Hypothyroidism Diets

I have Papillary Carcinoma, and I'm scheduled for a total Thyroidectomy on Thur, Nov 5th.

I read that after surgery, you become Hypothyroid.  This is of great concern to me because I have gained so much weight over the past 6 months, not to mention the hair loss that I've experienced.

I'm currently unemployed and need to start searching for work shortly after surgery, and my work clothes no longer fit, so I decided to research diets for Hypothyroidism.

It's amazing!  It seems that every site I go to for recommendations on following a Hypothyroid diet only gives me a very HIGH-LEVEL overview of what I SHOULD EAT such as Veggies, Fruits, Grains, Lean Meats, Fish and Poultry. It never breaks down in detail specific Veggies, Fruits or Grains that are allowed.

Yet, when I look at the list of foods that I CANNOT EAT, it completely wipes out all the Veggies, Fruits and Grains that I enjoy such as Broccoli, Spinach, Strawberries, etc.

This is so FRUSTRATING!

Does anyone know of a website that gives a breakdown of the types of Veggies, Grains and Fruits that ARE ALLOWED?

In 30 days, I will then be required to follow a LOW IODINE diet, which was equally as frustrating.  But, fortunately, I was able to find some helpful information at www.thyca.org .

Any help would be truly appreciated.

well, after surgery you will become hypothyroid because you will not have a thyroid gland.  when they start medicating you (this MAY not be until after the Low Iodine Diet and RAI) you will be hyPERthyroid.  Don't worry, the LID may help you loose weight as you will not be able to eat much in the way of prepared foods and will be having wholesome, natural, fresh foods.  best of luck with the surgery...don't worry yet....just get healthy.

Thanks.  I know worrying about weight gain right now shouldn't be a great concern, but I'm currently unemployed in a depressed Michigan market, and really need to start looking for work.  Unfortunately, none of my work clothes any longer fit so trying to start a good diet ASAP is pretty important.  Most people tell me not to worry about work right now, but after nine months of unemployment, money is slowly running out, and without work, I won't be able to continue my health care coverage.

But thank you so much for the advice.  I'm hoping that once I get on medication, my system will again be regulated.

On Nov 04, 2009 6:15 PM Anyar wrote:

Thanks.  I know worrying about weight gain right now shouldn't be a great concern, but I'm currently unemployed in a depressed Michigan market, and really need to start looking for work.  Unfortunately, none of my work clothes any longer fit so trying to start a good diet ASAP is pretty important.  Most people tell me not to worry about work right now, but after nine months of unemployment, money is slowly running out, and without work, I won't be able to continue my health care coverage.

But thank you so much for the advice.  I'm hoping that once I get on medication, my system will again be regulated.

I know it's not what you asked, and it may not apply, but you might look into short-term disability, if you qualify.  I didn't go that route because of my employer's benefits, but I was off work for a while and my doctors were very supportive of writing any notes I needed.

As for the diet, people have lost weight using the LID, so I'd focus on that (and calories) for now and not worry too much about "veggies not to eat when you're hypothyroid." 

Hugs!

I am curious where you are getting that you can't eat broccoli, etc.? From what I've seen, you can pretty much eat anything, once you're off the low-iodine diet.

With a caveat -- certain things close to your dose of synthroid may interfere with absorption. I've seen to avoid soy and walnuts close to your dose. Also, you don't want to take either calcium or iron supplements within 4 hours of your synthroid. I try to avoid even heavily-fortified cereal right at my dose - when I looked at how much iron grape nuts has, I stopped eating that in the morning.

A high-fiber diet can interfere with absorption, but my endo told me that if that was my normal diet, they'd just keep increasing the dose to where it works. I eat a very high-fiber diet and end up taking a 250 mcg dose, and am feeling very good on that.

I think the diets you may be looking at are for if you are trying to support an underactive thyroid. When I was pre-cancer, but very hypo, I remember reading some of those diets and having the same sense of frustration -- all the things that are good for me, is bad for my thyroid. HOWEVER, one of the advantages of TT and thyroid replacement is that you don't have to worry any more about what foods or medicines affect your thyroid, as you won't have one!

The other thing is, your endo will likely give you enough synthroid to push you into hyPER range, which may make weight maintenance/loss easier.