Leading Authority in Naturopathic Endocrinology

Is Ginger A Problem If You Have Thyroid Disease?

Dr. Alan Christianson — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 23:07:49 +0000

I recently got a really great question about the use of ginger for cooking, and what relationship ginger shares with your thyroid overall. If you were ever curious or concerned about whether or not you should be cooking with ginger, this discussion is for you.

The question I got was as follows: Hi Dr. C, I love your recipes but see that they use ginger. Don’t we have to avoid ginger if we have thyroid problems?

I am super happy to dive into this question for you and to help make sense of it for you. Let’s discuss the facts, the sides of the argument, and what it means for you…

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Ginger: Safe Or Unsafe?

There are really two sides to this argument that I see out there.

On the one hand, there are some things that can affect your thyroid health. These are things that you wouldn’t expect and are completely counterintuitive.

On the other, there are many things that are talked about that engender a lot of unnecessary fear (in my opinion). That, by itself, is unproductive because it makes us worry for little reason.

Can Ginger Be Bad For Your Thyroid?

There are two distinct ways that I often see this written about.

The first one concerns issues with TH1 (otherwise known as immune regulatory cells). The general idea here is that, for some time, it was thought that TH1 and TH2 ratios were important drivers of autoimmunity (and, therefore, thyroid disease).

Extending that theory, the thought was that many people with thyroid disease have too much TH1 activity (otherwise known as TH1-dominant).

Key Insight: A concern here was that ginger was thought to raise TH1 activity in the body.

To put all this together, if you have thyroid disease, if your TH1-to-TH2 ratio is important, and you are TH1-dominant, it was believed you would want to avoid other TH1-dominant things (like ginger).

By 2015, the entire theory of TH1 and TH2-dominance between a driver of autoimmunity (or being relevant in general) was pretty well discredited¹. It is no longer an idea or theory that is taken seriously (even though, at one point, it was).

Key Insight: Even at the time, I noted a lot of conclusions being drawn that were simply too far ahead of the research. It was plausible, but it was too definitive for the time.

While I can understand the desire to create a “good list” and a “bad list” to individualize choices, all of these things did not pan out. That’s why the idea of TH1 and TH2 ratios simply isn’t a strong argument to write off ginger just yet.

Further Case Reports

After performing a deep dive into the data, I did find a case report that was written about a woman who seemed to develop subacute thyroiditis after ingesting 1 tsp of ginger in honey for 10 days².

Here are some additional details to really help us break this down:

The case involved a 34-year-old female
She experienced thyroid pain and swelling
In addition, fever and racing heart

After being treated with NSAIDS, beta blockers, and steroids, her condition seemed to improve. Then, a year later she ate ginger candy and these symptoms showed up yet again.

But, they resolved quickly on their own and seemed to go away.

Let’s start by breaking down the condition of “subacute thyroiditis.” This is not related to Hashimoto’s disease, and not an autoimmune version of thyroid disease.

We do not know exactly why it happens, but it seems to be driven by viral infections. Some people who get a cold or the flu, they develop this acute issue within the thyroid.

You might even consider it a cold for your thyroid. It is sore, you may feel drained, and your thyroid function is altered. That said, it is also self-limiting.

Key Insight: Overall, it is very rare and does go away on its own. There is no data suggesting a connection to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or hypothyroidism.

Altogether, in this particular case, there was no mechanism known by which ginger could have made this happen. We know a lot about what ginger does in the body, but none of the things which it does are at all related to the way subacute thyroiditis happens.

The best evaluation is that this case was more likely to be a coincidence, not correlation, which means that ginger likely did not have much of a role to play.

Ginger: The True Superfood

Based on the data we have, it is difficult to build a case against ginger being harmful to our general health. The data has either been dismissed or is truly coincidental and invalid as a basis for guiding our thoughts on ginger.

What we know about ginger is that it is a good thing, even a great thing! It is one of the true superfoods out there, and I want you to know a bit more about it.

The basic stuff is that “ginger root” is not a root, it is a rhizome (the stem). In fact, you can even plant the version you buy at the store and grow your own ginger.

In terms of toxicology, it is right up there with carrots in terms of how toxic it can be for us, or in this case how low in toxins it is. Because you may be able to get too much, but it is more of an irritant than a toxicant.

Human Studies On Ginger

So, now that we know the basics, what does the data tell us about ginger? I pulled together some of the most impactful studies about ginger to help guide our thinking today.

