HYPOTHYROIDISM AND DIET

Hypothyroidism means your thyroid gland cannot produce the normal amount of thyroid hormone. Your thyroid gland is under active. The thyroid gland is located in the lower, front of the neck. Hypothyroidism is more common in women than men. Babies can be born with hypothyroidism.

Symptoms

In adults, hypothyroidism can cause the following symptoms:

• Lack of energy Or Tiredness
• Constipation
• Abnormal sensitivity to cold temperatures
• Muscle cramps and stiffness
• Weight gain 
• Dry skin and hair
• Hair loss
• Hoarseness or husky voice
• Slowed heart rate
• Depression

In babies born with hypothyroidism, there may be a hoarse cry, slow growth, unusual sleepiness, constipation and feeding problems. If hypothyroidism is not treated, the child may be unusually short and have dry skin, thin hair, an unusual facial appearance, a protruding abdomen, delayed eruption of teeth and problems with mental development. When hypothyroidism occurs in an older child, it may delay puberty and cause other symptoms similar to those seen in adults.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will examine you and palpate the thyroid gland to check for enlargement. Doctor may also look out or ask about the clinical symptoms of hypothyroidism.Your doctor will diagnose hypothyroidism based on the results of blood tests for levels of thyroid hormones and serum TSH. The TSH test is the most sensitive test for hypothyroidism caused by problem with the thyroid gland. The doctor also may order blood tests for cholesterol and other blood components, which are often abnormal in people with hypothyroidism.

Expected Duration

In people with short-term hypothyroidism caused by certain types of thyroid inflammation or viral thyroid infections, levels of thyroid hormones often return to normal after several months. In other people with hypothyroidism, the disorder is a lifelong problem.

Prevention

The thyroid needs iodine (in tiny amounts) to make thyroid hormone. Today, so many foods contain iodine that hypothyroidism secondary to iodine deficiency has become extremely rare. However, ingesting extra iodine does not prevent hypothyroidism. So in reality, there is no way to prevent hypothyroidism.

Dietary Treatment

Management is mainly done with the thyroid medications prescribed by the doctor.  

The key nutrients in diet that need to be focused are iodine, selenium and zinc. Zinc and selenium activates the thyroid hormones and also have antioxidant properties. However it is not recommended to take supplements of any of these minerals as that can be harmful. Try to include these through healthy diet only.

The nutrients that should be taken in moderation are cruciferous vegetables and soya or soya based products. These have goitrogens which can disrupt the normal functioning of thyroid.  Millets and peanuts also should be avoided because of the same reason.