Diet alone cannot cure hypothyroidism, but have an important role in managing and preventing this disease:

1. Some nutrients like iodine, selenium, zinc, and iron are necessary for thyroid function.
2. Some compounds like goitrogens interfere with the normal function of the thyroid.
3. Some nutrients may interfere with hypothyroidism medicines.

Also, hypothyroidism leads to decreased metabolism and reduced energy consumption, resulting in weight gain and obesity it is important to have a healthy diet to control weight.

Iodine plays a key role in thyroid metabolism and iodine deficiency is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Iodine is an essential element for the production of thyroid hormones. Also, iodide has an autoregulatory function in the thyroid, independent of thyroid TSH regulation. The body does not produce iodine, so must be provided by food, fortified foods, and dietary supplements.

Foods that are rich in iodine:

• Cheese
• Milk
• Whole egg
• Seafood
• Iodized table salt

The thyroid is the organ with the highest selenium content per gram of tissue. Selenium is necessary for antioxidant function and thyroid hormone metabolism. Body doesn’t make selenium, so the only way can get it is through foods or supplements.

Foods that are rich in selenium:

• Seafood
• Meats
• Poultry
• Eggs
• Cereals
• Grains

Zinc is related to thyroid function in more ways than one. When the zinc content is low, TSH is not produced, resulting in low levels of the thyroid hormones T4 and T3. Zinc is an important part of the deiodinase enzyme, which can convert T4 to functional T3; If the zinc content in the body is low, T3 cannot be produced. Also, low levels of zinc are associated with increased autoimmune levels, as can be seen in a large amount of antithyroid antibodies in thyroid patients.

Foods that are rich in zinc:

• Meats
• Poultry
• Cereals
• Pumpkin Seeds
• Yogurt

Iron deficiency is linked to thyroid dysfunction. Iron is needed to facilitate the conversion of T4 to T3, the active form of thyroid hormone.

Foods that are rich in Iron:

• Liver
• Red Meat
• Beans
• Nuts

Goitrogens are substances that disrupt thyroid hormone production by interfering with the uptake of iodine in the thyroid gland. They also interfere with the thyroid peroxidase enzyme (TPO), which attaches iodine to tyrosine.

3 main types of goitrogens that found in many foods:

• : Goitrins block tyrosine iodination and inhibit T4 formation.
• Thiocyanates: Thiocyanate is a potent competitive inhibitor of the thyroid sodium-iodide symporter.
• Flavonoids: Flavonoids can be converted into goitrogenic compounds by gut flora

Consumption of goitrogens in people with iodine deficiency can lead to hypothyroidism. However, cooking foods containing goitrogens will largely inactivate these compounds.

Common sources of goitrogens:

• Soy sources: soybean, tofu
• Vegetables: cabbage, broccoli, kale, cauliflower, spinach, sweet potatoes
• Fruits: cassava, peaches, strawberries
• Nuts and seeds: millet, peanuts

Calcium interferes with the absorption of levothyroxine. An interval of 4 hours would be sufficient to ensure that there is no significant impact on the levels of thyroxine in the blood.

Although iron is necessary for normal thyroid function, taking iron-rich foods and iron supplements in people with hypothyroidism who take levothyroxine can interfere with the absorption of these medicines. Recommended at least 2 hours interval between taking thyroxine and the iron sources.

In addition, the absorption of levothyroxine is affected by a relatively wide range of foods such as soy, cottonseed, walnuts, dietary fiber and etc. Therefore, it is recommended that levothyroxine be taken at intervals before a meal.