Thyroid

I have been hypo-thyroid for over a decade now and on Synthroid. I learned today that soy can interfere with Synthroid and went directly the makers website, and low and behold. It is in their literature.

Since becoming vegan (a few years now) I have not been able to get my thyroid symptoms under control. They actually had to up my dose for the first time in my life (about 6 mo ago). The doc knowing I am vegan which is why I no longer have high BP or high cholestrol could have at some point mentioned this. I think it could have been a bit helpful.

Since doing research on it I have found everything from no soy to no soy within 4 hours. Apparently they are still studying the effects since most infants on soy formulas don't have hypo-thyroid and adults consuming lots of soy products is fairly new. Unfortuantely in Asian countries where a lot soy is consumed, most go undiagnosed, so there isn't enough info.

Anyway it looks like I'm going no soy for a month to see what happens. Now I need to redo my eating habits. I'll keep you posted.

If anyone has any more information on it, I would appreciate it.

Hi SeaSiren,

About 5 years ago, I was diagnosed with multinodular goiter, a different thyroid problem. About the same time I was experiencing the symptoms of an under active thyroid. However, my bloodwork is normal. I see my PCP about once per year to have my thyroid and bloodwork checked. My PCP believed that I will eventually need synthetic hormone. I am hoping with diet I will be able to avoid having to take any meds.

When I was diagnosed with goiter, I started looking around on the internet to find out what could have caused it, and I learned that soy does affect thyroid function. So I tried to avoid it as much as possible. I also learned about goitrogens (foods that can supressthyroid functon and cause goiter- brussel sprouts, kale, broccolli,etc), and tried my best to avoid those as well. Since I have gone raw, the soy isn't a problem, but I have been eating a lot of kale and cauliflower.

Anyway, here is a link that I had bookmarked about food, medication, and suppliments and how they affect your thyroid.

http://thyroid.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=thyroid&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thyroid-info.com%2Farticles%2Fthyroid-drug-faq.htm

And here is one that talks about goitrogens (and lists soy as one):

http://www.ithyroid.com/goitrogens.htm

Good luck with getting your med. dose correct

Hey, have you tried getting iodine from sea-weed? I think iodine could be potentially lacking in the vegan diet, and it is important for thyroid health. Since I started snacking on sea-weed I feel really great!