NDT and appetite...

[Melodica8]

Hi! I’m on 1.5 grains of NDT a day, ERFA for about 2 weeks. Feel generally very good, BUT I am SOOO HUNGRY! 😩😅 my appetite has sky rocketed, I need to eat so much more than I used to. I even had a hypo like episode yesterday, I went super shakey and unable to function until I’d eaten. These episodes have generally stopped since I’ve been treated for hypothyroidism. Has anyone else had the same on NDT? Is it a good sign that my metabolism is getting faster?! Will it ease off?

[radd]

Melodica8,

Yes, it is the T3 in NDT that is speeding up your metabolism. I had hunger and sudden onset blood sugar issues after introducing T3 several years back.

Years of low thyroid hormone can cause stuff like a reduced rate of glucose uptake by our cells, a decreased rate of glucose absorption in the gut, a slowing of the insulin response to elevated blood sugar, a slowing of insulin clearance from the blood, etc , etc .. that we are not even aware of until ……

We suddenly introduce T3 (or NDT) into our poor deficient bodies and our metabolism speeds up, laying bare any adrenal issues (along with pancreas issues whose function also reduces with low thyroid hormone, although for other reasons) whose role is to help balance and manage blood sugar metabolism. Also, remember if you have low cortisol levels (after years of supporting low thyroid hormone) the liver can have problems even converting glycogen (stored blood sugar) into glucose (active form) compromising even balanced sugar levels.

And this is why often good biochemistry lies several months before symptoms abate. Eating several smaller meals a day and carrying Pulsin' Protein Bars everywhere with me incase I ...[ went super shakey and unable to function until I’d eaten] ... , allowed me to rectify blood sugar issues and stop any hypoglycaemic reactions quickly.

I also supplemented Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) which is an antioxidant that helps the body use glucose and lowers high blood sugar levels, Milk Thistle (another antioxidant) is being proven to help with sugar level control, and Glucofit which contains Corosolic acid, involved with glucose and carbohydrate metabolism. My sugar levels are fine now, except if I exercise to absolute excess and then I might still go a bit squiffy. 😂

[Melodica8 in reply to radd]

Wow, that all makes complete sense! Thank you for replying. I must have been deficient for years, I’ve been having problems with hypoglycaemic episodes for ages- long before I felt properly hypothyroid. Trouble is I really struggle with weight gain- I’m scared to weigh myself atm as I’m eating like a horse! I guess I just need to let my body readjust and not expect any miraculous weight loss until I’m at optimum levels? I’m assume this is why I also ended up with gall stones & gallbladder removed 18months ago.

Partly what I’ve not understood is why my body hasn’t used my ‘stores’ when I get hypoglycaemic, but if my liver is unable to convert then that makes sense.

Does it settle down- the hunger?! 😬

[radd in reply to Melodica8]

Melodica8,

Haha, yes of course as hormones balance.

I would guess that as you have been ill for sometime, stores probably aren’t used in your case coz of inadequate cortisol. Have you had cortisol levels checked ? Are you supporting your adrenal glands ?

In someone who was ill but still had adequate cortisol reserves which become elevated (for varying reasons) this would produce too much glucose preparing for fight or flight. When energy isn’t used it deposits itself as stores around the middle close to the liver where it can be quickly converted back to energy should the need arise. When this happens continuously deep belly fat becomes insulin resistant and the fat becomes even harder to shift.

Also, high oestrogen (not necessarily elevated but higher than opposing progesterone) will encourage those stores around the middle. And also because to the body low blood sugar levels means it must preserve energy & hang on to available stores, even if the low blood sugar levels are being misinterpreted.

As sometimes it can be difficult to tell if the blood sugar issues are hypoglycaemia (or too little sugar in the blood) or insulin resistance (too much sugar in the blood) or cells that have eventually just become so desensitised to glucose, so unable to uptake, encouraging further cortisol secretion in an effort for uptake, and eventually suppressing thyroid function further, making everything a vicious circle.