There have been papers showing that ginger helps the rate of:

Thermogenesis
Increasing lipolysis (fat breakdown)
Suppression of lipogenesis (fat formation)
Lowering intestinal fat absorption while controlling appetite³

Ginger can also help with:

Metabolic Syndrome (Read More: Healing Your Adrenals)
Sports Performance
Type Two Diabetes (Read More: Preventing an Underactive Thyroid From Causing Diabetes)

In addition, it can also help with:

Nausea and vomiting for those undergoing chemotherapy or who are pregnant
Acting as a “gastroprotective,” meaning that it is protective for the stomach
Cutting the risk of cardiovascular disease
Acting as a radioprotective (protecting from the side effects of radiation)

Pretty great stuff, right? That is only a shortlist of what human studies have been provided in terms of the benefits of ginger. They are real and very effective.

How Should You Consume Ginger?

Now that we know about ginger, and that it is completely okay to consume, how should we go about introducing it into our daily lives?

There are multiple ways, so let me share some inspiration with you…

Including ginger in your tea is a great start, but ginger can also be used in recipes, such as:

A wide variety of Asian-style dishes
Desserts of all kinds
An aromatic accompaniment to things like fish and poultry

One of my favorite ways of keeping ginger around is by tossing the stem in the freezer. This is a great way to save your ginger before it goes bad, and is as simple as using a microplane to shave it when you are ready to use it in any recipe.

Dried Or Fresh Ginger?

Most of the data that we have is on dried ginger. However, both dried and fresh ginger are quite similar. Dried ginger is only a little bit higher in shogaol (which is known to be the most cancer-preventive).

The fresh alternative is a little bit higher in gingerol, which is where a lot of the benefits show up. Dried still has gingerol, of course, but the fresh version has more of it.

If you swap out one for the other in a recipe, please know that they are not equal amounts and you may need to do some converting to result in the right taste.

My Favorite Ginger Recipe

I want to leave you with one of my favorite recipes involving ginger: my homemade ginger ale!

Here’s what you’ll need:

1.5 cups chopped, peeled ginger – about 1/2 pound
2 cups water
3/4 cup allulose (or stevia/lo han/xylitol to taste)
4 cups of mineral water, chilled
3 tbsp fresh lime juice

Once you have all that prepared, simply follow these basic directions:

Simmer ginger in water for 40 minutes, cover and let sit for 20 minutes.
Strain liquid removing solid ginger.
Return water to pan.
Stir in remaining ingredients.
Refrigerate until chilled.
Mix in sparkling water.

This is a great way to easily enjoy some ginger, and is one of my all-time favorites. Overall, I hope you’ll give it a try and let me know what you think!

Ginger & Your Thyroid

After today, I want you to know that you are more than welcome to enjoy ginger in your diet. It is completely safe for you, and your thyroid, and also has a whole host of other benefits.

If you are still concerned about your thyroid, though, I hope you’ll try out the Thyroid Quiz today (Click Here: Take The Quiz). It should give you some great insight on your thyroid, and what you can do to optimize your health starting today!

Resources

1 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK285552/
2 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2876930/
3 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29193411

P.S. Whenever you are ready, here is how I can help you now:

1. Schedule a complimentary consultation with one of my team of naturopathic doctors. This is a great starting point for assessing your unique health needs and treatment options.
2. Need A Thyroid Supplement Recommendation? Take My Thyroid Specific Formulations Quiz Now
3. Need a Personalized Supplement? Check out My Thyroid Specific Formulations
4. Download and use my Favorite Recipes Cookbook Here
5. Check out my podcast Medical Myths, Legends, and Fairytales Here

Dr. Alan Glen Christianson (Dr. C) is a Naturopathic Endocrinologist and the author of The NY Times bestselling Adrenal Reset Diet, The Metabolism Reset Diet and The Thyroid Reset Diet.

Dr. C’s gift for figuring out what really works has helped hundreds of thousands of people reverse thyroid disease, lose weight, diabetes, and regain energy. Learn more about the surprising story that started his quest.

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Holiday Shake Recipes

Dr. Alan Christianson — Sun, 13 Nov 2022 00:17:00 +0000

Get our 12 holiday shake recipes for happy healthy holiday season.

