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Diet Options for Hypothyroidism

If you have a normal functioning thyroid system, then you should consider yourself lucky as every day you can hear people blaming their weight gain and stress on their thyroid. Thyroid problems are becoming much more common these days, especially in women. If you are struggling with the problem, then you might be looking for the perfect hypothyroidism diet, which can help you reduce the risks associated with hypothyroidism.

Diet Options for Hypothyroidism
But before you proceed with the hypothyroidism diet, it is more than important to understand the problem and its causes so that you may get the best solution possible.

Talking about thyroid issues, the underactive thyroid gland is called hypothyroidism, which happens when you have reduced the level of thyroid hormone in your body. People who don’t know; when your thyroid gland stops making enough thyroxin ( which is very important for proper body functioning), you start facing health issues like weight gain, low energy level, depression and more. It is usually diagnosed with the blood tests. As many of you might are not aware of the symptoms of hypothyroidism, here are some of the major symptoms you should notice-

Symptoms of hypothyroidism
Depending on the age and medical history, hyperthyroidism develops slowly over a number of years. At first, it becomes hard to notice the symptoms, but once you start noticing them, you will get to know that there is something unusual in your body. When your metabolism gets slow, you may develop symptoms such as-

  • Sensitivity to cold
  • Dry and white skin
  • Fatigue
  • Low energy level
  • Weight gain
  • Memory loss and depression
  • Hair loss and irregular periods
  • Stiffness in the joints
  • Muscle and bone weakness
  • Causes and complications

Hypothyroidism usually results when your thyroid gland fails to produce enough thyroxin along with a number of reasons, such as:

  • Autoimmune Thyroiditis : The most common cause of having hypothyroid is the autoimmune disease. It occurs when your immune system gets low and produces antibodies that start attacking your own tissues. These attacks can increase the thyroid issues, especially in women.
  • Thyroid surgery or medications:  People who produce thyroid hormones too much are treated with thyroid medication or radioactive iodine, which sometimes can cause permanent hypothyroidism. Plus, a number of medicines can affect your thyroid glands.

Hypothyroidism diet and treatments
It is a condition, which can be treated by different treatments and medications, depending on the condition you have. When you go to a doctor, he will diagnose the symptom by checking your blood and then prescribe you medication or supplements.

If you follow a balanced hypothyroidism diet regularly, you can manage the problem of hypothyroidism easily. Here is how you can do it.

  • Hypothyroidism diet chart :  Firstly, consult a physician who can make a hypothyroidism diet chart according to his knowledge which includes weight loss as well as healthy food for low thyroid
  • More water and more fiber : D rinking more glasses of water is one of the steps towards reduced hypothyroidism. Along with this, foods that are good sources of fiber, such as nuts, vegetables, and whole grains should be included in the hypothyroidism diet  chart.
  • Vitamin D :  Fatty fish, dairy products, milk, mushrooms, and eggs are some foods that contain vitamin D, which is necessary especially after a thyroid treatment
  • Selenium :  Selenium is the most necessary component of enzymes integral to proper thyroid function it can affect your immune system and cognitive function. Get selenium-rich foods like tuna, Brazil nuts, and lobster for a proper amount of selenium.
  • Caffeine :  Caffeine-rich products like tea coffee and more aggravates the symptoms such as anxiety and depression so having some caffeine can help you fight against hyperthyroidism
  • Gluten : It is a specific protein, which can be found in wheat, barley, and multi-grain bread. People having hypothyroidism are recommended to eat such products so that they can handle the medications and treatments

Along with following a proper hypothyroidism diet, you can also do exercises under the supervision of professional trainers.

Not having a healthy diet may lead to major issues and complications which may include-

  • If you are going to deliver a baby with an untreated thyroid problem, then your child is at a risk of having birth defects or physical issues which need to prevented as soon as possible.
  • When you have a higher level of hypothyroidism, it produces an uncontrollable amount of hormones, where you may develop a bulge (goiter) in your neck.
  • As thyroid issues are responsible for your cholesterol level, you are always at a risk of heart strokes and heart attacks. You may suffer from mental issues like stress, depression, memory loss etc.
  • When hypothyroidism attacks women, it decreases the chances of conceiving and once it starts affecting your menstruation cycle, you will have to face some serious issues.

According to your report, your doctor may prescribe medicines that contain substitutes for T3 and T4 along with the iodine supplements to improve your condition initially.

If left unnoticed or untreated, the initial level of hyperthyroidism can lead to complications. If you do not want to struggle with heart issues and painful surgeries, then it is always better to find a professional who can help you live a healthy life in the best possible manner.

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