Hypothyroidism and low carb

Kellrob said:

can anyone tell me whether hypothyroidism will hinder weight loss on a low carb diet. I have been following LCHF way of eating for about 4 weeks now and my blood sugars are great but my weight loss is slow. (5.5lbs so far). I'm also feeling tired all the time and my concentration isn't great. When I first began LCHF by around day 3-4 I experienced what I think was 'carb flu', I then began to feel great! Then after about a week of feeling great I feel yuk again. I was wondering wether the fact that I have Hypothyroidism is contributing to this (as these are symptom of this disease anyway) has anyone else had this problem?

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I can't say for sure, but I can tell you what my experience with this has been. I've had low thyroid levels for a long time, below the normal range but just high enough that I've avoided needing medication. After struggling to lose weight for ages I finally relented and about mid January I visited the doctor and asked for a thyroid test with my HbA1c, with the view of asking about thyroxine supplements if the levels were low again (had been low every time previously tested).

The curious thing is that around mid December I had started a LCHF diet, and at by about mid Jan had made a substantial turnaround in my general health and in particular my endurance and recovery with regard to exercise. And then the amazing thing, my HbA1c came back in the normal range (only just, but still very exited as it's first time since being diagnosed about 3 year ago) AND my thyroid level was normal!

I haven't got the exact levels yet as I haven't been back to the Dr to get the full report (only had brief overview over phone), but I'm very happy to have it anywhere in the normal range.

I don't know if it's the increased fat consumption (I was always trying to struggle with a low fat diet previously) or if it's the more frequent and more sustained exercising that's caused the improvement with the thyroid, but whatever the case LCHF seems to helped in my case.

Hi Kellrob it may, have you told your dr you are doing LCHF it may be helpful as you may need to up your thyroxin dose as you may be running short, as to the weight loss gentle steady loss is better than lots and fast as it should stay off if and when you decide to up your carb levels.

Kellrob said:

can anyone tell me whether hypothyroidism will hinder weight loss on a low carb diet. I have been following LCHF way of eating for about 4 weeks now and my blood sugars are great but my weight loss is slow. (5.5lbs so far). I'm also feeling tired all the time and my concentration isn't great. When I first began LCHF by around day 3-4 I experienced what I think was 'carb flu', I then began to feel great! Then after about a week of feeling great I feel yuk again. I was wondering wether the fact that I have Hypothyroidism is contributing to this (as these are symptom of this disease anyway) has anyone else had this problem?

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You could ask for a thyroid test as it sounds you need your meds tweaked a bit. And 5.5 lbs may not be a lot but you are loosing weight. Being properly medicated helps of course. Most of us need to get TSH below 1 and sometimes even below range to feel good.

Totto said:

You could ask for a thyroid test as it sounds you need your meds tweaked a bit. And 5.5 lbs may not be a lot but you are loosing weight. Being properly medicated helps of course. Most of us need to get TSH below 1 and sometimes even below range to feel good.

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TSH, that's thyroid stimulating hormone right. Can you believe that mine was nearly 10 (9.6 to be precise) when I was first diagnosed with diabetes three years ago. No wonder I felt like total ****!

Over the years I have found it almost impossible to lose weight due to my thyroid being just borderline. However I finally began taking Thyroixine about 18 months ago. I have been low carb for a while and my weight loss has been slow but sure at about 1lb or less per week which is an achievement for me because I was told by a specialist some years ago that I could honestly blame my metabolism for not being able to lose weight and that I would find it very difficult to do so.

Have you taken a teaspoon of salt in your foods a day? cutting junk cuts where we normally get salt.

put your food intake for a week into a food counter program, my fitness pal etc. My guess is the lack of energy may be too low a fat intake to offset the reduced carbs too.
or easier just add a lot more fats/real butter/olive oil for a month and see how you feel

jack412 said:

Have you taken a teaspoon of salt in your foods a day? cutting junk cuts where we normally get salt.

put your food intake for a week into a food counter program, my fitness pal etc. My guess is the lack of energy may be too low a fat intake to offset the reduced carbs too.

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I second both suggestions. After reading Finney and Volek, I learned for first time that it's not just a one-off LCHF adjustment that we need extra salt; it's every day. No proof, but I've noticed I've been feeling better since taking it.

Not sure if I'm getting enough salt but feeling better since I began drinking hot water with an 1/8 teaspoon salt in the morning. I'm also getting some salt in some of the foods I eat. I think the salt helps me to retain some of the water I'm drinking. No longer feeling dehydrated now. I swing in and out of hypothyroidism, and don't take medication.