Thyroid condition and soy products question

I read in someone's post yesterday that she didn't use soy products because she had a thyroid problem.  I have hypothyroid and am on meds, and no one has ever told me not to eat soy products.  So, I did a google search and found some articles saying if you are on thyroid meds you should not use soy supplements.  But, the articles seemed to be a bit old - like from 2005.

Does anyone feel well versed on this topic?  I will ask the doctor and the nutritionist when I see them on Aug. 21st, but thought I'd check here to see what you all knew!

  I just had a talk about this with my surgeon - He said  not to take your pills with a soy based drink , wait a couple hours and you should be fine !

 

The soy story is very controversial.  I personally used a lot of soy until I had subclinical hypothyroid.  Any way, you need to check it for yourself.  Check the book: "the whole soy story", and check http://www.drmercola.com/ site.  You can search it for soy.

Soy is a very peculiar protein.  Its boiavailablility is not very high, yet is it very cheap to produce. 

In asia they use soy, but only fermented product (historicaly) and no one was consumining large qties of it.  In america, we think, if a little is good, then a lot would be better.  Nothing farther from thruth. 

In today world is almost impossible to avoid soy since it is in everything: bread, pasta (protein rich), any souse, etc.  soy or soy oil or soy lecitin is added to most food.  Check the lables. 

Good luck.  

check http://search.mercola.com/Results.aspx?q=soy&k=soy

I've been hypothryroid for ages.  When I was first diagnosed, I was told to stay away from soy.  Not a problem for me, as I'm allergic to soy protein.

Linda

IMHO, there's enough info out there for me to minimize soy intake. I use whey protein drinks & bars rather than soy, and at home I've replaced soy milk with Almond Breeze. I like soybeans, though, and I use a few here and there. Soy has enough benefits for my family, so we use some edamame or black soy beans in most Chinese or Mexican meals at home. I definitely don't have soy when I take my thyroid meds, but then I take them first thing when I wake up, an hour before I eat or drink anything bu****er.

I've done quite a bit of personal research on this ... The conclusion I came to (for me) is that I do use soy, but I try not to eat any withint a couple of hours of taking my meds.  My labs always come back normal, so I'm going to keep on doing what I do.  I think some people are more sensitive to this than others ... Some people struggle to get their numbers on the normal side.  For me, I take my med and use some soy products (usually veggie burgers).  Definitely talk to your NUT.

Hugs,

Annette

It was me.  I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism almost 11 years ago, and up until losing weight with my RNY, I NEVER had a single thyroid level fall anywhere near normal....no matter what medication, the dosage, generic vs brand did anything.....initial lab level upon diagnoses was 121 ish, with the high end normal being 5.50.......my levels was never that high again, but a typical TSH for me was 17.  I believe the lowest it got was 12.  My doctor encouraged me to avoid soy products....he stressed that it would be impossible to completely avoid, and he is correct....seems more and more products are using it as a filler.

I used to love roasted soy nuts and ate them like crazy about 7 years ago......I am sure that was a contributing factor to the uncontrolled labs.  Soy effects the absorption of thyroid medications.  Soy is also known as a goitrogen food that is known for actually suppressing the functions of the thyroid gland.  There are other foods that fall into this same category like broccoli and cabbage.....another one of my fav foods that I only eat small amounts of once in awhile.

I figured since my thyroid obviously wasn't functioning properly, no need to put anymore stress on it, so I try to avoid or limit the foods that contain soy.

I agree with another poster, some people are more sensitive than others. 

Definately ask your doc and nutritionist what their opinions are on the issue.  I would be willing to bet that it isn't something to be overly concerned about, but most endocrinologist's feel just the opposite.

Missy

I also have hypothyroidism...I was also told by my PCP not to consume anything until after 30 min to hr of taking my medication first thing in the morning on a empty stomach, especially soy and mutivitamins. From what I understand it has something to do with the obsorption and effects the medications...but I am not an expert, just repeating what I was told by my PCP.

Have you heard anything about certain vitamins and herbs effecting the effectiveness of the medications?

I also heard that patients with Hypothyroidism are a greater risk in relation to Bariatric surgery..Is that so?

Please let me know what you learn,,obviously I need to learn more about this as well..thanks TamiN