Research on diet features of patients with hypothyroidism

Abstract

Studies on the relationship between dietary features and hypothyroidism pathogenesis are highly relevant. The aim of this research was to study the dietary features of patients with hypothyroidism and to determine the possible impact of patients’ food preferences on the pathogenesis of hypothyroidism. We examined 400 women of Polish nationality aged 19-28 years living in the district of Biała Podlaski of the Lublin Voivode-ship of Poland who consider themselves healthy. Blood levels of free (FT3) and total (T3) triiodothyronine, free (FT4) and total (T4) thyroxine, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were determined. The quantitative and qualitative composition of the examined women's diet was determined using questionnaires and nutritional tables. It was revealed, that the prevalence of hypothyroidism among the female subjects was 3.5%. Women with reduced thyroid function were shown to consume 3.78 times less iodine, 2.97 times (P < 0.001) less sodium chloride (table salt), and 1.47 times (P < 0.001) less proteins than those who had normal thyroid function. In addition, women with hypothyroidism consume 2.25 times (P < 0.001) more strumogens. It is concluded that the use of such the diet could cause a secondary reduction in thyroid function with further development of the hypothyroidism.