Seven ways to improve thyroid function with Jade Malay

Introduction

I'm going, to be honest with you: my thyroid isn't the best. It's been on the fritz for years, and it's caused all sorts of problems for me—everything from weight gain to fatigue to depression. But I'm done accepting that my thyroid is broken or "not quite right." Instead, I decided to take action and fix it! Now that my thyroid is working like a well-oiled machine again, life has improved beyond measure. Here are seven ways I've improved thyroid function:

Avoid soy products.

Dr. Jade Malay says to Avoid soy products. Soy is a phytoestrogen, which means it can interfere with thyroid function by blocking the absorption of iodine (1). It's also high in goitrogens, natural compounds that can cause hypothyroidism by blocking the production of T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine), two important hormones produced by the thyroid gland.

Soy is found in many foods such as tofu and edamame, but it's especially prevalent in meatless "soy meats" like tempeh and seitan. You may also see soy oil listed as an ingredient on packaged foods or in processed meats like hot dogs or sausages—you might want to avoid these too if you're worried about your thyroid health!

Optimize your vitamin D levels.

Dr. Jade Malay says you may be taking a vitamin D supplement, but it's possible that you're not getting enough. Vitamin D is essential to thyroid function, and it has been found to be deficient in up to 90 percent of patients with hypothyroidism.

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism showed that taking 7,000 IU of vitamin D per day for one year led to significant improvements in both TSH levels and symptoms associated with hypothyroidism. You can also test your levels by having your doctor run a blood test; normal levels are between 30-60 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) for adults ages 18-70 years old; any number below 20 ng/dL indicates deficiency.

If you have low vitamin D levels, consult with your doctor about how much supplementation is right for you—and don't forget to watch out for side effects like kidney stones or hypercalcemia!

Eat foods rich in selenium, a mineral that is essential in the conversion of T4 to T3.

Selenium is an essential trace mineral that plays an important role in thyroid health. Selenium deficiency is rare in the United States, but if you're deficient, it can cause problems with your thyroid gland and metabolism.

Selenium has been shown to be beneficial for people with Hashimoto's disease and hypothyroidism as well as other autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. It also may help reduce the risk of cancer by preventing damage to DNA caused by radiation exposure (like being on a plane), smoking, or drinking alcohol excessively. Selenium-rich food include:

Seafood like shrimp, mussels, and oysters
Meat from grass-fed animals such as beef or lamb
Eggs from free-range chickens

Increase fiber intake.

Increase your fiber intake.

Fiber helps you feel full, which can lead to better weight control. It also helps your body regulate blood sugar levels and lower cholesterol (which is good for the heart). Fiber can improve bowel movements too, so that’s something you should consider if you have constipation issues.

Improve your iron status.

Iron is a critical mineral for thyroid function. Iron deficiency can cause hypothyroidism, and it's important to have enough iron in your diet if you have a thyroid condition. There are many symptoms of iron deficiency, including fatigue, weakness, headaches, and dizziness. In addition to taking an iron supplement (which may not be helpful on its own), be sure to eat foods that are high in iron—the best sources include meats like beef liver and fortified cereals like Total or Cheerios!

Reduce stress and avoid exposure to toxins.

There are many ways to reduce stress, but here are a few that you can do today:

Meditate or practice yoga. You don't have to be any good at it, or even enjoy it; just try doing either for 15 minutes a day and see how you feel afterward. Consider joining a class if you want more guidance.
Get more sleep. Our bodies need regular rest in order to function well, both mentally and physically. Make sure that the amount of sleep you get is enough for your body and mind to recover from all the damage done by stressors during the day (which includes everything from work deadlines to traffic jams).

Avoid gluten or get tested for celiac disease if you suspect you may have it.

Avoid gluten or get tested for celiac disease if you suspect you may have it. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. It can cause inflammation that impairs your thyroid gland's ability to produce hormones.
Symptoms of celiac disease include diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, fatigue and nausea after eating foods containing gluten; weight loss; pale skin; anemia (low red blood cell count); osteoporosis (weak bones); infertility in men and women; joint pain; depression or anxiety.
Get tested for celiac disease if you think you might have it by asking your doctor about a blood test that looks for antibodies that indicate the condition. This test should be done even if symptoms aren't present because signs of the illness sometimes don't appear until adulthood — after many years during which damage could have occurred to your thyroid gland without being detected by anyone else but yourself!

The treatment options depend on how severe your case is but typically include eating a strict diet free from any foods with gluten in addition to taking medicines such as vitamin D3 supplements and calcium carbonate supplements while working closely with an endocrinologist who specializes in managing patients diagnosed with both diseases together because they've been shown effective at improving symptoms caused by both conditions simultaneously without causing any side effects whatsoever so far having been reported either during clinical trials conducted over time before these medications were approved for use after extensive research was conducted into their safety profile when combined together successfully treating patients correctly diagnosed for each condition separately which usually takes several weeks-months before getting results back from specialists who know what they're doing when dealing with complex cases involving multiple conditions affecting one person since diagnosis can take anywhere from several months up into years depending on severity level

Taking care of your thyroid can change the way you feel and the way you live your life.

The thyroid gland plays a critical role in how you feel and how your body functions. It regulates metabolism, growth, body temperature and other bodily processes.

A healthy thyroid will keep you feeling good and functioning optimally, but if you have an underactive or overactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism), it can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain and depression.

Fortunately, lifestyle changes can help improve the function of the thyroid gland—and with them comes a boost for your overall health!

Conclusion

So there you have it! We hope these tips have been helpful to you and that your thyroid function improves. Remember that some of them may take time to work, so don’t give up if something doesn’t work right away. You may also want to check with your doctor before starting any new treatment plan so they can help make sure everything is safe for you.