Comments on: Thyroid, blood sugar & metabolic syndrome http://chriskresser.com/thyroid-blood-sugar-metabolic-syndrome Medicine for the 21st century Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:34:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: lynn http://chriskresser.com/thyroid-blood-sugar-metabolic-syndrome#comment-4791 lynn Tue, 15 Feb 2011 14:04:03 +0000 http://chriskresser.com/?p=862#comment-4791 Jo If I raise my thyroid too fast I get reactive hypoglycaemia. I found this out a NUMBER OF TIMES in my eagerness to get my thyroid right and my life back. Raising too fast messes with one's blood sugar as it is harsh on the adrenals and they are involved in blood sugar regulation. One of the criticisms of Wilson's is that it works via very fast raises and can thus lead to symptoms such as you describe. It also taxes the adrenals. If you have high RT3, I'd suggest you check out Nick Foot's website and increase T3 in a slower way. If you have just plain ol' hypothyroidism, I'd suggest you check out stopthethyroidmadness.com. Jo

If I raise my thyroid too fast I get reactive hypoglycaemia. I found this out a NUMBER OF TIMES in my eagerness to get my thyroid right and my life back. Raising too fast messes with one’s blood sugar as it is harsh on the adrenals and they are involved in blood sugar regulation.

One of the criticisms of Wilson’s is that it works via very fast raises and can thus lead to symptoms such as you describe. It also taxes the adrenals. If you have high RT3, I’d suggest you check out Nick Foot’s website and increase T3 in a slower way. If you have just plain ol’ hypothyroidism, I’d suggest you check out stopthethyroidmadness.com.

]]> By: Jo http://chriskresser.com/thyroid-blood-sugar-metabolic-syndrome#comment-4784 Jo Tue, 15 Feb 2011 03:04:33 +0000 http://chriskresser.com/?p=862#comment-4784 Hi Chris: Great information. I have both insulin resistance and low thryoid right now. I am currently on time-release T3 therapy (Wislon's protocal) which has worked well for me two other times in the past ten years, but this time, (the first that I knew I had blood sugar issues too) I have not responded so well to the T3. I did buy a glucometer and have been keeping very careful records, cutting carbs, measuring and recording every bite, and exercising -- but my fasting blood sugars seem to increase everytime that I change my T3 dosage -- up or down....is this as I am starting to suspect, because of the changing T3 amounts -- or could there be something else going on here that I need to consider? The other thing I am wondering about -- I have all but cut fruit out of my diet -- having it only in a morning protein shake, after which my blood sugar is usually in the 80s (lower then when I wake up!) But I do miss it sooooo much. So I succumbed twice in the past week to an apple late in the afternoon and was shocked to see my blood glucose spike after words -- BUT it seemed to spike much more the day following my liberal use of coconut and cashews -- more fat than I typically have....when I get my t3 dosage figured out and stabilized I plan to do a controlled experiment -- fruit following a day of very low fat eating and fruit following a day of higher fat eating and see if there is a difference -- what do you think I will find here? Thanks, Jo Hi Chris:

Great information. I have both insulin resistance and low thryoid right now. I am currently on time-release T3 therapy (Wislon’s protocal) which has worked well for me two other times in the past ten years, but this time, (the first that I knew I had blood sugar issues too) I have not responded so well to the T3. I did buy a glucometer and have been keeping very careful records, cutting carbs, measuring and recording every bite, and exercising — but my fasting blood sugars seem to increase everytime that I change my T3 dosage — up or down….is this as I am starting to suspect, because of the changing T3 amounts — or could there be something else going on here that I need to consider?

The other thing I am wondering about — I have all but cut fruit out of my diet — having it only in a morning protein shake, after which my blood sugar is usually in the 80s (lower then when I wake up!) But I do miss it sooooo much. So I succumbed twice in the past week to an apple late in the afternoon and was shocked to see my blood glucose spike after words — BUT it seemed to spike much more the day following my liberal use of coconut and cashews — more fat than I typically have….when I get my t3 dosage figured out and stabilized I plan to do a controlled experiment — fruit following a day of very low fat eating and fruit following a day of higher fat eating and see if there is a difference — what do you think I will find here?

