The 411 On Diabetes + Thyroid Disease
My dad has hypothyroidism, as does my grandmother. For my whole life, my dad has taken a tiny little pill every morning to make sure his metabolism functions properly. I always thought that compared to diabetes, thyroid disease wasn't very "serious" — all my dad needed to do was pop a pill! — and that it was nothing I needed to worry about anyway. But then, because of my diabetes and my "genetic predisposition," my endocrinologist insisted on starting to examine my thyroid regularly... But despite my risk factors, I never knew much about thyroid disease. Now's as good a time as any to learn. January is actually National Thyroid Awareness Month, so for this edition of our 411 series on diabetes complications and co-morbidities, we're taking a look at another body part in distress: the thyroid. What Does It Do Again? The thyroid is a little butterfly-shaped gland that lives in the middle of your neck, and it's part of the body's endocrine system, where diabetes also dwells. This system controls your body's metabolism. One of the thyroid's primary responsibilities is to manage your metabolism by producing two thyroid hormones: T3 and T4. An overactive thyroid can cause weight loss, a quick heartbeat, and other signs that your body is "on the go" a little too much. The opposite, an underactive thyroid, leaves people feeling sluggish, and causes weight gain and slow heartbeat. Essentially, your body's normal equilibrium slows down. Turns out, thyroid issues are incredibly common. They're so widespread, in fact, that Oprah was all on about it a few years ago. Thyroid disease affects 30 million people in the US — and some experts think thyroid disease may affect nearly 56 million Americans. Note that "thyroid disease" is actually an umbrella term for several different co Continue reading >>
Eating For A Healthy Thyroid
We’re full throttle into January 2011 and, some might say, in the midst of the “winter doldrums.” Where I live, the weather has been cold and somewhat snowy. January doesn’t have a whole lot going for it, but it does happen to be Thyroid Awareness Month! So in its honor, I thought I’d focus on the role of nutrition in thyroid disorders this week. Quick Thyroid Facts To learn more about thyroid disease, please read Diabetes Self-Management‘s excellent article called Thyroid Disorders and Diabetes, by Patricia Wu, MD. Dr. Wu gives a great overview of what the thyroid does and details the two most common thyroid disorders, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. But as a quick summary, here are some key points about diabetes and thyroid disease: Thyroid disorders are more common in people with diabetes than in people without diabetes. About one-third of people with Type 1 diabetes have a thyroid disorder, and thyroid disorders are also common in people with Type 2 diabetes. Too little thyroid hormone leads to hypothyroidism, the most common type. Symptoms of hypothyroidism, or a sluggish thyroid, include feeling tired, feeling cold, weight gain, depression, dry hair and skin, and constipation. Too much thyroid hormone causes hyperthyroidism, which isn’t as common as hypothyroidism. Symptoms include weight loss, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, sweating, muscle weakness, and diarrhea. Hypothyroidism, if not treated, may lead to increased levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (blood fats), possibly raising the risk of heart disease. Hyperthyroidism can affect blood glucose control and increase the risk of osteoporosis. Make sure your levels of two thyroid-related hormones, thyroxine (T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) are measured at least once a year Continue reading >>
Hypothyroidism Diet
Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism Symptoms Hypothyroidism Diagnosis Hypothyroidism Treatment Causes of Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism Diet Hypothyroidism & Iodine Is Hypothyroidism Genetic Pregnancy & Hypothyroidism Diabetes & Hypothyroidism Yoga & Hypothyroidism The thyroid gland is a major organ in the human body that is responsible for the production of hormones necessary in regulating metabolism. If such processes are interrupted, it can cause hypothyroidism. What Is Hypothyroidism? Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough hormones. This can happen after the surgical removal of the thyroid gland, if infants were born with congenital hypothyroidism, stress or simply if the thyroid gland is tired of working and is not functioning well. If these hormones are not produced adequately, symptoms like cold intolerance, constipation, fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, goiter and even depression can occur. (See Hypothyroidism Symptoms for more symptoms) Effects Of A Good Hypothyroidism Diet If you are diagnosed with hypothyroidism, it may sound horrible, but you could be in it for life. This means you'll need to change your diet and lifestyle entirely. There must be a conscious and consistent plan for your everyday intake of food to prevent flares of symptoms that could disrupt your everyday routine. If you adhere strongly to your diet plan, then there shouldn't be any worries about symptom attacks later on. Good Foods For Hypothyroidism Foods that are rich in iodine are highly recommended in the struggle to ward off hypothyroidism. Below is a categorized list of good food sources. Iodine-Rich Foods For Hypothyroidism Iodized Salt Seaweeds and Seafoods Salt Water Fish Sushi Nori Rolls Celtic Sea Salt Selenium-Rich Foods For Hypothyroidism Meat Chicken Salmo Continue reading >>
How To Lose Weight With Diabetes And Hypothyroidism?
