My liver function test has been a bit out of range and my GP says its probably fatty liver. I have read up a little about this on patient UK and they say hypothyroidisms is a possible differential diagnoses. Does anyone know anything about this. Any advice
fatty liver: My liver function test has been a... - Thyroid UK
fatty liver
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Hi Mandyjane -welcome to our forum.
Weight gain is a common feature of hypothyroidism but haven't ever heard of fatty liver being a differential diagnosis of hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is known as the great mimicker -the signs and symptoms of it can be many and very varied. A good GP should have suspicions if you are presenting with multiple array of symptoms. These days GPs are instructed to go on blood tests so hypothyroidism is not diagnosed unless your TSH is consistently above range and your ft4 is low. The GMC is strict on this and doctors get into trouble if they don't follow their guidelines. You could ask your GP to do a blood test to check your TSH & Ft4.
As for fatty liver -which is due to weight accumulating around your middle. I've been told by a specialsit that following a low carb high protein diet addresses this. Certainly is working for me -have lost 8 inches of my waist in three and half months!! I have cut out all grains, pasta and potatoes -don't really miss them. If I have the odd bit of them which I do occasionally it's instant weight gain! Clearly I don't process them well!!
Hope this helps
what complex carbs do you eat...
The instant weight gain us initially water, if you are in ketosis your body doesn't need water, but if burning carbs it does.
Sulamaye am not sure I can agree with not needing water. On the diabetes site where they do proper low carbs and high protein they state the opposite. I certainly find I need to drink more not less as otherwise I become constipated. I am more thirsty on the low carb diet too.
I didnt say you don't need to drink water, you are correct you must drink plenty. I said the weight gain as soon as you come out of ketosis is due to water no fat gain, because when the body burns fats instead of carbs it does not need water molecules attached to it, whereas for carbs there are four molecules per molecule of something that I can't remember now because of brain fog, but basically chemically ketosis does not hold water molecules in place the way carb fuelling does.
That's really helpful sulamaye -thanks you for explaining. Sorry I misunderstood 😊
• in reply towaveylines
grains aren't your problem, the starch is your problem. It enters the bloodstream incredibly fast. Adding saturated fats to starchy foods slows the starch sugars from entering the blood stream so quickly. Bloodwork often is inaccurate and unreliable. Temperature and pulse are far more effective ways to monitor thyroid health. I advise you to not have a low carb diet as your body's preferred source of energy is carbs.
sulamaye• in reply to
There is lots of evidence to the contrary that we actually evolved to burn fat not carbs, and that you get a more even supply on energy burning fat and not carbs. I have certainly noticed an increase in cellular energy on low carbs not a drop, although it doesn't suit everyone once you get through ketone adaptation most people find they don't have the energy ups and downs that goes with eating carbs. It is a modern medical myth that complex carbs are the best thing for us. Google terry wahls ted ed talk if you want to know more, she is a medical doctor as well as someone who has seen fantastic benefits through her changes in diet.
• in reply tosulamaye
The feeling of energy comes from rising stress hormones. They are protecting you, making you feel good but those stress hormones aren't never ending. I went through this awful experience with ketonic state. It ended up being constant adrenaline and panic. Also, a lot of the positive from a ketonic state most likely comes from being thinner. Who doesn't get positive happy vibes from that. Complex carbs are not healthy at all. The carbs that are healthy are fructose and sucrose, with fructose being the preferred source.
sulamaye• in reply to
No in my case you are wrong. I have m,e, no amount of adrenalin has ever produced a good feeling, in fact I have on the floor cortisol now which I now take h.c for so my adrenal system is suppressed anyway and can't produce misleading cortisol etc. if you knew anything about the complexity of my health and how I have struggled with it for the past five years you would realise that this is not a false positive. Maybe it was for you but not for me. I felt an immediate shift in energy way before I had lost any significant weight and my weight was three stone lighter when I first got m,e and I felt much worse. Just accept we all a have differnt bodies and differnt illnesses. Watch the ted ed if you are truly interested.
