Did you know – fifteen in every 1000 women suffer from thyroid. Similarly, one in 1000 man has thyroid. While diet monitoring is very important for thyroid patients, they need more.

In thyroid, the thyroid gland is responsible for the metabolic function of the body. Therefore, when thyroid poses a problem, the entire body suffers. A thyroid patient may experience depression, weight gain, fatigue, low body temperature, hair fall, poor light sensitivity and lack of stamina. It is important to know how to approach the treatment of thyroid as well as the important dos and don’ts.

The Dos

1. Check thyroid regularly

It is important to check thyroid levels regularly – whether you do it at home or via a lab test, it is up to you. At times, a doctor may completely depend upon the blood test for diagnosis and overlook thyroid dysfunction. This leaves many people undiagnosed. Therefore, it is important to have a frank discussion with your doctor and seek clarity.

If you want to test your thyroid levels at home, you will need a glass basal thermometer. You can check your temperature daily for 10 minutes. Take precautions as per your temperature.

2. Drink a lot of water

Thyroid patients must always drink distilled water. This is because chlorine, fluoride, and bromine levels are very low, and it is iodine-free which helps the thyroid to function properly. Distilled water also ensures cleaning the liver and kidneys of toxins.

3. Eat selenium, tyrosine, and antioxidants rich food

Thyroid patients must have foods with Vitamin B such as crab, shellfish, brazil nuts, kidney, and liver. These foods contain Selenium – an enzyme that converts T4 to T3. Tyrosine-based food includes almonds, sesame seeds, oats, etc. Antioxidants rich food includes all fresh vegetables and fruits. These kinds of food will reduce inflammation and helps build immunity.

Read More: 8 Best Foods for Thyroid Patients to Include in their Diet

The Don’ts

1. Avoid smoking or drinking alcohol

Thyroid patients, if they smoke or drink alcohol, should put a stop to these immediately. This is because alcohol is a depressant and it suppresses the thyroid gland functions. Tobacco or smoking is equally harmful as it blocks the iodide ration and synthesis of hormones.

Read More: 7 Health Hazards of Smoking

2. Say no to macronutrients

Fats, protein, and carbohydrates are the big macronutrients. They play a significant role in thyroid regulation in the body. However, following a low-carb diet can adversely affect the thyroid. Even diets that are non-fat or trans-fat pose problems for thyroid patients.

3. Stay away from sugar and caffeine

Caffeine tends to stress the body and so does sugar. Consuming caffeine is smaller quantities is good as it helps to reduce inflammation as it helps open up the blood vessels. But consuming more than the recommended amount of caffeine can alter the TSH levels produced by the pituitary glands.

4. No self-medication

Most often thyroid patients in their struggle to understand what’s happening to their body and therefore they turn to the internet for reference. The internet with its wide range of sources tells different stories and patients get carried away and start to relate everything happening in their body to be a thyroid problem.

It is recommended that one should be familiar with the symptoms and conditions that are thyroid-related but talk with a licensed doctor and get a proper prescription before you decide your own treatment.