Diabetes and hypothyroidism are problems associated with your endocrine system, a network of glands that plays a role in many important body functions. And it’s important to keep at your healthy weight-scale if you are a diabetic or/and have under-active thyroid. Fortunately, there are plenty of options to lose weight and keep it off. How does hypothyroidism cause weight gain? It has been known for a very long time that thyroid problem can affect the body weight and metabolism, and this relationship is very complex. Thyroid glands produce metabolism hormone. If there something goes awry with them, your metabolism is affected – and the same goes for your weight scale. By measuring the amount of oxygen used over a specific amount of time in the body, you can get your metabolism calculation. If this is made at rest, it‘s what we call as BMR or the basal metabolic rate. The abnormal basal metabolic rate may signal thyroid disorders. Hyperactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) is typically associated with high BMRs. On the other hand, underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) is typically characterized by low BMRs. It’s important to have normal BMR since it plays a role to your body weight. It is linked to changes in energy balance, a variable that reflects the amount of calories you eat and the amount of calories your body uses. If the amount of calories you eat is greater than what you burn, you will have weight gain. Higher BMR means you’re more difficult to gain weight. And Lower BMR means you’re easier to gain more pounds of weight. Weight gain is common in people with underactive thyroid since people with this disease are likely to have decreased BMR. The more severe hypothyroidism you have, the greater pounds of weight you can gain. Nevertheless, this issue is not fu Continue reading >>
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Special Considerations: Thyroid, Diabetes, Lupus
Resources Basic InformationIntroduction to Pregnancy & ConceptionIntroduction to PregnancyThe Basics of ConceptionPlanning PregnancyPreparing your Body for PregnancyIdentifying PregnancyDue Dates and Prenatal CareUniversal Precautions for Every PregnancyDuring PregancyCommon Tests Used During PregnancyComplications of PregnancyEveryday Life During PregnancyThe First TrimesterThe Second TrimesterThe Third TrimesterLabor & DeliveryPlanning For LaborPain Management During LaborStages of LaborDelivery by Cesarean SectionPostpartum IssuesPost-Partum (After The Birth) IssuesTo Breastfeed or not to BreastfeedSaving Umbilical Cord BloodSpecial ConsiderationsSpecial Considerations: Thyroid, Diabetes, LupusSpecial Considerations: Herpes, AIDSSpecial Considerations: Heart Disease, Paralysis, ObesityLatest NewsEffective Treatments Exist for Nausea, Vomiting of PregnancyEpilepsy Drug Could Raise Birth Defect RisksMore Pregnant Women Are Using PotRA Exposure In Utero Tied to Increased Disease RiskCervical Device May Help Lower Preemie Birth RiskAnaphylaxis Is Rare Complication of PregnancyMajority of Women Prefer Non-Invasive Testing for Trisomy 21Mom-to-Be's High Blood Sugar May Raise Baby's Odds for Heart DefectsIn Utero Methylphenidate Exposure Tied to Heart DefectsRitalin During Pregnancy May Raise Risk of Heart Defect in BabyNearby Fracking Linked to Low Birth WeightsHealth Tip: If You Get the Flu While PregnantIs Air Pollution a Threat to a Fetus?If Mom Has Rheumatoid Arthritis, Baby May Develop It, TooMoms' Soda Habit in Pregnancy May Boost Kids' Odds for AsthmaDiabetes, High Blood Pressure While Pregnant Spells Trouble Later OnHospital Midwives, Lower C-Section Rates?Breathing Dirty Air May Raise Miscarriage RiskPsychostimulant Use Tied to Placental ComplicationsWeighing Too Continue reading >>
Thyroid Disease And Diet — Nutrition Plays A Part In Maintaining Thyroid Health
Today’s Dietitian Vol. 14 No. 7 P. 40 “I have a tough time losing weight because of my thyroid.” You’ve probably heard this complaint time and again from clients who have thyroid disease—and with good reason. To the great frustration of many of the 27 million Americans with thyroid gland issues, the thyroid has a profound impact on metabolism. Unintended weight gain and weight loss are common, and both can be a daunting challenge to rectify. Although weight may be the most common complaint, clients are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, underscoring the need to eat a balanced diet and adopt a healthful lifestyle. But since one-half of all people with thyroid disease are undiagnosed and weight changes are a common symptom,1 RDs are in a prime position to spot potential thyroid conditions, make appropriate referrals, and help clients get a timely diagnosis and the treatment they need. This article will provide an overview of thyroid disease, its relationship with cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and the role nutrition plays in maintaining thyroid health. Thyroid 101 The thyroid gland is a 2-inch butterfly-shaped organ located at the front of the neck. Though the thyroid is small, it’s a major gland in the endocrine system and affects nearly every organ in the body. It regulates fat and carbohydrate metabolism, respiration, body temperature, brain development, cholesterol levels, the heart and nervous system, blood calcium levels, menstrual cycles, skin integrity, and more.1 The most common thyroid condition is hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid. In the United States, hypothyroidism usually is caused by an autoimmune response known as Hashimoto’s disease or autoimmune thyroiditis. As with all autoimmune diseases, the body mis Continue reading >>
