Can Nutrition Help Manage Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis? Here’s What the Research Says

Understanding Hashimoto’s and Nutrition

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (HT) is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, leading to hypothyroidism. It affects approximately 5% of the global population, with women being diagnosed more often than men. Research suggests that genetics contribute 70–80% to the risk of developing HT, while environmental and lifestyle factors make up 20–30%.

One of these environmental factors is nutrition, which has sparked growing interest in its potential role in managing HT. While some dietary strategies show promise for supporting thyroid health, good research is still limited - most studies are small, short-term or observational, with a lack of large scale clinical trials. However, when personalised to the individual, certain nutritional approaches may still play a valuable role in supporting thyroid function, gut health, and immune balance.

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What the Research Says About Diet and Hashimoto’s

Gluten-Free Diet

Some research suggests that eliminating gluten may help reduce thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, particularly in levothyroxine-treated patients. When combined with vitamin D supplementation, reductions in anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin (anti-TG) antibodies have also been observed (1). Whilst perhaps not everyone with HT needs to go gluten-free, many may experience positive results through it's exclusion - but, as always, individual tolerance matters!

Lactose-Free Diet

For those with lactose intolerance, removing lactose from the diet has been linked to lower TSH levels in HT patients (1). Since lactose intolerance is common in Hashimoto’s, assessing dairy tolerance may be a useful step in personalised nutrition plans.

Energy-Restricted Diets

Studies suggest that caloric restriction, whether through portion control or excluding specific foods, may improve TSH, free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), anti-TG, and anti-TPO levels (1). However, extreme calorie restriction may also stress the body, potentially worsening symptoms, so a balanced approach is essential.

Nigella sativa (Black Seed) Supplementation

Certain studies indicate that Nigella sativa supplementation may lead to improved TSH, fT4, and anti-TPO levels (1). While promising, more long-term studies may be needed before making strong recommendations.

Gut Health & The Microbiome

Emerging research suggests that imbalances in gut bacteria (dysbiosis) may increase the risk of autoimmune thyroid diseases. Probiotic strains like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium have been linked to a better immune response, stronger gut integrity, and reduced inflammation (2,3). This reinforces the gut-thyroid connection, making microbiome health an important consideration for those with HT.

What Does This All Mean?

In short—while some nutritional interventions show promise, there is no "one-size-fits-all" diet for Hashimoto’s. What works for one person may not work for another, and more high-quality research is needed.

That’s where personalised nutritional therapy comes in. If you're looking to take control of your thyroid health, focusing on nutrient optimisation, gut health, and inflammation reduction could be a game changer.

Ready to explore a nutrition plan tailored to your needs? Let’s start your journey to sustainable health today!

References:

1. de Carvalho GB, Dias-Vasconcelos MC, de Carvalho AC, de Souza MO. The impact of gluten-free diet on thyroid autoimmunity in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: a systematic review. Nutrients. 2023;15(4):1041. doi:10.3390/nu15041041

2. Czarnywojtek A, Woliński K, Wierzbicka E, Florek E, Wrotkowska E, Kot B, et al. Gut microbiota in endocrine disorders. Nutrients. 2023;15(15):2496. doi:10.3390/nu16152496

3. Zhao F, Feng J, Li J, Zhao L, Liu Y, Chen X, et al. Alterations of the gut microbiota in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis patients. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021;12:774362. doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.774362