What Foods Should Be Avoided with Hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism is an endocrine disorder that means a person has an underactive thyroid that does not produce enough thyroid hormone. While there is no specific diet for hypothyroidism, certain foods can be avoided to help people feel better, such as soy foods, foods that contain gluten, coffee, grapefruit juice, highly processed foods, foods high in sugar, and others.

Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is an endocrine disorder that occurs when a person produces insufficient amounts of thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland in the neck makes thyroid hormone that controls how the body uses and stores energy. 

Autoimmune thyroid disease (called Hashimoto’s disease or Hashimoto's thyroiditis) is a form of hypothyroidism. Myxedema coma is a severe form of hypothyroidism.

The opposite of hypothyroidism is hyperthyroidism, a condition in which the body produces too much thyroid hormone.

There is no specific one-size-fits-all diet for people who have hypothyroidism. There are some foods that might be avoided to help patients feel their best, including: 

• Plant estrogens (phytoestrogens) such as soy foods 
  • Phytoestrogens may inhibit the activity of enzymes that help in the production of thyroid hormones
  • Phytoestrogens may block iodine uptake and interfere with the absorption of thyroid medication 
  • Soy foods to avoid include tofu, soy milk, and soy sauce
• Goitrogens, which are foods that may inhibit the function of the thyroid gland
  • In people whose diets contain adequate iodine, these foods may be consumed safely in limited amounts, particularly if cooked
  • Limit cruciferous vegetables such as bok choy, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, collard greens
  • Limit fruits such as peaches, pears, plums, raspberries, and strawberries
• Avoid or limit added sugars, highly processed foods, and foods high in saturated fats
  • This is especially important for people who have Hashimoto's thyroiditis
  • These foods may increase cholesterol 
  • People who have Hashimoto's have an increased risk of developing diabetes, obesity, or heart disease
• Foods that contain gluten
  • There is an association between celiac disease, a disease in which people are intolerant of gluten, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis
  • A gluten-free diet might benefit some patients who have Hashimoto’s
• Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice, coffee, foods that contain soy or cottonseed meal, walnuts, or dietary fibers for at least four hours after taking hormone replacement medication, such as levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Levothroid, Unithyroid) as these foods may impact how the body absorbs the medication or decrease its potency
  • Foods high in fiber, high in calcium, or high in iron may lower the effective dosage of thyroid medication when eaten within four to five hours of taking thyroid medication

As for what to eat, some research suggests that plant-based diets are good options for people who have thyroid disorders.