Download Holiday Shake Recipes Now

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Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Recipe

Dr. Alan Christianson — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 00:02:00 +0000

Now that it’s October, this recipe had to come out of hiding. This pasta is SO good and probably the best dairy-free pumpkin pasta recipe you can find. IT’S SO EASY TO MAKE. Kids love it too! It’s perfect for dinner or lunch. 🙂 Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup coconut cream
5 cloves minced garlic
2 tablespoon olive oil
6 oz gluten-free pasta of your choice
vegetable broth (optional to use as a thickener)
2 organic chicken breasts

Directions:

Cook pasta according to package directions and set aside.
Next, heat half the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook chicken breasts 7-10 minutes on each side, or until browned all over. Transfer to a bowl.
Add oil the same pan and then add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
Next, add pumpkin puree and mix with the garlic.
Add coconut cream and mix. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for a few minutes. If the sauce is too thick for you add a bit of vegetable broth to thin it out a bit.
Add pasta and cooked chicken to the pan and mix.
Serve immediately and enjoy! 🙂

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Easiest Crock Pot Chicken Recipe

Dr. Alan Christianson — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 05:57:00 +0000

Do you have a crockpot?

Here is the easiest chicken recipe ever:

1. Slice an onion and lay the slices on the bottom of the crockpot.
2. Lay a whole chicken (breast side down) on top of the onions
3. Cook for 4 hours (high setting).
4. Pair with a side salad (with carrots and roasted sweet peppers – and 3/4 cup of carbs of your choice for a dinner serving).

That’s it. No need to add liquid. I found this recipe and it makes the juiciest chicken you’ve ever had (it falls off the bone it’s so tender). It’s one of my family’s favorite go-to’s during the busy fall and winter season. Whatever meat we have left, we use for our son’s school lunches. His favorite is Chicken & Apple Salad.

THEN use the bones to make homemade, preservative-free broth. For CHICKEN BROTH sauté onions, celery, and carrots for a few minutes, add 8-10 cups of water and the bones and simmer for 1-2 hours. Strain the liquid then season with a little sea salt and pepper. I like to pour it into a gallon sized pitcher and refrigerate overnight. In the morning scoop off all the fat from the top and now it’s easy to pour your low-fat broth into ice cube trays and snack sized ziplock baggies. Then freeze for future meals.

*The world’s top chefs use raw bones for making broth. My feeling is that you started with raw bones when you put your chicken into the crock pot 4 hours ago – you are simply extending the time it cooks when you make broth immediately. And I love that you are using everything from 1 whole chicken – for multiple meals.

Kirin Christianson

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Reset Diet Approved Potato Salad

Dr. Alan Christianson — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 02:00:00 +0000

It’s a shame that it’s nearly impossible to find a healthy version of potato salad. It’s such a savory treat and perfect pairing to any meal, really. This recipe is sure to fill that craving, and has a ton of added benefits to go with it. We just talked about the benefits of Resistant Starch, so here is a delicious way to get that starch in tonight.

Ingredients:

10 red potatoes
2/3 cup raw cashew
2/3 cup water
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
3 stalks celery
3 tablespoons red onion
2 sprigs fresh dill
2 tablespoons chives
Salt & Pepper, to taste (non-iodized salt, Diamond, or Morton’s brands)

Directions:

Measure out ⅔ cups of raw cashews and put them in a bowl. Add enough water to cover the cashews in the bowl and soak overnight. Begin boiling a stockpot of water.
Next, rinse and slice about 10 small red potatoes into quarters and carefully drop them into the water once it reaches a boil. Let these cook for about 15 minutes to reach desired consistency.
Drain the cashews and add them to a blender with 2/3 cup of water, 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar, and a pinch or two of sea salt. Blend until completely smooth.
Once the potatoes are fully cooked, carefully drain them through a colander and rinse them with cold water to stop the cooking process. Then, add them to a large mixing bowl with some lemon juice and a pinch of salt & pepper.
Begin slicing 3 stalks of celery, then very finely dice about 2-3 tablespoons of red onion, chop up 2-3 sprigs of fresh dill, and grate a tiny bit of lemon zest. Then, add the cashew cream to the potatoes along with all these ingredients (celery, onion, dill, zest) and carefully mix. Finally, cover potatoes in a glass tupperware, and chill before serving. You may now add any additional seasonings for topping.

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Turkey Tacos in Lettuce Wraps

Dr. Alan Christianson — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 02:17:00 +0000

These fresh and delicious lettuce wraps are quick, easy and Dr. C approved for the Adrenal Reset Diet! Get this and many more of Dr. C’s favorite recipes by downloading the cookbook on the bottom of the “START HERE” page!

