Maintaining a healthy thyroid is a delicate balance for those of us with thyroid issues. It seems something is always around to offset it, whether you use thyroid medication or not.
Over the years of dealing with a thyroid autoimmune disorder, I have learned to listen to my body and find a happy place to where I am functioning at my best. I can also feel when the balance is slipping and when I need to help my thyroid along.
Whether you use medications or not, you can do many things to naturally help your thyroid, and your body, function better. Giving proper aid can really make a world of difference in your overall health.
(If you do happen to be on thyroid medication, please check with your doctor before adding new supplements to your routine. I am not a doctor, I’m just an experienced thyroid patient and advocate. )
Natural ways to support your thyroid
1. Keep the gut happy
Gut health has such a MAJOR impact on all the systems of your body that is a good practice to maintain a healthy gut flora. This means getting processed foods out of your diet (they cause inflammation) and providing good bacteria for your gut in the form of fermented foods and or probiotics.
2. Drink water
I know, I know, you hear this all the time and you are wondering, how is drinking enough water going to help your thyroid? Well, besides being properly hydrated, water can help flush toxins in your system. Toxins back up in your body, which make for a decline in overall function. This puts stress on your thyroid.
Proper hydration is also key for the lymph system. Moving lymph allows for your body to keep it’s immune system functioning, protecting the health of all your organs, including your thyroid.
3. Eliminate gluten
While not everyone has a gluten intolerance, many thyroid patients find a great improvement in their symptoms when they remove gluten from their diet, especially with autoimmune thyroid conditions.
4. Take care of your adrenals
Adrenal fatigue is often associated with thyroid disorders. Many times worn down adrenals can cause or worsen a thyroid condition. When the adrenals are weak, they cannot keep up with a properly functioning thyroid, which adds stress to the thyroid and the adrenals glands.
Learning to deal with stress and getting enough rest can help keep those adrenals functioning.
5. Learn to say no
Yes, I said, you can say no. When you have thyroid disorder, some days are tough! Don’t be afraid to say no to some of those extras and take care of yourself. I promise you won’t regret it.
As a society, self care is equated to being selfish, but I promise you it is not. Taking care of you is just as important as taking care of the rest of your family.
I know this list looks doesn’t look like it would make an impact on your health, but I am a firm believer in simple, baby steps. It’s the way to go, especially to regain health. Sometimes the reason we got to where we are is because we skip through the basics of care because we are just so busy.
Great tips… balancing the thyroid/adrenal is a big job… and not one to become careless about.
hi,I had thyroid problem,then after 10 years both the glands were removed,now I feel to some extent relax,but sometimes I feel very low,and down,lazy,plz suggest what should I do.
hi Tahira, it’s a bit more tricky when you have your thyroid removed, but something that is helpful is to get a good clean diet in and support your body the best you can. Adrenal fatigue is also something to watch for when your thyroid glands are removed.
I am trying some of the same methods, in hope that it can reverse the autoimmunity. Have you researched this at all? I wonder if there are those who have had this happen. ?
Hi Jacquelyn, I have Hashimoto’s and I totally believe you can reverse it! With the autoimmune issue, you are talking about healing the gut and supporting the thyroid.