Volume 28, Issue 150, August 2024

The role of diet and supplementation in the therapy of Hashimoto's disease: A systematic review

Natalia Zalewska^1♦, Alicja Baranowska², Katarzyna Baranowska³, Filip Czyżewski³, Jakub Kawka³, Kinga Filipek⁴, Michał Muciek⁵, Waldemar Mrugała⁵, Bartosz Skierkowski⁵, Sebastian Mrugała⁶

¹Bielański Hospital, Warsaw, Poland
²Szpital Miejski w Siemianowicach Śląskich, Poland
³Medical University of Warsaw, ul. Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
⁴Międzyleski Specialist Hospital in Warsaw, Poland
⁵Medical University Lublin, Al. Racławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
⁶Medical University of Białystok, Jana Kilińskiego 1, 15-089 Białystok, Poland

^♦Corresponding Author
Bielański Hospital, Warsaw, Poland

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Hashimoto's disease, also known as chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, is a common health problem affecting people worldwide. This review summarizes the latest scientific insights into how dietary factors affect symptom relief and thyroid function in patients with Hashimoto's Disease. Brief description of the state of knowledge: During the condition, there is an activation of the immune system and destruction of thyroid tissue, leading to gradual loss of its function and, ultimately, hypothyroidism. Emerging adverse physical and psychological symptoms such as weight gain, fatigue, loss of concentration, and many others significantly impact the quality of life of patients and require continuous medical care. Although pharmacotherapy with levothyroxine plays a crucial role in the therapy of Hashimoto's disease, in recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the role of diet and supplementation. Conclusion: Research shows that diet can significantly affect the progression of the disease. Currently, no precise recommendations regarding diet and supplementation are available when treating Hashimoto's disease. The importance of vitamin D, vitamin B12, iodine, selenium, and iron as crucial dietary components is highlighted among patients. However, more research is required on this subject. At present, there is not enough evidence to support the benefits of a gluten-free diet or lactose elimination in the treatment of Hashimoto's disease.

Keywords: Hypothyroidism, diet, supplementation, autoimmune thyroiditis

Medical Science, 2024, 28, e110ms3418

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v28i150.e110ms3418

Published: 21 August 2024