• in reply tosulamaye
I have no interest in the Ted talk. I like to believe in science. While I have seen some science article show benefit of short term ketonic state, I also see the long term harm it does.
sulamaye• in reply to
What a very closed mindset. I believe the extraordinary scientists are open minded and start with observation. Terry wahls is a doctor of medicine and is involved in research.
• in reply tosulamaye
you can assume whatever you'd like but the damaging effects of ketosis are well known
sulamaye• in reply to
Can you point me to the research papers please?
• in reply tosulamaye
I am not at home but this is what I am talking about. I will send some articles later
• in reply tosulamaye
youtube.com/watch?v=OHL7CyK...
sulamaye• in reply to
Wow he's like one of those Americans who thinks if he shouts at you it helps! You do know that historically ketogenic diets have been used for successful treatment of epilepsy where drugs wouldn't work?
Dr wahls has degenerative multiple scelorisis, she was wheel chair bound, within nine months of changing her diet to a low carb, 6 cups minimum of three veg groups she was riding a horse again, that's over six years ago and she's still going strong. She discusses how the mitochondria function better in ketosis and why. Perhaps people being paleo when they are well is extreme, but there are a lot of people who are very ill who find paleo type diets have resulted in recovery. That's not because their adrenalin is over riding, , adrenalin can't over ride ms, and wahls mri scans showed the arresting of scar tissue on the nerves.
I've also read blogs where a scientist previously diagnosed bi polar has been off her meds for five years having stabilised on a ketogenic diet.
Taking massive doses of cortisol doesnt make me feel normal, it's not possible to mask so many malfunctions in the body. Why have my ALT levels, the indicator of stress and illness for the liver, almost normalised after two months? My trygicerides have halved and I'm no longer prediabetic?
Ironically my pulse was 60 or below and has been since I first got ill, now it is a more respectable 70 and my blood pressure has dropped from the 130's and above to the 120's and below. That does not seem to be a signifier of stress.
I just don't think things are as cut and dried as the shouting man makes out. How would you explain these positive examples if ketosis is so bad for these people?
If my liver clears the fat it has been malfunctioning to store I will be more likely to be able to tolerate t4 again and stop making rt3. if my atp starts releasing again my mitochondria will function properly again. If my liver functions properly perhaps the bound cortisol in my blood, giving me below range bioavailabile cortisol, will be released from its binding protein meaning I can come off the hc.
High adrenalin and cortisol would not cure these easy rabble functions in my body, it would contribute to them being worse as high stress hormones interferes in all these functions. I have nothing to lose, I've already been bed bound for five years, and tried everything else possible.
We don't have to argue about this. I'd be happy to read any research, I'm always researching things in the hope of recovery, but I think for some people this diet is instigating their recovery and at the end of the day that's all that matters to them. Dr wahls Wd probably have been dead by now the way her ms was going, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.
• in reply tosulamaye
I apologize if I insinuated that I was arguing. I, like many, suffered many of the same things you all struggle with. I am not 100% but I am close. I have read research about epilepsy and like I said, there does seem to be some benefit short term but the long term effects are what concerns me. Low carb, long term is cancerous. I would check out toxinless.com and find a good source of vitamin B3 (niacinamide) and start with 100mg a day. Strong coffee with cream and sugar with or after a meal can help the liver also. Adequate protein. I am trying to be understanding of the anxieties that we face with health stuff, but I followed a lot of silly advice over the years with vegetarianism, high polyunsaturated fat diet and it screwed me. Even Broda Barnes says pufa is highly toxic and will kill us.
waveylines• in reply to
You mention cancer links to low carb and I asked if you could provide me with the research papers to evidence this. I am a cancer survivor and also have been diagnosed with ME/CFS. I have no problem with looking at information and reviewing my ideas. I do have a problem with people who state scary links without substantiation. I'm sorry to be so harsh but your insistence is not enough nor is providing video links. What we need is hard core evidence that this diet is contrary indicated for everyone. It maybe for some but what you are saying it is for all.
