Expert Advice
Acella Pharmaceuticals is partnering with Nicole German Morgan, RDN, LD, CLT, to bring greater awareness to the importance of thyroid care and education. This post is sponsored by Acella Pharmaceuticals.
Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider before beginning any exercise, fitness, diet, or nutrition routine. Acella Pharmaceuticals does not endorse, promote or sponsor any products or brands mentioned in this article. The views expressed here are those of the author.
A common complaint I hear in my practice from those living with hypothyroidism is a lack of energy and stubborn fatigue. In addition to working with your healthcare provider to bring your thyroid hormones to optimal levels, there are some quick and easy ways that may help you feel more energized throughout the day.
Top 3 Ways to Boost Energy To Combat Fatigue From Hypothyroidism
1. Track your water intake. Improving hydration is one of the easiest ways to boost energy! Step one is to measure your water intake over a few days. A good goal for the average adult is to drink more than 64 ounces a day. However, there is no universal consensus on the right amount of water to drink, as there are many variables. Some research shows that the average adult tends to drink 1.8 liters (almost 8 cups) per day.1 The Institute of Medicine recommends that adult men consume 3.7 liters of fluid a day and adult women consume 2.7 liters a day.2 This, however, includes all sources of fluid, including fluid from fruits and other water-rich foods.
These recommendations can give you a perspective on how much you are drinking. You can add lemon, lime, or other fruits to your water to improve the taste if you don’t like to drink water. Plain carbonated water also counts toward hydration!
2. Evaluate your nutrients. There are many ways that common nutrients can support your energy. One of the first nutrients I recommend evaluating is selenium. Selenium affects the health of the thyroid gland and may support the conversion of T4 hormone to T3 hormone.3 Don’t take selenium without approval or on recommendation from your healthcare provider.
Next, check your iron levels. An excellent marker to test is called ferritin. This test will help you evaluate your iron stores and how well they are supporting energy. A registered dietitian or your healthcare provider can help you balance your iron levels.
Third, record your carbohydrate intake for a few days. Carbohydrates are a major source of energy and fuel for the body. We want to make sure we are not under-eating carbohydrates in an extreme way. Research shows that very low carbohydrate diets may reduce T3 hormone which may affect symptoms.4,5 A Registered Dietitian can help you to determine if your diet is adequate, in excess, or too low in carbohydrate. Alternatively, you can start slowly and add a little more fruit or sweet potatoes to your diet to see how you feel with one added carbohydrate source.
It’s important to note that you should not take any vitamins or start a supplement regimen without discussing it with your healthcare provider first. They are your best resource to help evaluate your nutrient levels and what may be right for your individual situation.
3. Improve sleep hygiene. Time your sleep duration for a few days to see how you are doing. Most adults need at least seven hours of sleep each day.5 Next, you can check the quality of your sleep by addressing all areas of sleep hygiene. This includes: • Keeping your bedroom cooler and darker • Turning off all electronics an hour before bedtime • Limiting heavier snacks two hours before bed • Avoiding exercise 90 minutes before bedtime • Avoiding caffeine nine hours before bed
In addition, you can practice relaxation methods that work for you. For example, try using lavender scent for relaxation, playing relaxing music, or meditating for stress relief. There are many options, so experiment with what works for your schedule and personality.
Overall, these are just a few key tips to help you naturally boost your energy, but there are many other areas to explore. Consider working with a healthcare professional if you find this challenging. Each individual is unique, so it is smart to try out different habits and techniques to find what works for you.
REFERENCES: 1. Armstrong LE, Johnson EC. Water Intake, Water Balance, and the Elusive Daily Water Requirement. Nutrients. 2018;10(12):1928. doi:10.3390/nu10121928. 2. Products - Data Briefs - Number 242 - April 2016. Published June 7, 2019. Accessed December 7, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db242.htm. 3. Kobayashi R, Hasegawa M, Kawaguchi C, et al. Thyroid function in patients with selenium deficiency exhibits high free T4 to T3 ratio. Clinical Pediatric Endocrinology. 2021;30(1):19-26. doi:10.1297/cpe.30.19. 4. Pasquali R, Parenti M, Mattioli L, et al. Effect of dietary carbohydrates during hypocaloric treatment of obesity on peripheral thyroid hormone metabolism. J Endocrinol Invest. 1982;5(1):47-52. doi:10.1007/BF03350482. 5. Oh R, Gilani B, Uppaluri KR. Low-Carbohydrate Diet. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2024. Accessed February 6, 2024. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537084/. 6. Liu Y, Wheaton AG, Chapman DP, Cunningham TJ, Lu H, Croft JB. Prevalence of Healthy Sleep Duration among Adults — United States, 2014. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2016;65(6):137-141.
3194-v2.1
Note that DTE products, including NP Thyroid®, have not been reviewed by the FDA for safety or efficacy.
INDICATIONS AND IMPORTANT RISK INFORMATION, INCLUDING BOXED
WARNING
Important Risk Information
Drugs with thyroid hormone activity, alone or together with other therapeutic agents, have been used for the treatment of obesity. In euthyroid patients, doses within the range of daily hormonal requirements are ineffective for weight reduction. Larger doses may produce serious or even life-threatening manifestations of toxicity, particularly when given in association with sympathomimetic amines such as those used for their anorectic effects.
- NP Thyroid® is contraindicated in patients with uncorrected adrenal insufficiency, untreated thyrotoxicosis, and hypersensitivity to any component of the product.
- In the elderly and in patients with cardiovascular disease, NP Thyroid® should be used with greater caution than younger patients or those without cardiovascular disease.
- Use of NP Thyroid® in patients with diabetes mellitus or adrenal cortical insufficiency may worsen the intensity of their symptoms.
- The therapy of myxedema coma requires simultaneous administration of glucocorticoids.
- Concomitant use of NP Thyroid® with oral anticoagulants alters the sensitivity of oral anticoagulants. Prothrombin time should be closely monitored in thyroid-treated patients on oral anticoagulants.
- In infants, excessive doses of NP Thyroid® may produce craniosynostosis.
- Partial loss of hair may be experienced by children in the first few months of therapy but is usually transient.
- Adverse reactions associated with NP Thyroid® therapy are primarily those of hyperthyroidism due to therapeutic overdosage.
- Many drugs and some laboratory tests may alter the therapeutic response to NP Thyroid ®. In addition, thyroid hormones and thyroid status have varied effects on the pharmacokinetics and actions of other drugs. Administer at least 4 hours before or after drugs that are known to interfere with absorption. Evaluate the need for dose adjustments when regularly administering within one hour of certain foods that may affect absorption.
- NP Thyroid® should not be discontinued during pregnancy, and hypothyroidism diagnosed during pregnancy should be promptly treated.
Indication
NP Thyroid® (thyroid tablets, USP) is a prescription medicine that is used to treat a condition called hypothyroidism from any cause, except for cases of temporary hypothyroidism, which is usually associated with an inflammation of the thyroid (thyroiditis). It is meant to replace or supplement a hormone that is usually made by your thyroid gland.
NP Thyroid® is also used in the treatment and prevention of normal functioning thyroid goiters, such as thyroid nodules, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, multinodular goiter, and in the management of thyroid cancer.
Revised
10/2023