Dos and Don’ts for Thyroid Patients

Thyroid disease is a general term for a medical condition that keeps your thyroid from making the right number of hormones. Your thyroid typically makes hormones that keep your body functioning normally.

When the thyroid makes too much thyroid hormone, your body uses energy too quickly. This is called hyperthyroidism. Using energy too quickly will do more than make you tired — it can make your heart beat faster, cause you to lose weight without trying and even make you feel nervous.

On the flip-side of this, your thyroid can make too little thyroid hormone. This is called hypothyroidism. When you have too little thyroid hormone in your body, it can make you feel tired, you might gain weight and you may even be unable to tolerate cold temperatures.

Also Read: 7 Important Things About Thyroid Cancer

Dos

             1. Medication and Your Food

The foods you eat can affect your thyroid medicine. They can slow down how your body absorbs medicine. Take medicine on an empty stomach, preferably in the morning. Iron and calcium can interact with your thyroid medicine and keep it from working. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about timing your food and other meds around your thyroid treatment. 

2. Water Intake

 Many people are not aware of the fact that the quality of water also has an impact on thyroid health. Water from different sources has contaminants that have an adverse effect on your thyroid health. Drink spring or distilled water, stay away from tap, alkaline and well water.

     3. Monitor Thyroid Levels

If you have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer you need to make sure that you have a discussion with your healthcare provider and set up regular checkups. Your doctor will check your thyroid levels through a blood simple blood test.

Don’ts

             1. Alcohol and Tobacco

Alcohol consumption can wreak havoc on both thyroid hormone levels in the body and the ability of the thyroid to produce hormone. Tobacco blocks the synthesis and iodide ratio of hormones.

2.  Sugar

You must always avoid foods that have a high glycemic index like white bread, muffins, corn, cakes and refined flour. These foods boost the glucose content in your body that is eventually converted into fat.

3. Caffeine

Caffeine in coffee, tea, and other caffeinated beverages decreases the absorption of levothyroxine by causing the drug to move too quickly through the intestines before it has the chance to be absorbed. 

One thing that you must never do at any cost is self-medication. It is necessary that you get in touch with your healthcare provider and get a detailed prescription before deciding on your own treatment.

You must never miss out on a sufficient amount of sleep and not stress too much about anything as it can result in overeating. Avoid your intake of processed food and consume iodine if you are trying to lose weight. 

For more information and guidance, you can always get in touch with our specialists at ENT Specialty Group.

Related Topics:  Thyroid Cancer: Risks & Causes