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground turkey
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon of sea salt (non-iodized salt, Diamond, or Morton’s brands)
1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon of chili powder
Red pepper chili flakes to taste
One 15 ounce can of rinsed, unsalted black beans
Handful of chopped cilantro
10-12 chilled lettuce cups, romaine or iceberg
Chopped tomatoes, for garnish
Chopped green onion, for garnish
Lime wedges for garnish

Directions:

1. Pour olive oil in pan on medium heat. Once heated, add turkey meat and chopped onion. Season with salt, pepper, garlic, chili powder and pepper flakes (if desired).
2. Sauté until turkey meat is fully cooked. Add cilantro and beans to turkey mixture. Remove from heat. Fill prepared lettuce cups with turkey and bean mixture. Garnish with tomato, green onion and lime. Enjoy!

Makes about 12 lettuce cup tacos

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Blueberry Salsa

Dr. Alan Christianson — Fri, 10 Jun 2022 02:23:00 +0000

If you love a sweet and spicy salsa bursting with natural flavors, you are going to want to try this tasty Dr. C version of Blueberry Salsa. Try this salsa with a grilled meat or fish.

Ingredients:

2 cups fresh blueberries, chopped
1 cup fresh blueberries, whole
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
3 tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped
2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced
1/3 cup red bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon non-iodized salt, Diamond, or Morton’s brands

Directions:

Stir together all ingredients.
Cover and chill until ready to serve.

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Protein “Ice Cream”

Dr. Alan Christianson — Tue, 10 May 2022 06:33:00 +0000

It’s hot here in Arizona in the summertime. REALLY hot. You know what makes a hot day feel cooler? Ice cream.

Traditional ice cream doesn’t help your hormones (or your swimsuit) though. You want something healthy’ish, but you also want an icy cool dessert that FEELS like a treat.

Try my delicious protein “ice cream.” Because I believe ice cream can be dairy free, filled with protein and healthier than anything you can buy in the stores. Here are 4 flavors you can make….

Sea Salt Caramel
Almond Butter Walnut
Mint Chocolate Chip
Orange Cream

Green bananas are a great source of resistant starch. So Dr. Christianson and I like to buy lots and lots of green bananas. Sometimes our schedules and the kids’ schedules are too busy to eat all the bananas before they become over-ripe. Once they are yellow, then they are no longer resistant starch. Yellow and over-ripe bananas are simply carbs after they are no longer green.

We also like to add vegan protein whenever we can because there are just some days when we don’t feel like eating meat.

Flavors:
Sea Salt Caramel
Almond Butter Walnut
Mint Chocolate Chip
Orange Cream

Basic Recipe Base for ALL the Flavors:
Carb – 6 over ripe bananas
Fat – 1/2 can light coconut milk
Protein/ Resistant Starch/ Fat – 2 scoops vanilla Adrenal Reset Shake
Vanilla extract
Sea salt (optional, non-iodized salt, Diamond, or Morton’s brands)

To make different flavors, use the following ingredients…..

Almond Butter Walnut ADD:
Additional Fat – Almond butter
Additional Fat – Crushed walnuts

Sea Salt Caramel ADD:
Caramel extract
Chunky sea salt – sprinkle on top for decoration – after blending but before freezing (you don’t need much)

Mint Chocolate Chip ADD:
Mint extract
Unsweetened cocoa powder
Unsweetened cocoa nibs

Orange Cream ADD:
Orange extract
Orange zest – sprinkle on top for decoration – after blending but before freezing

Directions:
Blend ingredients. Freeze for 3-4 hours

Although there is a full serving of protein, these contain more fat and carbs than you would want to eat at one sitting. Enjoy a scoop or two. Count these as your carb and fat serving if you are following the Adrenal Reset Diet.

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World Thyroid Day: What You Can Do to Raise Awareness

Dr. Alan Christianson — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 01:43:00 +0000

Is this a day to celebrate? No one wanted to get thyroid disease. It’s one of those things that no one thinks anything about – until they need to.

I can’t ask you to celebrate, but I can ask you to help me help others. I believe that people can recover from thyroid disease. Sadly, too few people ever hear this message. In the rest of the blog, I’ll talk about how this can be a message of hope, and you can help me share it.

