For the second time--a year apart--my TSH (okay, okay, I know) has tested at .01. The first time, on doc's advice, I agreed to a .25 reduction in the levothyroxine I've taken for decades. This had no noticeable effect on anything I could feel. After four months--with FT4 and FT3 tests I requested--he reduced it again, by another .25. I've continued to drop weight slowly but successfully on my LC program. I have no symptoms of anything associated with either hyper- or hypo-thyroid. I feel perfectly normal--and I don't think it's just the "normal" I'm used to.

After the recent test (.01 again--still indicating hyperthyroid), I'm anticipating a further reduction in this prescription.

My questions:
--Would a VLC diet over nine months tend to "normalize" thyroid function to the extent that I wouldn't need the dosage I've taken in the past?
--If I do go with a further reduction in levothyroxine dosage, what "symptoms" shall I look for? Or will that be perfectly obvious?

Of course, these are questions I will ask my doc when I see him at the end of May. But he's new (to me) and he "goes by the book." I'd like to have some outside opinions from people I've come to trust. And maybe some ammunition to take with me for the sake of argument.

NeanderPam posted this...


http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=466629

A vLC/vHF diet "normalized" my thyroid function to the extent that I don't need ANY drugs taken in the past. Of course my by-the-book doctor did not believe diet was the reason. Plenty of sleep and lack of stress may also bring improvements.

You must have me confused...I know zip about thyroid. Have never had a problem with it, with luck Neanderpam or Nancy will see your question. I did post a website a few threads back that seemed to explain thyroid clearly enough for even me to understand a bit, maybe check that one? http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=464839
Dr. Davis seemed to think a grain-free LC diet would remove some of the problems, makes sense you could lower dose. all the best,

I think post-meno we probably need less thyroid because we don't have so much estrogen and stuff binding it up. Look up the symptoms for hypothyroid and when you start seeing those, then you've gone too far.