Healthy Food Choices for an Underactive Thyroid

Video Transcript

MARY HONDROS: What happens in a condition like underactive thyroid is that your thyroid gland, located in your neck, is not producing enough hormones like thyroxin. So some of the symptoms of an underactive thyroid would be always being extremely cold, even in hot weather, fatigue, muscle soreness and weight gain, and thinning of your hair and things like that, because those thyroid hormones are lacking in your body. It typically occurs in older adults, especially women, but it can occur in people of any age. There's a test for your thyroid that test the function of it and lets you know how good or how bad your levels are. If you do have underactive thyroid, you might have to take thyroxin, a form of thyroid hormone everyday for the rest of your life. Some of the causes of underactive thyroid can be iodine deficiency. And iodine is a mineral that's usually found in salt, if they add the salt. And especially in America, you probably won't find salt that is not iodized. And then it can also be caused from non nutritional ways like auto-immune disease or surgery or something like that. So 4 tips, if you do have underactive thyroid and you're trying to control your condition: number 1, make sure that the salt you're consuming is iodized. Again, this shouldn't be a problem in the United States because all forms of salt are usually iodized. Secondly, remember that you're probably going to be more prone to gaining weight because those thyroid hormones are not high enough, so keep in mind that you need to consume a balanced diet. You might need to meet with a doctor or dietician to discuss--your calorie needs have changed and how you can reduce your weight gain with this condition. Thirdly, remember to consume 3 balanced meals throughout the day plus 2 snacks or 5 small meals to keep your energy level steady as fatigue is one of the symptoms of low thyroid. And lastly, remember to take all your medication as prescribed unless otherwise told by your doctor. And those are 4 tips on controlling your thyroid condition.