Secondly for me proposing that I eat foods with fructose is plain scary. Fructose is leading to high blood sugars for me & this is why I now eat any small amount of fruit after my meal to prevent insulin spikes. I have checked this out with my GP who agrees that I'm doing the correct thing. Insulin spikes leads to fat accumulation around the middle -this is dangerous fat as it interferes with organ function and has been scientifically linked to an increased likelihood of diabetes and liver dysfunction.
I keep looking through this thread as it's an interesting one and I keep looking for you to provide the solid research evidence behind your arguments. Until I do I have no intention of changing my diet at all. I have two qualified doctors backing me all the way -they certainly are not arguing any long term dangers at all with me. I don't believe my specialsit doctor andGP would be so remiss if there really is strong medical evidence to show this diet is contrary indicated for me.
As someone else has pointed out already ketogenic diets DO have their place. It has been known to reverse epilepsy and these peole had to stay on these diets for a number of years and then went on to live long healthy lives with no damage to their metabolism and remained epilepsy free. Definite win win.
Jumbelina• in reply to
I'm sorry to see you advocating fructose as a healthy carb on here. Here's what Robert Lustig, an endocrinologist at the University of California has to say about it: theguardian.com/lifeandstyl...
• in reply toJumbelina
waveylines• in reply to
Am afraid we will have to agree to disagree on this one theonlyway. Am following the advice of myvEndocrinologist who is backing what Dr Peatfield has been saying for years.
Hypothyroid people do not process carbohydrates well so they become stored as fat. Therefore lowering the carbohydrate intake helps to ameliorate this problem. It certainly is the case for me. My body has adapted to a different way of sourcing energy and I do not suffer from fatigue. Since doing this I no longer get bloated, suffer with flattuence or sugar head, I don't get cravings for sweet food. I don't get indigestion either. Marvellous. Just wish I'd realised this years ago!!!
• in reply towaveylines
By all means follow your heart. Best
Interesting. I have the same issue with carbs. We dont get on well with each other and when I do eat them I get bloated.
my fatty liver showed up when my low thyroid symptoms did. I don't know what it looks like now. Seems common..oh and terrible high cholesterol and trigs too, and high blood sugar, rapid weight gain too.
my daughter is a size 12 and was accused by her GP of being a secret drinker because that would be only explaination for her fatty liver as she was not overweight. I myself am hypo and recently diagnosed with b12 def and was playing around on my iPad researching about b12 def and it came up with a connection between b12 and fatty liver........just google b12 def and fatty liver I was surprised.........a lot of hypo sufferers also have low levels of b12 although not low enough to be diagnosed with PA if it is below 500 many now believe it needs to be supplemented. My daughter supplemented and although she did not have a blood test to prove a problem she feels better than she has in years.
• in reply toAuntyp62
There is a disease/condition referred to as non-alcoloholic fatty liver which can be reversed, at the early stages of steatosis, with diet (no sugar, no gluten, no dairy) and if the patient has low thyroid, an optimal replacement and treatment is also needed.
If not addressed and fast, non-alcoloholic fatty liver can then lead to non-alcohol related steatohepatitis. A more acute form when cirrhosis start to develop and very often mistakenly can be attributed to alcohol drinking but this may not be the case.
I hope this helps!
Auntyp62• in reply to
Thank you I will look it up, my daughter does not drink at all
Auntyp62• in reply to
Hi thanks for the advice, I looked it up and my daughter does not seem to come under any of it. She is 5 foot eight and size 12 so not overweight and she eats healthy, grows her own vegetables, no added sugar and exercises apart from digging in garden etc.
• in reply toAuntyp62
She is doesn't have to be overweight to have a fatty liver. Check her triglycerides levels and overall cholesterol.
waveylines• in reply to
And it's also about waist/hip ratio -often associated with high levels of fat stored around the waist.cYou do not need to look overweight to have it. This is a myth. There was a case of a very slim man who had it who was very slim -unfortunately it was caught too late and he had liver failure.
Early stages as Melenie says are reversible. My understanding is that it does take sometime to progress. A sign of it is higher than normal liver function tests, higher levels of blood sugars, higher level of body fat percentage (certain weighing scales can tell you your fat percentage as can sports centre scales).
• in reply towaveylines
I dont need weighing scales to tell me I carry too much fat but thanks.
