A new year is upon us, and despite the challenges we've had to face over the past several months, there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel. Now more than ever, people are looking for ways to optimize their health, and those with thyroid conditions are no exception.
Patients will often inquire about a "thyroid diet": dietary changes they can make, supplements they can take, or toxins they can avoid to treat or reverse their thyroid disease. How can I improve symptoms of hypothyroidism beyond traditional medical therapy? How can I lower serum thyroid autoantibody titers? How much of this food or supplement would be too much for my thyroid?
Truth be told, there is a lot of information out there that may sound compelling. However, the evidence is usually low quality and therefore is less than ideal as a basis for clinical recommendations. Here, we will discuss the most popular nutritional topics related to thyroid disease.
Iodine
Thyroid hormone production requires adequate levels of circulating iodide taken in through the diet or in supplements. Insufficient iodine places an individual at risk of developing or worsening hypothyroidism. The Institute of Medicine of the National Academies recommends that adults take in 150 µg of iodine per day, whereas pregnant and lactating women are advised higher amounts (220 µg/d and 290 µg/d, respectively).
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COMMENTARY
'Thyroid Diet': What's the Evidence?
Angela M. Leung, MD, MSc; Gonzalo J. Acosta, MD
DisclosuresDecember 31, 2020
Editorial Collaboration
Medscape &
A new year is upon us, and despite the challenges we've had to face over the past several months, there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel. Now more than ever, people are looking for ways to optimize their health, and those with thyroid conditions are no exception.
Patients will often inquire about a "thyroid diet": dietary changes they can make, supplements they can take, or toxins they can avoid to treat or reverse their thyroid disease. How can I improve symptoms of hypothyroidism beyond traditional medical therapy? How can I lower serum thyroid autoantibody titers? How much of this food or supplement would be too much for my thyroid?
Truth be told, there is a lot of information out there that may sound compelling. However, the evidence is usually low quality and therefore is less than ideal as a basis for clinical recommendations. Here, we will discuss the most popular nutritional topics related to thyroid disease.
Iodine
Thyroid hormone production requires adequate levels of circulating iodide taken in through the diet or in supplements. Insufficient iodine places an individual at risk of developing or worsening hypothyroidism. The Institute of Medicine of the National Academies recommends that adults take in 150 µg of iodine per day, whereas pregnant and lactating women are advised higher amounts (220 µg/d and 290 µg/d, respectively).
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Cite this: 'Thyroid Diet': What's the Evidence? - Medscape - Dec 31, 2020.
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Authors and Disclosures
Authors and Disclosures
Authors
Angela M, Leung, MD, MSc,
Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine; VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California
Disclosure: Angela M. Leung, MD, MSc, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:
Serve(d) on the Board of Directors for: American Thyroid Association
Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: American Thyroid Association
Gonzalo J. Acosta, MD
Fellow, Department of Endocrinology, UCLA Health, Los Angeles, California
Disclosure: Gonzalo J. Acosta, MD, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.