Based on NIH | Is there evidence that eating chicken can trigger or worsen Hashimoto's thyroiditis?

Eating chicken, in typical amounts and forms, is not known to directly trigger or worsen Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. While diet can influence autoimmune thyroid disease, current authoritative sources do not identify chicken or poultry specifically as a trigger for Hashimoto’s. The best‑supported dietary factor linked to onset or flares is excess iodine, not chicken itself. ^{[1] [2]}

What the evidence shows

• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition driven by the immune system attacking thyroid tissue; its exact triggers are multifactorial and include genetics and environmental factors. Well‑recognized non‑dietary factors include family history, pregnancy‑related immune shifts, and radiation exposure. ^{[3] [1]}
• Regarding diet, reputable medical references note that excessive iodine intake can trigger or exacerbate Hashimoto’s in susceptible people. This connection is supported by human observations and reinforced by animal studies where high iodine diets increased autoimmune thyroiditis risk. ^{[1] [2]}
• Some summaries also list “eating large amounts of foods that contain animal proteins” among potential triggers, but this is a broad, non‑specific statement and does not single out chicken; the mechanism and strength of this association remain unclear. Importantly, these summaries emphasize uncertainty and do not provide direct evidence that poultry consumption independently causes Hashimoto’s. ^{[4] [5]}

Why iodine matters more than chicken

• Excess iodine can change how the thyroid’s key protein (thyroglobulin) is processed, potentially making it more immunogenic and fueling autoimmune activity. In animal models, adding iodine to the diet markedly increased autoimmune thyroiditis incidence, while iodine restriction reduced it. ^{[6] [2]}
• For everyday eating, the practical takeaway is to avoid unnecessary high‑iodine exposures (for example, certain seaweeds or supplements with iodine) rather than avoiding specific meats like chicken. Fresh chicken itself is naturally low in iodine unless it has been brined or injected with iodine‑containing broth. ^[7]

Practical guidance on poultry and Hashimoto’s

• Fresh, unprocessed meats including fresh chicken and turkey are generally considered acceptable in low‑iodine meal plans used when iodine restriction is recommended. By contrast, processed poultry (e.g., canned, deli, or poultry injected with broth) may contain added ingredients, including iodized salts or additives, that increase iodine content. ^{[7] [8]}
• If you are temporarily following a low‑iodine diet (for example, before radioactive iodine procedures), selecting fresh poultry without broths or marinades and avoiding products labeled with iodate additives is a reasonable approach. Reading labels to avoid “potassium iodate” or “calcium iodate” helps keep iodine intake in check during that period. ^[9]

Bottom line

• There is no direct evidence that normal chicken consumption triggers or worsens Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. The most consistently supported dietary trigger is excessive iodine, not chicken. ^{[1] [2]}
• If you tolerate chicken well and choose fresh, minimally processed options, it can be part of a balanced diet for Hashimoto’s. Focus your attention on avoiding high‑iodine foods and supplements rather than excluding poultry without a specific reason. ^[7]