Nutrition for Thyroid Health British Thyroid Foundation MK 1 st December 2012 Dr Elisabeth Philipps PhD BSc (Hons) Nut Med mbant www.hartwellnutrition.co.uk
Why Will This Talk Be Useful To Me? The link between nutrition, your thyroid and your long-term health How the thyroid links to other areas of the body (fresh approach to supporting your thyroid) Practical advice on supporting your thyroid
What is Nutritional Therapy? Nutrition is fundamental to good health Nutritional therapy links nutrition through a holistic approach to health in a friendly and supportive manner Bespoke programme addressing diet, supplements, lifestyle and support from your Nutritional Therapist
Does This Sound Familiar? Aching muscles Always fatigued and/or exhausted Irritable and/or impatient Cold hands and feet Often depressed and anxious Dry, coarse and lifeless hair Dry skin No libido Don t eat any more but gain weight Insomnia Slow heartbeat Listless, forgetful, antisocial Losing enthusiasm for things you used to enjoy
Thyroid Gland The Body s Accelerator Secretes hormones which control: Energy use Protein synthesis Body temperature Other vital functions THYROID REGULATES METABOLISM
Thyroid Hormones So Much More Than Just Thyroid Function! Pituitary gland = TSH Adrenal glands = stress hormones suppress thyroid function Thyroid gland = T4 (inactive) Liver = T3 (active) Gut = digestion and nutrient absorption, immune system stimulation
Thyroid & the Gut We are what we absorb! Friendly gut bacteria help balance hormones Our gut is the largest regulator of our immune system Some forms of thyroid conditions are autoimmune diseases (e.g. Hashimoto s and Grave s)
Thyroid Nutrition Important nutrients we need from the diet (and supplements) to support thyroid health Iodine Amino acids (protein) Minerals (e.g. selenium) Vitamins (e.g. Vitamin C, B vitamins) We absorb most of these nutrients through the gut
Eat Right for Your Thyroid Gluten friend or foe? To soy or not to soy? Control those carbs It s not just what you eat but also how you cook it
Managing Your Weight
Eat Well Plate for Your Thyroid VEGETABLES LOW GL CARBS PROTEIN, UNSATURATED & ESSENTIAL FATS
Managing Your Mood Be kind to your adrenal glands Reduce dietary adrenal stimulants = caffeine, alcohol, sugar Address stress (physical and psychological) Be kind to yourself Good nutrition, relaxing hobbies or pastimes, gentle exercise
Surviving the British Diet Nutritional Supplements Cost vs. value for money We cannot get all the nutrients we need through the diet. Lifestyles can reduce nutrient absorption or contribute to deficiencies Nutrients (diet and supplements) have to be in a form the body can absorb Supplements play a key role in supporting health get the right programme FOR YOU!
Vitamin D the Sunshine Nutrient Low Vitamin D associated with thyroid imbalances Vitamin D important for immune health, mood, weight, bone health etc etc
Checklist for Thyroid Health Eat right for your thyroid Don t forget your gut! Take supplements that suit your needs and requirements Be kind to yourself See a qualified Nutritional Therapist for nutrition and holistic support
GET IN TOUCH! 01604 862 959 07766 750 188 elisabeth@hartwellnutrition.co.uk
Thyroid Hormone Reference Range Reference Range (mu/l) TSH 0.4-4.5 Total T4 50-160 Free T4 10-24 Free T3 4.0-8.3 Total = bound to proteins Free = small fraction that is not bound to transport proteins and free for physiological action Source: Thyroid UK
Thyroid Function Tests Blood Tests Conventional blood tests measure T4 Does not account for T4 T3 conversion problems Blood reference range very broad so can lead to symptomatic patients being classed as normal Standard tests do not report on antibodies Should consider TSH, T4, T3, rt3 and Abs for full screen
Thyroid Function Tests Barnes Temperature Test Measure basal (underarm) temperature first thing in the morning, before rising Normal basal temperature = 36.3oC (97.3oF) 37oC (98.6oF) Overactive thyroid = 1-2 degrees above normal Underactive thyroid = 1-2 degrees below normal
Gluten & Thyroid Dysfunction Gluten can negatively affect thyroid hormone balance Autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto s and Graves ) may be linked with gluten intolerance/allergy Gliadin closely resembles thyroid gland tissue Reduced gut barrier function allows gliaden to enter blood stream raising antibody response Gliadin Abs can also attack thyroid tissue Immune response to gluten may last up to 6 months