Many people with Hashi have gall bladder issues as long term low thyroid function eventually slows down liver, gall bladder & pancreas function, resulting in thick bile that can’t emulsify fats.

Beets/beet juice are good to use for mild bile disruption as are rich in betaine, which stimulates liver cell function and provides a protective effect for the liver/ bile ducts, but ox bile is better for actual bile deficiency as is thought to encourage bile secretion. Chris Kresser is a big advocate of ox bile whether you have a gallbladder or not. Also Betaine HCL with pepsin that replaces gastric acid.

I supplement both, along with digestive enzymes. I still have my gallbladder and have thankfully never suffered with stones. After improving gut health and providing biliary support my thyroid meds worked so much better, but I remain suffering a weird, thick, gooey saliva problem for several years now. 😣

And so the journey continues.

[Melodica8 in reply to radd]

Thank you, I really appreciate the time you’re taking to respond to me. I’m sure you’ve hit the nail on the head.

You’ve just described my body type- deep belly fat! 😓 I had my 9am cortisol tested, it was within range but near the top. (458 nmol/L ref range 133-537) my propensity to gain weight is soul destroying. So eating so much is really unnerving!

I’ve also had gestational diabetes in two pregnancies- the last time was so bad they thought I had become diabetic. I was on both fast acting & slow release insulin, and even then it was a challenge to keep my blood sugars in range. When I’m not pregnant though my b/s are generally good- my hba1c is always well within range- although sometimes my fasting glucose is a little higher than they’d like, (although they have moved the goal posts)

In regards to the cortisol and oestrogen, is there anything I can do to help balance them? Or will the NDT help that in time? I’ll look into the supplements you recommend too.

Trust me, you do not want gall stones- worst pain of my life & I've had three children! 😳

[radd in reply to Melodica8]

Melodica8,

With regard to high cortisol, it is really about optimising thyroid hormones, iron and nutrients, improving diet, keeping hydrated, reducing caffeine, practicing mindfulness, addressing any gut issues, getting good sleep, blah, blah, blah ... .

I take ashwaganda and large amounts of Vit C (3g daily) but there are many other supplements known to influence adrenal output. Some people swear by adrenal glandulars for support but I didn't get on with them.

Oestrogen dominance is common in women during their 10-15 years before menopause as progesterone levels decrease sooner than oestrogen. Many find Wellsprings progesterone cream provides enough replacement to balance but unless you are having hot flushes, etc, or have tested as progesterone deficient, its probably not wise to start supplementing and possible that levels could eventually balance out with optimal NDT anyway.

[Melodica8 in reply to radd]

Well I’m 37 so yes more than likely getting less progesterone 😓 my mum had an early menopause too. Thanks, I won’t start messing around with those hormones for now! I’ll look into the other supplements you mentioned. I’ve started horse riding again which does wonders for my stress levels!

[jjf255]

One suggestion with your increased hunger...is to try to limit your carb intake to high fibers like green veggies, almonds and other healthy nuts. If you add some good fats like avocados and their oil and salmon ETC to your diet...your hunger will be lessened and so will your glucose levels. Read up on the Ketogenic way of eating. Whether you follow this way of eating or not..it may give you some good suggestions to follow.

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Two things make a huge difference to whether I have hypoglycaemic attacks or not caffeine and refined sugar. I dont eat them anymore. I have also found that eating food high in fat and protein reduce my apetite significantly. It can also be easy to slip into eating food ready made when feeling unwell but I have found that cheap ready meals create cravings for more food all the time. I think it is the cheap oils used in them. It might be worth you maybe cooking a huge pot of something like beef or venison goulash to last you a few days. Cinnimon also good to stabalise blood sugar. Nice on porridge. I also find foods like scotch eggs useful or atkins protein bars. It look like you need to reduce your cortisol rather than support adrenal with supplements as I do, so you need gentle strolls in the country side, avoid strenuous exercise and maybe some mindfulness meditation. Jon Kabot Ziin does some good meditations CDs and some downloads. Buy yourself some flowers.