Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is an underactive thyroid gland. When the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones, the body starts to slow down. This condition is called hypothyroidism. It occurs when thyroid hormone levels in the blood drop too low to support the body’s normal functions.
Common Mistakes with Thyroid Medication
If you have hypothyroidism (a slow thyroid) and are taking thyroid medication, there are some important things you need to know. Many people don’t realize these things but they can really affect how you feel.
1. Not Getting Enough Vitamins and Minerals
When your thyroid is slow, your body uses up important nutrients especially magnesium. And when you start taking thyroid medicine, your body needs even more of it.
If you don’t have enough magnesium, you might feel – Anxious, Fast heartbeat and Trouble sleeping.
Additional nutrients like vitamin D, B-complex vitamins, and calcium may also be necessary for your well-being. If your body doesn’t get enough of these, your symptoms might not improve even with medicine.
Solution – Get your vitamin and mineral levels checked. Make sure your body has what it needs before or while taking thyroid medicine.
2. Ignoring Stress
Stress can block your thyroid hormones from working properly. When your stress hormone (called cortisol) is too high or too low, the active thyroid hormone (T3) can’t enter your cells. It stays in your blood, and you still feel tired.
Later, when stress levels change suddenly, all that stored T3 can flood into your body at once — which can make you feel sick or overwhelmed.
Solution – Before starting thyroid treatment, learn to manage your stress. Sleep well, relax and take helpful vitamins like B3, B5, and vitamin C. This helps your thyroid medicine work better.
3. Only Taking T4 in High Doses
Most doctors give thyroid patients a hormone called T4, but not everyone can turn T4 into T3, which is what your body actually uses.
When you take only T4, and your body can’t convert it well, you still feel tired, cold, or unwell.
Solution – Avoid gluten and soy, Eat seafood that contains iodine, Take omega-3 (DHA, EPA) and selenium if needed.
These changes can help your body make better use of the medicine.
4. Not Eating Enough Food
A lot of people make this big mistake.
Thyroid medicine speeds up your metabolism, which means your body burns energy faster. If you don’t eat enough food especially carbs your body gets stressed. Then it turns helpful T3 into Reverse T3 (RT3) which blocks your medicine.
Many people think a slow thyroid means they should eat less. But if you eat too little (like 600 – 1400 calories a day), you can feel worse – tired, moody or even depressed.
Solution –
Eat enough and eat well. Focus on healthy foods like – Fish and seafood, Eggs and meat, Nuts seeds and Citrus fruits etc.
Also sleep early, manage stress and most important – exercise a little. With the right food, supplements and care, your thyroid medicine can really help you feel better.
