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No one welcomes cold and flu season especially in times where Covid-19 is threatening our way of life. It usually begins with a sore throat, and soon enough you've also got a runny nose, cough, congestion, sneezing, fatigue, and body aches.
While catching a cold while simultaneously managing hypothyroidism can be daunting, there are some preventative measures you can take to stay healthy.
Tips to stay healthy and avoid catching a cold
Consider increasing your vitamin intake
Vitamins may help to boost your immune system, especially if you're vitamin deficient.
Vitamin A promotes a healthy immune system. Being deficient in vitamin A causes many of the same symptoms of hypothyroidism. Vitamin A is found naturally in foods such as sweet potato, carrots, spinach, and broccoli and in our thyroid supplements: Daily thyroid care.
Zinc is also a germ-fighting supplement often found in brand name lozenges or pills that may help reduce the length of your illness if you do come down with a cold.
Vitamins D, K, and E also boost your immune system. Vitamin D occurs naturally in the body when exposed to sunlight, but this may not be very easy during the winter months. Therefore, you may have to turn to a thyroid multivitamin. Vitamin K is in kale, spinach, and even prunes. Increase your vitamin E by ingesting nuts such as pine nuts, almonds, and hazelnuts. How you nourish your body can have a significant impact on your health.
Stay active
Getting physical exercise can be difficult during the winter, and the relentless fatigue of hypothyroidism can compound it. But getting in a little activity each day may help to keep your immune system healthy.
Get rest
Rest is an essential component to getting well. Your body is using lots of energy not only to fight the effects of your chronic illness but also to battle the cold or flu virus. If you can, take some time off work, hold off on your thyroid daily exercise routine, and get some help with the household chores and the kids.
Stay hydrated
Low thyroid hormone levels directly affect the skin, causing a variety of changes, including dryness, thickening, or scaling. The effects of hypothyroidism can also cause you to lose hair on your scalp, face, and body.
As such, it's helpful to drink lots of water daily, and when you are ill, you'll likely want to up your water intake (especially if you have a fever) to ward off dehydration.
Stay warm
Often hypothyroid patients struggle with cold intolerance. It is essential to keep your temperature levels in check so that your metabolism functions correctly, and your body temperature is regulated.
When you are well, taking thyroid vitamins and supplements, as well as regularly getting physical exercise, may help to prevent you from catching a cold or the flu.
If you're sick, stay home if you're able. Avoid spreading your germs and have consideration for those who are already up against chronic illness.
[To note: A fever doesn't typically accompany a cold. If you get a fever, it may be a sign you've got the flu or an infection with a bacteria.]
Frequently asked questions
Does hypothyroidism make it harder to fight off a cold?
It can. Hypothyroidism is a chronic illness that already uses up some of your body's energy, so your immune system may have less reserve to also fight a cold or flu virus, which is why extra rest and hydration matter.
Which vitamins help support my immune system with hypothyroidism?
Vitamins A, D, E, and K, along with zinc, all support a healthy immune system. Vitamin A comes from foods like sweet potato, carrots, spinach, and broccoli, vitamin K is in kale, spinach, and prunes, and vitamin E is in nuts like pine nuts, almonds, and hazelnuts.
Why do I feel colder than other people when I'm sick with hypothyroidism?
Many hypothyroid patients already struggle with cold intolerance because of how an underactive thyroid affects metabolism and body temperature regulation, so staying warm is especially important when you're also fighting off a cold.
Is a fever normal with a cold if I have hypothyroidism?
Not usually. A fever doesn't typically accompany a common cold, so if you develop one, it may be a sign of the flu or a bacterial infection instead.
What can I do to avoid getting sick in the first place?
Taking thyroid vitamins and supplements when you're well, along with getting regular physical activity, may help prevent you from catching a cold or the flu.
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