I have to be honest and tell you that while the many dietary changes I have made to improve my thyroid health have been hard, quitting coffee has been my most challenging. It is often said that the change we resist the most is the change our body needs the most.
Written by Magdalena Wszelaki
Black magic. Black medicine. Morning elixir.
If you had to give up either coffee or the internet for 2 weeks, which one would you choose? How about either coffee or sex for 2 weeks?
Yeah, that was me, too.
If you’d rather relinquish anything to keep your coffee, you’d be on par with the majority of the people around you.
Taking steps to remove gluten, dairy or sugar from your diet can feel like a breeze compared to giving up coffee. However, as with anything that makes us feel that good, there is another side to your java fixation, and you need to know about it.
Benefits of coffee
Many reliable studies are often cited in confirming that coffee is full of antioxidants and polyphenols. However, these same antioxidants and polyphenols can also be found abundantly in many fruits and vegetables.
In addition, there are also a variety studies showing coffee’s role in the prevention of cancer, diabetes, depression, cirrhosis of the liver, gallstones, etc.
Beyond science, there is also the undeniable feeling of comfort in a morning routine, a stop at a favorite coffee shop, the smell, the buzz, and the energetic boost and mental clarity that come with a good cup of joe.
Everyone reacts differently
Is coffee bad for everybody? Not really. Each of us can have a different reaction to coffee. Some people get jittery and nervous, while others feel uplifted for hours. Many coffee drinkers report feeling good for the first two hours (mainly due to a dopamine spike), but eventually their energy and mental alertness will start dropping rapidly.
Coffee is metabolized in Phase I of the liver detoxification pathway, and some people have a harder time breaking it down – we call them “slow metabolizers.” This can either manifest immediately, presenting shaky and jittery feelings, or in a delayed fashion, such as poor sleep and digestive issues.
What is so worrisome about coffee?
If you are suffering from thyroid issues, Hashimoto’s, adrenal fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, hot flashes or hormone-related conditions, it’s important to be fully aware of the “other side of coffee” and make an educated decision whether it is good for you.
Here are some of the lesser-known facts about coffee:
Increases blood sugar levels
According to this study, caffeine increases blood sugar levels. This is especially dangerous for people with hypoglycemia (or low sugar levels) who feel jittery, shaky, moody and unfocused when hungry. Blood sugar fluctuations cause cortisol spikes, which not only exhaust the adrenals, but also deregulate the immune system. This is highly undesirable for those of us with adrenal fatigue, Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease. Such cortisol spikes are also highly inflammatory (read more below).
Creates sugar and carbohydrate cravings
As the result of the above (increase in sugar levels), when our blood sugar levels come down, we need an emergency fix to bring them back up. This is why people who drink coffee at breakfast or indulge in sugary and processed breakfasts crave carbs and sugar by 11am or later in the day.
Exhausts the adrenals
Coffee stimulates the adrenals to release more cortisol, our stress hormone; this is partly why we experience a wonderful but temporary and unsustainable burst of energy.
What many of us don’t realize is that our tired adrenals are often the cause of unexplained weight gain, sleeping problems, feeling emotionally fragile, depression and fatigue. Drinking coffee while experiencing adrenal fatigue is only adding fuel to the fire.
Worsens PMS and lumpy breasts
It’s well-established that coffee contributes to estrogen dominance (source), which can mean one of two things: we either have too much estrogen in relation to progesterone, or we have an imbalance in the estrogen metabolites (some are protective and some are dangerous).
PMS, lumpy breasts, heavy periods, cellulite and even breast cancer (which is an estrogenic cancer) can be symptoms of estrogen dominance.
Gluten-cross reactive food
50% of people with gluten sensitivities also experience cross reactivity with other foods, including casein in milk products, corn, coffee, and almost all grains, because their protein structures are similar. Cyrex Labs provides a test for gluten cross-reactive foods.
Many people report having a similar reaction to coffee as they do to gluten.
Impacts the conversion of T4 to T3 thyroid hormones
Coffee impacts the absorption of levothyroxine (the synthetic thyroid hormone); this is why thyroid patients need to take their hormone replacement pill at least an hour before drinking coffee.
The indirect but important point is that coffee contributes to estrogen dominance, cited above, and estrogen dominance inhibits T4 to T3 conversion.
