Taking the thyroid hormone replacement medicine levothyroxine (Levothroid, Synthroid) to treat an underactive thyroid can also help lower your cholesterol level. When your thyroid hormone level is just marginally low, you may not need thyroid hormone replacement.
When the body does not produce enough thyroid hormones, the liver cannot process as much cholesterol as usual. An underactive thyroid means that the body removes less LDL cholesterol from the blood. This can lead to high levels of LDL and total cholesterol.
Improve your diet A heart-healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein sources like poultry, fish, and nuts, and low in saturated and trans fats, can have a big effect on your cholesterol levels.
This is because having an underactive thyroid can lead to an increased cholesterol level, and treating hypothyroidism may cause your cholesterol level to decrease, without the need for statins. Statins are also more likely to cause muscle damage in people with an underactive thyroid.
Specifically, antacids, calcium, cholesterol drugs, and iron supplements can each interfere with the way the thyroid hormone is absorbed. So, you should take these particular drugs four hours before or after taking your thyroid medication, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Cruciferous veggies like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale and spinach are best avoided as they are considered as goitrogens. 2. Try and have a control over potato, sweet potato, yam and purple yam too since weight gain is also a subject of concern in hypothyroidism.
What is the connection between hypothyroidism and cholesterol? If you have a thyroid disorder, and your thyroid gland is producing too many or too few thyroid hormones, this imbalance can lead to abnormal cholesterol levels in the blood.
Some behaviors or conditions can cause sudden increases in blood cholesterol. This includes high coffee intake, rapid weight loss, cigarette smoking, and psychological stress. Being pregnant and taking certain medications, such as antihypertensive drugs, can also quickly increase cholesterol.
Apples, pears, plums and citrus fruits are abundant with pectins, which help with detoxifying the body of mercury – one of the most critical metals that have been connected to thyroid problems.
Hypothyroid persons can take all fruits including banana in moderation.
Avocados aren't just a party staple; they're also loaded with healthy thyroid nutrients. Avocados are a great source of monounsaturated fat and antioxidants, which our thyroids need to keep up with the rest of our bodies.
Coconut oil is claimed to help with numerous health conditions, including an underactive thyroid, weight loss, heart disease and Alzheimer's disease.
Greek Yogurt packs double benefits that help with thyroid. It's full of iodine as well as plus Vitamin D. As we have already established, iodine is very important for the production of thyroid hormones.
For Thyroid Thrivers, in general, the more nutrient-dense, the better. White potatoes, in their purest, most unadulterated form, are actually quite nutritious. In particular, potatoes feature several key thyroid-supporting nutrients like Vitamin C, B6, Potassium, Magnesium, Iron, and Iodine.
For hypothyroidism, my go-to teas are withania (ashwagandha), chamomile, gotu kola and licorice teas. Withania is a herb that may increase the production of thyroid hormone, and helps the body to cope with stress. Of course, chamomile helps with stress and sleep, but it also has further benefits.
Oatmeal, oat bran and high-fiber foods
Soluble fiber is also found in such foods as kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples and pears. Soluble fiber can reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream. Five to 10 grams or more of soluble fiber a day decreases your LDL cholesterol.