✪ Key Takeaway: Teff provides iron and selenium that support thyroid function, but it cannot treat hypothyroidism alone without proper medical care.
Introduction
You walk down the health food aisle and see teff flour sitting next to quinoa and ancient grains.
You might be asking this question because someone told you that teff could help your underactive thyroid, or perhaps you read somewhere that this tiny grain from Ethiopia contains special nutrients for thyroid health.
Hi, I’m Abdur, your nutrition coach, and today I’m going to explain exactly how teff affects hypothyroidism and whether it deserves a place in your thyroid-supporting diet.
What Makes Teff Different From Other Grains?
Teff is the smallest grain in the world, measuring just one millimeter in diameter.
This tiny size means you eat the whole grain every single time because it cannot be processed or refined like wheat or rice.
The grain comes packed with more iron than most other grains, providing about 7.6 milligrams per 100 grams of uncooked teff.
It also contains decent amounts of calcium, magnesium, and zinc, which many people with hypothyroidism often lack in their diets.
Teff provides resistant starch that feeds beneficial gut bacteria, and your gut health directly influences how well your body converts thyroid hormones.
The grain contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein source that supports overall body function including hormone production.
✪ Fact: Teff has been a staple food in Ethiopia for over 5,000 years and remains the primary grain in their traditional flatbread called injera.
How Does Iron From Teff Support Your Thyroid?
Your thyroid gland needs iron to produce thyroid peroxidase, an enzyme essential for making thyroid hormones.
Without adequate iron, your body cannot convert iodine into thyroid hormones efficiently, even if you consume enough iodine.
Research shows that iron deficiency reduces thyroid hormone production and worsens hypothyroidism symptoms like fatigue and weight gain.
Teff provides non-heme iron, the type found in plant foods, which your body absorbs less efficiently than iron from meat.
You can boost iron absorption from teff by eating it with vitamin C-rich foods like tomatoes, bell peppers, or citrus fruits.
Women with hypothyroidism often experience heavy menstrual bleeding that depletes iron stores, making teff a valuable dietary addition for maintaining adequate levels.
✪ Pro Tip: Soak teff overnight before cooking to reduce phytic acid content, which blocks iron absorption and reduces the grain’s nutritional benefits.
Does Teff Contain Selenium That Your Thyroid Needs?
Teff contains small amounts of selenium, but not nearly as much as Brazil nuts, fish, or meat.
Your thyroid gland holds more selenium per gram of tissue than any other organ in your body.
Selenium helps produce glutathione peroxidase, an antioxidant enzyme that protects your thyroid from oxidative damage during hormone production.
This mineral also supports the conversion of T4 (inactive thyroid hormone) into T3 (active thyroid hormone) throughout your body tissues.
While teff contributes some selenium to your diet, you should not rely on it as your primary selenium source for thyroid health.
The selenium content in teff varies significantly depending on the soil where it was grown, making it an unreliable source compared to animal foods.
✪ Note: Just two Brazil nuts daily provide more selenium than you would get from eating teff throughout the entire week.
Can Teff Interfere With Thyroid Medication Absorption?
Teff contains dietary fiber that can potentially interfere with levothyroxine absorption if consumed too close to medication time.
Your thyroid medication works best when taken on an empty stomach, at least 30 to 60 minutes before eating anything.
High-fiber foods like teff slow down stomach emptying and can reduce how much thyroid hormone your body absorbs from medication.
This does not mean you should avoid teff, but rather that you need to time your meals properly around your medication schedule.
Most endocrinologists recommend waiting at least four hours after taking thyroid medication before consuming high-fiber meals containing grains like teff.
If you eat teff regularly and notice changes in your hypothyroidism symptoms, ask your doctor to check your thyroid hormone levels to ensure proper medication dosing.
✪ Pro Tip: Keep a consistent eating schedule with teff so your doctor can accurately adjust your thyroid medication dose based on stable dietary patterns.
Should You Choose Teff Over Other Grains For Hypothyroidism?
Teff offers nutritional benefits, but it does not possess magical properties that make it superior to other whole grains for thyroid health.
Your thyroid needs a variety of nutrients from different food sources, not just one special grain.
Brown rice provides selenium and B vitamins, quinoa offers complete protein and magnesium, and oats deliver beta-glucan fiber that supports gut health.
The best approach involves rotating different grains throughout your week rather than relying exclusively on teff.
Teff works well as part of a balanced diet that includes animal proteins, vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats that collectively support thyroid function.
If you enjoy the taste and texture of teff, include it in your meal rotation, but do not expect it to significantly improve your hypothyroidism symptoms on its own.
✪ Fact: No single food can reverse hypothyroidism because the condition requires comprehensive medical treatment combined with overall dietary quality.
The Bottom Line
Teff provides valuable nutrients like iron and fiber that support overall health, but it cannot treat hypothyroidism without proper medical intervention and a comprehensive dietary approach.
Your thyroid needs consistent medical care first and nutritional support second, never the other way around.
I would love to hear your experience with teff or any questions you have about managing hypothyroidism through nutrition, so please share your thoughts in the comments below.
References
At NutritionCrown, we use quality and credible sources to ensure our content is accurate and trustworthy. Below are the sources referenced in writing this article:
- National Institutes of Health: Iron – Health Professional Fact Sheet
- National Institutes of Health: Selenium – Health Professional Fact Sheet
- American Thyroid Association: Thyroid Function Tests
