It is estimated that 2% of the UK population has been diagnosed as having an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). According to the British Medical Bulletin, 8% of women (rising to 10% who are over 55) are suffering with underactive thyroid but have not been diagnosed.

Download my free guide with 10 diet and lifestyle tips on how to have a healthy thyroid.

An underactive thyroid is the result of the body not producing enough thyroid hormone for the body’s needs and can be a result of many things, for example, nutrient deficiencies, impact of medications, hormone imbalance, stress, toxicity etc. With an underactive thyroid, everything in the body slows down and symptoms can include constipation, weight gain, hair loss, thinning eyebrows, fatigue, dry skin and premenstrual syndrome.

Unfortunately, in the UK, typically only one thyroid hormone is tested which is called thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and you will need to privately order a test called a full thyroid panel. This comprehensive test will also check levels of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). TSH is produced by the brain and instructs the thyroid gland to produce T4. Our cells need T3 and therefore a conversion from T4 to T3 is required which takes place in the liver and needs particular nutrients like selenium, zinc, vitamin A and iodine. One of my clients who has been suffering from significant weight gain and hair loss took this test. Her TSH was normal and within the range as well as her T4, however her available thyroid hormone (T3) was low indicating that her body was not converting T4 to T3 well. Poor conversion can be caused by nutrient insufficiencies, poor liver health, inflammation in the body and heavy metal toxicity. If you have low levels of T4, this can be caused by nutrient deficiencies like selenium, iodine or protein.

Here are my top tips for managing an underactive thyroid:

• Varied Diet - ensure you eat a range of foods high in protein and in particular high in selenium, zinc, vitamin A and iodine. Good sources include brazil nuts, eggs, liver and seaweed.

• Avoid Toxins - avoid chemicals like fluorine and chlorine which compete with iodine. Filter your water and use fluoride-free toothpaste.

• Look after your liver! - reduce the load on your liver by eating plenty of nourishing fruits and vegetables, avoiding processed foods, ensuring you sweat regularly and by drinking plenty of clean water.

I hope you feel inspired on what to do to look after your thyroid. For further information, you can download my free guide with a further 7 tips on how to have a healthy thyroid.