Living with a thyroid disorder, like hypothyroidism, often means that you need to pay extra attention to your health and well-being. This is especially the case when it comes to certain foods or supplements that can affect how your thyroid works or how your body absorbs your thyroid medication.
While there is not a specific list of foods to avoid with hypothyroidism, what matters more is how much you eat of certain foods and when you eat those foods or take particular supplements.
Let’s take a closer look and make sure you are doing all you can to manage your hypothyroidism effectively, so you can feel your best each day.
Your thyroid plays an important role in your overall health, producing hormones that help regulate how your body uses energy and support the normal function of your heart, brain, muscles and other organs.
Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid gland doesn't produce enough thyroid hormones. Because these hormones help control many of your body's normal processes, having too little can slow things down. According to the National Institutes of Health, 5% of people in the US aged 12 or older have hypothyroidism.
Common symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
The food you eat doesn't cause or cure most cases of hypothyroidism, but your diet can still play a role in managing the condition. Your thyroid needs certain nutrients to make hormones, and some foods, supplements and even beverages can interfere with the absorption of thyroid medication when consumed too close to your dose.
That is why it’s helpful to know which foods and nutrients are worth paying attention to and the importance of timing certain foods around your medication.
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The good news is that there is no specific “hypothyroidism diet” and most people do not need to eliminate particular foods. In fact, most people with hypothyroidism can enjoy a wide variety of foods, including:
The bigger concern surrounding certain foods or supplements and hypothyroidism is around the timing. While there is no cure for hypothyroidism, the condition can be better controlled for most people by replacing the hormone your body no longer makes with the synthetic (man-made) thyroid hormone, levothyroxine.
Some foods, drinks and supplements can interfere with how your body absorbs your thyroid medication if you consume them too close to your medication time.
Iodine is essential for your health as your thyroid uses it to make thyroid hormones. Most Americans typically obtain much of their dietary iodine from iodized salt and dairy products like cheese, yogurt and milk. Fish, shellfish, eggs and some breads may also contribute iodine to the diet.
While iodine is essential, more is not always better. Adding more iodine into your body isn't necessarily better for you if you have hypothyroidism and can actually be harmful. Getting too much iodine can cause or worsen thyroid problems for some people, especially those with an autoimmune thyroid condition such as Hashimoto's disease.
For most adults, the recommended daily amount of iodine is 150 micrograms (mcg), while the upper limit is 1,100 micrograms (mcg) per day.
If you take thyroid medication, you don't have to give up foods you enjoy or eat regularly. Instead, it’s more important that you pay attention to when you eat or drink them and how much of them you are eating.
Soy foods such as tofu, soy milk, edamame and tempeh are not completely off-limits if you have hypothyroidism.
Soy can reduce the absorption of your thyroid medication when it’s consumed too close to when you need to take your medication. It's recommended to take most thyroid medications on an empty stomach and to wait several hours before eating any soy products.
Like soy, calcium can also interfere with the absorption of your thyroid medication. This doesn't mean you need to stop eating your favorite dairy-rich foods like yogurt, milk, cheese and ice cream.
Instead, be more aware of when you have these foods along with calcium supplements and calcium-containing medications, which should generally be separated from your thyroid medication by several hours.
Don't stop eating iron-rich foods such as meat, beans or leafy greens just because you have hypothyroidism. While iron can interfere with your thyroid medication absorption, if you take an iron supplement or are planning to go out for a big steak dinner, ask your doctor or a pharmacist how far apart to space it from your medication time.
Your morning coffee may be part of your routine, but it shouldn't be taken at the same time as your thyroid medication. Taking your medication with coffee can reduce how much of it your body absorbs.
A common recommendation is to take your medication with water on an empty stomach and wait 30 to 60 minutes before eating breakfast or drinking coffee.
Fiber is an important part of a healthy diet and can help support digestion and heart health. You don't need to avoid high-fiber foods such as lentils, chickpeas, oats or bran cereals because you have hypothyroidism.
However, large amounts of fiber or fiber supplements can affect absorption of your thyroid medication.
Yes. Cruciferous vegetables contain naturally occurring compounds called goitrogens, but current evidence suggests that normal dietary intake does not negatively affect thyroid function in most people.
Examples include:
Eating normal portions as part of a varied, balanced diet is not generally considered a reason to eliminate these nutritious vegetables. You can feel comfortable with the knowledge that there's no need to skip your favorite broccoli or cauliflower recipe just because you have hypothyroidism.
Rather than focusing on foods to avoid, focus on building balanced meals. Your thyroid needs several nutrients to function properly. But taking extra amounts isn't automatically better.
A balanced diet is generally the best way to get the nutrients your body needs and should include a variety of:
Taking your thyroid medication consistently is just as important as what you eat.
It is recommended that you take your medication on an empty stomach with water, typically 30 to 60 minutes before you have breakfast. Take it consistently and follow the instructions provided for your specific medication.
Keep in mind that certain supplements and other medications can interfere with the absorption of your thyroid medication. These include:
The American Thyroid Association recommends separating your thyroid medication from these by about four hours. If you're unsure about when to take your medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor rather than changing your dose yourself.
Having hypothyroidism doesn't mean you need to follow a restrictive diet or give up nutritious foods. Instead, focus on a healthy diet and pay attention to how and when you take your thyroid medication.
With the right medication routine and a balanced approach to food, you can enjoy a wide variety of foods while managing your condition.
Still have nutrition-related questions when it comes to hypothyroidism? Talk to your doctor or find a registered dietitian today.
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