I am not a diabetic. Before having my thyroidectomy my glucose levels never rose above 82. Controlling by morning blood sugars have been especially difficult, maybe due to taking the meds at 6am while the "Dawn Effect" is still present.
Do anyone exercise in the mornings before taking their meds or take the meds later in the day after eating?
Apparently my body does not like switching meds either. Switching to Tirosint-Sol for better absorption and yes unwise it was at a higher dose (Synthroid was 100 mcg and Tirosint and Tirosint Sol was 112). Now I have neuropathy, face flushing, and serum blood sugar levels between 93-99. Worse, the spikes have been so severe causing headaches and tooth sensitivity problems. A 7 day prescription of Prednisone has thrown my liver in more stress.
A1c is 5.5 (under 5.7 is considered adequate) up from 5.3. Yesterday when I talked to an Endo she said "nobody is going to take you serious because you are not categorized as diabetic. You are spiking and when you get to a medical facility they are at the high end of normal”. But I can't eat a segment of an orange without my sugar spiking. She is hesitant to prescribe Metformin temporarily as she did 6 years ago. I'm considering using Berberine on my own. I take HIIT training 5 times a week and wondering if that causes more stress.
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No, I stopped T3 after Christmas. I thought it may have played a role in my itching and high glucose levels. It’s a shame because it helped my mental state.
I can recommend berberine for blood sugar control! I have used it with great success. My fasting blood sugar went from 110 (70-105) to 86 after taking 500 mg of berberine with each main meal (so a total of 1500 mg daily) for three months without any other changes to diet or exercise routine. Studies have shown it to be as effective as metformin.
Yes, I can because many doctors cannot think outside the box. They dismiss supplements and prefer to prescribe drugs instead. You are not diabetic, "only" insulin resistant, so why take metformin if berberine can help?
Consider supplements to lower insulin levels: Berberine (1,000-2,000mg per day), Alpha lipoic acid (600-1,200mg per day), Magnesium, Chromium, and PGX fiber - all of these supplements have been shown to reduce blood sugar and insulin levels
Note: Treating insulin resistance WILL take more than 1 treatment as indicated above. I also find that insulin resistance is VERY common among women with weight loss resistance (and problems losing weight). Do not ignore this hormone and make sure you get properly evaluated.
I was going to answer yesterday re your high testosterone & insulin resistance but you’ve given yourself a very comprehensive reply/prescription.
The only other thing I would add is protein which I found made a huge difference to regulating blood sugars whilst medicating T3. Not being a huge meat eater I use pea protein shakes/snacks.
Also divide total meals into smaller more frequent just until blood sugars level abit more.
And don’t forget ovarian cysts are a common cause of elevated testosterone too.
I’m already doing a lot on the list. One problem may be is that I exercise in a fasted state which I now know raises blood sugar. Taking T3 also raises it which I would take at 6-7 am and then HIIT at 8:30 am. I would then return home for a small breakfast at 9:30 which would be a protein shake, or oatmeal with berries.
When we’re a little bit insulin resistant, exercise increases blood sugars as we become unable to metabolise blood sugars efficiently. Without a bit of protein your body will find it hard to utilise the T3 because of the lack of effective insulin.
Can’t you eat a ready cooked cold boiled egg or slice of chicken before exercise? I had to do this when I cycled regularly very early mornings. Then upon returning home I had thyroid meds before showering and then breakfast after (again involving more protein).
Also, if I were you I wouldn’t get involved with Metformin at this stage as there are also side effects as well as benefits. I supplemented Glucofit but if you are supplementing the above you probably wouldn’t need this or the Metformin anyway.
These measures should only be temporary. Mine lasted about 6 months and insulin resistance has never returned.
Hi sorry to butt in but I noticed you mentioned adding more protein.
I’ve been having hypoglycaemia type symptoms for years.
I’ve Hashimoto’s. And I’ve had no help by doctors.
However, I recently had blood check of vitamins and had very low iron levels, and I read it might be due to the fact that I’m not eating enough protein. So I’ve added more and my symptoms haven’t been as bad.
Is that the same as what you’re all discussing? I’ve been trying to control my ‘nearly passing out’, all the time, for years, without any success.
It’s about stabilising blood glucose & insulin levels, as protein has only a small effect on blood glucose.
Protein keep us full for longer by breaking down more slowly and can blunt the absorption of faster carbs such as starchy veg (ie jacket potato). Non starchy veg doesn’t need protein alongside because it is slower acting. Also, don’t go all out protein as this brings other effects.
I split my total meals into 4 or 5 smaller and ate a little protein at each (half tin sardines, quarter chicken breast, slice of ham, half/whole boiled egg, etc.) I also ensured I always ate protein with fast acting foods so I didn’t have to avoid having them, for instance yogurt or cheese with my grapes..
The pea protein I use is by Pulsin, as it has no added fillers, is heat stable & unflavoured so can be added to anything. I use it in shakes mainly for snacking now. Don’t use whey protein powder if you have Hashi because of possible dairy intolerance, but hemp or beef is ok.
I don’t take protein powder for the iron because I have iron-overload so actually have to limit my consumption but the other nutrients are useful (selenium, zinc, etc) and I feel a little protein powder is needed because of proteins vital importance and I don’t always eat enough meat. The pea protein is secondary protein but seems to work ok for me.
Once blood sugars and insulin have stabilised for several months you don't need to be so strict. I happily eat chocolate, etc, now and my bloods after eating a meal are normal. Do you have a glucose monitoring machine at home as they are very useful to see what is going on?
Many of us have experienced blood sugar issues and not always because we are over-weight or have eaten an unhealthy diet, but because of poor adrenal reserves caused by years of mismanaged hypothyroidism. Cortisol which many of us are low in, helps to burn protein and fat, and control blood sugars, and by consuming more protein the amino acids will help rebuild low adrenal hormone levels.