A lot of people don't realise that the body actually produces a lot of its own cholesterol and that there is a recognised medical condition in which the body over produced cholesterol. This is why a lot of slim people get clogged hearts, artery's and fatty livers. Doctors don't always recognise this and so slim people often only get diagnosed when the damaged is already done.
Also in days of old high cholesterol was recognised as a symptom of thyroid problems.
Well what I was told by me Endicrinologist and then read is that people with hypothyroidism have a problem processing and using carbohydrates. The body stores them as fat rather then using them. I did not know this. When you don't eat them your body develops a different way of maintaining energy. There are athletes looking at this now as they are finding they can sustain activity for longer. I don't understand the complexities of it all.
However I can vouch for the fact that cutting the carbs does work. This means of course that you cut all added sugar (which is a carb), eat fruit (1-2 pieces per day no more) after a meal not before to avoid sudden sugar spikes in the blood stream. The carbs I eat now are from vegetables. If you do it strictly (I haven't so far) you would only allow 40grams of veg per day and eat veg that is grown above the ground -ruling out all root Veg.
I do eat onions and some carrots and have never weighed my veg. My weight loss has been slow but steady and am happy with this. You need to drink lots of water. Dairy is not restricted and neither is protein. I eat a sprinkling of nuts per day too but like anything else if you eat a lot of protein and diary you won't loose weight! I have never felt hungry on this diet -most places it's easy to eat out but problem places are cafes, Italian (though good ones do pasta free dishes) and Indian restaurants. In restaurants I simply ask for veg instead of potato...I don't go near a cafe unless they do soup or a salad.
Diabetes uk have a forum on low carb diet so it's a recognised pathway. I never joined as am not diabetic but had a little look at the threads. They are following a very strict low carb diet which I will do if I have to but if I can do it slightly more relaxed then all the better.
I do remember Dr Peatfield talking about this in his book, Living with your Thyroid. He has been saying this for years -I guess I just didn't want to believe him!! Lol...
The other thing that seems to really help is interval training. Done 2-3xs per week boosts your metabolic rate -much needed with us hypothyroid people!!
Obviously you need to make sure your hypothyroidism is optimally treated or this will not work.
Hope this helps.
• in reply towaveylines
Before you hurt yourself, I recommend checking out the work of Dr Ray Peat
Alcohol and fructose are very similar and are processed by the liver in the same way, ie turned to fat and stored in the liver. If the cause of your fatty liver is too much alcohol it's called cirrhosis, and if it's sugar (which is half fructose) it's called non alcoholic fatty liver disease.
I was horrified to learn that one of my dog walkers was diagnosed with NAFLD at the age of 22. When we started to talk about diet it turned out she will not, after some serious abuse in her childhood, eat anything green. We talked a lot about it and I suggested she try dying her sprouts red or purple, and she does now eat veg either dyed, or stewed in a tomato sauce. She also cut out sugar, fizzy pop, and cake and lost a lot of weight. Not by any means ideal and I am still trying to persuade her to accept some psychological help.
Anyway, I digress. Central (waist level) weight gain occurs in metabolic syndrome, which is the triple whammy of heart disease, NAFLD, and diabetes. Fructose is thought of as the primary cause here, and this is why sugar is such a problem in the diet. Other causes of central weight gain are hypothyroidism which, with its raised cholesterol looks very similar and another metabolic disease, Cushing's disease. Doctors tend to assume that if your thyroid level is normal you are overeating and lazy and exhort you to diet and exercise because they know very well where metabolic syndrome leads. They don't even consider Cushing's, which is rare, and where the blood tests only pick up a problem once it is well advanced. And of course most don't understand the difference between normal and optimal, presumably in all disease and blood tests, not just thyroid disease.
The treatment for fatty liver, and type 2 diabetes is a change of diet, largely excluding sugar and other sweet stuff, and most starches. The lack of fructose addresses the liver, the lack of glucose enables the body to lose its insulin resistance. It's a pretty gruelling diet, at least in the short term.
