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Naturopathic Doctors for Thyroid Disease

Frustrated with being told “everything looks fine” with unexplained fatigue or weight gain? Thyroid dysfunction can be a key cause to your frustrating symptoms! We offer comprehensive thyroid testing and treatment options, including natural desiccated thyroid. We have many options for thyroid support and supply you with answers to this complex topic.

If you struggle with these concerns, Nourish has top naturopathic doctors that are experts in thyroid and hormone health.

Click HERE to watch Thyroid Talk with Dr. Stewart

How to Heal Your Thyroid with Food

The key to supporting your thyroid through diet is balance!

Food for Hypothyroid: LOW thyroid production

Hypothyroid is when the thyroid is under functioning and doesn’t produce enough thyroid  hormones. Because thyroid hormones regulate your metabolism and internal thermostat,  symptoms can include fatigue, sensitivity to cold, constipation, dry skin, and weight gain. Most  people with hypothyroid have Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune disease where the immune  system is working on overdrive.  

Autoimmunity and nutritional deficiencies can contribute to low thyroid function. Specific  nutrients needed for thyroid function include iodine, selenium, zinc, copper, vitamin A, vitamin  D, and iron. 

Food sources of key nutrients:

Selenium: 2-4 brazil nuts 

Zinc: red meat, oysters, crab, pork, baked beans, chicken, pumpkin seeds, yogurt,  cashew, chickpeas, swiss cheese 

Copper: chocolate, shellfish, nuts, seeds, soy (caution with hypothyroidism), avocado,  whole grains 

Vitamin A: beef liver, orange and yellow fruits and veggies, leafy greens

Vitamin D: mushrooms, sunshine!

Iron: meat, sardines, split peas, dark leafy veggies 

Iodine: sea vegetables such as kelp, wakame, nori, dulse (caution with autoimmune thyroid concerns)

Nutrition tips in Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis:

Caution with gluten and avoid other individualized food sensitivities

Avoid all food toxins: artificial sugar, flavor and dye

Limit sugar and seed oils

Eat anti-inflammatory foods:
  • 1 cup of deep purple, 1 cup of deep green and 1 cup of orange/red/yellow food daily
  • 1 cup green tea daily (if tolerated)
  • Cook with anti-inflammatory seasonings: ginger, garlic, fresh herbs, turmeric
  • Eat a serving of omega 3 foods daily: walnuts or oil, chia/hemp/flax/pumpkin seeds and oils, 1-3g omega 3 supplement, 3 ounces wild caught fish (salmon, small mackerel, sardines, fresh anchovies): 2 servings per week max (unlimited servings of sardines and anchovies)

Food for Hyperthyroid: EXCESSIVE thyroid production

Hyperthyroid is a condition caused when the thyroid overproduces thyroid hormones due  to an autoimmune disease (Graves), inflammation, or some other cause. Symptoms include  weight loss, anxiety, irritability, thinning hair, insomnia, and fatigue. There are two  cornerstones for using nutrition in this condition: reducing inflammation and suppressing excess thyroid hormone production.

Reduce inflammation:
  • Caution with gluten and avoid other individualized food sensitivities
  • Caution with iodine
  • Avoid all food toxins: artificial sugar, flavor and dye
  • Limit sugar and seed oils

Eat anti-inflammatory foods: 
  • 1 cup of deep purple, 1 cup of deep green and 1 cup of orange/red/yellow  food daily 
  • 1 cup green tea daily (if tolerated)

Cook with anti-inflammatory seasonings: ginger, garlic, fresh herbs, turmeric iv. Eat a serving of omega 3 foods daily: walnuts or oil, chia/hemp/flax/pumpkin  seeds and oils, 1-3g omega 3 supplement, 3 ounces wild caught fish (salmon,  small mackerel, sardines, fresh anchovies): 2 servings per week max  (unlimited servings of sardines and anchovies) 

Suppress thyroid hormone:
  • Include goitrogens: millet, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, turnips, kale,  cabbage
  • Consider herbal blends: Lycopus spp., Leonurus cardiaca, Selenicereus sp, Melissa officinalis

Additional Topics for Thyroid Balance

Because the thyroid is a complex organ that controls many processes in the body and can be  heavily affected by the foods you eat, it is important to consult your Naturopathic Doctor about  the best possible treatment plan for you as an individual. 

      Goitrogens

      A few well-known superfoods including soy, almonds and the broccoli family (kale,  cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli) contain substances known as goitrogens. When  eaten raw or in large amounts, goitrogens can interfere with thyroid hormone  production and can lead to a growth of the thyroid gland, known as goiter. For  those of you with hypothyroidism, you don’t have to strictly avoid these superfoods, but it is recommended to consume goitrogenic foods in moderation or  to cook them, because cooking inactivates the goitrogens in these foods. It is also  recommend to limit processed soy, especially soy protein isolate. If you are eating soy, be sure to consume it as an organic, whole food. This will give you the added  benefit of fiber. 

