There is no proven diet for hypothyroidism that would aid in the treatment or cure. Acquired hypothyroidism due to autoimmune dysregulation is associated with other autoimmune disorders such as celiac disease. In this case, a gluten free diet is recommended.
There are important micronutrients that are required for normal thyroid function such as iodine and selenium. It is important to eat a well balanced diet to get the proper nutrients for normal function in the body. Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in developing countries but not in the United States. Selenium also plays an important role in thyroid function. There is some literature that supports that selenium supplements may reduce autoimmune markers in thyroid disease but it is not clear how this improves the course or outcomes of hypothyroidism. On the other hand taking too much iodine or selenium supplements can cause adverse health outcomes as well.
Recommended Dietary Reference Intakes (The Harriet Lane Handbook, 20th ed.)
Iodine mcg/d | Selenium mcg/d | |
0-6 mo | 110 | 15 |
7-12 mo | 130 | 20 |
1-3 yr | 90 | 20 |
4-8 yr | 90 | 30 |
9-13 yr | 120 | 40 |
14 yr and up | 150 | 55 |
Hu S, Rayman MP. Multiple Nutritional Factors and the Risk of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Thyroid. 2017 May;27(5):597-610. doi: 10.1089/thy.2016.0635. Epub 2017 Apr 6. PMID: 28290237.
Ventura, M., Melo, M., & Carrilho, F. (2016). Selenium and Thyroid Disease: From Pathophysiology to Treatment. International Journal of Endocrinology, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/1297658
Gorini F, Sabatino L, Pingitore A, Vassalle C. Selenium: An Element of Life Essential for Thyroid Function. Molecules. 2021 Nov 23;26(23):7084. doi: 10.3390/molecules26237084. PMID: 34885664; PMCID: PMC8658851.
Winther K, H, Papini E, Attanasio R, Negro R, Hegedüs L: A 2018 European Thyroid Association Survey on the Use of Selenium Supplementation in Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. Eur Thyroid J 2020;9:99-105. doi: 10.1159/000504781