Can cause miscarriages
This study showed that women who drink coffee during their pregnancy are at a higher risk of miscarriage.
Can be inflammatory, for some
Any functional or integrative doctor would say the majority of modern diseases are caused by inflammation – a smoldering and invisible fire found on a cellular level.
There is conflicting research concerning the connection between coffee and inflammation. Some studies like this one (source) from 2017 from Stanford University School of Medicine suggest a cup of coffee may counter age-related inflammation. Contradictory effects have been reported too and it may be individual (source).
This study found that caffeine is a significant contributor to oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. Chronic body pains and aches, fatigue, skin problems, diabetes and autoimmune conditions are just some of the conditions related to inflammation.
Can contribute to and even cause osteoporosis
It is well-known that coffee changes our body pH to a lower, and thus more acidic, level. A low pH (which means a more acidic body) can contribute to osteoporosis.
This study has confirmed that habitual coffee drinking among postmenopausal women was the leading cause of osteoporosis.
Can cause insomnia and poor sleep
This study showed that 400mg of “caffeine taken 6 hours before bedtime has important disruptive [sleep] effects.”
This, again, is dependent on the individual and his or her ability to metabolize caffeine. Some people experience deep and restful sleep whether or not they drink coffee, while others do not, even if they stop drinking anything caffeinated at noon.
How sensitive are you and how does coffee impact your sleep? You will only find out when you give up caffeinated drinks for 5 days – then your body will tell you!
What about decaf?
It’s a disputed area, but many health practitioners don’t suggest it for two reasons. For one, many manufacturers use a chemical process to remove caffeine from the coffee beans. The result is less caffeine, but more chemicals. Secondly, it is the caffeine in the coffee that has the health benefits we discussed above. Without it, you are left with little benefit.
The change we resist the most is often the change we need the most
Many people who have made extensive dietary changes will admit that coffee was the last and hardest thing to eliminate from their diets. Coffee is our ritual; it’s our best friend.
But is it really? It is often said that the change we resist the most is the change our body needs the most. Let your intuition be your guide.
Bottom line
You will only know how you really feel without coffee when you get off it for 3 to 5 days (and please don’t say it does not impact you until you try this experiment).
The first 2 days will be tough, but that tells you something important about this addictive substance, does it not?
Many women who have given up coffee and caffeine report better sleep within days, fewer hot flashes, less depression and anxiety, and many more other benefits over time.
What are some substitute options?
If you feel like you still need a slight kick, go for less-caffeinated options, such as green tea. Use the below infographic to guide you.
Once you are ready to completely rid yourself of caffeine, herbal teas are a wonderful replacement.
One of my personal favorites is a Roasted Chicory Latte – it tastes like coffee, but it contains no caffeine. Making it into a smooth and creamy (yet dairy-free) latte makes the transition so much easier.
[RECIPE] ROASTED CHICORY ROOT LATTE If you are suffering from thyroid issues, Hashimoto’s, adrenal fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, hot flashes or hormone-related conditions, it’s important to be fully aware of the “other side of coffee” and make an educated decision whether it is good for you.
Time to prepare: 15 minutes
Time to steep: 10 minutes
Serves: 1
Equipment: blender
Ingredients
1 tbsp roasted chicory root
2 cups water
1 tbsp ghee, coconut butter or butter (if tolerated)
1 pitted date
fresh nutmeg (nut or powder)
How to make:
- Bring water to a boil, add chicory root and steep for 10 minutes.
- Strain and transfer to a blender.
- Add the ghee (or any fat you decide to use) and the date. Blend for 1 minute at high speed.
- Top with freshly grated nutmeg and enjoy.
About Magdalena Wszelaki
Magdalena Wszelaki is a nutritional coach, hormone specialist, chef, and diet coach. She has a long history of hormonal challenges herself, from Hashimoto’s and adrenal exhaustion to estrogen dominance. She is in full remission today and lives a symptoms-free life. hormonesbalance.com
READ NEXT: HYPOTHYROID MOM’S FAVORITE THYROID THINGS
I’m 66 and tried a couple of times in my life to give up coffee. It never lasted because I was so addicted but I did notice that my skin looked smoother and less inflamed without coffee. Well, a few months ago I tested hypothyroid (not hashimotos). I tried some self-help: switched to iodized salt, cut back sugar, ate a few Brazil nuts every day to add selenium. None of this helped. I was recently re-tested and am actually a bit more hypothyroid than before. Just for the heck of it, I googled coffee and thyroid and found this article. I’m 2 days without coffee now. No idea if this will help my thyroid but my skin already looks better. Fingers crossed!
