Vegan

[Francisneat]

Hi has anyone that is hypo changed from a normal diet to Vegan and seen any improvement or other?

Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator]

“I will get a test on vitamins to see where I stand, and help my conversion.”

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

6 months ago you were getting all four vitamins tested

What were results

Obviously on vegan diet you would need to supplement B12 daily and regularly do full iron panel test privately for anaemia as it’s much harder to maintain optimal iron and ferritin on plant based diet

Did you trial absolutely strictly gluten free diet

[Francisneat in reply to SlowDragon]

I had tested Vit D, Iron these were within range, B12 was way above range to the point my GP actually asked if I take B12 injections. I had been taking a B12 spray and had no idea I was taking too much, as my liver function tests have come out high as well the GP suggested I stop all vitamins and especially the B12 and they will test live again in 3 mths. I hope it was the B12 that's all I can say, I don't want a liver problem on top of hypo.

I have not tried a gluten free diet, I have only just gone Vegan I saw a video from Dr Barnard on hypothyroidism and Vegan which inspired me.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Francisneat]

What were actual vitamin D, ferritin and folate results and ranges

[Hidden]

I went vegan before my official diagnosis so I can't tell you if I saw any improvement because I was too far gone for diet to make any difference.

I am mostly vegan now but I still eat cheese because it's a really really easy way to add calories. (I still have very little appetite so struggle to get enough calories in a day.)

I am still aiming for fully vegan in the future but with being gluten free and avoiding soy I find it really really difficult to find convenience foods. Everything has to be homemade if I want to stick 100% to my dietary choices.

I'm also looking into being sugar free too but I can't get my head around that as well as everything else and still eat enough calories and nutrients!

[Francisneat in reply to Hidden]

Hello plant_lady thank you for your reply. sounds like you are doing amazing! have you always had a very little appetite?

I have been vegan for a week, no weight loss but I guess I like to feel good first.

[Hidden in reply to Francisneat]

No! I'm 6'1" and used to eat enormously!! Somewhere along the way I lost my appetite due to being hypo and I've struggled to get it back. But it's been at least 15 years since I started losing it so it'll take time to come back!

My body felt less sluggish when I went vegan so I'm mostly sticking with it. Couldn't go back to eating meat now. I considered it to improve my ferritin but just couldn't.

My husband went vegan with me and didn't lose any weight. My stepdad went vegan and lost 3 stone! It's hit and miss in my experience.

[Geography1]

Goin vegan for 3 years made me very weak and it is when I developed hypo symptoms, still recovering from that, but everybody is different, it works for some, it didn’t for me, felt great the first 6 months, then spiraled down and lost my health.

[PixieElv]

Hello FrancisneatGoing vegan made me feel much better. And going gluten-free made a huge difference too.

I have more energy and better digestion all round. I have more muscle tone and feel ‘leaner’, less water retention and bloating.

I do take vitamins & supplements though, especially Vit B12 & D.

Being vegan (and gluten-free in my case) does make it difficult to eat out sometimes, but much better these days when restaurants & pubs cater see the value in catering for non-meateaters.

Give it a go for a month and see how you feel. You can always go back to meat 🙂

Good luck on your journey

[Workingitout]

Hi, l have found Paleo diet works well for me especially not having oats and rice plus avoiding nightshades like white potatoes. I have lots of fish, some meat, lots of green and root veg, sweet potatoes, eggs, nuts and seeds. Take selenium & magnesium at night, Vit B12, C and Iron after lunch. Seems to be helping. On 75mg Levo, have tinnitus and low energy times. Would like to try T3. Think low stomach acid causes lack of appetite and digestive issues, l crave sugar but am avoiding refined sugar and feeling better when l manage to reduce sugar intake.

[Mistydeb01 in reply to Workingitout]

My daughter has seen a massive difference in her IBS when she starting using Stevia and honey rather than normal white sugar. I’m trying to convince her to try gluten free when she’s home from Uni, although when she’s home she’ll not have much choice as all meals are GF. But I’m thinking of going grain free as well as still having the odd crash after eating.

[Zebah]

Hi , I have Hashimotos and had been vegetarian for over 25 years, but have unfortunately, just started on the paleo diet, meat, veg.. no gluten and no processed foods. It is really hard for me , but have noticed that my acid reflux is much better. Hopefully, after six months, I can try being veggie again. My theory is get the body right first.

[ShatteredofLee]

I was vegetarian for quite some time and felt good. But then read that the paleo diet would be good for Hashi symptoms I was having. I also cut down on sugar. However I realised I wasn’t enjoying meals because of planning everything and thinking about the things i ‘should’ eat. I’ve stepped away from everything now and just want to get back to enjoying food. Food is powerful, it’s medicine, yet I want to have an easier relationship with it. Like people, food doesn’t have to be perfect, you just have to like them.

[Polaris]

If you have been taking B12 for a while in any form, there is no point in testing as, unless you were extremely deficient, it will be high regardless of whether treatment is working. Many GPs have not been educated in PA/B12 deficiency or read up to date research. You cannot overdose on B12.

As an old lady, I would be very wary of a long term vegan diet after seeing many friends in trouble with neurological symptoms in later years. There are over 20 important amino acids in meat, fish and dairy.

[jennvasu]

Vegan diets protect against hypothyroidism, according to a new study published in the journal Nutrients. As part of the Adventist Health Study 26598 men and women completed diet questionnaires and reported whether they had been diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Lacto-ovo and pesco-vegetarians were found to have lower odds of hyperthyroidism than omnivores, but to a lesser extent, and semi-vegetarian diets showed no protection against hyperthyroidism. But still, that's a great result. If you want, you can acquire vegan products from this platform buyeatvegan.com/vegan-sourc.... I hope I was useful for you. Have a nice day!

[RedApple Administrator in reply to jennvasu]

jennvasu, Please provide a link to this study so that members can verify the information you've quoted.