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What Are The Most Common Thyroid Disorders and How Can a Thyroid Nutritionist Support You?

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Thyroid conditions affect how your thyroid gland functions, which plays an important role in regulating many processes throughout your body. When your thyroid is not working as it should, it can influence everything from your metabolism, appetite, and weight to your energy levels, heart health, muscle function, and even your mental clarity. Medical nutrition therapy can be a supportive tool in managing these conditions. Nutrition therapy can help to nourish your body, ease symptoms, and ensure you’re getting the nutrients needed to support overall well-being.

Keep reading to learn more about the most common thyroid disorders and how a thyroid nutritionist can help you.

What is a Thyroid Nutritionist?

Thyroid nutritionists are professionals who specialize in managing thyroid disorders through dietary changes, supplement advice, and lifestyle changes. They help you optimize your metabolic function, address nutrient deficiencies, and help you manage symptoms like fatigue and hair loss.

The job of our thyroid nutritionists is to guide you in areas such as:

Meal planning

When you work with a thyroid nutritionist, you’ll receive a personalized meal plan that addresses your symptoms and unique needs. Your nutritionist works alongside you to help you understand what foods your body needs for your thyroid hormones to work at their absolute best. Your custom meal plan will be created with the intention of supporting your thyroid hormone production and your metabolism. It will also focus heavily on your gut health, as poor digestion and bloating often slow down thyroid recovery.

Supplement management

A thyroid nutritionist will also make sure you are getting all the right nutrients, and may recommend supplements like selenium and iodine. Any supplements they recommend will always be based on your specific lab results. They will also focus on adding foods that support better nutrient absorption, calm inflammation, and naturally boost your metabolism.

By doing all of this and more, a thyroid nutritionist will help you manage your symptoms in a personalized, effective way.

What Thyroid Disorders Are There?

You’ve likely heard of “thyroid issues” as something to keep an eye on, but it’s helpful to know that there are actually several different types. Each one results from a specific reason why the gland isn’t quite acting like itself. Here are some of the different thyroid disorders you might encounter:

Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid)

This condition occurs when the thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones, which slows down your metabolism. It is often caused by Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune condition where your immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid, preventing it from doing its job. Another cause can be insufficient iodine intake, as this nutrient — which is commonly found in salt and seafood — is essential for hormone production.

Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid)

In this case, the thyroid gland produces too many hormones, which speeds up the metabolism. The most common cause is Graves’ disease. While it is an autoimmune condition, it essentially means your immune system gets a little confused and tells your thyroid to work overtime, pumping out way more hormones than you actually need.

Thyroid Nodules & Adenomas

These are solid or fluid-filled bumps that form on the thyroid gland. Most of these bumps are harmless and benign, though some can cause symptoms if they grow larger in size or begin producing extra hormones. Many people have these and they don’t even know it!

Thyroiditis

This is a fancy way of saying your thyroid is irritated, inflamed, or swollen. This often happens while you are fighting off an infection or because your immune system is being a bit overprotective.

Goiter

It is the general term for an enlarged thyroid gland. It can happen whether your thyroid is working too hard (aka overactive thyroid) or not hard enough (underactive thyroid).

Symptoms That May Indicate You Have a Thyroid Disorder

While there are many causes for thyroid issues, each disorder affects the body differently. The most common comparison is between Hypothyroidism (slow) and Hyperthyroidism (fast).

Here is a quick snapshot of how they differ:

Hypothyroidism (Underactive): Tiredness, cold intolerance, weight gain, depression, dry skin.

Hyperthyroidism (Overactive): Weight loss, fast heart rate, heat intolerance, anxiety, tremor.

To go into specifics, with hypothyroidism (slow thyroid function), you may notice:

Low energy

Leaving you feeling constantly exhausted or sluggish.

Showing signs of unexplained weight gain

Even when there hasn’t been a change to your diet, this is due to your body not burning the fuel as quickly.

Mood changes

You often feel down, blue, or depressed.

Sensitivity to cold

You might find it difficult to get warm, even when everyone in the room feels fine.

Whereas with hyperthyroidism (fast thyroid function), you may notice the following:

Racing Heart

You may feel like your heart is beating too fast, pounding, or fluttering.

Unexpected Weight Loss

You might lose weight at a rapid rate, even when you are eating the same amounts as usual or even more than you’re used to.

Jitters

You possibly feel unusually nervous, anxious, restless, or on edge.

Eye changes

Sometimes your eyes might seem puffy or irritated, or look like they are slightly pushing forward (bulging).

These are some of the things you should look for if you suspect your thyroid is the root cause of your symptoms. It is also important to pay attention to the appearance of your neck. If the area where the thyroid sits feels a bit bumpy or thick, it could be a sign that something is slightly off.

If any of this sounds familiar, we encourage you to consider working with a specialized thyroid nutritionist. You can discuss with them the best next steps for your specific needs and help your thyroid get back to its healthy, functioning state.

A thyroid nutritionist can also help you understand how your diet and lifestyle may be impacting your thyroid health and support you in managing symptoms. However, remember, they do not diagnose thyroid conditions. If you don’t already have a diagnosis, we recommend working with a qualified healthcare provider, such as an endocrinologist or primary care physician, who can run the appropriate lab tests and provide you with an accurate diagnosis.

Ready to Work with a Thyroid Nutritionist?

We hope the above information helps shed some light on the symptoms and causes of thyroid issues and how a thyroid nutritionist can support you on your journey.

Searching for a thyroid nutritionist to work with? We’d love to talk with you! At Plenish, we cut through the noise with science-based nutrition support that’s sustainable and realistic. No cookie-cutter solutions here. We help you stay nourished, manage your hypothyroidism symptoms, and care for your body.

Our dietitians specialize in using functional nutrition to help ease your symptoms. All of our practitioners are Licensed Dietitian-Nutritionists (LDNs), Certified Nutrition Specialists (CNS), and Registered Dietitians (RDs and they each hold a master ’s-level degree in nutrition. We are in network with Aetna, United Healthcare, Cigna, and BCBS. If your insurance isn’t listed here, you can still see us! Out-of-network sessions may be partially reimbursable by your insurance.

Want to learn more about working with us? You can go here to book your complimentary call with us or go here to learn more about our services.

Psst… don’t forget to grab our FREE Nutrition 101 Guide! This free guide blends functional medicine and intuitive eating to help you support your hormones, digestion, and energy through consistent, compassionate nourishment.

With this guide you’ll learn how to: