Thyroid And Soy

[Jenny (AZ via TX)]

My doctor told me to avoid soy since I take thyroid meds. I have since read on about.com in the thyroid forum that I only need to avoid soy protein. So soy lecithin and soy fiber would be OK. Has anyone else heard anything about this?

[Juliebove]

I stopped all soy protein and my thyroid problems went away. I don't know about soy fiber. Don't know of anything that uses it. I do use some things with soy lecithin but will use without if a product without is available. I don't use soybean oil at home and I don't buy too many things that contain it because I know it is used in restaurants so I am getting some there.

I also limit my intake of goitrogenic foods like broccoli and cabbage.

[Mother of Jibril]

I'm on the fence about soy... I've read evidence both for and against it. I don't think it's a very healthy food unless you eat it raw or fermented (like miso). I've started avoiding all processed foods.

I've also read about broccoli and cabbage being goitrogenic. Apparently, they're fine if you eat them cooked instead of raw. But really... isn't it better just to avoid all processed foods than to worry about broccoli? Broccoli has LOTS of other beneficial properties.

[Gemini]

I'm on the fence about soy... I've read evidence both for and against it. I don't think it's a very healthy food unless you eat it raw or fermented (like miso). I've started avoiding all processed foods.

I've also read about broccoli and cabbage being goitrogenic. Apparently, they're fine if you eat them cooked instead of raw. But really... isn't it better just to avoid all processed foods than to worry about broccoli? Broccoli has LOTS of other beneficial properties.

I would have to agree with this! I love veggies and eat a lot of broccoli and other goitrogenic foods and my thyroid function has actually gotten better this past year. I was able to cut out the compounded T3 hormone I was taking and I may be able to lower my Levoxyl dosage if my autoimmune numbers improve again the next time around. I also drink about 3 soy latte's per week and don't eat much soy other than that. I know I have read much on soy being bad for the thyroid but I think it may depend on the person because it hasn't hindered my function. I guess I just hate the thought of giving up my latte's and I can't do a glass of dairy...that would make me sick!

It would be interesting to hear how many have given up soy and if their thyroid function has improved.

[AliB]

The processing procedure that soy goes through renders it into a substance that is not good for us. Not only that, but unlike the fermented soy products like tofu, tempeh and miso that are pre-soaked, the processing does not remove phytates from the soy.

Those who through history used traditional ways of dealing with it obviously knew that it had to be prepared in specific ways in order to be beneficial to us. Modern processing has thrown that (and a lot of other good ways) straight out of the window and are following patterns now that do us harm.

Have you tried making your lattes with coconut milk? I don't drink coffee or tea, but I do sneak (not allowed on the SCD that I am following, and getting better on) a chocolate sometimes and I actually prefer it now with coconut milk, either tinned or that I make myself, rather than dairy.

I don't cope with soy at all - even soy lecithin and certainly Elaine (Gottschall, who instigated the Specific Carb Diet -SCD) has nothing good to say about it at all in any processed form.

You may be interested to look into the SCD as it promotes healing of the body by concentrating on pure foods and probiotics and eliminates damaging grains, starches, sugar, most dairy and anything processed.

There is a thread on the 'Other Food Intolerances' section for those of us on the forum who are following it (and benefitting) and several websites including Elaine's 'breaking the vicious cycle', Pecanbread, SCD recipes, etc., with more popping up all the time as people learn the benefits of the diet. There are quite a few books too now.

Ali.

[Jenny (AZ via TX)]

I believe that many of the goitrogenic foods such as broccoli and spinach are OK if they are cooked.

My question is what is considered a soy protein or how will that be labeled on a product.

[harp1]

My doctor told me to avoid soy since I take thyroid meds. I have since read on about.com in the thyroid forum that I only need to avoid soy protein. So soy lecithin and soy fiber would be OK. Has anyone else heard anything about this?

Jenny,

Yes I agree, no soy sauce, tempeh, tofu, etc., soy oil (salad dressings, restaurants), yes to edamame, yes to soy lecithin. I'm told that soy acts like wheat in the body. My hands start shaking within minutes of eating soy. It's worse than wheat for me. Harp1

[Lovey25]

Just to be sure, here's a list of goitrogenic foods that people with thyroid problems should avoid or limit/rotate:

Broccoli

Brussel sprouts

Cabbage

Cauliflower

Kale

Kohlrabi

Mustard

Rutabaga

Turnips

Millet

Peaches

Peanuts

Radishes

Soybean and soy products, including tofu

Spinach

Strawberries