While there isn’t anything you can do to guarantee that you won’t get thyroid disease, you can make choices that will reduce your risk.
This article discusses some of the ways you can reduce your risk of developing thyroid disease.
Dental X-raysX-rays that involve your spine, head, neck, or chest
A thyroid collar looks like the neck part of a turtleneck sweater. It’s heavy and lined with lead.
Your thyroid is the most vulnerable part of your head and neck area. The collar protects your thyroid gland from radiation exposure, which can lead to thyroid cancer.
In general, smoking can cause elevated levels of the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4). It can also cause a slight decrease in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. TSH tells your thyroid to make thyroid hormones.
It is not easy to quit smoking. Ask your doctor about treatment options that can help you successfully quit.
This simple screening can be done at home in front of a mirror. Make sure to follow all the steps. If you feel or see anything unusual, see your doctor.
Most people with thyroid disease take the thyroid hormone replacement levothyroxine. It’s best to take this medication on an empty stomach. Wait 30 to 60 minutes before eating.
If you’re going to eat soy, wait until it’s been four hours since you took your medication. This is because evidence has consistently shown that soy can interfere with your body’s absorption of levothyroxine.
Celiac disease is three times more common in people with an autoimmune thyroid disease like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease.
It’s unclear why this association exists. It may be due in part to the genetic component of autoimmune diseases. Both conditions are also fairly common. Celiac disease also interferes with absorption of essential minerals like iodine and selenium, which can trigger thyroid dysfunction.
If you think you might have celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity, talk to your doctor.
Limiting or avoiding gluten is a big dietary change. It’s important to only make these kinds of changes under the guidance of a healthcare provider.
You can get selenium by eating a healthy diet.
If you’re pregnant, getting enough selenium decreases your chances of developing permanent postpartum thyroiditis. This is when your thyroid becomes inflamed after your baby is born.
However, keep in mind that soil in the United States is selenium replete and most people’s intake of selenium is at recommended level. Talk to your doctor before starting selenium supplements.
If you’re concerned about the health effects of fluoride, be sure to discuss this with your doctor.
A large percentage of U.S. produce is irrigated with perchlorate-contaminated water. This means perchlorate is present in the U.S. food supply and many Americans are exposed to low levels.
Your thyroid needs iodine to function. It normally gets this from your bloodstream. It can’t, however, tell the difference between regular iodine and radioactive iodine. Radioactive iodine is the type that’s released from nuclear plants or from radioactive material during nuclear explosions.
Taking KI within the first few hours of exposure to radioactive iodine can help protect your thyroid from the risk of thyroid cancer.
Taking KI does come with some risk. During a radiation emergency, the benefits are thought to outweigh the risk.
Taking KI can cause a number of health problems:
It can trigger or worsen hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. It may exacerbate existing thyroid conditions. It can lead to conditions such as the Jod-Basedow phenomena and the Wolff-Chaikoff effect. It can cause inflammation of the salivary gland. It can cause gastrointestinal disturbances, allergic reactions, and rashes.
You should only take KI during a nuclear emergency when local health authorities instruct you to.
There are several reasons for this, including:
Not every radioactive release contains radioactive iodine. Only health authorities will know if you need to take KI. Authorities can tell you who needs to take KI, when to take it, how much to take, and for how long. If you’re not downwind of a nuclear release or accident, the likelihood that you will need to take KI is very small.
There are no guarantees you won’t develop thyroid disease, and a family history of autoimmune thyroid conditions can put you at higher risk.
A Word From Verywell
It’s good to take preventative measures when it comes to your thyroid. This can help lessen your risk of problems. If you are at risk of thyroid disease, it’s important to be proactive in noticing any early symptoms so you can get treatment as early as possible if you need it.