Thanks,
Jo

]]> By: Chris Kresser http://chriskresser.com/thyroid-blood-sugar-metabolic-syndrome#comment-4685 Chris Kresser Wed, 09 Feb 2011 00:13:06 +0000 http://chriskresser.com/?p=862#comment-4685 Hashimoto's is far from rare. 9 out of 10 women with hypothyroidism in the U.S. have it. You're right: blood sugar is confusing. But your numbers are typical for a low-carb dieter. I've explained it <a href="http://chriskresser.com/when-your-“normal”-blood-sugar-isn’t-normal-part-2" rel="nofollow">here</a>. Hashimoto’s is far from rare. 9 out of 10 women with hypothyroidism in the U.S. have it.

You’re right: blood sugar is confusing. But your numbers are typical for a low-carb dieter. I’ve explained it here.

]]> By: Em http://chriskresser.com/thyroid-blood-sugar-metabolic-syndrome#comment-4680 Em Tue, 08 Feb 2011 20:09:26 +0000 http://chriskresser.com/?p=862#comment-4680 I'm very confused about my blood sugar. I had fbg done at my Md's and it was 103" and somehow he said that was normal and I looked at the lab ranges and the lab he uses defines normal unto fbg of 110! Weird. Also, i have eaten lower carb for the past year plus, and 1 year ago at the doctors my fbg was LESS, 94, prior to trying lower carb. So I bought a meter and tested at home and found my fbg was 105 one day, and tested a few times and it is never below 95. But, 2 hours after eating a breakfast of eggs, bacon and white potatoes my bg was 85. What gives? I ate carbs and bg was normal a couple hours later, but my fbg is generally high. My tsh is ok, 2.3, the doctor didn't do a hasimotos test as he thinks it's very "rare". I’m very confused about my blood sugar. I had fbg done at my Md’s and it was 103″ and somehow he said that was normal and I looked at the lab ranges and the lab he uses defines normal unto fbg of 110! Weird.

Also, i have eaten lower carb for the past year plus, and 1 year ago at the doctors my fbg was LESS, 94, prior to trying lower carb. So I bought a meter and tested at home and found my fbg was 105 one day, and tested a few times and it is never below 95. But, 2 hours after eating a breakfast of eggs, bacon and white potatoes my bg was 85. What gives? I ate carbs and bg was normal a couple hours later, but my fbg is generally high.

My tsh is ok, 2.3, the doctor didn’t do a hasimotos test as he thinks it’s very “rare”.

]]> By: lynn http://chriskresser.com/thyroid-blood-sugar-metabolic-syndrome#comment-3064 lynn Thu, 28 Oct 2010 11:13:10 +0000 http://chriskresser.com/?p=862#comment-3064 Ann - What thyroid med are you on? Dosing shouldn't be based on TSH, which is what your doc is doing. Instead, you need to look at the Free T4 and Free T3. I'd advise you to check out www.stopthethyroidmadness.com Ann – What thyroid med are you on? Dosing shouldn’t be based on TSH, which is what your doc is doing. Instead, you need to look at the Free T4 and Free T3.

I’d advise you to check out http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com

]]> By: Chris Kresser http://chriskresser.com/thyroid-blood-sugar-metabolic-syndrome#comment-3052 Chris Kresser Wed, 27 Oct 2010 23:10:26 +0000 http://chriskresser.com/?p=862#comment-3052 Ann: check out my <a href="http://chriskresser.com/diabesity" rel="nofollow">series on diabesity</a>, which is still in progress. If you subscribe to my blog for email updates, you'll get all the new articles as they're published. You can do that on the <a href="http://chriskresser.com" rel="nofollow">homepage</a>. Ann: check out my series on diabesity, which is still in progress. If you subscribe to my blog for email updates, you’ll get all the new articles as they’re published. You can do that on the homepage.