In the 70s I spent 4 years off coffee using a variety of substitutes including chickory, posthumous, and herbal teas. I have large fibrous breasts and did even then. Did NOT make a spit of difference in hormone imbalance, breast density, breast pain, etc. I have hashimoto’s and 1/2 thryroid that is probably complete mush by now. Levothyroxine be damned – makes me feel hypothyroid with every single symptom. I did plant based for 3 years. No diff. Did keto for 1 year. No diff. NP Thyroid, dessicated, full caffeine coffee (Starbucks dark roast or and espresso blend), and the Mediterranean diet are best for me. WE ARE all different. Good luck in your journey. I’m almost 69 and have been battling endocrinologists for 40 years.
POSTUM not posthumous. The best computer word replace programming is nasty.
Read the Iodine Crisis. Contrary to what doctors says, Hashimoto patients can be cured with iodine. Most westerners are deficient in iodine.
Great Article… I love to read your articles because your writing style is too good, it is very very helpful for all of us and I never get bored while reading your article because, they are becomes a more and more interesting from the starting lines until the end.
Thanks for the article and for everyone who shared comments, much appreciated. I’m also on Levothyroxine. I’m pre-menopausal and I’ve gained weight over the past year. I don’t drink coffee everyday but whenever I do drink it, I add cream (and I mostly stay away from dairy and gluten). Lately the coffee and cream has been creating bad coughing episodes and the front of my neck area feels irritated and a little swollen/thick. I usually drink earl gray tea with oat milk, but was really surprised when the same coughing fits starting happening. I finally told myself it must be caffeine in general, not just the coffee or cream. I’m about to test that out by not consuming either caffeinated beverages for five days. We’ll see… thanks everyone.
Hi Kay, I am curious to know what you found when you stopped consuming caffeinated beverages for five days. It is surprising how many foods and beverages our bodies can react to and only by really paying attention to our body’s reactions to those foods do we ever notice. Good to have you on my site Hypothyroid Mom.
Hi Kay, I just read your post and I thought I would share something that may help you… I used to drink earl grey tea too until I found out it usually contains bergamot, which causes me allergic reactions. This may be the reason for your immediate need to cough, as may be the case with ingredients in anything else that makes you have the same reaction. Try eliminating one thing at a time to see which may be causing the cough.
my guess is the black tea and coffee /cream is creating acid reflux. that can cause an on going cough and swelling in throat (although thyroid could be swollen)
black tea tannins are harsh on the stomach (for some people)
also on the subject on acid reflux
Chris Kessler is a functional doctor that wrote an eye opening ebook about Heartburn and GERD being caused by… too little stomach acid (HCL)
Thank you for posting this information! I have Hashimoto’s and take Tirosint. Initially I ignored the caution about coffee…I just didn’t take it seriously! I was a two-cup in the AM girl with a drive-thru cappuccino or latte every now and then. I stopped drinking coffee in February out of desperation for a change. Lord have I missed it, but now I am looking for chicory thanks to this posting.
Agree with this statement I have hyperthyroidism and my body felt more arthritic and my scalp was itchy. My legs were shaky and I notices my anxiety level dropped significantly. I stopped drinking espresso I feel much better and my back, hips and legs are feeling less achy.
Do you feel better?
Hi all,
i drank coffee for three months abut had to stop because it gave me an allergic reaction, itching and swelling in my groin and legs. Also after stopping coffee, i got my period twice in a month and i am 43. Also I have gained weight but even though i stopped coffee, the itching is all over like a pins and needles sensation and is driving me up the wall.
The pins and needles stopped for me when I gave up spicy foods and lessoned sun exposure by wearing hats and thin long sleeves. If you don’t eat spicy foods, it may be one or all of the other nightshades veggies that is bothering you. Congrats on giving up coffee. I am still drinking that about 4 times a week.
