Hyperthyroidism: Living with it

[corkman]

Hi All,

 

My (Thai) girlfriend has recently been diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism. I've googled the do's and dont's, but lot's of the information is in the context of a western diet and lifestyle i.e. it's hard to avoid certain food types and or activities with day-to-day living in Bangkok; which is very different than day-to-day living in a Western country. So I am hoping to get a few tips from people in the context of living in Bangkok, or at least a starting point that I can research further.

 

Diet

Thyroid gland produces a hormone which regulates other bodily functions; so by eating (or abstaining) from certain foods you can naturally encourage (or discourage) the surpluses or deficits of the thyroid hormone; thereby reduce the dependency on medications, and/or symptoms. Correct? Tips / pointers please.

 

Exercise

For regular people, routine exercise reduces resting heart rate. Her heart beats very quickly and she gets tired easily (so does anyone that is unfit). Would regularly exercise (built up gradually) improve her heart rate, or just exasperate the problem? 

 

 

Many thanks in advance!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[tonray]

The real way to deal with it is to see an endocrinologist who may want to discuss destroying part or all of the thyroid to supress hormone production. 

[FracturedRabbit]

I had Graves disease which combines hyperthyroidism with a thickening of the muscles behind the eyes. The eyes were eventually fixed surgically, and for many years I managed the hyperthyroidism with tablets, until it was accepted that the problem was not going to go away. Swallowed a radioactive iodine tablet in Bangkok Hospital which destroyed some of my thyroid. Nowadays I have to take daily thyroid hormone; but much cheaper and less damaging than the pills I used to take.

[Sheryl]

Hyoerthyroid can have several different causes and treatment varies with cause, but usually begins with  medication. In some cases surgery is required.

 

Medication often but not always leads to a cure i.e. she will not necessarily have to live with this for life. In some cases medical treatment to shrink  the thyroid causes permanent hypothyroidism (opposite condition). Surgery will also have this effect in which case thyroid supplements have to be taken for life. In any event she should not be in a lifelong hyperthyroid state - with proper treatment she should end up either normal or hypothyroid.

 

She should NOT undertake an exercise regimen while she is still in a hyperthyroid state with heart palpitations, it will do more harm than good (and possibly significant harm). She should engage in normal activities at the pace which her body tells her is right i.e. that does nto leave her short of breath or increase the palpitations. Until her thyroid function has stabilized this may require taking things very easy.

 

Contrary to what various quack sites will tell you there is nothing she can eat or not eat that will resolve the hyperthyroidism. - no matter what, her condition requires medication and/or surgery and these are what will resolve matters - but if she is underweight, then extra calories and protein are a good idea. And, since hyperthyroidism  can cause osteoporosis, should be sure to get enough  calcium and Vitamin D, either from diet or as supplement - but if the latter do not overdo it. Recommended total daily amount (inclusive of what is obtained form food and sunshine) is  1,000 milligrams (mg) of calcium a day and  600 international units (IUs) of vitamin D a day.