Role of Fiber & Thyroid Disease

Thyroid patients must be extra careful about eating a proper diet with plenty of fiber. Fiber helps thyroid patients regulate their system and keep their weight down.

Digestion

• Fiber is essential in order for you to properly digest your food, which will help you get the most out of weight loss-efforts if you have hypothyroidism.

Blood Sugar

• If you have a thyroid imbalance, fiber is particularly important when you consume carbohydrates. Fiber helps your body to normalize its blood sugar and modulate its response to insulin.

Glycemic Index

• Fiber helps lower the glycemic index of the foods you eat. Eating a low-glycemic diet is effective for hypothyroid patients or patients with hyperthyroidism who have trouble losing weight after beginning medication.

Recommendations

• According to Mary J. Shomon in her book "Living Well with Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism," men up to 50 years of age should consume 38 grams of fiber a day, and women up to 50 years old should consume 21 grams. Men over 50 require 30 grams, and women over 50 require 21 grams.

Medication

• Fiber taken with calcium carbonate can interfere with absorption of thyroid hormone. Have your thyroid retested 6 to 8 weeks after beginning a high-fiber diet to see if you need a dosage change of thyroid hormone replacement.