Thyroid Diseases and Treatment

Hypothyroidism

When you’re suffering from hypothyroidism, it's not the same as other illnesses. You have to plan everything from the time of medication to what food and supplements you need to take, as well as when to take them. Even a cup of coffee or tea can change the effect of the medicine.

What is Hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid gland, causes weight gain, lethargy, cold intolerance, hair loss, constipation, low sex drive, infertility, as well as cognitive issues related to concentration, speech, memory—especially executive functions such as planning, impulse-control, and decision-making.
The thyroid gland secretes thyroxine and gives us energy. When it doesn't produce enough thyroxine, you need to take it orally. Thyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach in the morning. Do not take it with caffeine. Do not take Iron or Calcium supplements with thyroid medicine—antibiotics either. Take them 3 – 4 hours apart. Take thyroxine tablets about an hour before your morning cup of coffee or tea (tea contains caffeine too).
Cruciferous vegetables contain goitrogens, which can hinder the thyroid gland’s functioning. Eat them cooked but in moderation. Cooking partly destroys goitrogens. Soy contains goitrogens too.

Risks

Uncontrolled hypothyroidism can cause cholesterol issues, Diabetes, heart disorders, osteoporosis, rheumatic problems, fibromyalgia, frozen shoulder, memory loss, as well as brain fog. The common treatment for hypothyroidism is Levothyroxine. The less-used treatment is natural desiccated thyroid treatment. They are called armour thyroid and nature thyroid.
If unable to follow the said instructions in the morning, take thyroid medicine before bed. Make sure to have your dinner 3 – 4 hours prior to bedtime. It not only helps with the thyroid medicine but digestion and overall health as well. For thyroid patients who would like to know what goitrogenic foods are, I will add the list below. It’s as follows:

• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Brussels sprouts
• Broccoli
• Collard greens
• Mustard greens
• Kohlrabi
• Arugula
• Bokchoy
• Broccoli rabe
• Broccolini
• Horseradish
• Radish
• Red cabbage
• Turnips
• Turnip greens
• Watercress
• Swiss chard
• Spinach
• Pine nuts
• Sweet potatoes
• Peanuts
• Soy products (soy milk, soybean, miso, soy protein, soy powder)
• Tofu
• Tempeh
• Berries
• Red wine
• Green tea
• Black tea
• Oolong tea
• Strawberries
• Bamboo shoots
• Millet
• Corn

Meanwhile, the foods suitable to consume are:

• Grass-fed beef
• Free range chicken
• Salmon
• Eggs
• Apples
• Seaweed
• Brazil nuts (in moderation as it contains a high amount of Selenium)
• Brown rice
• Turmeric
• Veggies
• Whole Grain
• Legumes

Counter-attack

Thyroid conditions are genetic, which means if your mother has a thyroid condition, there is a chance you may have it as well. Furthermore, your daughter, granddaughter or niece could get it too. It's not a done deal, but a possibility.
Eat less and exercise as often as possible. When you have hypothyroidism, you can eat less than a person with no thyroid conditions and still gain weight. Cut down on carbs, sugars, and processed foods. Eat more veggies and fruits, and drink lots of water. Soda contains a lot of sugar. Drink alcohol in moderation and quit smoking.

Interactions with Other Drugs

If you are suffering from hypothyroidism and are on the pill or on hormone-replacement therapy to prevent pregnancy, the estrogen in it can affect the thyroxine levels in your blood, causing you to feel symptoms such as fatigue and weight gain. But don't stop either medicine; just talk to your doctor and get the dosage of your thyroxine medicine changed. You could also talk to your doctor about an estrogen-free birth control method as there are several such methods. They are as follows:

• The mini pill
• Contraceptive patch
• Contraceptive Gel
• Vaginal tablets
• Vaginal inserts

If you suffer from hypothyroidism and have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and are talking Lithium to treat it, the tablets maybe affect the thyroid function. However, if you don’t have the disease but are on Lithium for the disorder, there’s a chance you may get hypothyroidism. But do not stop the medicine without discussing it with your doctor first. Lithium may cause goitres (enlarged thyroid gland) and hyperthyroidism. If you haven't been diagnosed with hypothyroidism but have the symptoms, discuss it with your doctor and ask to be tested for hypothyroidism. If your doctor turns you down, go to another one.

Hyperthyroidism

Furthermore, if you are suffering from hyperthyroidism or believe that you are, hyperthyroidism is when you have an overactive thyroid gland. Here, your thyroid gland works faster than necessary and in turn, makes too much thyroxine. This results in high metabolism, which causes weight loss and an increased appetite.

Symptoms & Treatment

Hyperthyroidism causes rapid heartbeat, thinning hair, unusually warm and smooth skin, heat intolerance, anxiety, irritability, muscle weakness, shortness of breath, digestive disorders, goitres, as well as cognitive problems such as impaired vision, judgement, memory, communication, poor concentration, and slower reactions.
Treatment for hyperthyroidism is as follows:

• Antithyroid medications paired with beta-blockers to lower heart rate and reduce feelings of anxiety
• Radioactive treatment
• Removal of a part of the thyroid gland

The type of treatment varies for each person. With treatment, some patients go into remission, but most have to continue thyroid treatment for the rest of their lives.
Not treated, hyperthyroidism can lead to high blood pressure, heart attacks or strokes. With proper treatment, cognitive functions will get back to normal.

Food not suitable for hyperthyroidism:

• Dairy products
• Chemical food additives
• Sugar
• Caffeine
• Refined carbohydrates
• Food good for hyperthyroidism:
• Cruciferous vegetables, raw or lightly cooked
• Whole grain millet
• Almonds (has calcium, helps prevent osteoporosis)
• Parsley
• Turnip
• Flaxseed
• Lemon balm
• Brown rice
• Quinoa
• Buck weed

To sum it all, take the medicine as prescribed, eat right, and talk to your doctor about any over-the-counter medications you are taking or any other health issues or concerns.