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Hyperthyroidism Diet
Medically reviewed by Katherine Marengo, LDN, RD, specialty in nutrition, on
June 12, 2019 — Written by Noreen Iftikhar, MD

Treatment Foods to eat Foods to avoid Takeaway

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Overview
Hyperthyroidism happens when there’s too much thyroid hormone in your
body. This condition is also called thyrotoxicosis. An overactive or
enlarged thyroid gland may produce more thyroid hormone.

Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the front of your neck. It

produces thyroid hormones called T3 and T4. These hormones:

help your body use energy

help balance body temperature

help your brain, heart, and other organs function properly

Some types of hyperthyroidism may be genetic. Graves’ disease is the

most common cause of hyperthyroidism in the United States. It’s seven to
eight times more common in women than men.

In some cases, thyroid cancers may also cause an overactive thyroid.

Hyperthyroidism can be easily confused with other health problems. Its

range of symptoms includes:
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anxiety, irritability, and nervousness

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feeling hot

sweating
fast heartbeat or pounding heart
fatigue or tiredness
muscle weakness
hand tremor or slight shaking

more frequent or other changes in bowel movements

skin thinning

fine, brittle hair

menstruation changes

enlarged thyroid gland (goiter)

swelling at base of your neck

eye changes

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Standard treatment for hyperthyroidism
Treatment is necessary if you have hyperthyroidism. High levels of thyroid
hormones in your body can be toxic. Left untreated, hyperthyroidism may
lead to heart problems, bone loss, fracture risk, and other issues.

Your doctor may prescribe antithyroid medications. These drugs help to

balance an overactive thyroid gland. In some cases, treatment may
include radiation therapy or thyroid surgery.

Certain foods can help keep your thyroid healthy and reduce some of the
negative effects of this condition. Some minerals, vitamins, and other
nutrients are necessary to balance thyroid function.

A low-iodine diet is usually prescribed prior to some treatments for

hyperthyroidism. For example, you’ll need to follow a low-iodine diet
before having radiation therapy to remove excess or damaged thyroid
cells.

After treatment, it’s still important to balance iodine in your diet. Other
foods help to protect your thyroid and reduce the long-term effects of
hyperthyroidism.

Foods to eat if you have hyperthyroidism

Low-iodine foods

The mineral iodine plays a key role in making thyroid hormones. A low-
iodine diet helps to reduce thyroid hormones. Add these foods to your
daily diet:

non-iodized salt
coffee or tea (without milk or dairy- or soy-based creamers)

egg whites

fresh or canned fruit

unsalted nuts and nut butters

homemadeA DV
bread or breads made without salt, dairy, and eggs
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popcorn with non-iodized salt

 oats
potatoes

honey

maple syrup

Cruciferous vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables and other types may stop your thyroid from using
iodine properly. They may be beneficial for hyperthyroidism:

bamboo shoots

bok choy

broccoli
Brussels sprouts

cassava

cauliflower

collard greens

kale

mustard
rutabaga
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Vitamins and minerals

Several nutrients are essential for thyroid health and to balance thyroid
hormone production.

Iron

Iron is important for many vital bodily functions, including thyroid health.
This mineral is needed for blood cells to carry oxygen to every cell in your
body. Low levels of iron are linked to hyperthyroidism. Get plenty of iron
in your diet with foods such as:
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dried beans
 green leafy vegetables

lentils
nuts

poultry, such as chicken and turkey

red meat

seeds

whole grains

Selenium

Selenium-rich foods may help to balance thyroid hormone levels and

protect your thyroid from disease. Selenium helps to prevent cell damage
and keep your thyroid and other tissues healthy.

Good food sources of selenium include:

Brazil nuts

couscous

chia seeds

mushrooms
tea

meat, such as beef and lamb

rice

oat bran

poultry, such as chicken and turkey

sunflower seeds

Zinc

Zinc helps you use food for energy. This mineral also keeps your immune
system and thyroid healthy. Food sources of zinc include:


beef A DV ERTISEMENT

chickpeas
 cocoa powder

cashews

mushrooms
pumpkin seeds

lamb

Calcium and vitamin D

Hyperthyroidism causes weak and brittle bones. Bone mass may be

restored with treatment. Vitamin D and calcium are necessary for building
healthy bones.

