SLN makes it easy and affordable for weight loss surgery patients to achieve sustainable weight loss.
95% of Sarah Lynn Nutrition patients pay $0 out of pocket!
Sarah Lynn Nutrition accepts hundreds of insurance plans nationwide
Thyroid disorders are conditions that affect your thyroid gland. Your metabolism, appetite, weight, growth, development, heart, muscle, and cognitive function can all be affected when your thyroid gland is not functioning properly. Medical nutrition therapy can help you manage your thyroid condition by supporting thyroid function, managing symptoms, and ensuring you are consuming the appropriate nutrients you need for optimal health.
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ that produces hormones such as T4, T3, and calcitonin. These hormones regulate metabolism, energy production, growth, and development. Calcitonin helps deposit calcium into the bones.
The pituitary gland directly affects the thyroid gland. It is located in the brain and produces a hormone called thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). This hormone stimulates the thyroid to produce T4 and T3. Your doctor may provide patient care by measuring TSH levels to test thyroid function. If the thyroid gland is dysregulated, the pituitary gland will overcompensate by producing more or less TSH.
Some thyroid disorders are autoimmune. Autoimmune thyroid disease occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks or overstimulates the thyroid gland. The most common forms of autoimmune thyroid disorders are chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and Graves’ disease. Not all thyroid disorders are autoimmune. Non-autoimmune thyroid disorders can be caused by iodine deficiency, thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer.
Yes, a qualified registered dietitian nutritionist can help you manage your thyroid concerns by assessing your diet and suggesting nutritional interventions to help improve or manage your thyroid health. Each thyroid condition case is unique. Having a dietitian assess your situation can be valuable because your dietitian can help you develop a plan that is unique to your medical conditions, concerns, and lifestyle.
Registered Dietitian Nutritionists can provide support through nutritional interventions. Some interventions may include creating custom meal plans, balancing nutrient intake, providing weight management strategies, addressing food allergies or intolerances, monitoring how food interacts with medication, and providing emotional support through lifestyle changes that may come with your condition.
Registered Dietitian Nutritionists are trained and experienced in creating personalized nutrition plans tailored to your unique needs and situation. A dietitian will assess your symptoms, medical history, and nutrient needs and develop recommendations based on their findings.
Achieving the right balance of nutrients is crucial for managing thyroid conditions. A diet deficient in certain nutrients, such as iodine, can contribute to thyroid issues. The Recommended Dietary Allowance for iodine for those over 19 years old is 150 mcg per day. Getting enough iodine in your diet is generally easy due to the USA Iodine Deficiency Control Act of 1924, which mandates the iodization of salt. However, those who consume a low-sodium diet or use only non-iodized salt, such as Himalayan salt, may be at risk for iodine deficiency and subsequent thyroid disorders. Additionally, things like consuming raw cruciferous veggies in your diet can inhibit the absorption of iodine. A dietitian can assess your diet to rule out iodine deficiency as a cause of your thyroid issues.
Similarly, a selenium, zinc, or iron deficiency can affect thyroid function. A dietitian can evaluate your eating habits and determine if inadequate intake of these nutrients is a source of your thyroid condition. A dietitian may recommend a dietary supplement, or they may educate you about the beneficial effects of consuming adequate amounts of those nutrients. They can also monitor if you get enough macronutrients and calories to support optimal thyroid function.
Weight changes can occur if you have thyroid disease. According to the American Thyroid Association, “Once hypothyroidism has been treated and thyroid levels are normal, the ability to gain or lose weight is the same as in patients who do not have thyroid problems.” Once your thyroid condition has been regulated, a dietitian can help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight and improve overall health.
Food allergies or sensitivites can lead to inflammation in the body, which can subsequently exacerbate symptoms. For example, those with multiple health conditions, such as thyroid disease and celiac disease, need to avoid allergens to reduce the risk of worsening their thyroid condition. Inflammation can also decrease nutrient absorption and can increase the risk of deficiencies. A dietitian can provide nutritional guidance and identify those triggers through careful assessment. Once identified, the dietitian can guide you in eliminating or reducing these problematic foods from your diet, with the goal of symptom improvement and a better quality of life.
Thyroid medications may interact with food. A common medicine used to treat thyroid conditions is levothyroxine. This prescribed medication needs to be taken on an empty stomach. A dietitian can provide nutrition education regarding food-drug interactions, review your medicines together, and help you come up with a personalized plan to manage your thyroid health and overall health.
Stress can exacerbate thyroid issues because it can increase cortisol levels, which interfere with the function of thyroid hormones. Stress can also trigger autoimmune responses such as autoimmune thyroid disorders, can increase inflammation, and can lead to behavior change, causing unhealthy food intake. Dietitians can work with you to develop stress management techniques and calm your nervous system. They can also provide emotional support and motivation to help you adhere to your nutrition plan and achieve and maintain a balanced diet.
Overall, thyroid disorders can affect metabolism, appetite, growth, development, heart function, muscle function, and cognitive function. They can also cause unintentional weight changes. Nutrition plays a crucial role in managing your thyroid disorder. A registered dietitian nutritionist can work with you to provide support through nutritional interventions. They can develop meal plans, evaluate your nutrient intake, provide weight management strategies, assess your diet for allergens or intolerances, monitor food medicine interactions, and provide emotional support for lifestyle change. If you struggle with thyroid disorders, consider seeing a dietitian to help you better manage your thyroid conditions and increase your quality of life. Personalized nutrition support can empower you to make informed choices, optimize your thyroid function, achieve healthy eating habits, and improve your overall health.
American Thyroid Association. (n.d.). Thyroid and weight. Retrieved from https://www.thyroid.org/wp-content/uploads/patients/brochures/Thyroid_and_Weight.pdf
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (2020, October 28). Thyroid health 101. Eatright.org. Retrieved from https://www.eatright.org/health/health-conditions/endocrine-disorders/thyroid-health-101
Offices currently located in Syracuse, Buffalo, Albany, and Rochester, NY, but we see patients all across the country.
Resources
Follow Us