Mona, you definitely have something else going on. Do an elimination diet for 3 weeks of the top 7 food intolerances: gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, corn, sugar (& artificial sweetners except maybe stevia), & peanuts. If the itching goes away, then try adding these back in, one at a time for at least 3 days, to see if you have a reaction. It might help you identify the offending agent.
I had a rash that I could not get rid of… very itchy all day, nothing helped. My dermatologist did a biopsy and determined it was an allergic reaction. After 6 weeks, boiled down to my thyroid meds. I’d been on the same med for many years, however recently the generic ingredients had changed and as soon as I reverted back to the non-generic levoxyl, my rash went away. No more generic thyroid meds for me!
Hi Mona, make sure that you do not have Lichen Sclerosus. I have been diagnosed with it and it started with itchiness and some pain in my vaginal area.
So grateful for this article. Sadly I am addicted to caffiene, have been for years! And it shows. Thank you for confirming what I thought caffiene was capable of doing. This is a great read! Thank you for the reciepe as well. Another one is pero. It feels like coffee, no caffiene though and you can dr. It up with whatever to help you steer away from coffee.
pretty much mirrors my own reactions to caffeine. now a 74 yr old male, thyroid excised in 1989, cancer. A big coffee/caffeinated soda drinker before and after. high dose of synthroid but still varying hypothyroidism until about 5 years ago when i severely reduce caffeine. Rx dosage happily reduced as the hypothroidism symptoms faded. recently i progressively fell back into my caffeine addiction–probably reached 4 tp 5 cups of coffee a day. all those horrible symptoms returned–i thought my Rx was bad!
i’m taking the pledge, again.
I have Hashimoto’s and I’m on 100mg of Synthroid. I’m 52 years old and drink about 4 cups of coffee per day but never with my meds. I wait about 45 minutes then drink my coffee. Great article. I love my coffee but I think I’m going to let it go for a while and see if I lose some weight as I have gained some!
Hello, I too feel like my levothroxin is not working. I’m post menopausal now and have been on the same dosage for over 15 yrs. I’m a 3 cup a day gal, it will be tough but I think I should try giving coffee up before asking if I need more medication. I appreciate your response!
Hi – I am curious about substituting green tea because of some research I found which stated this: “Green tea has high levels of fluoride which is why it can disturb the function of thyroid gland.
This happens because EGCG absorbs fluoride from the environment and releases it into your body. Fluoride can displace iodine, an important nutrient essential for thyroid health. Impaired absorption of iodine doesn’t allow thyroid to function properly and it contributes to the disrupted production of its hormones.
Basically, the oldest leaves contain the highest levels of fluoride.
Why does fluoride displace iodine in the first place?
Fluoride and iodine are both halogens. The fluoride, the negative ion of the element fluorine easily displaces iodine in the body because it is much lighter and therefore more reactive. In fact the activity of any one of the halogens is inversely proportion to its atomic weight.
You are bless
Therefore, there are other rest of the population that are beyond weird and they suffer a lot of negative reactions with coffee
Taking levothyroxine 50mcg currently, stop gluten /coffee/tea, daily meal include tomatoes, pumpkin, sweet potato, high protein food, 2type of fruits daily, but still gaining weight, tried keto diet but can’t cope with it.
Keto worked well for me for a few months ( I lost 26 lbs). If you stick to it you will probably start losing the cravings for other foods 90 percent of the time – at least I did. I eventually began stretching the boundaries with low carb ice cream and Carbquick flour, and eating a lot of processed protein low carb bars and slimfast shakes and my weight held steady for a few months, I have been off kto completely for a month and have gained back 8 pounds already
I have hashimoto, and with hard work, have lost 60 lbs in a yr. I had to really embrace the hunger feeling! But lately i can’t get the last 15 off, and I’ve gained 5 lbs. After so much work I am desperate. Read the article on coffee, and have to wonder if my coffee habit ( no cream and sugar) is affecting my success.
Try no sugar no flour. I skip breakfast and for lunch and supper I have a protein a vegetable and sometimes a fruit. Drink lots of water. Eat nothing out of a box. This lifestyle change helped me loose 38 pounds four years ago and I’ve been able to maintain.
