When you suffer from an underactive thyroid, your body doesn't produce the appropriate amount of the hormones thyroxine or triiodothyronine, resulting in a condition known as hypothyroidism. While there is some belief that you should avoid certain foods when living with this condition, there really isn't any evidence that dietary changes can improve your condition. However, there is some potential that certain foods may compromise the efficacy of those drugs used to treat an underactive thyroid.
Fiber
Though foods rich in fiber can safely be eaten with an underactive thyroid, the more fiber you have in your diet could eventually take a toll on the absorption rate of a synthetic hormone like levothyroxine, according to the Mayo Clinic. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains--all important building blocks to a healthy diet--are all rich in fiber, so talk to your doctor about how much is too much fiber for you.
Walnuts
Another food that may actually affect the way in which supplemental hormones are absorbed into the body is walnuts. When your doctor prescribes levothyroxine, which is a synthetic thyroid hormone commonly used in the treatment of hypothyroidism, you should avoid eating this particular nut, especially right around the time of ingestion. It could affect the absorption rate of the medication, dampening its effect on your body, according to the Mayo Clinic. This may cause you to continue to experience symptoms of the underactive thyroid, such as fatigue, muscle aches, joint pain, weakness, menstrual irregularities and even depression.
Soy
Much like fiber and walnuts, there's also some potential that certain soy products, namely those made with soybean flour, could affect the absorption of synthetic hormones. A study by the Department of Pediatrics at Northwestern University on the effects of soy on congenital hypothyroidism in infants indicated that higher doses of synthetic hormones may be necessary to reach the appropriate function of the thyroid when soy is included in the diet.
Cottonseed
While not may products on the market contain flour or meal derived from cottonseed, this is another product that could have an adverse effect on synthetic hormones, according to the Mayo Clinic. It may be found in certain food supplements and breads, so make sure to read food labels before eating something you suspect has cottonseed flour.
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