If you have a fatty liver, which can be seen on scans, I urge you to watch Dr Jason Fung's videos on YouTube entitled ''The aetiology of obesity' Six videos, each an hour or more long, but hugely interesting and entertaining too. I have a bit of a crush on the lovely doctor who is everything a doc should be, he cares about his patients, and understands that blaming them for their illness is wrong. I wish I lived in Canada!
Cirrhosis is not synonymous with a fatty liver - the latter you might well be able to do something about, the former ( which is scarring of the liver usually causef by long-term alcohol abuse) is sadly irreversible and pretty much the last stage of liver disease.
Thanks for the useful information given on this subject. I was told during prep for a procedure that I had a fatty liver (nothing had been said by my GP). I could not understand this as I am not overweight, don't drink and don't really eat fatty foods but love carbs and sweet foods, though I do try to limit these. I had cut down on fats etc but my my bloods stayed the same, so I will try cutting down the carbs and cut out the sweet things and see what the next bloods show.
Does anyone know if exercise makes a difference here other than the obvious that exercise is generally good for you anyway?
Bring back the fats- healthy ones, like butter, coconut oil, EV olive oil, and cut right down on carbs like pasta, rice, bread. I find that ghee, which is pure butterfat, is wonderful if you wish to dry fry something, just grease the pan with it and nothing will stick.
Fats are not the cause of fatty liver, but fructose or alcohol are. Fats are a more natural source of calories and energy which will re-educate your body, reduce insulin resistance and balance blood sugar. they also are important for the production of hormones and for brain health.
Do not make the mistake of using oils produced in a factory such as sunflower oil or rapeseed oil which are not natural. The cholesterol issue would be resolved by optimal medication for the thyroid, unless you have familial hypercholesterolaemia, which is usually spotted in childhood, as sufferers are born with it. It certainly is not the result of dietary fat, but is produced by the liver.
Marie xxxxx
My ALT Levels were raised a month after I was diagnosed with M.e/CFS four years ago. One year ago they were up to 109. I was given a scan for a fatty liver and it confirmed that my liver was fatty. My GP of course put this down to a high-fat diet, which I didn't have at the time but I suspected it was all part of my M.e illness. I have, since last June, been on a sugar gluten and dairy free diet and since January I have been on a Wahls Palio and Palio plus diet which is high in fat and very low in carbs. I have lost nearly 2 Stone on the Palio whereas just being no sugar no gluten no dairy produced no weight loss at all, and since I got m.e my weight has gone up by three stone. I had my ALT level checked last week and it has dropped from 109 to 44 which is even lower than it was when I was first ill!
So I can only conclude that a high-fat very low carb diet is the best way of healing fatty liver. The walls paleo plus is an extreme diet in terms of what I can and can't eat however I have been very ill for four years and if it is making changes on a cellular level to my body then I am willing to do anything to try and recover. I hope this information is useful if anybody is interested they can google the Ted ED talk by terry wahls which is really interesting about how she, a medical doctor, used her diet to put her bad Multiple Sclerosis into remission. It's a lesson for us all on how diet can heal us.
Forgot to say my triglycerides have halved and my hab1 c which previously showed me on the verge of type 2 diabetes at 41 is now 34. So yes it is very healthy to eat 60% of my calories from natural fats like animal and coconut oil.
Hi,
Yes, abnormal liver function tests can be linked with being under or over medicated for hypothyroidism. It's taken me quite a while to find this out as not many doctors seem to know this. It may not be a fatty liver but just connected to your thyroid disorder.
Karen
Karen do you have any written evidence for this ? my liver function results have been abnormal for over 6 years and no cause found. My thyroid results are good so I don't think for me that is the connection but I would be interested to read any info on that being the possible cause.
First, do not consume a low carb, high protein diet. While you will burn fat fast, this is not healthy. Your body turns ketosis which is stressful. You will screw your metabolism up. Your body NEEDS carbs (sucrose, fructose- not high fructose). Your body will break down protein and fat and convert it in sugar! That is why you lose weight fast. That is the path towards diseases like cancer.
