“How can I improve my thyroid function?”
I am a 19 year old female with minor thyroid issues. I want to know how can I improve my thyroid function?
3 Answers
Be sure of use iodized salt in your meals.
This is a hard question since so little data was submitted. I think you are asking "what can I do to get off thyroid medicine?" If so the answer would be Nothing. Most likely at your age the decrease in thyroid function is due to Hashimoto's thyroiditis. This is an auto-immune disease you inherit. The immune system is destroying the thyroid gland. We know of no way to stop that (except to go back to Heaven & be born again WITH different parents-Ha). The treatment for this disease is thyroid medication to replace what has been or will be lost. No big deal-just one pill a day (I've been doing it for 27 yrs.). So it's not difficult to do. If you have some other kind of diabetes, it may or may not be reversible. You need to see a thyroid specialist, find out what kind of thyroid disease you have & get it appropriately treated. There is no behavior or diet that will change thyroid function.
The thyroid gland is a small but a vital gland at the base of the neck, below the Adams apple. It is responsible for energy production, metabolism, mood changes, growth and development by affecting protein synthesis, and bone growth. It also supports brain development and cardiovascular health. The thyroid hormones act on almost every cell of the body. They increase the basal metabolic rate of the body, increase heat generation and increase the body's sensitivity to adrenaline. They regulate protein, fat, and carbohydrate metabolism, so the cells can use them for energy production and heat generation. They are also useful in mineral and vitamin metabolism.
In children the thyroid gland is at various sizes because children are going through a process of growth and development. In adults the thyroid gland measures about 4-6 cm . It weighs about 20 grams. If it gets larger, the thyroid gland, becomes a goiter. It may also develop a nodule or multiple nodules. The thyroid gland may be normal, under-active or over active.
The thyroid gland produces three major hormones namely thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and calcitonin. If your thyroid gland does not make these hormones especially T3 and T4 you may develop a condition called hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone) and when the thyroid makes excess of these hormones (over active thyroid) a condition called thyrotoxicosis or hyperthyroidism sets in. Calcitonin supports bone health.
In hypothyroidism (under active thyroid) the person may experience the symptoms of sadness, weight gain, poor energy level, dry skin, constipation, hair loss and fatigue.
The thyroid level can be low due to autoimmune condition, iodine deficiency or other various causes.
The thyroid function test is a necessary blood test in the evaluation of the status of the thyroid gland, in the production of the thyroid hormones. This test will determine whether the thyroid gland is working well or not. Based on the thyroid function test, further work up may be performed to pin point the cause of thyroid disorder (low or high thyroid hormone). Further work up may include blood work for iodine and various antibodies or imaging studies such as Ultrasound or uptake and scan of the thyroid gland.
When thyroid gland is functioning abnormally, the cause should be evaluated and treated properly by and expert. When some one is on thyroid treatment especially hypothyroid ( under-active thyroid) one need to be aware that certain food can affect the function and absorption of thyroid hormone.
Soy products (isoflavones) such as miso and tofu can interfere with thyroid hormone absorption. Calcium products and Multivitamins can also affect thyroid hormone if they are taken within 2 hours of thyroid medication.
Cruciferous vegetables ( goitrogens) such as cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower can affect thyroid function especially with people who have iodine deficiency. Gluten found in Rye, barely and wheat can also interfere with thyroid function. Excessive ingestion of high fiber food, high sugar intake, fatty foods and processed foods will negatively affect thyroid function especially in hypothyroid persons.
Everything should be consumed in moderation. Eating healthy diet with daily (regular) physical activity and maintaining ideal weight should improve thyroid health. A healthy person who consumes balanced foods with regular physical activity and who maintains ideal body weight, should not worry about all the above mentioned food, which may negatively affect the thyroid function.
A healthy life style should be beneficial for the thyroid to function optimally. These include: 1) Eating healthy balanced diet consisting of 50% vegetables, 30% whole grains, 10% fruits and 10% proteins with each meal. 2) At least an hour of moderate to vigorous daily physical activity. 3) Maintaining an ideal body weight (BMI between 18-24 kg/m2). 4) Supplementing enough multivitamins and iodine. 5) Good sleep and rest. 6) Avoidance of stress.
Eating healthy food with enough vitamins and minerals may help the thyroid gland to function better, especially for those with iodine deficiency.
Good Luck.
In children the thyroid gland is at various sizes because children are going through a process of growth and development. In adults the thyroid gland measures about 4-6 cm . It weighs about 20 grams. If it gets larger, the thyroid gland, becomes a goiter. It may also develop a nodule or multiple nodules. The thyroid gland may be normal, under-active or over active.
The thyroid gland produces three major hormones namely thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and calcitonin. If your thyroid gland does not make these hormones especially T3 and T4 you may develop a condition called hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone) and when the thyroid makes excess of these hormones (over active thyroid) a condition called thyrotoxicosis or hyperthyroidism sets in. Calcitonin supports bone health.
In hypothyroidism (under active thyroid) the person may experience the symptoms of sadness, weight gain, poor energy level, dry skin, constipation, hair loss and fatigue.
The thyroid level can be low due to autoimmune condition, iodine deficiency or other various causes.
The thyroid function test is a necessary blood test in the evaluation of the status of the thyroid gland, in the production of the thyroid hormones. This test will determine whether the thyroid gland is working well or not. Based on the thyroid function test, further work up may be performed to pin point the cause of thyroid disorder (low or high thyroid hormone). Further work up may include blood work for iodine and various antibodies or imaging studies such as Ultrasound or uptake and scan of the thyroid gland.
When thyroid gland is functioning abnormally, the cause should be evaluated and treated properly by and expert. When some one is on thyroid treatment especially hypothyroid ( under-active thyroid) one need to be aware that certain food can affect the function and absorption of thyroid hormone.
Soy products (isoflavones) such as miso and tofu can interfere with thyroid hormone absorption. Calcium products and Multivitamins can also affect thyroid hormone if they are taken within 2 hours of thyroid medication.
Cruciferous vegetables ( goitrogens) such as cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower can affect thyroid function especially with people who have iodine deficiency. Gluten found in Rye, barely and wheat can also interfere with thyroid function. Excessive ingestion of high fiber food, high sugar intake, fatty foods and processed foods will negatively affect thyroid function especially in hypothyroid persons.
Everything should be consumed in moderation. Eating healthy diet with daily (regular) physical activity and maintaining ideal weight should improve thyroid health. A healthy person who consumes balanced foods with regular physical activity and who maintains ideal body weight, should not worry about all the above mentioned food, which may negatively affect the thyroid function.
A healthy life style should be beneficial for the thyroid to function optimally. These include: 1) Eating healthy balanced diet consisting of 50% vegetables, 30% whole grains, 10% fruits and 10% proteins with each meal. 2) At least an hour of moderate to vigorous daily physical activity. 3) Maintaining an ideal body weight (BMI between 18-24 kg/m2). 4) Supplementing enough multivitamins and iodine. 5) Good sleep and rest. 6) Avoidance of stress.
Eating healthy food with enough vitamins and minerals may help the thyroid gland to function better, especially for those with iodine deficiency.
Good Luck.
