AVOID Soy If You Have Thyroid Problems

Should soy be avoided if you have a thyroid problem? The answer is not as clear as you might think. Soy is actually somewhat controversial because there are many studies which show that it is helpful and others that suggest it may be harmful to thyroid patients.

I'm speaking specifically to thyroid patients when I talk about soy! It may be the case that soy is beneficial but I want to make the case that MOST thyroid patients should avoid soy for 3 main reasons:

#1. Soy has an estrogenic effect.
There is no question that soy can stimulate estrogen receptors in the body. This can be both a good thing and a bad thing. In some cases, stimulating soy may prevent against heart disease and other factors. But in others, especially those who are overweight, soy can exacerbate other problems. Since many thyroid patients suffer from being overweight, avoiding soy is usually a good idea.

#2. Soy can act as a goitrogen.
This isn't necessarily an issue by itself but it can become a big issue when you consider that many thyroid patients are already avoiding iodine. The less iodine you consume the more impact even small amounts of goitrogens will have on thyroid function. This probably isn't an issue if you just consume enough iodine but it is still worth mentioning.

#3. Soy is heavily processed and around 90% of all soy products are GMO.
I've mentioned in other videos that processed foods should be avoided and because MOST sources of soy are heavily processed, you would want to avoid soy just for that reason alone.
But what about non gmo version of soy? There may be a case that using non gmo versions of soy may be helpful if you are ALSO consuming enough iodine daily AND if you are not already overweight.

Are you currently eating soy or actively avoiding it? If so, let me know how soy has impacted your body!

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Disclaimer:

This video is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, treatment, diagnosis, prescription, or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Childs and you. You should not make any changes to your medications or health regimens without first consulting a physician. If you have any questions please consult with your current primary care provider. Restart Medical LLC and Dr. Westin Childs are not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other information, services, or product you obtain through this website or video.
#thyroid #hypothyroidism #hashimoto's

[CindeeRoo]

I had a feeling for years that I had a thyroid problem before finally having been diagnosed in 2014 with hypothyroidism. Two years before that diagnosis, one of the major health problems I was having was a nodule on the right lobe of my thyroid. Eventually I realized that what I was eating was agitating it. Long story short, after my doctor tried pushing a handful of drugs and other methods of treating the nodule, I was adamant that I try on my own. She reluctantly agreed and wanted to see me six months later. All I did was change my diet and soy was the first thing I knocked out. I reintroduced “unprocessed, organic” soy back into my diet approximately two months later and sure enough it caused that right lobe to swell and become inflamed again. So basically, I am one of those people that cannot have soy.

[keenjallodaya]

Thank you so much for a very informative and clear views. 🙌

[AVMultimedia]

What about those of us with no thyroid due to total thyroidectomy?

[Beaujolaisfrog]

My doctor told me to try thing for my menopause and most contained soy, needles to say I felt so bad, I have hachimoto and a dead thyroid. I was telling my doctor that I felt the pills were rendering the thyroid medication useless, and she laughed at me, makes sense now and idont feel so daft .thank you Doctor Childs

[sallymorgan]

I adopted a vegan diet 4 months ago. My soy intake has quadrupled, much of it processed.I wonder if this is why my hair is falling hashi. I will cut it out of my diet and see what happens.

[tanjasrensen]

Hi Westin - can you do a video on fasting, ketosis and atophargy for hashimotos patients? Thanks 🙏🏻 🦋💙

[danblekeberg]

Can SOY Cause Thyroid Problems (As Per Science)?

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[nd]

Doctor is Japanese miso soup. Bad for hyperthyroidism? Please answer

[paigeme]

Thank you so incredibly much. This really is incredibly helpful. May I ask, what are your thoughts on using skin care products containing lecithin derived from soy? Say a face serum contains less than 0.1% lecithin derived from soy. Would Such an amount be so small it is silly to consider it as negatively affecting your health? I know that must sound quite odd & pedantic but I really would love to know! I don’t eat gluten or soy and stay away skin care products that contain gluten & usually soy free too. But I just discovered a new skin care item I purchased contains soy lecithin and am weary of it now. It probably is fine? Based on my calculations, it would be about, or less than 0.0002 millilitres of lecithin each time i used the product.
Thank you so incredibly much for all the content you share- I subscribe to your blog as well and it is incredibly helpful. 
Thank you so much again & i hope to hear back from you!! I really am so curious about the use of topical lecithin now!! 
Just want to also mention that my oestrogen levels are low

[alexmaihoefer]

What about fermented soy products such as miso or soy sauce? Do they count as heavily processed?

[mb]

What about nattokinase supplements with hypothyroidism (not on thyroxine ) ?

[AcornWafo]

What about other food in the legume family? Such as kidneys, chickpeas, black beans, red beans etc… are they safe for hashimotos? Thank you

[shabananisha]

Hi dr child’s I have a hypothyroid and I take eutroxsig 50 micrograms and when I consume dairy product My hair loss gets worse
Can u please explain why is this happening. Because before I could consume dairy and when I started taking the thyroid medication
My hair loss is worse. When I don’t consume dairy Ionly get little hair loss. Please explain why?

[jonkicker]

Dr. Westin Childs,
How does it affect men with Hashimoto's?

[abbbbbaz]

I am suffering from hyperthyroidism and a plant-based diet and Soya (Tofu) is the main source of protein for me 😭

[sunflower]

Oh wow! I always read from vegan and whole food plant based that it is safe to eat soy😟😭🥺😏

[tanjasrensen]

How about coconut aminos? Is that safe for hashimotos? Thanks

[babeena_gt_]

Once I got diagnosed with hypothyroidism I stopped consuming my yummy soy burgers. The only thing soy I have now is a very minimal amount of soy sauce and less than 1 teaspoon of soy oritien that's in sofrito