Second, fatty liver could be a result of low thyroid function or it could of contributed it. I would add some niacinamide, caffeine, salt and low dose aspirin on your daily diet regiment. You need to pay attention to your food intake and and logging it in something like cronometer. It breaks down what you eat into your nutritional intake. You will need to fiddle with ratios but a good starting point is 90 grams of quality protein, 200 grams of carbs and 30-90 grams of saturated fat. Avoid polyunsaturated fats. You may need to tweak this ratio. Get a quality hydrolyzed gelatin and add 2-6 tablespoons a day. Highly balanced amino acids with good amounts of glycine.
Adequate protein and carb intake strengthens the liver. Lowering protein intake inhibits liver function as well as carbs but your liver stores glucose to allow thyroid conversion. I would get on some NDT and possibly T3. This will help you sustain adequate metabolism and you will notice a difference in a couple months. Losing weight fast is stressful to the body and the majority that do that gain it back fast because they are screwing their metabolisms.
Comparing fructose (fruit sugar) to alcohol and saying they are equally damaging is poor advice and you obviously have no education in biology and physiology. Cultures with high fructose diets (and do not confuse fructose to processed high fructose) have great health and live longer and healthier. What poor misinformation that is.
Bottom line: Adequate quality nutrition, thyroid, proper sleep, plenty of sunlight, reduce tv/phone/computer screen time to day time only, and reduce stress in your life. Heal well and love yourself.
Dr Ray Peat, Dr Broda Barnes have been providing this information for years. I advise you to check out Broda Barnes book on hypothyroidism, Kate Deering's book on how to heal your metabolism, and Ray Peats website that has tons of free articles. Happy healing.
• in reply to
Thankyou for such a helpful response. I dont think I could stick to either a low carb or high protien diet anyway. I dont have the energy or the will power to do weird things with my diet. I do believe in eating a variety and as much organic fresh food as I can. I crave food all the time. I think because I am not converting food to energy and my bodys response to low energy is to ask for more fuel. I am on a low dose of nature thyroid. Should have a blood test next week and an increase following this. I didnt realise Broda barnes had written a book but was aware of his work. I will look at Ray Peats website.
• in reply to
I am glad that it makes sense to you. It is difficult to learn when attached to diet fads. Broda recommends monitoring your body temperature to see your thyroid health. Basal temp, first thing upon awakening gives a clue as to where your metabolism/ thyroid function is at. Pulse also. A healthy functioning thyroid should allow basal temp and pulse to be roughly 97.7-98.2 upon awakening with a pulse of 78-85. Blood tests are often unreliable as Dr Peat states.
Eat for heat. When I have cheese and salted orange juice, my hands and feet feel much warmer. It is a sign that it is boosting thyroid function. Eating adequate protein allows the liver to detoxify and function properly, as does quality carbs (fructose).
My labs were all normal, in fact tsh was semi low at 1.43. My doctor wouldn't listen to me, so I changed my diet and ordered some thyroid and experimented. It is amazing the night and day difference.
• in reply to
I always forget to take my temp first thing in the morning, I do take my temp though during the day at different times and it is always too low usually 35.5 when it should be 37. It even went down to 33.4 one day. I told my GP who didnt even seem in the slightest bit concerned that I had hypothermia and didnt even check my temp to make sure I had it correct.
• in reply to
What was your method of taking your temp? The problem with GP is that many of them aren't interested in healing us. We are there business. Mask our symptoms so the underlying issues progress which ultimately creates steady business
• in reply to
I took it orally with an oral themometer. The health service has nothing to do with health has it.
• in reply to
I would consider getting an old vintage mercury thermometer on eBay. They are more accurate.
waveylines• in reply to
You are correct that I am not trained in the sciences so I probably am using incorrect terminology.
I don't understand your adversity to low carb high protein diets. Please give me the evidence that it is linked to cancer. As a cancer survivor I find your claim alarming. Am not talking about no carbs at all just lower carbs sourced through fruit and veg, salad. There is a highe difference. Am not following the Atkins diet.