Radd, do you think the timing of my meals could influence my glucose levels. I now eat my last meal of the day by 5 pm. I would then take Synthroid at 6 am the next morning, exercise at 8:30 and first meal a protein shake about 10 am.
'do you think the timing of my meals could influence my glucose levels'
Yes, Absolutely!
Your fasting state of 17 hours with intense exercise as the finale is severe for someone with glucose/insulin difficulties. This will also be massively stressful on the adrenals glands. Are you sleeping ok on this regime?
I agree exercise stimulates hormone secretion & improves tissue sensitivity and initially muscles will be able to use glucose without insulin during exercise but recovery will be impaired until eventually insulins promotion of fat storage wins over and high levels off cortisol will break muscle down. Also thyroid hormone cell receptors that require balanced glucose levels for good uptake will eventually become impaired.
I have said this above already about splitting meals but will explain again. If this were me I would be having a little protein before bed (ie cold boiled egg, slice of ham, or pate on a g/f cracker), and the same before exercising in the morning.
ps- I don’t think the small amount of T3 meds you take will be affecting blood sugars negatively. That is more for people medicating high amounts of T3-only which can rev up the gluconeogenesis & so excess glucose output (without the necessary insulin secretion from the panaceas to deal with it).
On the flip side inadequate T3 levels (hypothyroidism) reduces gluconeogenesis (decreasing liver glucose output). Because of my previous insulin resistance, eating chocolate or even a jacket potato would send my blood sugars soaring and without adequate cortisol I experienced extreme hypoglycaemia (ie low blood sugars - dizzy, disorientated, funny vision, etc). You don’t want to get to that stage.
Medicating your small amount of T3 is beneficial because thyroid hormones exert both insulin agonistic & antagonistic actions in the liver for normal glucose/carb metabolism (also adrenals glands, pancreas, etc), such as T3 increasing glucolysis where excess glucose that is not needed for glycogen production is broken down and burned by the mitochondria.
Also it is the T3 that once in the cell binds to the genes & increases protein synthesis (& muscle's production of myosin), and increases the mitochondria in both number & size (power factories) that burn calories & raise BMR. Also as said above the T3 will help excess glucose be burned by mitochondria to produce even more ATP. (I love all this because the day I added T3 to my Levo all those years ago, I became energised.)
So basically take your T3 meds with your Levo , split your meals, enjoy your exercise and get stronger. This eating regime won’t be forever. I saw improvements very quickly but to ensure they remained I continued for about 6 months. I also think the berberine is an excellent idea.
Last night at bedtime I had a boiled egg and two gluten free keto crackers(7g of Carbs). This morning 5 am blood sugar was 91–previously over 100 at same time. Took Synthroid and one hour later tested - 87. I’ve eaten Avocado Slice and Two Crackers. Later had time for piece of grilled chicken and broccoli. Going to exercise class now.
That statement refers to activity at cellular level. Your results refer to bloods (circulating hormone), and FT4 often drops in the presence of medicated T3.
I’m referencing my results from last Monday. I haven’t had T3 since Christmas. The first six weeks I was on T3 and then tested my T3 did not climb. Now my T3 and T4 is lower and of course TSH is now higher.
Thank you. I’m actually going to put in place this strategy today. At this moment I’m warming 3 oz of chicken and a stalk of broccoli. Will then bike for 40 min. Eat the same food again and then take Synthroid. Not sure on the timing of the synthroid since exercise raises cortisol levels. Should I take it before I eat the second time.
“Now I have neuropathy, face flushing, and serum blood sugar levels between 93-99”
I had thyroidectomy in 2016 and Im also having issues with my sugar and also have Small Fiber neuropathy (burning skin sensation) the effects the tops of my feet, hands and face and must wear clothing to bed so my skin doesn’t touch anything or the burning keeps me awake. Im about to see my GP to get sugar test done to rule this out before seeking a second opinion to a better qualified neurologist then the lady I saw who told me my burning skin has no known cause …. I call bull because never had this burning issue until I lost my thyroid….. seriously my skin at times feels like I have a sunburn and other times I feel like my skin is on fire.
I say check your morning blood glucose levels. Just checked mine 5 minutes ago and it was 105. The real reveal was Testosterone that was way over the top range. That’s the only thing that has got her attention. No way should a post menopausal woman have levels exceeding the top range.
I had a recent blood test and it revealed my sugar has dropped and my inflammation marker has also dropped I wonder if their is a connection. Im no nothing about testosterone but your right it doesn’t seem it should be maybe its a testing error and needs repeating.
It’s funny that you mentioned inflammation markers and A1C. My A1c was usually 5.3. It raised to 5.6 in January but 5.5 in March. My CRP test for total inflammation was low but it was the first time I’ve had that test run.
“According to the journal Diabetes Metabolism Research and Reviews, women with high blood sugar levels of type 2 diabetes have higher chances of high testosterone. When insulin increases it can stimulate the ovaries to produce testosterone, especially in women with PCOS. So, to lower your testosterone level naturally, keep your blood sugar level in check.”
I wonder if all this female hormone stuff would still apply to me since I had a hysterectomy many years ago… I can’t get any doctor to even consider testing my hormones because of hysterectomy and hrt.
Yes. I had to go to a functional medicine doctor who doesn’t take insurance. She was a military doctor at the U.S. Military Walter Reed Medical Center. A attending psychologist suggested that I go to her even though it would cost me money.
She’s the first doctor to test my hormones because all the rest said “ you’re post menopausal, everything will be low.” Wrong.
I go to JHU also. Please private message me and tell me which Endo you see there. I got a second opinion from a doctor that is 80 years old a few weeks ago. Have an appointment to see another one but she can’t see me until August.
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