]]> By: Ann http://chriskresser.com/thyroid-blood-sugar-metabolic-syndrome#comment-3050 Ann Wed, 27 Oct 2010 22:34:15 +0000 http://chriskresser.com/?p=862#comment-3050 I just read this and I am freaked out. I have had a thyroid condition for 13 years and i have had it monitored regularly. I started feeling weird and my hair was falling out. So I went back to doctor, and my thryoid was like 8 when it was supposed to be 1 or 2. She also said my fasting glucose was 102. I have never had glucose problems. I am a very health eater(ridiculously so) and am thin. I am normal weight and have always been normal. I am 45 and I had two kids and never had gestational diabetes. I was also taking a lot of fish oil for dry skin. I have heard that this can impare fasting blood glucose. I don't want diabetes. I went back to the doctor once and my thyroid meds have to be bumped up again, and glucose was borderline. What can I do to avoid diabetes? I just read this and I am freaked out. I have had a thyroid condition for 13 years and i have had it monitored regularly. I started feeling weird and my hair was falling out. So I went back to doctor, and my thryoid was like 8 when it was supposed to be 1 or 2. She also said my fasting glucose was 102. I have never had glucose problems. I am a very health eater(ridiculously so) and am thin. I am normal weight and have always been normal. I am 45 and I had two kids and never had gestational diabetes. I was also taking a lot of fish oil for dry skin. I have heard that this can impare fasting blood glucose. I don’t want diabetes. I went back to the doctor once and my thyroid meds have to be bumped up again, and glucose was borderline. What can I do to avoid diabetes?

]]> By: Chris Kresser http://chriskresser.com/thyroid-blood-sugar-metabolic-syndrome#comment-2378 Chris Kresser Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:36:42 +0000 http://chriskresser.com/?p=862#comment-2378 See <a href="http://perfecthealthdiet.com/?p=134&cpage=1#comment-1771" rel="nofollow">this comment</a> I just wrote on Paul's blog on this exact question. The short answer is that I'm wary of IF for people with hypoglycemia, adrenal and thyroid problems. Some argue that IF can have a blood sugar stabilizing effect, but I'm not convinced of that in this particular patient population. I'll be curious to see how Paul responds. Yes, I think 400 kcal of glucose is a good target for those with blood sugar issues. See this comment I just wrote on Paul’s blog on this exact question. The short answer is that I’m wary of IF for people with hypoglycemia, adrenal and thyroid problems. Some argue that IF can have a blood sugar stabilizing effect, but I’m not convinced of that in this particular patient population. I’ll be curious to see how Paul responds. Yes, I think 400 kcal of glucose is a good target for those with blood sugar issues.

]]> By: simona http://chriskresser.com/thyroid-blood-sugar-metabolic-syndrome#comment-2377 simona Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:30:18 +0000 http://chriskresser.com/?p=862#comment-2377 Hi Chris, Thanks for all your posts. Do you think that somebody with potential adrenal and thyroid problems should eat 3 meals a day instead of the usual 2 meals recommended for IF? If the glycogen stores are not re filled the same day the liver is going to make glucose from protein and that taxes the adrenals so a certain amount of carbs is recommended too. Do we need the 400 kcal that Paul Jaminet recommends? Hi Chris,
Thanks for all your posts.
Do you think that somebody with potential adrenal and thyroid problems should eat 3 meals a day instead of the usual 2 meals recommended for IF? If the glycogen stores are not re filled the same day the liver is going to make glucose from protein and that taxes the adrenals so a certain amount of carbs is recommended too. Do we need the 400 kcal that Paul Jaminet recommends?

]]> By: andy http://chriskresser.com/thyroid-blood-sugar-metabolic-syndrome#comment-2253 andy Sat, 11 Sep 2010 12:08:45 +0000 http://chriskresser.com/?p=862#comment-2253 Chris, thx for great info. Phoenix Regarding eating high fat diet and haveing a high blood glucose and just want to say that high  fat levels in the blood stream (TGL)  can reduce insulin sensitivity and therefore eating low carb high fat can still make your blood glucose hight. I notived myself, if i eat lost of nuts (over 100 g of fat) in the evening or other fats liek coconut oil my fasting glucose levels goes up 5 or even high, whilst  normaly is around 4.7 - 4.7. Chris, thx for great info.
Phoenix
Regarding eating high fat diet and haveing a high blood glucose and just want to say that high  fat levels in the blood stream (TGL)  can reduce insulin sensitivity and therefore eating low carb high fat can still make your blood glucose hight.
I notived myself, if i eat lost of nuts (over 100 g of fat) in the evening or other fats liek coconut oil my fasting glucose levels goes up 5 or even high, whilst  normaly is around 4.7 – 4.7.

