How could diet affect Graves’ disease?

Because the thyroid gland uses iodine to synthesize thyroid hormones, people with Graves’ disease may be sensitive to foods or supplements that contain high amounts of iodine. Foods or supplements that are high in iodine, such as kelp or multivitamins, could potentially make hyperthyroidism worse.^[1] The autoimmune protocol diet has shown positive effects on inflammation and disease symptoms in people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (a similar type of autoimmune thyroid disease) when used alongside a broader lifestyle intervention.^[2] Treatment for hyperthyroidism is intended to ideally restore levels of thyroid hormones to normal ranges. However, therapy often results in hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland),^[3] which could potentially require dietary changes to mitigate weight gain in certain individuals. Hyperthyroidism can also potentially mask a predisposition for weight gain or obesity, which may require diet changes to avoid excessive weight after the hyperthyroidism is treated.^[4]