Struggling with Hashimoto’s? If so, you may be making one (or more) common mistakes that are dragging down your thyroid.
Keep reading to see the most common daily habits that trigger fatigue, inflammation, weight gain, and brain fog.
But don’t get discouraged because there are simple fixes for every single one:
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Foods to Avoid if you Have Thyroid Problems:
I’ve found that these 10 foods cause the most problems for thyroid patients. Learn which foods you should avoid if you have thyroid disease of any type.
The Complete List of Thyroid Lab tests:
The list includes optimal ranges, normal ranges, and the complete list of tests you need to diagnose and manage thyroid disease correctly!
#1. Taking Your Thyroid Meds Incorrectly
Did you know that taking thyroid meds with coffee, food, or supplements can block absorption?
If you are taking your thyroid medication incorrectly, then it won’t get into your body, and it won’t help you feel better.
Try this instead:
Take your thyroid medication first thing in the morning or right before bed with water.
And always take it 30-60 minutes away from food, supplements, or beverages.
Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9261378/
#2. Eating Gluten (Even “Occasionally”)
Gluten triggers an autoimmune response in many women with Hashimoto’s, even if you aren’t “gluten sensitive”.
It can damage the gut lining, lead to inflammation, and raise thyroid antibodies.
Try this instead:
Go 100% gluten-free for at least 30 days and see how you feel, OR switch to ancient grains like Kamut or Einkorn.
Eliminating gluten from your diet automatically eliminates lots of other inflammatory foods that have the potential to make your thyroid worse.
Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8848113/
#3. Ignoring Your Gut Health
70% of your immune system lives in your gut, and it’s the site of thyroid hormone conversion and T3 recycling.
Gut symptoms like constipation, bloating, gas, or acid reflux indicate your gut health isn’t up to par.
Try this instead:
Support your gut health with probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, and anti-inflammatory foods like bone broth and leafy greens.
Doing this is enough to improve thyroid function by up to 20%. It can also help cool down inflammation.
Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10884059/
#4. Under-Eating or Over-Exercising
Calorie restriction leads to metabolic adaptation, low T3, reduced thyroid conversion, and worse thyroid function.
Try this instead:
Don’t restrict calories.
Instead, focus on nourishing your body with high-quality lean protein, healthy carbohydrates from fruits and vegetables, and longer periods of lower-intensity exercise (zone 2 training).
This gentle approach will help you maintain your metabolism and thyroid function while also keeping cortisol low, ensuring maximum fat-burning potential.
#5. Ignoring Low T3 or Poor T4 to T3 Conversion
T3 is the most powerful thyroid hormone, and most doctors never test for it.
Even if your TSH is “normal”, your T3 may be low, leading to fatigue, hair loss, and weight gain.
Try this instead:
Test your free T3, total T3, and reverse T3. If these labs are not in the optimal range (usually the top 1/3 of the reference range), then implement some natural treatments.
Zinc, selenium, and guggul extract can give your conversion the boost you need.
Making these super simple changes can have a bigger impact on your symptoms than you might think.
Give it a try and let me know how you feel after 30 days.
And if you need help with your diet, try this 7-day Hashimoto’s meal plan.
