Have you heard of thyroid? Thyroid is one butterfly-shaped gland located at our neck. This gland functions to control metabolic processes in our body (temperature, heart rate, fat, and carbohydrate metabolism et cetera), for growth and development. The gland does this through production of hormones T3, T4 and calcitonin. However, there are cases where the thyroid produces too much of these hormones for the body. This condition is called hyperthyroidism, also known as overactive thyroid or thyrotoxicosis.
你听说过甲状腺吗？甲状腺是位于我们颈部的一个呈蝴蝶状腺体。该腺体的功能是控制我们体内的代谢过程（温度、心率、脂肪和碳水化合物代谢等）。它通过产生激素 T3、T4 和降钙素来促进生长和发育。然而，在某些情况下，甲状腺会为身体产生过多的这些激素。这种情况称为甲状腺功能亢进症，也称为甲状腺毒症。
There are several causes of hyperthyroidism, which include Grave’s disease, toxic nodular goitre, thyroiditis, excessive thyroid medication for underactive thyroid, excess iodine consumption and non-cancerous tumour. Hyperthyroidism can be asymptomatic. However, for people who do have symptoms, they vary, and might include heart palpitations, weight loss, lethargy, irritability or nervousness, tremor, mood swing, unable to tolerate heat, trouble sleeping, mood swing, frequent bowel movement, muscle weakness and swollen neck.
甲状腺功能亢进有多种原因，包括格雷夫氏病、毒性结节性甲状腺肿、甲状腺炎、因甲状腺功能低下而服用过量甲状腺药物、过量碘消耗和非癌性肿瘤。甲亢可以没有症状。然而，对于确实有症状的人来说，症状各不相同，可能包括心悸、体重减轻、嗜睡、易怒或紧张、震颤、情绪波动、无法忍受高温、睡眠困难、情绪波动、频繁排便、肌肉无力和肿胀的脖子。
Untreated hyperthyroidism may cause serious problems which affects the heart, bone, muscle, sight, and fertility. The treatment of hyperthyroidism depends on the cause, which include radioactive iodine, medicine, and surgery. For those on treatment, seek advice from your health practitioner on the dos and don’ts while on treatment. Generally, prior to treatment, some dietary management that can be done are as below:
未经治疗的甲亢可能会导致严重的问题，影响心脏、骨骼、肌肉、视力和生育能力。甲亢的治疗取决于病因，包括放射性碘、药物和手术。对于那些正在接受治疗的人，请向您的医生咨询有关治疗期间该做什么和不该做什么的建议。一般来说，在治疗之前，可以做的一些饮食管理如下：
1. Reduce intake of iodine rich food / 减少含碘食物的摄入:
Because thyroid hormones are produced from iodine, limiting consumption of iodine rich food can help reducing the hormone production. High iodine food include:
由于甲状腺激素是由碘产生的，因此限制食用富含碘的食物有助于减少甲状腺激素的产生。含高碘食物包括：
– Iodized salt and water / 碘盐和碘水
– Fish, seafood and seaweed / 鱼、海鲜和海藻
– Dairy products (milk, cheese and yogurt) / 乳制品（牛奶、奶酪和酸奶）
– Egg yolk / 蛋黄
– Red dye / 红色染料
2. Consume adequate calcium and vitamin D / 摄入足够的钙质和维生素D
Overt hyperthyroidism is an important cause of secondary osteoporosis. This is as it is associated with accelerated bone turnover, reduced bone density, porous bone (osteoporosis) and increased fracture rate because of changes in calcium balance.
明显的甲亢是继发性骨质疏松症的重要原因。这是因为它与加速的骨转换、降低的骨密度、多孔骨（骨质疏松症）和由钙质平衡的变化而增加的骨折率有关。
Sources of calcium include dairy products, fish eaten with bones, green leafy vegetables, legumes, and fortified food such as tofu, juice et cetera.
Sources of vitamin D include sunlight exposure, oily fish, fortified food, egg yolk, offal, and mushrooms.
钙质的来源包括乳制品、连骨头一起吃的鱼、绿叶蔬菜、豆类和豆腐、果汁等强化食品。维生素D的来源包括阳光照射、油性鱼类、强化食品、蛋黄、内脏和蘑菇。
3. Reduce caffeine intake / 减少咖啡因的摄入
Caffeine can increase autonomic nervous system activity, which one main function is controlling the heart rate. Consumption of caffeine may exacerbate the fast heart rate of people with hyperthyroidism. Thus, patients should limit intake of caffeine sources such as coffee, tea, energy drinks and supplement.
咖啡因可以增加自主神经系统的活动，其中一项主要功能是控制心率。摄入咖啡因可能会加剧甲状腺功能亢进症患者的心率。因此，患者应限制咖啡因来源的摄入，例如咖啡、茶、能量饮料和补充剂。
4. Antioxidants (Selenium, zinc, copper, vitamin A, C and E) / 抗氧化剂（硒、锌、铜、维生素A、C和E）
Overproduction of thyroid hormones can lead to increase of free radicals, causing oxidative stress. This then results in clinical manifestation of hyperthyroidism such as fatigue. Antioxidants can attenuate the damaging effect of the free radicals, resulting in improvement of some symptoms and signs of hyperthyroidism.
甲状腺激素的过量产生会导致自由基增加，从而引起氧化应激。这会导致甲状腺功能亢进症的临床表现，例如疲劳。抗氧化剂可以减弱自由基的破坏作用，从而改善甲亢的一些症状和体征。
Antioxidants can be obtained through consumption of balanced diet that incorporates a vast variety of food groups (excluding unhealthy food such as high trans-fat and saturated fat food). They are most abundant in fruits and vegetables, as well as other foods including nuts, legumes, wholegrains and are present in some meats, poultry, and fish.
抗氧化剂可以通过摄入多种食物的均衡饮食获得（不包括高反式脂肪和饱和脂肪食物等不健康食物）。它们在水果和蔬菜以及其他食物（包括坚果、豆类、全麦）中含量最多，并且存在于一些肉类、家禽和鱼类中。
All in all, although dietary intake alone cannot cure hyperthyroidism, it can help in preventing exacerbation of the disease. Get advice from your healthcare professionals if you appear to have the signs of hyperthyroidism.
总而言之，虽然单靠饮食不能治愈甲亢，但是可以帮助预防病情恶化。如果您有甲状腺功能亢进症的迹象，请咨询您的医疗保健专业人员。
