During infectious mononucleosis treatment it is important to address the health of your thyroid gland. Many patients that I see with chronic mono have an under active thyroid that is contributing to their fatigue and lethargy.
Firstly it is important to understand the role of the thyroid in infectious mononucleosis treatment. Basically the thyroid gland is responsible for regulating your body’s metabolism. If your thyroid becomes sluggish or under active then it has a reduced hormone output. This results in symptoms like fatigue, sensitivity to the cold, dull, dry hair, constipation, poor appetite, weight problems, poor memory, PMT, infertility, muscle weakness, hair loss, depression and swollen eyelids. In children there may be poor growth and in severe cases mental retardation.
These thyroid symptoms overlap with many of the symptoms seen during infectious mononucleosis treatment, so a blood test from your doctor is a good idea to confirm if your thyroid is involved. You can also get an indication of your thyroid health by doing the underarm temperature test. If your temperature is consistently under 36.4 degrees C, then your thyroid is likely to be under active. This test is more sensitive than the blood tests which will only pick up a very under active or diseased thyroid.
So what can you do to boost your thyroid health during infectious mononucleosis treatment ? Here’s some basic steps:
Supplements
The addition of certain nutrients like iodine, L-tyrosine, zinc, selenium and the B complex can go a long way to supporting your thyroid health. Some of these nutrients act as a substrate for hormone production, others protect the thyroid from oxidative stress and further damage.
Liver detoxification
Liver cleansing which is already an essential part of infectious mononucleosis treatment, can also help the thyroid. Chemicals like those found in cigarette smoke, coffee, birth control pills and certain drugs can affect hormone balance so need to be detoxified from the body.
Diet
Thyroid health needs a healthy diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, quality proteins, essential fats and whole grains. This diet is largely the same as the one used during infectious mononucleosis treatment.
Certain foods in the cruciferous family of vegetables can suppress thyroid hormone production and should be minimised. These foods include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, turnips, radish, brussel sprouts and mustard greens.
Foods which are known to assist in keeping the thyroid healthy include eggs, parsley, apricots, dates, prunes, fish, free range chicken, goldenseal, bayberry and black cohosh. Iodine rich foods like sea salt, kelp and seafoods help make the substrate for thyroxin.
Pure water
Use purified water rather than tap water. The fluoride and chloride in tap water block the iodine receptors needed for thyroid hormone production.
Exercise and sunshine
A daily routine of a dose of sunshine and exercise can optimise both thyroid and infectious mononucleosis treatment. These treatments will get you feeling good and help you cope with stress too.
It is vital to consider your thyroid health during infectious mononucleosis treatment. For my thyroid patients I recommend an excellent e-book called “The Hypothyroidism Solution”. This discusses diet, supplements, exercise, body cleansing and stress management in good detail. For further information please visit “The Hypothyroidism Solution” website.