My metabolism was already screwed and has been since becoming hypothyroid over ten years ago. I am optimally treated for my hypothyroidism, well supplemented eat healthily but am afraid the weight has never gone back to normal. Previously I was slim. I am resigned after all these years that like it or not I have to change my diet because it is not working. There is definately a problem with my metabolism and eating healthily is just not enough -it is also not about portion control. I wish it was! This is the only way I have found in t he last ten years whereby I am loosing weight with plenty of enrgy gradually safely and finally loosing the really dangerous weight around my middle/organs. My waist had become dangerously large, my liver was showing signs of dysfunction and fatty infiltration.
Believe me I have tired a variety of health plan incorporating complex carbs. They give me indigestion. My body is extremely happy on a diet of fruit, veg protein and diary. No more indigestion. I have been tested for gluten several times and I don't fit the profile. I have absolutely no doubt that once my weight has reached normal levels the amount of complex carbs I will need to reintroduce will be small -I doubt I will need more than 2-3 small portions per week.
I appreciate you have far more scientific knowledge then I and look forward to the evidence links to research etc to substantiate your adversity to a low carb diet. Thanks.
• in reply towaveylines
I've never advocated "complex carbs". Fruit has fructose i.e. sugar. Tropical fruit is very healthy. I would avoid all starch.
Your body requires carbohydrates as its preferred source of energy. When you deny the body sugar, it will break down protein and fat, and convert it to sugar. This is not good and damaging. Causes chaos. Going into ketosis, it is recommended that you limit carbs to 50 grams or below.
When you lose weight via raising ketosis, this is a stress response and often people mistake that as a positive thing because we feel so uncomfortable having excess fat. Not just mentally but physically. Healing the metabolism is not a quick fix. We took years to damage our bodies, it'll take years to fix. You are consuming carbs through fruit which is good! I am not trying to alarm you, I am trying to share information. I went down the wrong path, ketosis, low blood sugar, low thyroid. It sucks and I don't wish anyone to suffer.
Regardless, I wish you happiness and health.
Most fruit has fructose - but it is definitely sensible to check specifically fruit by fruit. Some have more sucrose or other sugars.
waveylines• in reply to
I don't think I'm going into ketosis. As am eating plenty of veg and salad -this would give me more than 50g of carbs. I'm effectively doing what you've suggested avoiding starch by cutting out the grains and potato.
You sound like you have more knowledge in this area. Can you explain the cancer link that I can't remembercwhether it was you or someone else mentioned in this thread.
I saw my GP today and she was very happy with my food plan. She said you can live very happily without the grains that I can get what I need from all the other foods I have left in.
I am also hypo with bad liver function readings and have the Gamma GT of a hardened alcoholic, even though I rarely drink at all now and was never a heavy drinker. I had my liver scanned 2 years ago and though I am overweight the doc said my liver was not particularly fatty. I have been eating mostly low carb, organic etc for several years so don't think I have a bad diet.
In my search for an explanation I have found two other possible causes: chronic inflammation, and fungal infection producing alcohol as a byproduct. I think the inflammation theory fits with some of my other symptoms but don't know how to reduce it. I haven't looked into the fungal theory yet. I think haemochromatosis can also cause liver damage and is maybe something to look into if you also have high serum ferritin.
Which of your liver readings were dodgy? Different ones point to different things.
Sadly I have found most GPs to be rather ignorant of any explanation beyond alcoholism and NAFLD. Usually they just tell me they'll repeat the tests in 6 months in case it was a one off - I've had the problem for 10 years! And one time when I asked for a copy of my results - which were still way out of range - the doctor had simply annotated them as 'normal for patient'! So you may have to be determined if you want to get to the bottom of it.
I have to say my liver tests were abnormal too & I was initially diagnosed with ME for the first two years before being diagnosed Hypothyroid. I actually don't know what my liver levels are doing now but I take great heart from sulmayes feedback -thanks I think there is a lot that general doctors don't understand about the influence of diets. I ve always been told by them that it's just a case of eating less calories then you expend. I actually think it is far more complicated then that. I feel hormones have a lot to play in this and would be interested to know far more about the types of food plans that work best for different conditions.
