Intermittent Fasting and Hashimoto

[Mszippy]

Hello,

I am on Synthyroid and T3 - all labs are good including vitamin/iron levels.

My endocrinologist has recommended that I do intermittent fasting to lose weight. He said to start slow and build up to an eating window of 16:8 or 18:6 or even go longer as well as I am feeling well.

So I embarked on this journey and I am 4 weeks into it. I am 5’2” and started at 168, currently at 163. I feel great, no symptoms of any low thyroid and am shocked how easy this is. I was unable to lose the weight prior to this. My goal is to get to 130 or let my body decide the weight beyond that. I have read medical articles, books, podcasts, youtube docs, etc. to educate myself as to how to properly fast. Example: clean fast vs dirty fast. From my understanding this becomes a lifestyle. I particularly enjoyed the book by Gin Stephens, Fast, Feast, and Repeat. It has a lot of cited articles, but only to consult your doctor if you have thyroid issues

My question is: Do any of you have experience with this way of life? Does anyone know how this affects your thyroid?

[Sparklingsunshine]

Hi

I was very overweight a few years ago. I had arthritis in my knees and fibromyalgia, joint pain etc. My rheumatologist bluntly told me I was heading for a wheelchair if I didn't do something. I went low carb, cut out sugar, refined carbs,pasta, rice potatoes and increased protein and healthy fats. I also started walking everyday and in the end felt so much better that my GP referred me to a gym. I lost 7 stones and have kept it off. I hot diagnosed with hypo in 2020 but I had suspected for years that I had thyroid trouble.

I too do IF, the 16:8 is very good for weight loss or weight maintenance. I've even done 20:4 when I've been busy. I find this way of eating suits me, I'm rarely hungry, I feel more energetic and my mental focus is better.

I enjoy my food more when I eat it, it frees up time during the day. I find it easier than constant calorie counting. I don't know what effect it has on underactive thyroid. The trick is to eat good quality, balanced meals ensuring all your nutritional needs are met.

Losing weight is hard anyway, even harder when your metabolism is like a tortoise. This is certainly the least painful way I've lost weight. If you can include some regular exercise as well your results should be even better.

Weight training is particularly good for those with sluggish metabolism as increased muscle mass boosts metabolism and means more calories burning even when at rest.

[Mszippy in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

Thank you for sharing - yes I am finding I naturally gravitate towards wholesome foods and I am really liking this lifestyle as I don’t like calorie counting. I work out regularly with Peleton and I seem to be melting and adding muscle.

[fuchsia-pink]

I've been doing it for 3 1/2 years. It is a way of life. I have hot water till noon then eat between midday and 7pm.

I haven't lost weight on it - did manage to lose a stone on OMAD - one meal a day - two years ago - but am not currently trying to lose weight: have lost all the hypo weight and weight is stable (which is half the battle) regardless of what eat or if I stretch the window occasionally.

Thyroid is stable too. I'm on the correct level of meds (a mix of levo and lio) for me) and feel fully fit and well

Try it and see how it suits x

[Mszippy]

Thank you for sharing, good to hear. I too am a clean faster - water only.

[Shield-Maiden]

Hi Mszippy,

You will love the lifestyle.

I started IF with a mix of low carb/ healthy eating in May of last year...lost weight and felt great.

I am Hypo and have Hashi's...I have fallen a little of late, not being able to obtain T3, but now I am on it again, I am feeling better, and am raring to get back to this lifestyle.

I just have black coffee in the mornings, and have breakfast late afternoon. Some days are TMAD, other days are OMAD.

It sounds as though you're doing great, well done, keep at it.

Shield 👋

[Mszippy in reply to Shield-Maiden]

Thank you for sharing, it seems very promising. So many people claim not to be able to lose weight with thyroid issues and maybe this is the answer. It is all based on science and I can grasp insulin responses, differing states of your body and how the glycogen is utilized etc. I even found a great article in the New England Journal of Medicine about the many health benefits if fasting. Weight loss is really a side benefit.

[Shield-Maiden in reply to Mszippy]

I couldn't agree more....here's to feeling well!

Take care