Hi this is very helpful to me I have try so many diferent things but I’m still can’t loose the weight I’m at gluten free so thank you
I commonly drink coffee every day. I will also go without coffee for weeks or months at a time, and I am truly never affected either way. At least not that I have ever been able to tell. I have never felt that coffee gives me energy, nor does it make me relax. I can easily fall asleep after drinking a cup of coffee right before bed and coffee does not appear to have any affect on providing additional energy in the morning. Coffee has always seemed not to have any effect on me what-so-ever. I know this is weird right? I also know that this is absolutely out of the norm. I have no idea why it is this way, but it always has been. I am 56 years old.
Do you have Hashimoto’s?
This will fix you! Before bed drink half the juice of a big grapefruit or a whole small one, a large tea spoon of honey, a good splash of apple cider vinegar (proper Mother organic ACV) and half a tea spoon of cinnamon powder with a half glass of good water.
This will drop off your weight. However first you need to make sure you are on T3 AND T4
For your thyroid. Both tertroxin and thyroxin. I did this and returned to my normal weight after putting on 20 or so kilos. Also do your clean living and exercise and you will be thrilled with the rewards.
Extra…..Check that the grapefruit juice does not interfere with any of your meds. If it does substitute lemon juice instead…..IMPORTANT as grapefruit does interfere with some medications…. Good Luck💚🍀
You are bless
Therefore, there are other rest of the population that are beyond weird and they suffer a lot of negative reactions with coffee
I thought i would try chicory to get out of the coffee habit. It turns out chicory can give people allergic to ragweed a hard. And my asthma def took a tole from this. Bery dangerous for some. But windwrdul if you aren’t allergic.
Thank you. I absolutely love coffee, but it reacts drastically with me. I could be having a normal conversation with nothing to worry about and then the minute I drink some coffee, I’m a hot mess in tears over nothing, and usually something I damn well should not be crying about. I have always said there was something to it and that I probably should not be drinking it, but could never find any information to support my claims. So I kept drinking. Sigh. Interestingly enough, I was 4petite two years ago, until I took on an events management job that had coffee readily available at all times, so that’s what I drank. Sure enough, I gained 35 in no time, and have yet to get it back off. Sigh. This explains everything. Thank you so much!!
Do u use sugar and cream?
What about Dandelion Root tea?
I am taking synthroid every day and will start today, giving up coffee. I didn’t drink alot but am willing to try anything that will help. I have gained weight and feel very lethargic.
Thanks for your article.
ann
Same here.
I also have been taking thyroid medicine for years, was never told to not take it with coffee or around coffee. I recently ended up in the ER having a fib because my medication was not working any longer! So now I am on a path of no caffeine and getting healthy again, it was easy to do because my life depended on it. I was a coffee drinker my entire life, I am 59 and for the first time in my life not having coffee but it’s OK 👍🏻If it means I get to live longer so be it, but I really wish that I would’ve been told thank you for clearing all my answers up I feel like now I have a handle on my situation!!!!
Interesting. I’ve been taking Levothyroxine for about a year now after my numbers indicated hypothyroidism, now hashimotos. Thank you for pointing out that taking the pill at least an hour before coffee is much more effective. I’ve been taking it each morning WITH my coffee! It will be hard to wait an hour until that first cup of coffee, but now it’s sounds like it might be a good time to try giving up coffee and see how that goes. The only symptom I’ve really had is afternoon fatigue.
I take my levothyrixune in the middle of the night when I get up to use the bathroom. You should take it on an empty stomach, 1 hour before eating or 2 hours after and never with coffe or milk.
I also take levothyroxine at night during bathroom break. Never have to worry about interaction that way and I remain hydrated through the night. I have given up coffee ☕️ in the past but only for short periods. I do recall it improved my sleep. I believe I will give it another try. But, from past experience, I caution anyone trying this to use a slow step down approach. The withdrawal headaches and nausea are epic.
Any particular chicory root you recommend?
Hello, do you have a reference for caffeine and T4-T3 conversion? Thank you!