Calcium-rich foods include:

spinach

collard greens
white beans

kale

okra

calcium-fortified orange juice

almond milk

calcium-fortified cereals

Vitamin D is found in these low-iodine foods:

vitamin D-fortified orange juice

vitamin D-fortified cereals

beef liver

mushrooms

fatty fish

Healthy fats A DV ERTISEMENT

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Fats that are from whole foods and largely unprocessed may help reduce
inflammation. This helps to protect thyroid health and balance thyroid
hormones. Nondairy fats are important in a low-iodine diet. These include:

flaxseed oil

olive oil

avocado oil
coconut oil

sunflower oil

safflower oil

avocado

unsalted nuts and seeds

Spices

Some spices and herbs have anti-inflammatory properties to help protect

and balance thyroid function. Add flavor and a dose of antioxidants to
your daily meals with:

turmeric

green chilies

black pepper
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Foods to avoid if you have hyperthyroidism

Excess iodine

Eating too many iodine-rich or iodine-fortified foods may lead to

hyperthyroidism or worsen it in some cases.

A teaspoon of iodized salt gives you 284 micrograms of iodine. Seafood

has the most iodine. Just 1 gram of seaweed contains 2 milligrams (mg) of
iodine. The recommend dose of iodine is about 1.1 mg per day. A low-
iodine diet requires even less.

Avoid the following seafood and seafood additives:

fish

seaweed

prawns

crabs

lobster

sushi

carrageen
agar-agar

algae

alginate

nori

kelp

Avoid other foods high in iodine such as:

milk and dairy

cheese

egg yolks

iodized salt

iodized water 
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some food colorings

Some medications also contain iodine. These include:

amiodarone (Nexterone)

cough syrups

medical contrast dyes

herbal or vitamin supplements

Nitrates

Chemicals called nitrates may cause  your thyroid to absorb too much
iodine. This can lead to an enlarged thyroid and hyperthyroidism.

Nitrates are found naturally in some foods. Processed foods may contain
added nitrates. They may also be found in drinking water. Avoid or limit
foods such as:

processed meats (sausage, bacon, salami, pepperoni)

celery

lettuce

beets

spinach

parsley

leeks

endive
cabbage

fennel

dill

turnip

carrots

cucumber

pumpkin A DV ERTISEMENT
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Gluten
In some people, gluten may harm the thyroid by causing inflammation.
Even if you don’t have a gluten allergy or intolerance, it may be beneficial
to restrict or limit gluten. Check food labels for gluten-containing
ingredients such as:

wheat

barley

brewer’s yeast

malt

rye

triticale

Soy

While soy doesn’t contain iodine, it’s been shown to interfere with some
treatments for hyperthyroidism in animals. Avoid or limit foods with soy
such as:

soy milk

soy sauce

tofu

soy-based creamers

Caffeine

Foods and beverages that contain caffeine, such as coffee, tea, soda, and
chocolate, can exacerbate the symptoms of hyperthyroidism and lead to
increased anxiety, nervousness, irritability, and rapid heart rate.

If caffeine has this effect on you, then avoiding or limiting your intake may
be a good option. Try replacing caffeinated beverages with natural herbal
teas, flavored water, or hot apple cider.

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The takeaway
Hyperthyroidism may not always be preventable, but it’s treatable. See
your doctor if you have any of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Follow
your treatment exactly as prescribed, including all dietary
recommendations.

Talk with your doctor or dietitian about making short-term and long-term
changes to your diet. This can help balance thyroid function and protect
your body from the effects of hyperthyroidism.

Enjoy home-cooked whole foods on a low-iodine diet. Avoid restaurant,

boxed or processed meals, and prepared sauces and marinades. These
may contain added iodine.

If you’re on a low-iodine diet, it can be more difficult to get enough vitamin

D and calcium. Talk with your doctor or dietitian about taking supplements
for these nutrients.

Seek support from a thyroid support group. Most dietary restrictions will
be temporary. Other dietary changes are part of a healthy, balanced
lifestyle for better overall health and wellness.

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