The 411: Hypothyroidism

In recent years, Oprah has publicly discussed her struggle with weight loss coupled with the news that she has the autoimmune disorder, hypothyroidism. Coincidentally, in January of this year, I was diagnosed with the very same condition. Some experts estimate that as many as 59 million Americans have thyroid conditions. Most are women, and most are undiagnosed.

Let’s talk facts:
The thyroid gland is a small gland, normally weighing less than one ounce, located in the front of the neck. The main function of the thyroid, though extremely simplified, is to regulate metabolism. What’s metabolism you ask? In essence, it’s the rate at which you use energy and burn calories.

One of the most common thyroid conditions today is, hypothyroidism, the condition where the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough of the hormones needed to regulate metabolism at its normal rate. If left untreated it can cause symptoms of weight gain, joint pain, infertility and heart disease.

In the United States, the most common cause is Hashimoto's thyroiditis (this is what I have). It causes the body’s immune system to attack thyroid tissue and as a result, the gland can't make enough thyroid hormone. In the book, Master Your Metabolism, author Jillian Michaels discusses this condition in depth and mentions the growing concern that a significant amount of hypothyroidism is actually “being caused by environmental pollution and the release of pesticide buildup from our fatty tissues.”

Doctors usually prescribe thyroid hormone replacement pills to treat hypothyroidism. Most people start to feel better within a week or two. For most, symptoms will probably go away within a few months though you will likely need to take the pills for the rest of your life.

In my experience with hypothyroidism, I began to feel noticeably better after taking the medication after a month or two, but maintaining my weight has become challenging. In my younger years, and I’m talking about 2-3 years ago, I never worried about the food I put in my body because I knew I’d burn it off easily. Now, I work out approximately 8+ hours/wk and have to pay close attention to what I’m eating. There are actually certain foods you should try to avoid due to their natural ability to inhibit normal thyroid function: broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, lima beans, sweet potatoes, strawberries, apricots, cherries, peaches, pears, almonds, peanuts, walnuts, soybean and soy products, tofu and spinach.

If you suspect you have a thyroid condition, please consult with your physician or a local endocrinologist to get tested.