I have been wondering if the caffeine in my coffee was suddenly an issue. Your article gave me much to ponder. I have been hypothyroid for around 16 years and on levothyroxine. (drank the radioactive cocktail). I previously was hyperthyroid with Graves Disease. I have always been a heavy coffee drinker, but recently I have thought it was causing me to feel hot flashy … and dizzy. I am in the stage of life where you wake up every day to something new … And its never something good. I might get taking my last sip of coffee as I post this comment. Thanks for your sharing!
I love my morning coffee. I only have 2 cups. And for a year of taking 75 MCG of Levothyroxine I was able to have 2 cups of coffee every morning. With no issues. With no reaction. Suddenly I have a bad reaction if I have coffee. Even one cup I get a bad reaction. I don’t understand it. Coffee never bothered me for an entire year. I take my Thyroid medicine at 6:30 am and have my coffee at 9 am. But the feeling I get after having coffee is so bad. I feel like I might have a heart attack. I get all keyed up. Feel like I’m going to jump out of my skin! Does anyone know why suddenly I’m sensitive to caffeine?
I would recommend drinking water that is a ph of 7.4 plus. Body Armer has a water that is ph 8. It is possible that your body is to acidic. It takes something like 64 oz of ph water to counter balance the acidic in 1 cup of coffee. The I’ll feeling you feel may be from the increase of acidity. Google water ph tests and there are numerous YouTube videos that ph test various brands of water sold in our store. This will help to know what brands of water to not drink. Hope this helps.
Nerves causes this. So stress in your life right now will go to the nerves and right now coffee is not recommended. Soooo no coffee,caffeine drinks and chocolate. When you deal with the stress and try to get rid of it. Then you can enjoy these things. Also nerves will heal and you can drink caffeine again with no problem.
Possibly B1 (Thiamine) deficiency. Check out Dr Eric Berg on YouTube. I found it very informative.
but what about the fact that I never drank coffee until my mid-40s .. I woke up one day and was .. exhausted. had to do something so I started drinking café con leches (espresso drink here in very latin-dominate s FL) I moved to a quad-shot (yes 4) of espresso every a.m. still doing that but ready for a change as this is not working anymore .. but what about the faigue felt that drove me to coffee to begin with ..? all blood tests come back “within normal limits” . (I think they are wrong and its a thyroid thing) wish it wasn’t, but I feel it . every . day .
so.. quitting caffiene will only send me right back to where I was when I started drinking espresso .. which I went most of my life without .. pls respond.
I know this post is old, but many of my perimenopause friends and I felt the same way somewhere after age 42. It is likely shifting hormones, though, without a good practitioner, it can be a challenge getting labs that show what’s going on. Progesterone drops off mid forties, and your ovaries produce less testosterone. I hope this may be a clue for what’s going on with you.
I came to this article because I just started armour thyroid and wondered if I could have coffee with it. I have done the no coffee thing, but without it I have almost no personality. I am not even kidding. Same with the other women in my family. It’s prob the dopamine, but maybe getting my thyroid levels adjusted will make up for the lack of it with my morning coffee.
Same!!!! I just read this article and it was like it was meant for me. I love coffee.. everything about coffee. The smell- the ritual of making it- the Foo-fooing it up to my liking… everything! I am a dud without it. So much so that my coworkers have forbid me to give it up. Do you remember “Russ” from Friends?? Ross’s doppelgänger?? Yeah- I’m THAT guy! Boooooring… But my anxiety has been running crazy lately.. and I’m not generally like that. It’s like i will have this anxious panic feeling for no reason at all! And it frustrates the heck out of me! I may have to give weening another try. Man i dread that headache!
Could be obstructive sleep apnea. If you aren’t truly sleeping at night because your body is constantly going on and out of different phases of sleep to be conscious enough to take a breath it can cause major fatigue during the day. Most people go undiagnosed because it happens while they are sleeping. Snoring or not snoring is not a true indicator if you have obstructive sleep apnea or not.
I see after taking coffee half an hour,the excess rate sweatening is seen from from without having much effort. I cant how does it happen with me. My weight =75
Height =5’10” and my age is 20 year. Can any have idea about this thing.
I think you misread that study you linked to caffeine and oxidative stress – the article was studying black tea extract and its effects on recovery. The study actually showed that the black tea extra AIDED the recovery and a REDUCTION in inflammation. There may be a different study out there which supports your claim but this is not it.