Over the last few decades medical opinion has moved around about what is best for us all and frankly these blankets statements clearly don't work and cynically are fed by pharma and the food industry. I think there are different food types to which different food balances suit best These can be diverse. The nearest to this being acknowledged was Trust me I am a Doctor -current series.
Nevertheless the amount of rubbish that food manufacturers are allowed to hide in even so called healthy foods is completely staggering. If the government really wants to help the health of the nation they could actually stop the food industry peddling rubbish and filling it with hidden sugar, bad fats and other fillers.
My liver function tests were out of range following being on t4 after thyroidectomy and badly mismanaged. I have seen both Dr Skinner in the past and Dr Peatfield more recently who both said these results can be abnormal in hypothyroidism and will recover when adequately replaced. (I am sure NHS docs thought I was a secret drinker). Although I still have not got the replacement quite right my liver function tests have returned to normal with no change in diet.
Some interesting comments! I had loads of tests just over 6 years ago after a PE which was finally attributed to a hip operation. But after one of the scans I was told I had a fatty liver. So is it called that because of the amount around it or is it fat actually in the liver? No one has ever commented on it or offered advice.
Hi silverfish -fatty liver is when the ultra scan shows fatty infiltration in and around the lover itself. I was told I had fatty Spurs -whatever that means though am absolutely certain it has nothing to do with football!! 😊😊
Sorry silver fox -that was predictive text at work again....silver fish indeed. It's getting worse and you know turning it off doesn't stop it -it turns itself back on again!! Haha...
Hope all is still on the up for you? xx
Thank you! Wealth of info! Didn't know predictive text turns itself back on again though suspected it! So the problem can be picked both by scans and bloods so presumably if bloods improve then that's the indication it is improving. I was also told I had three cysts as well! I have been heartened that at the time it looked as though there was something extra in the general area but that has receded. I do hate it though when the tell you of a problem but don't tell you what it means or even to ask your GP. I was going to ask questions but so much was going on and with the passage of time I forgot. I do have more of a waist than I had then so another positive sign. Yes health improving all the time. January had my other hip done and surprised many on my recovery rate. Not a 100% yet but nearly there! Thank you.
Oh fantastic news Silverfox -am really pleased for you! You've had a tough time but are winning. Yay!! 😊😊 And Spring is here -makes you realise how fab life truly is !! Xxx
Hi I have fatty liver disease as well as thyroid problems. I take milk thistle which I obtain online from Dr Sandra Cabot. It has sorted out my liver results. She has also written a book about fatty liver disease and diet advice well worth a read. Hope all goes well for you whatever path you choose.
I also take milk thistle now and in sure feel better for it. Thank you for the info about the book.
Silverfox I have a copy of this book if you want to borrow it.
That would be great. Thank you. Hope things going well with you. We shall chat soon!
• in reply tolmmc
Thankyou. I will look up this Dr Sarah Cabot.
Hi mandyjane, I had a similar problem before I was started on levothyroxine. My cholesterol was high too at 7.8. Since I have been taking levo it has improved a bit, but the real change came when I started on T3 as well. My liver results are "normal" and my cholesterol is about 6.1. The endo still wants me to cut my levo dose though because my TSH was too low for her liking, at 0.66
• in reply toMrsRaven
Thankyou for your imput. My cholesterol is fine. Im sorry your endo wants to cut your dose, Do you feel well on it? T3 lowers TSH a lot and doesnt cause problems because of this.
MrsRaven• in reply to
My endo is an idiot. My B12 was right at the bottom end and she said I could supplement if I wabted to, but it wouldnt make sny difference! I'd rather go by the advice I'm taking on here. I am feeling much better, given that we have a lot of life problrms at the minute which affect my thyroid levels a bit. I still habe a bit of a problem with fluid retention, which I sometimes take diuretics for, and cant get rid of the fat round my belly. I am a size 12 everywhere but there. I think I need to cut out carbohydrates as far as I can, stop sugar in my tea etc. But decent quality food is so expensive and I struggle to buy my T3 and vit and mineral supplements. I used to have them prescribed years ago but all that has stopped now, apart from the D3. I have tried taking levo only and can't do it. within days I sm a basket case. The T3 has made a lot of difference.
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