      Iodine

      Iodine is one of the building blocks of thyroid hormone. Our body requires just the  right amount of iodine for this purpose. Too little can result in hypothyroidism but  too much can disrupt the thyroid as well. Eating a diet high in processed food can lead to consuming too much iodine from iodized salt. This is especially important for people with elevated thyroid antibodies, as too much iodine can increase thyroid antibody production (autoimmunity). We recommend using sea salt when cooking at home. Sea vegetables are the main whole food source of iodine. If you’re not a fan of seaweed, we occasionally recommend taking about 150mcg of iodine daily as part of a mineral complex. If you take thyroid hormone medication, you are already receiving enough iodine and additional iodine supplementation is  usually not needed. 

      Trace Minerals

      Beyond iodine, the thyroid uses a number of other nutrients to produce thyroid  hormone. Copper, selenium, and zinc are also crucial players in the production and  regulation of thyroid hormones. We recommend consuming a diet rich in these nutrients and a daily mineral supplement for added support.  

      Food Allergies & Sensitivities

      Many thyroid issues are caused by autoimmunity. Studies have shown a connection  between autoimmune disease and leaky gut, a condition where food, toxins, bacteria and viruses can enter your bloodstream due to a damaged intestinal tract. Your Naturopathic Doctor can determine if you have food allergies and sensitivities using functional lab testing. If you do, avoiding these foods will help relieve stress on your immune system and can improve thyroid conditions.

      Are You Getting The Most Out Of Your Thyroid Medication?

      Stabilizing thyroid levels while also relieving symptoms can be challenging when dealing with  thyroid disease. It is very important to go to a doctor that is familiar with many treatment  options, especially if you are not achieving the results you are striving for.  

      How does the thyroid work?

      The thyroid gland is the master regulator of cellular metabolism. The release of thyroid  hormone is controlled by the brain, which releases TSH in response to increased need for  cellular metabolism. TSH calls to the thyroid gland to release T4 into the blood. T4 is converted  to T3, the active thyroid hormone, in the body tissues. This conversion is dependent on  adequate levels of nutrients and is suppressed by stress and inflammation. 

      What to take:

      The conventional medical treatment for hypothyroidism is taking a synthetic form of  thyroid hormone called levothyroxine. There are many brands of levothyroxine including Synthroid and Tirosint. This treatment might bring your TSH or  T4 levels into normal range, yet your symptoms may still linger. Clinical research is showing  that this line of treatment may not raise T3 levels enough to relieve symptoms. Many people  have a hard time converting this T4 to T3 (the active thyroid hormone) that occurs in the  liver, kidneys, brain, and other organs. If your body has trouble converting T4 to T3,  symptoms will persist.

      Synthetic T4 only medications work for many people and we often prescribe them. However, if you are frustrated and still  symptomatic, there are alternatives to synthetic T4 only medications.

      One of our favorite alternatives is Natural Desiccated Thyroid (NDT). NDT is a porcine derived  thyroid medication that contains the full range of thyroid hormones including T4, T3, T2 and  more. This provides broader support to your body. In fact, studies have shown that T2 has a  powerful effect on metabolism. Patients often report that switching to NDT relieves their most  stubborn symptoms. There are many brands of NDT including NP  Thyroid, Armour Thyroid, and Adthyza.

      When to take:

      When you take your medicine can also impact its effectiveness. It is recommended to take your  thyroid medication at least 30 min before food or 2 hours after food. Many people prefer to  take their medication with their morning routines. Others feel best taking it in the afternoon or  evening, just as long as it is 2 hours after food and 30 min before food.  

      One of the most important things to note is to not take your medication with anything that  could potentially bind to the thyroid hormone, making it ineffective. Minerals easily bind  thyroid hormones. For this reason, it is crucial to take thyroid hormone 4 hours away from  calcium, iron, or antacids. 

      Taking it at the same time as your morning cup of coffee with cream is not the best idea to  absorb the hormones at their fullest potency. The calcium in the cream could potentially  bind to the medication and make it seem as if you didn’t take it at all.  

      Dose to take:

      This is something that is variable with each and every person. Talk to your doctor about not only achieving lab results in the reference range but optimal range for most healthy individuals. It’s important to not take too much or too little thyroid hormone medication. It is recommended to test your thyroid labs every 6 weeks when adjusting your dosage and once stable, to monitor at least every 6 months to ensure your dosage is optimal

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      Thyroid, Adrenal & Hormone Balance Program

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      What you will get:
      • Over 25 Handouts and Articles
      • Printable Action Steps & Goal Planner
      • Self-Assessment Quiz and Log sheet
      • What Labs to Order with Sample Test Results
      • Key Supplements for Hormone Balancing
      • Video Interviews with our Nourish Programs Experts
      • Bonus Online Resources & Shopping Lists
      • Lifetime Access to the Online Program
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