A long-time friend and Memo reader asked this question: “Some Internet health experts and websites say to avoid raw broccoli if you have an underactive thyroid; I did that and my scores improved. Why?” The answer is complicated, but here’s what I found.

Raw cruciferous vegetables contain phytonutrients that are important to our health. However, in people with iodine deficiency, those phytonutrients may interfere with the production of thyroid hormones. Cooking broccoli, even a quick steam, negates that impact.

If you’re concerned, here are three things to do. First, get your iodine levels tested to see your iodine status. Most multiminerals have iodine, but you may need even more and your doctor can help you decide that. Second, if your iodine or thyroid hormone levels are low, always cook any cruciferous vegetables you eat. They’re healthy for you, but maybe just not raw.

Finally, and I think this is the most important, always take your thyroid medication without eating for at least a couple of hours (a little cream in your coffee is okay, but not a meal). How do you do that? Most of us don’t have a couple hours to wait around to eat before the day begins. You can take it at bedtime, or you can put it next to the sink and take it when you get up during the night.

Most people avoid dairy because calcium interferes with thyroid meds, and I found after researching this, there are many others foods that also interfere. Just take the thyroid medication by itself. Check with your doctor about other oral medications that may have an impact as well.

If this is a reminder that you need to eat more cruciferous veggies, I couldn’t agree more. Here’s a way to eat more in a targeted way: get my book Real-Life Detox. It includes some tasty recipes, including “I Can’t Cook” Detox Cabbage Soup that requires nothing more complicated that opening bags and turning on the cooktop. You can get both the paper book and e-book for a special price at drchet.com; as always, Members and Insiders get their discount.

What are you prepared to do today?

        Dr. Chet