Now I’m confused. The last link doesn’t mention black tea. I found:
The primary findings of this study demonstrate that a dosage of 5 mg·kg−1 body weight of caffeine has a beneficial effect on perception of muscle soreness, perceived exertion, and performance in the days after maximal resistance exercise. This has practical implications in that daily caffeine consumption can enhance resistance training performance and yet decrease soreness after resistance training despite doing more work.
Hi all,
This is Dana from Hypothyroid Mom. I take the accuracy of the material on my site including guests posts like this one and the linked studies very seriously so when I noticed your comments, of course I had to look into this more closely. I’ve been reviewing the scientific literature on caffeine and inflammation and I see conflicting results.
Some like this one from 2017 from Stanford University School of Medicine that discovered that a cup of coffee may counter age-related inflammation. https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2017/01/caffeine-may-counter-age-related-inflammation-study-finds.html
And this one about the potential benefits of caffeine for pain modulation https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5018099/ and you’ll find this one interesting where caffeine was shown to improved the effectiveness of over-the-counter pain medications when taken together. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-03-caffeine-small-boost-painkillers-effectiveness.html
However what is fascinating is that contradictory effects have been reported too and it may be individual. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/mnfr.201600328
I will rephrase that section of the article. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.
Dana, might reading of the abstract for the article you referenced that purportedly supported an inflammatory effect of caffeine was that the black tea extract was associated with lower inflammation (less oxidized glutathione = GSSG). Further supporting the anti-inflammatory effect of caffeine is this abstract, which indicates a reduction of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24164961
Sexy Sonia T &T hypothyriod was hard for me to deal with but thanks to strong pycharic staff they help me nutrition wise. Coffee I use as a pick me up ,drugs in the night had me sluggish in the morning Sub way restaurant has great coffee excellent pick me up weekends only I used coffee most of the time everything in moderation.
What are your thoughts about raking thyroid medicine at night before bed so you don’t have to wait an hour before you have something to drink or eat?
Hi Kim, It’s well worth talking to your doctor about trying your thyroid medication at night. Here is one study about this topic. It’s important to have your thyroid levels retested whenever you change the way you take your thyroid medication as it may alter your thyroid hormone levels.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21149757
I have stopped coffee for 2.5 months. I was experiencing bloating of my abdomen and throughout my body. My waistline has reduced incredibly – by inches! It is pretty amazing! Now to see if the swelling of arms and legs is due to coffee or hypothyroid.
I see that coffee can affect the conversion of T4 to T3. This is a problem that I am having. I am wondering if chicory will have any negative interaction. I have the hardest time waiting an hour to drink coffee. I just want a hot beverage I drink right away.
Here’s an idea for a quick drink. It’s called Dandy Blend. It dissolves in hot or cold liquid and tastes like coffee. It is a mixture of dandelion root, chicory root, roasted barley extract and roasted rye extract. Order it online or check local health food stores.
Sorry I just realized both barley and rye are glutens. Please disregard my comment.
How can Stop all my hair from falling out,I have low thyroid and losing lots of hair everyday,can you help me?
Use Biotin, it helped me and its getting longer than it has in 3 years.
Cynthia, losing hair is a sign that your thyroid is not functioning properly and you likely need medication. Other symptoms I feel that tell me it’s time to get it checked, are feeling cold and tired all the time. See your doctor to get blood work done to check your thyroid levels.
Thank you so much for this Great article. I’m going to stop drinking coffee today. I have Hypothyroidism and I can sleep, I can’t lose weight, I feel bad. Please help me.
Hi,
To lose weight you should try the Whole Foods Plant Based diet. I have been doing this since the New Year and down 24lbs . I need to give uo coffee too. I have hypothyroidism and my energy level is always low, hoping giving up coffee will help.
I wonder if anything in this article relates to alcohol dependent people who were also diagnosed with Hypothyroidism directly after they stopped drinking alcohol. I’d be interested in learning more about caffeine and how it affects the above.
Thank you so much for such an informational and insightful article. I love this quote “It is often said that the change we resist the most is the change our body needs the most. Let your intuition be your guide.” I have to try to kick the coffee habit for good since I am experiencing thyroid issues.. I will be trying your recipe very soon!
-Jamie