qualified and clinical dietitian, she has 14 years of experience in this field and she serves individuals seeking personalised nutrition advice and support. She is experienced from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS),Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, and Max Hospital and served as a diabetes educator to Dr. Ashok Kumar Jhingan at Delhi Diabetes Research Centre.

Conclusion

Hyperthyroidism  cannot be managed with a single diet plan based for thyroid diets. Every body has different signs and symptoms, metabolisms so every plan should be personalised and for this understanding root causes is must to do.

At Indyte, Our goal is very simple that we make a personalised plan that can fit with person’s body system, their routine and overall health goals. Along with diet we motivate client to follow realistic lifestyle changes for better health ahead.

FAQ’S

1. Should Iodine be completely eliminated from hyperthyroidism diet?

No, it needs to be restricted not eliminated according to the current condition. Only the food which has high amount of iodine should be restricted like seaweed, dairy, iodised salts.

2.How can I gain weight during hyperthyroidism?

For weight gain, proper balanced nutrition is required. Extra 400-500 kcal should be consumed with calorie dense food items like banana, avocado, raisins, nut butters etc and practise strength and resistance training to preserve muscle mass and build toned body muscles.

3.Can supplements help manage hyperthyroidism?

Yes , selenium and  vitamin D supplements can help you with the improvement of overactive thyroid but  it should first be consulted with your doctor.

4.What is the first sign of hyperthyroidism?

The earliest sign that people can often notice is unexplained weightloss without even trying to loose it. Then gradually the other symptoms comes into notice.

5.How to manage the anxiety associated with my hyperthyroidism?

Reduce intake of stimulants like coffee, Teas or alcohol to ease your nervous system. Try to include nutrient dense food to relax your nervous system function like VitaminB, Magnesium .

6.Should I consult a dietitian for hyperthyroidism?

Yes it will be very helpful to consult a good registered dietitian related to your condition as she will help manage it as well as your other conditions too through your diet only and accordingly provides you personalised meal plans.