Carb/sugar craving/highTSH - is there a connection?

Another of my hypo symptoms seems to be carb/sugar cravings. One of the reasons why I put on 3+ stone before diagnosis of hypo, was my need to eat a lot of carbs/sugar. I'd eat anything with carbs/sugar in, even tho' before I became hypo I rarely ate biscuits/cakes/sweets etc. I've noticed that after treatment with T4, my carb cravings begin to go. They returned when I had a flare up of other symptoms/high TSH earlier this year and after my T4 dose was increased, again, carb cravings subsided. At present I'm really well and have no cravings. Has anyone noticed this happens to them, and why does it happen?

[Hidden]

Thank you - that makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the links - will follow up.

I'm also looking into IBS and eating less carbs in general as they seem to feed IBS. I've cut down on a lot of gluten carbs and I'm actually losing a bit of weight at last!

[roslin in reply to Hidden]

hi

it seems to me that the carb thing is complicated as everything else when it has to do with hypothyroid. I have exactly the same problem as you and I find it almost impossible to stop myself from eating the wrong thing. i know what to eat and not to eat but can I stop myself? I also have put on 3+ stone. I am now wondering if it also as something to do with candida together with glucose balance. It is just so annoying.

Roslinxx

[Hidden in reply to roslin]

You're right - it's as tho' we have to relearn everything with hypo!

For me it seems to link to being undermedicated. I've also been reading about IBS - it seems this is made worse by carbs. I've reduced carbs for about a week now, and I'm feeling much better. I don't get the cravings any more, including middle of the night binges although I believe being at optimal treatment has been a major factor.

[amyb6429]

Me too. Just switched from levo to naturthroid and I think I need a higher dose. All weekend long I was soooo tired and wanted cupcakes and pie. I like sweets but these cravings are awful.