Food, You, And Diabetes
Choosing to eat healthier foods and following a meal plan is an important part of your overall diabetes care and can help you keep blood sugar levels under control. Your diabetes care team can help you create a meal plan that’s right for you. To help manage your diabetes, you’ll want to: Eat a variety of foods in the right amounts Eat regularly Balance how much you eat with your physical activity and your medicine (if you take any) to help control blood sugar levels Your food choices can be healthy and tasty. Healthy eating includes eating a variety of foods, such as: vegetables whole grains fruits beans lean meats poultry fish Many of the foods you like can be prepared in a healthier way to help you balance your diet. The Menu Planner Tool can help you make a plan based on the foods you like best. It will even make a shopping list based on the recipes you choose. Now your personal tastes can be part of a healthy plan. Continue reading >>
Nutrition And Diet For Thyroid And Diabetes Troubles
Diet For Hypothyroidism And Diabetes Nutrition I am thyroid patient and my weight has increased considerably in last two years. Is it due to the medicines prescribed for control of diabetes or is there any other reason? Please recommend healthy diet Thyroid disease is a result of inadequate hormone (thyroid) levels, treatment of hyperthyroidism, thyroid cancer or nodules and iodine deficiency disorder. Heredity plays a vital role in thyroid related diseases. Weight gain is one of the symptoms, associated with thyroid disease. Other symptoms of thyroid problems are high cholesterol, dry hair, anemia, constipation, infertility, depression, deafness and so on. Dietary modifications require the restricted intake of goitrogens, which are substances, inherent in food. They oppose or obstruct with the functioning of the gland and secretion of the hormone. Cruciferous vegetables like mustard, broccoli, cabbage, mustard and turnips and soy products are not recommended. Certain other foods with goitrogen are spinach, broccoli, mustard, peach, soy tofu, peanut, millet and strawberries. Iodine containing foods are avoided by individuals with hypothyroidism, such as shellfish, multivitamins, dairy products, processed foods and metabolic boosters. Healthy Diet For Diabetes And Thyroid Diabetes is associated with thyroid problems. Insulin resistance is related to thyroid diseases. High protein and low carbohydrate diet is generally recommended. A balance in the intake of fiber, carbohydrate, fat and protein is provided by such kind of meals. This in turn results in a moderate rise in the blood glucose level, due to a gradual entry of glucose in the bloodstream. This process regulates the quantity of insulin release, which causes a decrease in the calorie storage. The calories, which a Continue reading >>
4 Tips For Eating Well With High Cholesterol
Here’s some good news: it doesn’t take a huge effort to start making heart-healthy food decisions. Especially when you have diabetes and high cholesterol, watching your diet is critical. There are changes you can make to what you eat every day. We recommend that you talk to a certified diabetes educator or registered dietitian about changing how you eat. They can work with you to create a meal plan that is delicious, flexible (you won’t always be eating the same thing), and healthy—for both your heart and your diabetes. In the meantime, here are 4 tips to help you eat well when you have high cholesterol. Eat More Whole Grains Conveniently enough, many pastas and breads have whole grain versions. The next time you’re shopping, reach for the whole grain pasta instead of the regular pasta. Also, try replacing white rice with brown rice. You could also have whole grain couscous. Eat More Fruits and Veggies We know you’ve heard it before, but it’s true: you should eat your fruits and veggies. All the fiber in fruits and vegetables can help lower your cholesterol, so try to work more of them into your day. For example, you could mix fruit into your yogurt for breakfast. You can snack on raw vegetables throughout the day. You can make it a point to shop your local farmers’ market (if you have one) to get seasonal produce. Cook with Olive Oil Instead of cooking with vegetable oil, cook with olive oil, which is a “healthy” fat. Olive oil has monounsaturated fats in it, which are healthier than saturated fat or trans fat. Limit High Cholesterol Foods The next time you’re at the store, make it a point to read the food label of everything before you put it in the cart. Choose foods that are low cholesterol—or even no cholesterol! The Nutrition Facts label wi Continue reading >>
Thyroid Diet – What Foods To Eat And Avoid?
The butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck produces the hormones triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and calcitonin that influence your metabolic rate, brain development and function, growth, menstrual cycle, heart rate, sleep, and thought process. A broken thyroid can overproduce (hyperthyroidism) or underproduce (hypothyroidism) these hormones. This can lead to weight gain or weight loss, stunted growth, underdeveloped brain, restlessness, irregular periods, depression, etc. Medicines work, but their effects are short-lived. Foods, on the other hand, can help to normalize the thyroid function gradually and have no side effects. So, without much ado, let me tell you about the foods to eat and avoid for hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism and the diet charts. Let’s begin! Foods To Eat To Treat Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism can lead to disrupted menstrual cycle, weight gain, constipation, goiter, depression, dry skin, hair fall, muscle fatigue, slow heart rate, high blood cholesterol, and a puffy face. Apart from medicines, you can consume these foods to boost your thyroid function. 1. Iodized Salt According to the American Thyroid Association, iodine is needed for the production of the thyroid hormone. Iodine deficiency can lead to hypothyroidism and goiter (1). Since your body cannot produce iodine naturally, you should eat foods that contain a good amount of iodine. And the best way to do that is to consume iodized salt. 2. Brazil Nuts Brazil nuts are a great source of the mineral selenium that helps catalyze the conversion of the inactive thyroid hormone to the active form. Scientists have found that Brazil nut supplementation improved thyroid hormone levels (2). Selenium also helps reduce inflammation and inhibits cancer cell proliferation. You can cons Continue reading >>
5 Foods That Are Good For Your Thyroid
Thyroid problems can be helped by what you eat. Your thyroid is responsible for releasing hormones that control a huge amount of your bodily functions—it plays a role in regulating your mood, your weight, your fertility, and more. So you can imagine that when your thyroid is not working, you may experience a range of unwanted side effects. To keep it humming along, you can add foods like seaweed and eggs to your diet. They are loaded with iodine, which your thyroid needs to function well. Watch the video for more. Don’t have time to watch? Here’s the full transcript: Seaweed: It’s rich in iodine, which your thyroid needs to work properly. Don’t overdo it—one seaweed salad a week is plenty. Eggs: They’ve got iodine and selenium, another nutrient that helps regulate thyroid hormones. Yogurt: Dairy is also a good source of iodine. Chicken or beef: Meats are a good source of zinc, another key thyroid nutrient. Berries: Their antioxidants protect against damaging free radicals, which are high in people with thyroid problems. Continue reading >>
14-day Meal Plan For Hypothyroidism And Weight Loss
Have you been diagnosed with an underactive thyroid or suspect you have one? Looking for a sample meal plan tailored to your condition… one that you can follow right now? The 14-Day Meal Plan For Hypothyroidism and Weight Loss is a Dietitian-made plan to help make life easier (and more delicious) when learning what you should and should not eat with an underactive thyroid. It’s designed to be: Simple to follow for busy folks with many mouths to feed Realistic, with recipes that beginners can master Gluten-free (which often appears beneficial for those with Hashimoto’s) Loaded with nutrient-dense foods (especially spinach and legumes for folate: see the MTHFR mutation link) Naturally rich in selenium, zinc and iodine for thyroid health, and vitamin B12 for more energy Budget-friendly (except for two worthwhile investments: chia seeds and quinoa). You can follow the entire plan for the whole 14 days, or simply choose your favourite recipes and include them into your current diet. Many are recipes from qualified Dietitians that I strongly encourage you to follow! Note that if you are trying to lose a lot of weight, I recommend you read this guide as well as this one. Also this is not suitable for those following the Autoimmune Protocol. You can still follow this plan if your thyroid is healthy, but then I also recommend browsing through these 33 low-carb lunch and dinner recipes for more ideas. The 14-Day Meal Plan For Hypothyroidism and Weight Loss Must-Read Starting Notes: Consult with your personal doctor or Dietitian first: While I am a qualified Dietitian, I’m not familiar with your personal medical history, your current medications or additional factors that need to be considered when altering your diet or fitness regime. Thyroid hormone should be consumed fa Continue reading >>
The Relationship Between Diabetes And Thyroid Disorder
