Fatigue is one of the most prevalent symptoms of hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid. Medication can help you feel better, but making a few changes to your daily routine can help you maintain your energy levels throughout the day.
Beatriz Olson, MD, assistant clinical professor of endocrinology and metabolism at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut, says, “It’s all about lifestyle. You are the sum total of everything you eat, do, and think.” Whatever the source of your hypothyroidism — whether it’s the autoimmune Hashimoto’s disease, having your thyroid surgically removed, or a less prevalent variety of the problem — here’s a plan for all-day energy to help you get rid of your hypothyroidism fatigue.
1 Wake up at the same time in the morning
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Make it a habit to wake up at the same time every morning to make an excellent start for yourself. Rachel Abrams, MD, MHS, head of Santa Cruz Integrative Medicine in California, explains- “The body does better when you sleep in a regular pattern, so for anyone with hypothyroidism — or not — waking up at nearly the same time can be helpful.” That doesn’t imply you should wake up at 7 a.m. even if you’re sleep-deprived because you went to bed at 2 a.m. It’s more vital to be well-rested than to wake up at the same time, but it can help you sleep more consistently and deeply.
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2 Take your thyroid medication in the morning
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Take your thyroid medication first thing in the morning. According to Dr. Olson, the best time to take your thyroid hormone medicine is first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, and then wait for approximately an hour before you eat. Certain diets and other medications might hamper thyroid hormone absorption.
Dr. Abrams advises that you must be consistent even if you don’t follow the optimal routine. She says, “If someone can’t remember to take that medication unless they’re eating at the same time, or they’re rushing out of the house, and they don’t have breakfast, I’d honestly rather they take it with food as long as they do it on a regular basis, the reason being that if you always take it with food, you won’t absorb as much of it, but we will adjust your dose for that circumstance.”
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3 Eat a nutritious breakfast that will fuel your body
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Consume a nutritious breakfast. A morning meal is not required, but a healthy breakfast can be beneficial, according to Abrams. Having a doughnut or other simple carbs with sugar and white flour can boost your blood sugar, then drop it back down and worsen any energy concerns you have from hypothyroidism. Instead, combine protein-rich foods like almond butter with nutritious carbohydrates like oats for a healthy breakfast meal. These foods digest more slowly than oatmeal alone, and your blood sugar and energy levels will remain stable throughout the day and help you counter hypothyroidism fatigue.
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4 Don’t consume excess caffeine
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Caffeine should be consumed with caution. According to Abrams, caffeine is safe for many people with hypothyroidism but not for those with severe anxiety, sleeplessness, or panic disorder. The main issue with caffeine is that people take it to compensate for not getting enough sleep, and this is actually highly damaging to their health.
Choose natural caffeine sources such as coffee or tea over soda or energy drinks, and pay attention to how it affects you. Some people can consume coffee before bed because their metabolism doesn’t react to it, but others can’t even drink caffeine after midday. You must be aware of your own limitations. The normal individual should generally avoid drinking it after 2 or 3 p.m. Green tea, which has less caffeine than coffee and other teas, has anti-inflammatory properties and may be a good alternative for some people who suffer from fatigue.
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