Weight Loss

Ketogenic Diet For Hypothyroidism What You Must Know Before You Start

As week three slides by on my ketogenic diet for hypothyroidism I have come to learn a thing or two about making it work. In my “getting real” video I talk about other health issues that have crept up because of letting my hypothyroidism go for so long. Because the thyroid controls so much of what goes on in the body, understanding how the whole metabolism system works is crucial.

The Basics of Metabolism

The long and short of this video is that ultimately calories count. If you eat too much of any one macro ingredient you will add fat to your body. But, this isn’t necessarily true! If you eat more protein and fat while lowering your carb intake eventually you will be using the energy produced from proteins and fat. However, this transformation doesn’t happen over night.

Some understanding of The Thyroid Disease & Diabetes Connection:

Thyroid disorders are very common in the general U.S. population. They affect up to 27 million Americans. Although half that number remains un-diagnosed. It is second only to diabetes as the most common condition to affect the endocrine system. This group of glands secretes hormones that help regulate growth, reproduction, and nutrient use by cells. As a result, it is common for an individual to be affected by both thyroid disease and diabetes.

Since the thyroid gland plays a central role in the regulation of metabolism, abnormal thyroid function can have a major impact on the control of diabetes. In addition, untreated thyroid disorder can increase the risk of certain diabetic complications. It can aggravate many diabetes symptoms. Luckily, abnormal thyroid function can easily be diagnosed by simple blood tests, and effective treatment is available. For all of these reasons, periodic screening for thyroid disorder should be considered in all people with diabetes. [Diabetes Self Management]

Okay so this is where I have found myself. Having thyroid issues and that developed into glucose issues.

Since normal thyroid function is essential to regulate energy metabolism, abnormal thyroid function may have profound effects on blood glucose control in diabetes. Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can affect the course of diabetes. But their effects are somewhat different.

Hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is typically associated with worsening blood glucose control and increased insulin requirements. The excessive thyroid hormone causes increased glucose production in the liver, rapid absorption of glucose through the intestines, and increased insulin resistance (a condition in which the body does not use insulin efficiently). It may be important to consider underlying thyroid disorder if a person has unexplained weight loss, deterioration in blood glucose control, or increased insulin requirements. Sometimes hyperthyroidism may even unmask latent diabetes.

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Having diabetes increases a person’s risk for heart disease, and many people with diabetes have a heart condition such as coronary heart disease or heart failure. Since hyperthyroidism causes rapid heart rate and increases the risk of abnormal heart rhythm, it may also bring on angina (chest pain), worsen heart failure or interfere with the treatment of heart failure, as well as further increase the risk of other heart problems.

Even Worse Problems Develop

Prolonged, untreated hyperthyroidism can cause excessive bone loss, leading to osteoporosis, or bone thinning. Osteoporosis raises the risk of bone fractures, making falling much more dangerous. People with diabetes who have peripheral neuropathy are at an increased risk for falls due to poor foot sensation. As well as sometimes loss of proprioception, or loss of the stimuli that tell the brain where a body part is in space, in relation to other objects. Therefore, the combination of hyperthyroidism and diabetes, particularly when neuropathy is present, increases the risk of fractures that may result in disability, especially in the elderly.

Hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism rarely causes significant changes in blood glucose control. Although it can reduce the clearance of insulin from the bloodstream. So the dose of insulin may be reduced. More important, hypothyroidism is accompanied by a variety of abnormalities in blood lipid levels. This includes increased total cholesterol and LDL (low-density lipoprotein or “bad”) cholesterol levels, and increased triglyceride levels. The abnormal lipid pattern typical of Type 2 diabetes (low HDL, or “good” cholesterol; high triglycerides; and a high proportion of small, dense LDL particles) is usually worsened by hypothyroidism. These changes further raise the already high risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke among people with diabetes. [Diabetes Self Management]

My solution to this dilemma is to use a ketogenic diet for hypothyroidism

While I was trying to make the If It Fits Your Macro approach in the beginning, not eliminating enough of the carbs was causing me to be hungry. Hunger makes food restriction difficult. Since choosing a ketogenic diet for hypothyroidism, I have found that I am not hungry.

My personal plan is that I eat between 11:00 (often noon) and 6:00. I eat 2 meals and don’t snack. In the morning I have an Apple Cider Vinegar Drink made as follows:

Apple Cider Vinegar Drink

1 tsp ACV
Squeeze of lemon juice
1 tsp fresh grated ginger (I keep ginger in the freezer and grate when needed)
a shake of cayenne pepper and turmeric

Blend them all in 1/2 cup warm water and drink.

My life simply isn’t worth living if I can’t drink coffee. Coffee and cream are the perfect way to start your day on a ketogenic diet for hypothyroidism. Having tried other “diets” that required me to give up coffee, I can tell you, it doesn’t work for me. I truly believe some people are more pre destined to eat a vegan type diet and others just aren’t.

What About Glucose and Your Thyroid?

I am confident that if you have done any investigation into the whole low carb high fat diet with hypothyroidism you have found that you need glucose for your thyroid to function properly. The thing is that a low carb high fat diet is NOT a NO CARB diet. You really do need your veggies in life. (And I strongly believe in supplements). Remember that video above? Also protein and fat make glucose.

Reducing the amount of carbs in your diet will lower your glucose levels overall. The only way to eliminate glucose production all together is to fast.

Exercise And The Ketogenic Diet For Hypothyroidism

From my research in order to remove excess glucose and insulin from your blood stream exercise regularly. As illustrated in the video at the beginning of this article, ATP production is key to removing excess glucose/glycogen. Even if it is simply walking to start with.

I have watched quit a few of Dr. Eric Berg’s videos. He is a chiropractic doctor. He has been living the Keto Lifestyle for years. This is his explanation about exercise and fat burning.