Hyperthyroidism, also called hyperactive thyroid, is a condition in which your thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. Because thyroid hormone controls metabolism, hyperthyroidism can speed your metabolism and heart rate. You may need to consume extra calories due to your high metabolism. Although diet doesn't cause hyperthyroidism, you can help control the symptoms of a hyperactive thyroid with some dietary modifications. Because the treatment for hyperthyroidism can often slow your metabolism and cause hypothyroidism, you'll need to change your diet as you treat your condition.
Calories and Metabolism
Your metabolism controls the rate your body uses energy -- energy made from the calories you consume. If your metabolism speeds up, you use more energy. If you don't increase your caloric consumption you'll lose weight, a common side-effect of hyperthyroidism. The number of calories you need depends on several factors including age, gender, activity level and how much excess thyroid hormone your are producing. Do not add empty calories and junk food to your diet. Make nutrient-dense choices that provide essential vitamins and minerals. As you treat your hyperactive thyroid, your metabolism will slow, and you'll need to ensure you receive adequate nutrition with fewer calories.
Iodine
Iodine is needed to make thyroid hormone. In rare cases, excess iodine consumption can cause hyperthyroidism. When your thyroid is already producing too much thyroid hormone, you'll want to limit dietary sources of iodine, which iinclude egg yolks, seafood, fish, seaweed, sea salt and iodized salt. Avoid multivitamins and supplements that contain iodine. Once you treat your hyperactive thyroid, you may need to increase your iodine intake to avoid an iodine deficiency. The American Thyroid Association notes that the daily recommended intake for iodine for people who do not have hyperthyroidism is 150 micrograms per day and that a teaspoon of iodized salt contains 400 micrograms. Limiting your salt intake is an important tool to treat your hyperactive thyroid
Vitamin D and Calcium
Hyperthyroidism can lead to osteoporosis by contributing to thinning bones. To build bone strength, make sure you get at least 1,000 mg of calcium and 600 IU of vitamin D every day. Your calcium needs increase as you age. When women reach age 51, they need 1,200 mg of calcium daily and by age 71, both men and women need 1,200 mg of calcium, as well as 800 IU of vitamin D daily. It can be difficult to obtain vitamin D from food sources, although some dairy and grain products are fortified with this vitamin. The best natural sources of vitamin D are egg yolks, fatty fish, beef liver and fish liver oil. Dairy products are a good source of calcium, as are small fish eaten with their bones and soybeans.
Goitrogenic Foods
Goitrogens are chemical compounds that occur naturally in food and can affect your thyroid. They're called goitrogenic because they can enlarge the thyroid gland , causing a goiter to form. You don't need to totally eliminate goitrogenic foods from your diet, as sometimes heating deactivates the compounds -- like in the case of cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbages and Brussels sprouts. Foods made from soy also affect your thyroid, but fermenting the soy, which is done in products such as miso or tempeh, seems to deactivate the goitrogens. Eating a variety of healthy vegetables can help ensure that you don't eat too much of any single goitrogenic food.
References
- National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service; Hyperthyroidism; April 2008
- American Thyroid Association; Iodine Deficiency; 2008
- MayoClinic.com; Hyperthoidism -- Lifestyle and Home Remedies; December 2010
- Women to Women; Thyroid Health -- Goitrogens and Thyroid Health - The Good News; Marcelle Pick; May 2011;
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