Yes, I'm confused again!
I have just browsed through the thyroid section, and clearly there are a lot of knowledgeable people here regarding hypothyroidism and low carb diets...to be honest, it never occurred to me there could be an issue or conflict.
I have been on thyroxine 100mcg a day for about 12 years...weight has fluctuated during that time, and except for a high stress period 3 years ago, generally has been over what i should be. Low cal/fat hasn't been working, thus I'm trying Atkins (induction) which has drastically changed my diet from a veggitarian to a low veg low carb, and am now eating meat too.
What should I look out for? what should I have/not have? Do I need more regular bloods (annual at the moment) or should I see my doc?
Bare in mind I am in the UK, so I think access is more limited as it is our national health system.
Is my thyroid likely to get worse or better with this diet?
I am not very up on terminology so please keep it understandable!! I'm perfectly intelligent, just ignorant about it, and don't understand all the terms you use about it, sorry!
Thanks for any advice you can offer!

Hi Hallyth
Your bloodwork should be routine, at least yearly. When we started increasing and then changing thyroid meds, I was tested every 3 months, so if it's been a while, you definitely need some current data to work with.

Will your thyroid get better or worse? Hmmm...
What's your underlying cause of thyroid dysfunction?

I have Hashimoto's disease, an autoimmune disorder. My thyroid has been and will continue to deteriorate as years pass, and therefore my meds will need to be increased to compensate. This will happen whether or not I continue eating low carb.

My issues with thyroid disease and this WOE are: is it safe to eat very low carb, or does it cause my already-damaged metabolism to slow even further? Do calories matter? For example, if I eat too few will I again cause stress to my metabolism?

I don't know the answers, but will continue anyway.
Wishing you the best of luck in taking control of your health!
Didi

Thanks Didi..
I have no idea what the underlying cause is, I just got tested years ago....and annually since as I was feeling tired/cold/fat/dry hair etc!

Hashimoto's is the most common cause of hypothryoidism in the Western world, especially for women. But the only way to know for sure is to have a test for the thyroid antibodies.

I have much sympathy for you...I have a relative in the UK and she comes HERE once a year for her testing and to get both T4 and T3 (dessicated). Yes, I know how the NHS works. And I know many are 'paying out of pocket' where you are for a doctor who will do the proper testing.

I think this way of eating is perfect for those with hypothyroidism...IF you don't CHEAT! (I tell those who won't be 'sticking with the plan for life'...please pick something ELSE as a plan...).

I have Hashimoto's. See my stats. I am almost in my 11th year of maintaining my weightloss. I DO take Armour Thyroid (but, there are quite a few doctors in the UK that are very good with a combo of synthetic T4 AND T3).

If you want to 'go on your own' and find a doctor 'out of your own pocket to pay' please feel free to PM me I do have some short lists of docs in the UK that do both T4 and T3, and also dessicated porcine thyroid.

Yes, I would and DO recommend this way of eating (as long as you go strictly BY THE BOOK and don't have any of the 'bars, shakes, crap, Frankenfoods), I DO recommend the book 'Protein Power' by Dr. Michael Eades (the original one) and also teh Atkins '72 version (the first one...you won't find 'new' in the title). Read through and through and then go strict by the book!

Seriously..I don't think I would have EVER lost the overweight nor maintained all this time...withou being lowcarb.

Best of luck to you...do pm me if you want a list, or more info.

Thanks Neander! I am due my next test in feb, so will see where I am at then I suppose. I am now doing more paleo than atkins I suppose....but NO processed food at all,...I have never cooked so much in my life !!
The NHS is a great thing, which I would never knock, BUT it means we get care 'to a level' with most things as routine, and so, as you know, specialist care as such is then very expensive...it is seen as being for the very well off, which we certainly aren't!
I'll talk to my doc for my next check, and see what her take is on it all I guess....then I may be after you for the list!!!!!

Hallyth- I am so sorry to hear of your troubles. I do believe you are on the right track with your diet. I have both Hashimotos and Celiac disease. I have am finding that low carb paleo works the best for me. Not only do I feel better, but I think I may have had some problems with corn. I have bounced between 180mg to 240 mg of Armour Thyroid for the past few years, finding that is the best med for me.

It is so hard to find the right doctor to treat thyroid problems. Here in the US they have such a wide variance of what they consider "normal" that you can be within that variance and still feel horrible. Many Docs will only treat you if you fall outside of the "variance", and not the symptoms. For instance, if there is a scale of 1-3. They may only treat if you are a 4. You may feel horrible at a 2 or a 3, needing to be at a 1. This is what happened to me for years. I also wasn't aware of eating gluten free. Going totally grain free and dairy free has really made a difference for me, not only in weight loss but feeling better.

I hope you feel better soon, it's a roller coaster that isn't fun.