Soy and My Thyroid Gland

So last week I went to the doctor because my thyroid gland was swollen and I felt like I had a lump in my throat. The doctor said I probably have some sort of thyroid disorder and will more than likely be put on synthetic thyroid medication that I would have to take the rest of my life. Forget that! I went into panic mode and started reading like crazy. I am not giving up that easily.

I did a bunch of research and found that it is probably all the soy in my diet that is causing my thyroid gland to have problems. I really have been eating way too much soy ever since I became a vegetarian. For the past eight years I have excessively drank soy milk, eaten soy cheese, tofu, tempeh, soy butter, soy ice cream, imitation meats made from soy, soy chips... if it is made of soy you can safely bet I have been eating it. A lot.

From what I have been reading, soy is considered a "goitrogen" a food which inhibits the uptake of iodine by the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland emits hormones which control our metabolism, amongst other things.

So basically, because of all of the soy I eat, and because I use sea salt instead of iodized table salt, I have an iodine deficiency and my thyroid gland has been screaming for help. It has not been able to do its job and I have been developing a condition known as hypothyroidism - which causes, fatique, depression, heavy menstrual periods, weight gain - even tooth problems(!) because the thyroid is also in charge some sort of calcium processes in our bodies.

Last friday, I stopped eating soy foods and started taking an iodine supplement. I feel 100% better! My thyroid gland is not swollen anymore and I have a lot more energy and am not as depressed.

Yesterday I rode my bike to go get my lunch (yay!) and tonight I am starting my new yoga class. Hopefully it is just a matter of time before my tooth completely heals and no more headaches...

I still cannot get over that the doctor did not ask me about my diet or come anywhere near the conclusion that I have an iodine deficiency. In fact, when I asked the nurse if that could be the problem and she said 'no'.

Instead of soy milk I am now drinking almond milk, hazelnut milk, and hemp milk. I am also having a pineapple smoothie for breakfast every morning (pineapple has iodine) and am going to try to start eating more sea kelp (sushi!!!). I am probably not going to completely eliminate ALL soy products, but I am definitely drastically cutting back.

The interesting thing is that I have been reading in health articles to avoid soy for a long time... now I think I know why. :)

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