Hypothyroid and diet

[funniirishman]

Not sure what else to put in the title. My eyes have crossed researching the topic, figured I would draw on this crowds variety of experience.

The components here are a low carb diet and hypothyrodism, is it as effective as it should be or should you modify it? The condition itself is being treated with medication-its a relatively new diagnosis, and the individual is trying to reach ketosis with diet but having what I think is an exceedingly difficult time doing so. Additionally is the worry that this diet may adversely effect T3/T4 levels, worsening the condition. Intake is 30 grams of carbs or so a day, about 300 grams of protein a day. Person of interest is a woman, early 30's.

Any insight or actual experience would be most appreciated.

[auri]

My ex wife is periodically hyper and hypo alternatively. Until the person in question gets the medication down to where they are hormonally/chemically stable, I believe it's a terrible idea to start a diet that could initially confuse her, you, or her doctors with sides that could be attributed to something other than the medication. Give her a few months to stabilize with medication before she starts changing things.

[funniirishman]

By relatively new I mean in the last year or so. She has apparently had the condition for years only finally getting to the point of being medicated beginning of '12. You do bring up the good point of this diet causing consequences metabolically that could confuse the issue. I'm not sure what to recommend for her at this point.

[auri]

I would shoot down the middle of the road with a sensible diet, moderate complex carbs, low healthy fats, and a good amount of protein. The vagueness is purposeful, as I have no idea to the amounts etc. Once she stabilizes with meds and has been getting her tests done, only then would I recommend looking into dieting for specific reasons.

I probably repeated myself somewhere, but having an overactive or underactive thyroid isn't fun, causes the person to freak out if they are body conscious due to either the wasting away effect or it's flip side, getting fat.

Regardless, there's no quick fix, get her stable then address the rest.

[funniirishman]

Thats the consensus I'm coming up with as well auri, thanks for the input. W Its like fucking voodoo this thyroid business, metabolically you simply just don't know what the fuck is going on...does it fluctuate even though her meds are stable? Do different diets have an effect on it? I have read that low carb diets can stimulate hypothyroidism..but have conversely read that it helps. I do know that a ketogenic diet has proven virtually impossible for her. All of which I find interesting, but frustrating for her.

[auri]

I believe it continues to fluctuate even while on meds, but I'm not positive. It could be a matter of the body sensing the exogenous hormone that's medically prescribed and essentially going on standby mode, but we're talking about something that isn't working normally anyway. I just don't know, but maybe someone who does can chime in....

[Turbo3000]

How long has she been diagnosed? How long on the current med? Any other Rx meds? Any other chronic disease?

[funniirishman]

She's been diagnosed for several years, happened after her last pregnancy. Taking the same medication for at least a few years, they recently increased the dosage by .5. No other diseases..healthy and active lifestyle. BP is fine, bloodwork fine, etc.

[auri]

Is she hot? I think that's the real question here.

[funniirishman]

Thats ALWAYS the question bro;) Lol I sure think so:)

[Turbo3000]

I'll do some research tomorrow. I'll also try and get in touch with a dietician friend and see what they think.

[funniirishman]

Hey thanks Turbo, I appreciate it. It'll be nice to get some other opinions reference this thing.

[Nekrawulf]

I'd love to be able to help, but there is critical information missing here. What were last 3 TsH levels when checked? What dosage of Synthroid is she on? What is dosage history? What is dietetic and physical activity history?

What is the hypo a symptom of? Obesity? Hashimoto? graves?

[funniirishman]

I will check on the levels for you. 100mg dosage up from 88. Only two variations of dosage in her history. Diagnosis is two years old there about. Diet up to this point is healthy and organic, never tried a low carb variation. Moderately active, primarily tied to extracurricular activities.

[Nekrawulf]

Typically, hypothyroidism is a direct symptom of an underlying issue. The point of origin is usually more pressing and telling than the symptoms of thyroid dysfunction.

IN MY EXPERIENCE... a diet that has a strong focus on anti-inflammatory properties has a higher success rate of alleviating hypothyroid symptoms. The statement is broad because metabolic dysfunction spectrum is confusing for even most endocrinologists.

Dietary focus:

Moderate carb intake.
chelated multi vitamin
Low ratio of omega 3: omega 6,9 (preferred 2:1 or 3:1)
Additional supplementation of magnesium, zinc, selenium, vit d

Training focus: just as important as diet for metabolic dysfunction

Initially work on establishing a strong Aerobic Base before working on increasing Anaerobic Threshold.
The logic here is that liposis is typically weak in metabolic dysfunction and is a prime factor in related fatigue. She wants to be able to not only process fats more effectively, but also slow down the endocrinologist response to blood sugar levels.