Sometimes the best we can do of misfortune is to learn from it so that we can help others.
Enjoy the article, and thanks for your help 🙂

Dr. C

World Thyroid Day is May 25

This year, World Thyroid Day falls on May 25th. As you may know, the thyroid is a small gland in the neck that plays a significant role in the body’s overall health. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the importance of this tiny gland and the impact that thyroid problems can have on their lives. In fact, thyroid disorders, including hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroiditis, and thyroid cancer, go undiagnosed in nearly 50% of cases.

That’s why World Thyroid Day was started – to raise awareness for this issue and help people learn more about thyroid health. This is especially important because the symptoms of thyroid disease are so widely varied. It’s not uncommon for people unfamiliar with thyroid disease to miss signs or misinterpret them, leading to a delay in diagnosis and treatment.

If you want to get involved, there are many ways to do so! Keep reading to find out more.

How You Can Raise Awareness

Thyroid disease affects people worldwide, of all ages and backgrounds, so it’s essential to spread awareness in any way possible. Now that you know it’s coming, you’re probably wondering how you can get involved. Here are a few ideas:

Share on social media. Share information about the thyroid on social media using the hashtag #WorldThyroidDay. It doesn’t matter how small your following, every post helps! And it may help someone you know and love.
Write about your own research. Write a blog post or article about thyroid health and share it with your friends and family. Again, you never know who might benefit from the information. And who knows, you may learn something new during your research too!
Schedule an appointment. Talk to your doctor or healthcare provider about the importance of thyroid health and what you can do to keep your thyroid healthy. If you have a family history of thyroid disease, schedule an appointment for labwork to rule it out or catch it early.
Go public to raise awareness. Attend or participate in a local event to raise awareness for thyroid disease. A quick internet search will bring up organizations and events in your area.
Donate to a cause. Make a donation to a thyroid charity or organization. There are a lot to choose from, so do your research before deciding.

No matter how you choose to celebrate, remember that every little bit helps raise awareness for this important cause!

What’s New in Research

In addition to raising awareness, World Thyroid Day is also a great time to learn about the latest developments in thyroid research. Here are a few things that have been making headlines lately:

There are studies and drug trials on thyroid disease going on all the time, on many different areas of interest. If you want to stay up-to-date on all the latest thyroid news, be sure to check out the American Thyroid Association website or follow them on social media.

What Has Evolved

When World Thyroid Day started back in 2008, the thyroid community was much smaller than it is today. Thanks to the hard work of many dedicated individuals, thyroid awareness has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years. Here are just a few of the things that have changed since World Thyroid Day began:

More people are aware of the thyroid and its importance to overall health.
There is now a greater understanding of the different types of thyroid conditions and how they can impact people’s lives.
There are more treatments available for thyroid problems than ever before.
Research into the causes and effects of thyroid disease has increased exponentially.

As you can see, there has been a lot of progress made in the world of thyroid health since World Thyroid Day started. However, there is still much work to be done. So get out there and raise some awareness!

Integrative Health is happy to provide you with any information you may be seeking on thyroid health. Give us a call today to set up your consultation to learn how we can help.

P.S. Whenever you are ready, here is how I can help you now:

Dr. Alan Glen Christianson (Dr. C) is a Naturopathic Endocrinologist and the author of The NY Times bestselling Adrenal Reset Diet, The Metabolism Reset Diet and The Thyroid Reset Diet.

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Does Thyroid Health Affect Weight Gain or Loss?

Dr. Alan Christianson — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 02:23:00 +0000

Did you know that thyroid health can play a role in weight gain or loss? It’s true! Many people struggle with weight and don’t know that thyroid conditions may be to blame. This blog post will discuss the relationship between thyroid health and weight and how to manage your weight if you have a thyroid condition.

The first step to understanding this topic is to understand the purpose of the thyroid gland and how it affects weight in the first place. Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of your neck. This tiny gland produces thyroid hormones, which play a significant role in metabolism. And we all know that metabolism affects our weight.

Unexplained Weight Gain

If you’re experiencing weight gain and don’t know why it can be frustrating. You may feel like you’re doing everything right, but the scale just keeps going up. If this sounds familiar, it may be time to check in with your thyroid health. One thyroid condition that can cause weight gain is hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism happens when your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. This slows down your metabolism, which may lead to weight gain.

Hypothyroidism also affects your energy levels and your appetite. You may feel more tired than usual and not want to exercise or do much of anything. An increase in hunger and cravings for high-calorie, sugary foods can also accompany hypothyroidism. These factors can all contribute to weight gain.

