Insights Welcome: Low Insulin Levels and High TSH

science
(Kim) #1

Hello!

This is my first post on the ketogenic forums. I began the Keto WOE in April. Initially, lost 15lbs. Plateaued, which was a challenge; however, read up on stalls and plateaus and was able to gain some perspective on weight loss plateaus.

Fast forward to last week: I have Hashimoto’s so I have routine blood work done about twice a year. In mid-July, I had blood work done:

TSH was up to 8 and blood insulin level was low. Free T3 low; Free T 4 low. My doctor is increasing my thyroid meds as necessary. I use NDT plus Cytomel (synthetic T3).

Your insights are truly welcome . . .

Feeling perplexed and looking to make an action plan and move forward. My plan is to stay on Keto!

This morning I read this article by Stephen Phinney, which I found convincing, but I remain unsure of the combination of low insulin level, high TSH, and weight plateau. My most important NSV: feeling my fat become soft, almost free of painful lipomas, and significant lessening of what felt like hard cords of tissue in my fat.

The link to Steve Phinney’s article:
https://blog.virtahealth.com/does-your-thyroid-need-dietary-carbohydrates/

Thank you!

#2

Hi @khbwest, thanks for posting the link to Dr. Phinney’s article. I am both hypothyroid and T2DM, and am starting week 4 of the keto WOE. Very interesting article and I think that his point is that if keto can reduce insulin resistance, then why can’t it also reduce thyroid resistance? That makes sense to me, and I agree with your plan to stay on keto WOE. Also, regarding weight plateau, a lot of experienced folks on the discussion board have noted that they have had 1 or more plateaus in weight loss. Some of them have added intermittent fasting to their plan. Perhaps someone will comment.

#3

I don’t know what ‘thyroid resistance’ means, but I have had Hashimoto’s for over 20 years and been eating very low carb (now carnivore) for over a decade. The lack of carbs does not negatively affect the thyroid, but the thyroid itself does not regenerate. So if anyone is taking thyroid Rx, please don’t expect to be able to stop them.

#4

Thank you for posting, @Mare. I don’t think @khbwest was thinking of stopping or reducing her meds; she was referencing the article to which she posted the link. What I got from the article is that Dr. Phinney thinks that a keto diet may lower thyroid resistance, which means that the body is not being force to make quite as much T3. This is a good thing! :smiley:

(Kim) #5

Hi @AnnM. Not sure if the tag function worked. Thank you for your response!

I am searching the keto-forums for low carb increasing TSH; my thoughts at this point is that it is a major metabolic transition from a glucose burning physiology to a ketonic one.

I plan to stay the course and ask that my doctor recheck my thyroid panel in September.

Your progress on Keto is awesome!

#6

AnnM

    July 27

Thank you for posting, @Mare. I don’t think @khbwest was thinking of stopping or reducing her meds; she was referencing the article to which she posted the link. What I got from the article is that Dr. Phinney thinks that a keto diet may lower thyroid resistance, which means that the body is not being force to make quite as much T3. This is a good thing! :smiley:

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In Reply To

Mare

    July 27

I don’t know what ‘thyroid resistance’ means, but I have had Hashimoto’s for over 20 years and been eating very low carb (now carnivore) for over a decade. The lack of carbs does not negatively affect the thyroid, but the thyroid itself does not regenerate. So if anyone is taking thyroid Rx, pleas…

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#7

Thanks, Ann. I did not know that Dr. Phinney said that, but I’ve known that for a while. Critics on low carb complain that people have a lower T3 (something Dr. Atkins discovered but didn’t understand). With lower carbs, the body needs less T3, so that’s why it’s lower. As you say, it’s a good thing.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #8

In the light of Dr. Phinney’s article, it sounds as though you are fine, @khbwest. Regardless of whether his hypothesis of why T3 drops is right or not, the fact that it does and people remain fine is an observed fact. If you are feeling good, then I wouldn’t worry. If you are feeling symptoms of worsening thyroid, then get treated. And the logic in the article about why one would want to increase carbohydrate intake is compelling, at least to me.

(Kim) #9

Hey there @PaulL —

Thank you for responding! I always appreciate reading your responses to other members, too.