I AM HYPOYTHYROID, FIBROMYALGIA AND ON BORDER OF DIABETES 2, 1 Point away, so pre diabetic. Can I do a LOW CARB diet, will it affect thyroi?

[LaurieLee]

Can I do a low carb diet without affecting my thyroid, as need to loose weight and change diet to reduce my blood sugar levels.

[greygoose]

Depends how low is low. It won't affect the actual gland, but you need carbs to convert T4 to T3. If carbs are too low - and that level would be different for everyone - then your conversion will suffer and you'll become more hypo. So, keep a close eye on your FT3 levels to make sure you're getting enough carbs.

[Sleepman]

I went lowish carbs as I was near to diabetic and I am OK. I could not get a clear answer on very low carbs (keto) after a lot of reading, so stayed lowish.

I cannot take gluten so do not have bread, cakes which had helped.

I pratted about with finger prick tests for a year but 2 weeks with a monitor (freestyle libre) for £50 was much more useful to see effects of foods, alcohol and how good I was at getting sugar back down after eating.

[Bertwills]

I started a low carb diet in November under the instructions of Dr Sarah Myhill. I was supposed to do keto ie under 20 grams of carb a day. but worried about the effect on my thyroid I actually stayed between 20 & 50grams until February.

I was horrified to find that my HbA1c test level at the end of January had gone up! I did the test again 6 weeks later & it had risen 5 points to 47, top of the pre diabetes range.

I visited the diabetic nurse who couldn’t understand it. I then gave up low carb. I’d started to experience diabetic symptoms too.

Feeling much better now. I used Berberine to drop my blood sugar readings & all my symptoms disappeared. So low carb doesn’t suit everybody or necessarily reduce risk of diabetes. Keep testing, you might be surprised at the results.

[Goldengirl01 in reply to Bertwills]

Can I ask what Berberine is? Thanks

[Bertwills in reply to Goldengirl01]

Hi, it’s a plant extract which lowers blood sugar by increasing insulin effectiveness. I buy a strong one from Time Health. Please Google & see if it would be helpful to you.

[Goldengirl01 in reply to Bertwills]

thank you Bertwills, Iv never heard of it. I’m pre-diabetic at the moment would I be able to still use it.

[Bertwills in reply to Goldengirl01]

Yes, I’ve found Berberine very effective. I’m also pre-diabetic but do you research & see if you think it would suit you specifically. Try it when you’re not trying anything else new in case you have a side effect & don’t take it at exactly the same time as your thyroid meds.

[Goldengirl01 in reply to Bertwills]

Very helpful thank you.

[Bertwills]

medical research paper which might be relavent

Research re low carb diet causing insulin resistance

[Regenallotment]

we are all so different. I would suggest experimenting a few weeks at a time and see what feels better.

Low carb as in no bread/wheat barley rye pasta cake works for me, I do eat small portions of potato, sweet potato, rice but not every meal.

My more effective method has been to knock out all processed sugar. No pop, limited alcohol, cake, sweets, deserts, just berries not bananas.

The Zoe program taught me a lot about my sugar responses. Bananas for example give me a massive sugar spike and dramatic drop that leaves me craving sugar all day and feeling awful. I had no idea!

So what do I eat… meat and veggies, fish and veggies. I don’t go in for GF or DF alternatives much. Loads of nuts lots of protein. Plus salty crisps and 85% chocolate.

Supergut Dr William Davies (he also wrote wheat Belly)

Forever Strong by Dr Gabrielle Lyon

The glucose goddess method - Jesse Inchaupe

All very helpful books.

Zoe podcasts too although I can’t tolerate the amount of chickpeas they advocate 🤣 and their recipes still have too much sugar in for me.

🌱

[gabkad in reply to Regenallotment]

I watched ZOE on youtube. They appear to be promoting plant based since they have two American doctors on who are both promoting a diet that does not contain any animal products.

[Sleepman]

Having my thyroid at levels, so I had enough energy to do a bit more walking and active stuff helped get mine down I think.

[Stourie]

my son is hypo and when he wants to lose weight he does with keto or Atkins. He’s on levo and loses weight no problem. He’s also very healthy thyroid wise . Hope that helps. Jo xx

just want to add that about one day a month he pigs out on whatever he wants. 😊

[sparkly]

Have a read up on berberine. I truly believe it helped me with what you'd class as metabolic syndrome

[LaurieLee]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I tried Berberine, but it gave me severe reflux. I am trying Sugar Shift by BiotiQuest at the moment and low carbs, but not too low.