Each individual is biochemically unique and it is important to understand their physiology beyond their symptoms and hormone levels. For treat hypothyroidismEvaluating the person with the condition implies observing not only their biological composition, but also their environment, their nutritional history, and even their social situation.
For example, the approach of switching to nutrient-dense foods and maintaining a healthy diet can improve thyroid function in many ways, and combined with eliminating highly processed foods that cause inflammation, it can make a world of difference.
Medicine must offer a comprehensive approach to looking for the root causes of any thyroid dysfunction and remedying that rather than simply treating the symptoms.
Taking a holistic view of the individual and developing a personalized healthcare solution is more likely to produce long-term results and improve the overall health of the patient.
5 ways to treat hypothyroidism comprehensively
treat hypothyroidism, often includes implementing diet and lifestyle changes, potentially along with supplements and medications. And of course, the most effective strategies for you will depend on the cause of your thyroid disorder. These are 5 ways that functional or integrative medicine can help you get to the root of your hypothyroidism without resorting to invasive measures.
Replacement thyroid hormone
Medication is usually necessary to correct hypothyroidism. In situations where they are effective, they do more good than harm and there are no non-drug alternatives with the same effect, then medication is chosen.
It’s important to take the correct thyroid hormone based on the cause of your hypothyroidism and address any other underlying issues that are contributing to the problem.
Now, thyroid medications alone won’t solve Hashimoto’s disease, gut dysbiosis, blood sugar problems, or any of the other underlying causes of this condition, and that’s where diet, lifestyle life and supplements can help.
Dietary interventions to treat hypothyroidism
There are several dietary changes you can make that can help your hypothyroidismWhat:
Totally avoid gluten: If you have Hashimoto’s disease, it is recommended to eliminate gluten from your diet. Unfortunately, there is no “safe amount” of gluten if you are sensitive to it.
Eat an anti-inflammatory diet: An anti-inflammatory diet can be very beneficial for anyone with Hashimoto’s disease (and it’s also a great diet for promoting a healthy gut). This diet is free of nutrient-poor foods like seed oils and refined sugar, as well as foods that can trigger an immune response like nightshades, eggs, dairy, grains, and legumes (to name a few).
Eat organic: Eating organic produce will help you avoid harmful toxins like pesticides and herbicides.
Get enough fermentable fiber: Eating foods rich in fermentable fiber can improve gut health. Try apples, citrus, carrots, onions, garlic, asparagus, and green plantain flour.
Reduce the consumption of goitrogenic foods and prepare them properly: Boiling and steaming can reduce the goitrogenic content of a food and, of course, reducing the consumption of these foods can decrease your harm.
Get enough iodine and selenium in your diet: Getting enough iodine and selenium in your diet is a great way to avoid supplementation. Seafood and iodized salt are good sources of iodine, while Brazil nuts are an excellent source of selenium.
Potentially avoiding a ketogenic diet: Very low-carb diets like the ketogenic diet can decrease thyroid function. This isn’t always the case for everyone, so if you have compelling reasons to go keto, a little experimentation may be in order.
Changes in lifestyle
Manage your stress: Finding relief from chronic stress can help alleviate any HPA axis dysfunction that’s causing your thyroid problems. Strategies like yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, and mindfulness can make a big difference.
Practice good sleep habits: Sleep is imperative to your overall health, as well as a prerequisite for a healthy gut. Try to get about eight hours of sleep each night, sit in a cool, dark room, and limit your exposure to artificial light.
Develop a sustainable exercise routine: Regular exercise is beneficial for gut health, blood sugar metabolism, and stress management, but it’s important to strike the right balance and not overtrain.
Get enough sun: Sun exposure has been shown to have a protective effect against autoimmune diseases.
Buy a high-quality water filter: Reverse osmosis filters can effectively remove thyroid-damaging toxins such as perchlorate, pesticides, PCBs, plastics, and a wide variety of heavy metals.
Limit the use of plastics: If possible, do not drink or store food in plastic containers. However, if you choose to use some plastic products, look for “BPA-free” options. But be aware that BPA-free products may still contain other bisphenol derivatives with possible thyroid-altering effects.
Replacing your nonstick cookware: Throw out your nonstick cookware and replace it with better options like enamel or stainless steel.
Supplementation
Finally, supplementation may be what you need to get your thyroid healthy again (and working with an integrative or functional doctor is recommended to ensure you’re getting the right balance of nutrients). You may need:
- Iodine and selenium, if you are significantly deficient and cannot get enough from your diet.
- Vitamin D, if you’re not getting adequate levels of sun exposure.
- Probiotics, which can help you heal your gut.
Get help for your hypothyroidism
The best way to cure yourself of hypothyroidism is to work with a Functional Medicine professional who is prepared to address the root cause of your condition. It’s crucial that you find someone who can identify what’s really causing your problem, as your treatment plan will vary depending on that.
And depending on that cause, your doctor may also recommend specific supplements and/or medications, as well as lifestyle changes, such as managing your stress levels.
This is where it helps to have a collaborative team of professionals who are dedicated to helping you relieve your hypothyroid symptoms or reverse the disease completely. Your care team might include:
- A doctor to order blood tests, prescribe treatment, and monitor your progress.
- A nutritionist to help you make changes to your diet, such as eliminating gluten, adopting an anti-inflammatory diet, or reducing your intake of goitrogens.
- A health coach to support you as you change your habits.
- A personal trainer to make sure your exercise routine provides the exercise you need without adding stress and worsening your thyroid condition.
- A mindfulness expert to help you learn how to stay present and manage your stress levels.