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Fix Low Thyroid With A High Fat Carnivore Diet (10 Common Symptoms)

Understanding Thyroid Disorders: Causes, Symptoms, and Solutions

Thyroid disorders are among the most common health problems worldwide, especially in women. Thyroid issues are five times more common in women than men.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck that regulates metabolism, growth, energy levels, and other functions. Its main malfunctions—low thyroid function and overactive thyroid—can lead to a wide range of health problems [1].

Types of Thyroid Disorders

There are two main kinds of thyroid problems: hypothyroidism (low thyroid function) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) [2].

However, people can experience a mix of both symptoms, making diagnosis difficult as these conditions' nature is vague and overlapping. Even sometimes, they are misdiagnosed as anxiety, depression, or other unrelated health problems.

Hypothyroidism (Low Thyroid Function)

Hypothyroidism, the most common thyroid disorder, especially in women, occurs when the thyroid gland produces less thyroid hormone than necessary, causing the body’s systems to slow down.

Hypothyroidism can have the following symptoms [3]:

  • Fatigue and sluggishness
  • Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
  • Dry skin, brittle nails, and hair loss
  • Cold intolerance
  • Constipation
  • Depression or mood swings
  • Irregular or heavy periods in women

Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid)

Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland is overactive and produces too much hormone, which speeds up bodily functions, sometimes to an unhealthy degree.

The most common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include [4]:

  • Rapid weight loss despite increased appetite
  • Anxiety, irritability, or nervousness
  • Palpitations or a rapid heartbeat
  • Heat intolerance and excessive sweating
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Trembling or shakiness
  • Irregular periods in women

Autoimmune Thyroid Disorders

Some thyroid disorders like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves' disease are caused by autoimmune conditions where the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland [5] [6].

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

The main cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s, which occurs when the immune system attacks the thyroid gland and gradually destroys it, making it underactive over time [7] [8].

Graves' Disease

Graves' disease is the main cause of hyperthyroidism and occurs when the immune system makes the thyroid produce too much hormone, leading to an overactive thyroid [9] [10].

Some foods can also affect thyroid function, both positively and negatively.

Common Foods That Affect the Thyroid

The thyroid function can be affected by different foods, such as goitrogens, tea, nuts, coffee, grains, and wheat. So, to make a proper diet, you need to know the foods that trigger thyroid malfunctions.

Goitrogens

Goitrogens are compounds that can inhibit iodine uptake, which is crucial for thyroid hormone production. Vegetables like broccoli, kale, and cauliflower contain goitrogens.

While these foods are generally healthy, consuming them in large amounts, especially raw, may affect thyroid function in individuals with iodine deficiency [11] [12].

Tea

Tea, especially green tea, contains fluoride, which can come from the soil where the plants are grown. Fluoride can interfere with thyroid function by mimicking iodine and blocking its absorption [13] [14].

Nuts

Nuts, especially cashews, almonds, and Brazil nuts, contain goitrogenic compounds. While these nuts are healthy in small amounts, overconsuming them can cause problems due to their high selenium content [15] [16].

Coffee

Coffee stimulates cortisol, the stress hormone, which can affect the adrenal glands and indirectly disrupt thyroid function [17].

Grains and Wheat

Wheat and grains can cause inflammation, which is a critical factor in many thyroid disorders, especially autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s [18] [19].

So, by controlling the consumption of trigger foods, we can manage thyroid function, but can we just alleviate the symptoms or completely fix the thyroid?

Can You Completely Fix Thyroid Disorders?

The short answer is yes. With the right approach, combining diet, lifestyle changes, and proper medications, you can manage and even fix thyroid disorders. Here are the most effective strategies.

High-Fat Carnivore Diet

Dietary modifications can directly impact thyroid function. Following a high-fat, low-carb Carnivore Diet is one of the effective methods.

This diet focuses on consuming healthy animal fats to provide essential nutrients that support thyroid function. Increasing fat intake can also decrease inflammation and stabilize blood sugar levels, which help balance hormones, including thyroid.

Iodine Supplementation

Iodine is the primary building block for thyroid hormone production. Lugol’s iodine is a commonly recommended supplement that can help provide enough iodine in individuals with deficiencies.

However, you should use iodine cautiously and under the supervision of healthcare professionals, particularly in autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s.

Medications

Levothyroxine, a synthetic form of T4, is commonly prescribed for thyroid malfunctions, but it may be ineffective because T4 is not the active form of the thyroid hormone.

So, the body must convert T4 into T3, the active form, and that’s the problem because many people with thyroid disorders have difficulty making this conversion.

Instead, naturally desiccated thyroid (such as Armour Thyroid), which contains both T3 and T4, may be a better option, as it mimics the body’s natural thyroid hormones.

So, if you have thyroid malfunctions or suspect any irregularities, you should check your Free T3 and Free T4 to make sure.

Testing Your Thyroid: Free T3 and Free T4

To accurately assess thyroid function, you should test Free T3 and Free T4 levels, not just TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone).

Free T3 is the active form of the hormone, which directly affects your metabolism and energy levels. Free T4 is the precursor that needs to be converted into T3.

So, monitoring both of these levels gives a clearer picture of thyroid function and helps determine the proper treatment.

Dr Elizabeth Bright's Books

About Dr Elizabeth Bright

Elizabeth Bright DO, ND, a graduate of Columbia University, is a highly respected American Osteopath and Naturopath living in Italy. She is former Chef-owner of Coppi’s Organic and The Vigorelli Restaurants in Washington, D.C. She is a master in Chau Ka Kung Fu. She has been eating a high-fat carnivore diet and has been using it as a treatment modality since 2016.

She is the author of Good Fat is Good for Women: Menopause

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