How to Monitor a Thyroid Problem

The consequences of thyroid problems can be minimized if you monitor your condition. Eating a healthy diet, taking the proper supplements, exercising regularly and adhering to the medications prescribed by your doctor can help you keep your thyroid problem under control.

Things You'll Need

• Heart Rate Monitor
• Vitamin Supplements

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Instructions

Maintenance

• 1

  Maintain a diet with a low glycemic load that is low in saturated fat and high in protein. Avoid simple sugars like white bread, potatoes, white rice, and sweets; instead, try whole-grain bread, green vegetables, and wheat crackers. Cut back on animal fats and focus on proteins like nuts, fish, olive oil, and omega-3s. (Reference 1, pages 131-134) Too much fat harms your immune system and can be one of the causes of an autoimmune attack on your thyroid; this can exacerbate your thyroid problem. (Reference 1, page 314)

• 2

  Take antioxidant supplements such as vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and selenium. A thyroid imbalance can make you deficient in antioxidants and can promote an imbalance. The recommended amount of selenium is 50 to 100 micrograms daily, as too much selenium can be harmful. (Reference 1, pages 317-319)

• 3

  Engage in regular exercise. Physical activity will help you boost your metabolism and help your body to burn calories more effectively. (Reference 2, page 53) If you haven't been exercising, start with 30 minutes three times a week and gradually increase to daily exercise to prevent injury or burn-out. Exercise relieves tension, improves your mood and alleviates depression, which are all symptoms of thyroid problems. It also increases your muscle mass, which raises your metabolism over the long-term. (Reference 1, pages 329-331)

  Even if you have hyperthyroidism, which commonly results in weight loss, your appetite may remain after your thyroid is under control. These changes can cause weight gain, which makes an exercise regime all the more important. (Reference 2, page 83)

  Exercise 3 days a week for 30 to 60 minutes. Gradually increase your exercise to 4 or 5 days a week. Monitor your heart rate with a heart rate monitor to ensure that you are not pushing yourself too hard, particularly in the first couple of weeks of your exercise program.

• 4

  Consult your doctor about a medication program. If you have hypothyroidism, ask your doctor about synthetic thyroid hormones and natural thyroid supplements. Synthetic thyroid hormones have not been derived from animals or plants; they contain one or both of T3 and T4, the thyroid hormones. Natural thyroid supplements use thyroid from a pig and contain both T3 and T4. (Reference 3, pages 32-33) If you are suffering from hyperthyroidism, ask your doctor about antithyroid drugs, specifically PTU, or propylthiouracil, and methimazole, or Tapazole. These medications slow thyroid hormone production and can, in some cases, cause hyperthyroidism to go into remission, eliminating the problem. (Reference 2, pages 68-69)