At the clinic today, a patient came in for an initial assessment for Diabetes Self-Management Education. She was taking thyroid medication along with her diabetes and other medications. She was not the first patient that I have seen lately who is taking thyroid medication. I was aware of the link between diabetes and thyroid disease, and had some basic information. I thought it would be interesting to look into the dynamics a little further. After all, the pancreas and the thyroid both fall within the endocrine system. Now let’s take a look at why people with diabetes often seem to have thyroid disorder, and the reasons behind it. What is thyroid disease? In order to understand the relationship between diabetes and thyroid disease, it is helpful to understand what thyroid disease is. At the front of your neck, just under your Adam’s apple is where you will find the thyroid gland. Thyroid disease is a problem that happens when the thyroid gland either under produces or over produces the thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones are responsible for regulating the body’s metabolism. From research, the percent of the population that will develop thyroid disease is 7 percent. The percentage of people with diabetes who have thyroid disease is greater than the general population. We will dig in a little deeper to find the reasons why, and examine the link between the two. Note from Kirk and Health Institute: A high percentage of low thyroid is “Hashimoto’s”, which like Graves disease is an auto-immune in origin and most often creates low thyroid symptoms. To address Hashimoto’s and Graves affectively you must focus on the immune system, medication can be supportive but does not address the cause. Autoimmune conditions are best managed by change in diet and reducing infl Continue reading >>
7 Little Healthy Habits That Make Your Thyroid Happy
iStock Many patients don’t know much about thyroid basics, says Alan P. Farwell, MD, chief of the section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, and director of endocrine clinics at Boston Medical Center. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that controls your metabolism. Generally, an overactive thyroid (called hyperthyroidism) could make you feel anxious, shaky, sweaty, and hot, and cause weight loss and trouble sleeping among other symptoms. Conversely, a person with an underactive thyroid (called hypothyroidism) might feel sluggish, fatigued, and cold, and could experience problems including weight gain and constipation. (This strange skin condition could increase your risk for thyroid problems in the future.) While lifestyle habits like daily diet and activity don’t have much impact on thyroid health, there are a number of things you can do to make sure your thyroid stays healthy. Keep an eye out for the 13 silent signs you may have a thyroid problem. iStock “If your family members—mom, dad, siblings—have thyroid disease, you’re much more likely to experience thyroid dysfunction yourself,” says Leonard Wartofsky, MD, MACP, professor of medicine at Georgetown University and past president of the Endocrine Society. For anyone with a family history, it’s especially important to have your thyroid monitored. In an annual physical, for example, your physician will examine your thyroid by touching the neck to feel for a goiter, enlarged thyroid, or nodules. Never ignore these six symptoms of thyroid cancer. Get checked iStock In addition to the physical exam, if you suspect you may have a thyroid problem—due to either family history or a range of symptoms—ask your doctor about a blood test to check your levels of thyroid stimulating h Continue reading >>
Diet For Diabetes With Hypothyroidism
Diet is an important thing to consider when it comes to people with diabetic conditions, especially when the person also suffers from hypothyroidism. One should be choosy in about his/her diet because a wrong addition can aggravate either of the two conditions. A diet with rich nutrients but low carbohydrate is imperative for those with diabetes with hyperthyroidism. Even the protein content should be as low as possible. In addition to eating fruits, one should be considerate about the glucose intake and if possible, try to eat those fruits that help in lowering the glucose levels. Water is another vital component that is very essential for diabetics. Therefore, a lot of water intake should be taken throughout the day. To make things easier, we have compiled the appropriate diet for diabetes with hypothyroidism. Nutritional foods To prevent the severe complications of hypothyroidism and diabetes, watch out for foods that promote the intake of proteins, vitamins and minerals. Fish, chicken and turkey are healthy protein sources and they have vitamins and minerals that enable every organ of the body to function normally. Some forms of lean protein such as pork and turkey breast are also good choices. Eggs, cheese and yogurt can also be eaten. For vegetarians, beans and nuts are good sources of protein. Berries are usually a good choice. Vegetables and Fruits Foods with low amount of salt guarantee good health. Fresh green vegetables and fruits are low in salt as well as nutrients and contain the vitamins required for proper digestion. Vitamin B aids the body by breaking down the consumed fats to provide energy. Fresh fruits and vegetables add roughage to your diet and work towards removing the toxins from the body. Vegetables and fruits also develop healthy bowel movement Continue reading >>
