Thyroid disorder is one of the most prevalent diseases in India. According to a survey, almost every third individual in India is suffering from one type of thyroid gland disorder or the other. This is alarming and indicates a need for awareness about the thyroid gland, its disorders, and how these affect our body. A high TSH (Thyroid-stimulating hormone) indicates an underactive thyroid gland that is not responding properly due to some chronic or acute thyroid dysfunction. The thyroid is an endocrine gland in our body that produces two vital hormones: triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). These hormones regulate body functions such as metabolism, body temperature, heart rate, breathing, body weight, menstrual cycle, etc.

As the thyroid gland is associated with essential functions, its imbalance can cause two major disorders: hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. A high TSH level indicates Hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism is characterized by low or insufficient production of thyroid hormone by an underactive thyroid gland. In this situation, your metabolism slows down and the body’s functioning becomes sluggish, resulting in the following symptoms: Feeling extremely cold, Trouble in sleeping, dry skin, and hair, Uneventful tiredness and fatigue, Poor concentration, Constipation, Depression, Frequent, prolonged and heavy menstrual bleeding, Joint and muscle aches.

The normal range for TSH is 0.5 – 5 mlU/ L

What is the Solution?

Dietary modification for Hypothyroidism includes:

• Stop eating Soy and its products like tofu, soybeans, soy milk, and soy sauce. As soy may hinder the absorption of thyroid hormone.
• Avoid cruciferous vegetables like kale, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts. These vegetables have been shown, in certain situations, to interfere with how your thyroid gland uses iodine.
• Eat a fiber-rich diet and a balanced diet. Include wholegrain breakfast cereals, brown rice, oats, barley and rye. Fruit such as berries, apples, pears, oranges, etc. Peas, beans and pulses, green leafy vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Keep more of lean protein in your diet like eggs, chicken, and fish.
• Avoid fried and processed foods as they contain a high amount of sodium also that should be avoided for hypothyroidism.
• Be regular with physical activity. At Least 30 mins of workout should be there in a day.
• Start Yoga daily especially cobra pose, bridge pose and Suryanamaskars.