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Abstract
Background: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is a common autoimmune disorder leading to hypothyroidism, driven by chronic lymphocytic infiltration and antibody-mediated thyroid destruction. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a structured dietary intervention on thyroid hormone profile and autoimmune markers in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Methods: This prospective interventional study was conducted at Services Hospital, Lahore from January 2025 to June 2025. 105 patients aged 18–60 years were included in this study. Participants followed a 12-week structured dietary plan emphasizing selenium- and vitamin D–rich foods, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and avoidance of processed or inflammatory foods. Baseline and post-intervention assessments included serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4), free triiodothyronine (fT3), anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO), and anti-thyroglobulin (anti-Tg) antibodies. Results: Out of 105 patients, 87 (82.9%) were female and 18 (17.1%) male, with a mean age of 38.6 ± 9.4 years. After 12 weeks, mean TSH decreased from 6.9 ± 2.3 to 4.8 ± 1.9 mIU/L (p < 0.001), fT4 increased from 0.83 ± 0.16 to 0.95 ± 0.15 ng/dL (p = 0.002), and fT3 rose from 2.4 ± 0.6 to 2.8 ± 0.7 pg/mL (p = 0.011). Anti-TPO titers declined from 420 ± 170 to 310 ± 160 IU/mL (p < 0.001) and anti-Tg from 280 ± 110 to 210 ± 100 IU/mL (p = 0.004). Strong positive correlations were observed between reductions in antibody titers and improvements in thyroid hormones (r = 0.61–0.68, p < 0.001). Conclusion: It is concluded that structured dietary intervention significantly improves thyroid function and reduces autoimmune activity in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Incorporating anti-inflammatory, nutrient-dense foods and correcting micronutrient deficiencies may serve as an effective adjunct to conventional therapy.