Healdsburg Press - Thyroid Diet Plan: How to Lose Weight, Increase Energy, and Manage Thyroid Symptoms

Copyright 2013 by Healdsburg Press, Berkeley, California

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ISBN: Print 978-0-9895586-1-7

I f you are one of the 59 million Americans who suffer from some form of thyroid disease, or have a family history of thyroid problems, you may be at risk for obesity, heart disease, anxiety, depression, hair loss, and sexual dysfunction. Fortunately, the good news is that a smart diet, in combination with exercise and hormonal treatment, can help you manage these symptoms. (Be sure to consult with your physician about a course of treatment appropriate for your condition.)

This book will help you understand whats going on in your body and how to recognize the common symptoms, as well as how to improve your overall well-being with sensible exercise and delicious, healthful eating. Included here are more than 100 recipes and a 30-day meal plan to get you started on the road to better health.

Once you have the information you need to start eating right, you can take charge of your dietand soon youll be on your way to feeling more energetic, less anxious, and less depressed. Its the smart, healthy thing to do!

Signs of a thyroid condition vary from person to person and can sometimes mimic other diseases, which is one reason why thyroid disorders often remain undiagnosed. If you are experiencing symptoms that are affecting your quality of life, your physician can run some simple tests to determine whether you have a thyroid disorder. (Information about testing and what to expect can be found in .) This chapter will focus on the function of your thyroid and the symptoms associated with the two most common disorders, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.

The thyroid is a large endocrine gland found in the neck, behind the thyroid cartilage, or Adams apple. The thyroid gland has several functions, which include regulating energy use (metabolism), making proteins, and controlling the bodys reaction to other hormones.

The thyroid produces hormones that regulate the rate of metabolism and affect many other systems in your body. Hormones are among the bodys messengers, signaling to the cells to perform various functions. Sending messages via hormones is one way that the body maintains homeostasis, or balance.

The thyroid glands release of hormones is regulated by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which in turn is regulated by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), a hormone produced in the hypothalamus. Many things can go wrong and disrupt this so-called feedback loop, and these events often result in hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. (Hypo- is a prefix meaning less than normal, and hyper- means greater than normal, so hypothyroidism refers to a case of a weak thyroid, whereas hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland becomes overactive.)

Hypothyroidism is characterized by low levels of circulating thyroid hormones and can take several forms. Primary hypothyroidism is caused by disease of the thyroid itself. The most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimotos disease, in which the bodys autoimmune system attacks the thyroid gland. Women are at greater risk of developing Hashimotos disease than men, particularly as they age. Primary hypothyroidism is also sometimes associated with other endocrine (hormonal) disorders, such as Addisons disease.

Secondary hypothyroidism refers to a problem with the feedback loop that regulates the release of thyroid hormones. Usually the problem is a deficiency of TSH, and it results from a disease of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus.

Iatrogenic hypothyroidism may result from removal of the thyroid gland or treatment with radioactive iodine. And if you are pregnant, you may be at risk for postpartum hypothyroidism, which is temporary.

If you answer yes to three or more of the following questions, you may be experiencing symptoms of hypothyroidism:

1. Have you been feeling unusually lethargic or fatigued despite getting enough sleep?