If you think you might have hypothyroidism, talking to your doctor is essential. They will likely order a blood test to measure your thyroid hormone levels. If the test shows low thyroid hormone levels, you will be diagnosed with hypothyroidism and may need medication to help regulate your thyroid hormone levels.

Managing weight gain caused by thyroid disease may seem daunting at first. The good news is that there are things you can do.

Managing your thyroid. First, make sure your thyroid disease is under control. Without this step, it will be challenging to manage your weight because you’ll still be dealing with the effects of hormone imbalance.

Healthy diet. Once you have found the tools to manage your hypothyroidism, you can shift your focus to diet and exercise. A healthy diet is vital for everyone, but it’s especially important if you’re trying to lose weight. Eating nutritious foods and staying away from processed foods, sugary drinks, and unhealthy fats will help your body function at its best. Focus on a balanced diet with a variety of foods from all categories to get a wide range of nutrients.

You can also check out “The Thyroid Reset Diet” by Dr. Christianson. He talks about the effects of iodine on your body and how you can heal your thyroid by shifting to a nutrient-rich, low-iodine diet. He also gives helpful food lists and recipe ideas to make your journey as simple as possible.

Daily exercise. Exercise is the other important factor when you’re trying to lose weight. It helps to boost your metabolism and keep your body healthy. It may be difficult to find the motivation to exercise when feeling tired and sluggish. Still, it’s essential to get moving as much as you can. Even just 30 minutes per day of intentional movement can positively affect your health. Check out Dr. Christianson’s suggestions in his article: “What is the Best Exercise for Thyroid Disease?”

If you’re not used to exercising, start slow and gradually work your way up. High-intensity exercise can cause more problems for individuals with thyroid issues, so talk to your doctor before starting any new exercise routine. Integrative Health Doctors will help you find a personalized training routine that is safe and accessible for your health.

Unexplained Weight Loss

Though we don’t always think of it this way, especially when struggling to lose weight, unexplained weight loss can also be frustrating. You may be eating and exercising the same as always, but the pounds keep falling off. Being underweight can cause just as many problems as being overweight and, in some cases, be even more dangerous for your health. It’s essential to get to the bottom of what’s causing the weight loss.

One condition that can cause unexplained weight loss is hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is the opposite of hypothyroidism. It happens when your thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. This can speed up your metabolism, which can lead to weight loss. Hyperthyroidism also affects your energy levels and appetite. You may feel more energetic than usual and not want to eat, both contributing to weight loss.

Hyperthyroidism is considered an urgent medical condition. It can have severe effects on your body, so see a doctor as soon as possible if you think you may be experiencing symptoms. A blood test can measure your thyroid hormone levels and confirm a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism.

If you are struggling with unexplained weight loss, there are things you can do to manage your symptoms and regain a healthy weight.

Take control of your thyroid disease. Just as with hypothyroidism, the first step is to get your thyroid disease under control. Once your thyroid hormone levels are back to normal, you can begin working on other ways to get back to a healthy weight.
Gradually increase calorie intake. Eating more often and increasing your calorie intake is an excellent place to start. You may need to eat smaller meals throughout the day rather than three large meals. Focus on eating nutrient-rich foods that will help your body function at its best: plenty of protein, healthy fats, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. The Thyroid Reset Diet works for hyperthyroidism as well. Use it in conjunction with care from your doctor or a nutritionist to ensure you are eating in a way that gets you the nutrients you need.
Get moving. Exercise is always a crucial piece of a healthy lifestyle, whether you need to gain, lose, or maintain weight, especially if you have thyroid issues. To help with weight gain, you may need to adjust your routine, so talk to your doctor or an exercise physiologist to find an appropriate exercise program. They can help you set up a plan that accounts for your thyroid disease, weight goals, and any other health concerns you may have.

Thyroid function is important for regulating your metabolism and maintaining a healthy weight. If you think your thyroid may be the cause of your weight gain or loss, make an appointment with an Integrative Health Doctor today. They will work with you to create a personalized plan to get your thyroid back on track and help you reach a healthy weight.

P.S. Whenever you are ready, here is how I can help you now:

Dr. Alan Glen Christianson (Dr. C) is a Naturopathic Endocrinologist and the author of The NY Times bestselling Adrenal Reset Diet, The Metabolism Reset Diet and The Thyroid Reset Diet.

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