There is no specifichyperthyroidismdiet.
B vitamins,selenium, and iron are just a few of them.
Adopting a hyperthyroidism diet is important for keeping yoursymptoms under controland limiting potentially harmful medication interactions.
Verywell / Mayya Agapova
This article discusses the dos and don’ts of a hyperthyroidism diet.
It explains what to eat to improve thyroid health along with the foods to avoid.
Other micronutrients, including zinc, copper, and iron, are essential for healthy thyroid function.
Foods to Eat for Hyperthyroidism
Several nutrients are vital for optimal thyroid health.
Iron
When your thyroid hormone levels are too high, your body cannot metabolize iron normally.
For some people, this can result iniron deficiencyor anemia.
Iron deficiency due to hyperthyroidism typically goes away with hyperthyroidism treatment.
Otherwise, you should aim to consume the RDA for iron.
This puts people with hyperthyroidism at an increased risk for thiamine deficiency.
You may need to stop taking it for three to five days before thyroid testing to avoid false results.
Selenium
The thyroid contains more selenium per gram of tissue than any other organ in the body.
On top of that, selenium is largely responsible for regulating thyroid hormone levels.
Research shows that selenium deficiency is associated withGraves' diseasethe number one cause of hyperthyroidism in adults.
Let your healthcare provider determine if you need a selenium supplement.
Eating Brazil nuts regularly can lead to selenium toxicity.
Signs of selenium toxicity include stomach and breathing problems, hair loss, tremors, and lightheadedness.
In rare cases, selenium toxicity can be life-threatening.
The RDA for selenium is 400 mcg for both males and females ages 19 years and above.
That equates to about four brazil nuts per day.
The RDA for zinc is 11 mg for men and 8 mg for women ages 19 and above.
Copper
Another trace element with an important role in thyroid hormone production and absorption iscopper.
In addition to regulating thyroid function, copper helps control calcium levels in the blood.
Furthermore, several studies have found that vitamin D3 supplementation alone may prevent thyroid disease and thyroid cancer.
The RDA for vitamin D is 15 mcg for adults ages 19 and above.
The best way to supplement your diet with antioxidants is to eat plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables.
Play it safe by consulting with your healthcare provider before making major changes to your diet.
Iodine
One such nutrient that should be avoided in excess is iodine.
Although iodine plays a major role in thyroid hormone regulation, excessive amounts of it can actually cause hypothyroidism.
Never take iodine supplements without your healthcare provider’s approval.
Iodine supplementation is only needed if you have an iodine deficiencysomething that is rare in developed countries.
Foods with iodine include:
Egg yolks are higher in iodine than egg whites.
Choosing just the whites will help you keep your total iodine intake down if recommended.
Allergenic Foods
Food allergiescan worsen the symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
When consumed raw and in high volume,goitrogenic compoundsin these vegetables may interfere with thyroid function.
Cooking cruciferous vegetables and consuming them in moderation helps avoid potential problems with hyperthyroidism.
This includes candy, molasses, cakes and pastries, syrups, soft drinks, and other sugar-sweetened drinks.
In many cases, nutrient deficiencies can be corrected by adding particular foods to your diet.
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