]]> By: Chris Kresser http://chriskresser.com/thyroid-blood-sugar-metabolic-syndrome#comment-2203 Chris Kresser Wed, 08 Sep 2010 13:41:47 +0000 http://chriskresser.com/?p=862#comment-2203 The whole point is to eat what you normally eat and see how it affects your blood sugar. If it goes too high, you know you've eaten too many carbs. If it doesn't go too high, that suggests you're able to tolerate the amount of carbohydrate the meal contained. This doesn't mean you are free to eat anything as long as it doesn't raise your blood sugar. It's only one criterion. The whole point is to eat what you normally eat and see how it affects your blood sugar. If it goes too high, you know you’ve eaten too many carbs. If it doesn’t go too high, that suggests you’re able to tolerate the amount of carbohydrate the meal contained. This doesn’t mean you are free to eat anything as long as it doesn’t raise your blood sugar. It’s only one criterion.

]]> By: jo http://chriskresser.com/thyroid-blood-sugar-metabolic-syndrome#comment-2199 jo Wed, 08 Sep 2010 06:32:22 +0000 http://chriskresser.com/?p=862#comment-2199 I would like to know what kind of meal is best eaten before checking post prandial blood sugar ? Im sure what you eat affects your readings,and eating what you normally eat may not cut it. Should one include sugar ? Or how many grams of carbs should that meal include ? I would like to know what kind of meal is best eaten before checking post prandial blood sugar ? Im sure what you eat affects your readings,and eating what you normally eat may not cut it. Should one include sugar ? Or how many grams of carbs should that meal include ?

]]> By: Aaron B. http://chriskresser.com/thyroid-blood-sugar-metabolic-syndrome#comment-2024 Aaron B. Mon, 09 Aug 2010 20:27:38 +0000 http://chriskresser.com/?p=862#comment-2024 Thanks, Chris.  I guess I need to do some reading on treating hypothyroidism as high TSH, and see about getting that cortisol test.  (I know you've written more stuff on thyroid than I've read so far, so I won't ask you to repeat it here. :-) )  I've already decided to cut out gluten, since my wife had to, and it seems like a good idea for anyone.  I'm going to test my BG more often to figure out how much non-refined carb (probably mostly potatoes) I can eat without going over 120 BG.  Stuff I've read over the years on healing adrenals, like the book Adrenal Fatigue, always said not to go too low carb, but they never really said why, so I just ignored them since I also wanted to lose weight.  Maybe I need to focus on the hormones first and worry about weight later.   Incidentally, what do you think of the raw milk diet for adrenal fatigue and/or hypothyroid?  We just did that for about 10 days and my BG stayed surprisingly good, never exceeding 110.  We basically stopped out of boredom, but I'd do it again for longer if I thought it'd help.   Thanks again. Thanks, Chris.  I guess I need to do some reading on treating hypothyroidism as high TSH, and see about getting that cortisol test.  (I know you’ve written more stuff on thyroid than I’ve read so far, so I won’t ask you to repeat it here. :-) )  I’ve already decided to cut out gluten, since my wife had to, and it seems like a good idea for anyone.  I’m going to test my BG more often to figure out how much non-refined carb (probably mostly potatoes) I can eat without going over 120 BG.  Stuff I’ve read over the years on healing adrenals, like the book Adrenal Fatigue, always said not to go too low carb, but they never really said why, so I just ignored them since I also wanted to lose weight.  Maybe I need to focus on the hormones first and worry about weight later.
 
Incidentally, what do you think of the raw milk diet for adrenal fatigue and/or hypothyroid?  We just did that for about 10 days and my BG stayed surprisingly good, never exceeding 110.  We basically stopped out of boredom, but I’d do it again for longer if I thought it’d help.
 
Thanks again.

]]> By: Chris Kresser http://chriskresser.com/thyroid-blood-sugar-metabolic-syndrome#comment-2023 Chris Kresser Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:15:54 +0000 http://chriskresser.com/?p=862#comment-2023 Aaron, I am aware of the Kitavans and yes, I think the problem is more related to refined carbs than starch. Unfortunately, that's predominantly what Americans eat. Also, once dysglycemia sets in, even natural starches can push blood sugar to unhealthy levels. I've seen this over and over by asking patients to measure their blood sugar after various meals. I have heard anecdotal reports that a very low-carb diet can cause hypothyroid symptoms and adrenal issues, but I haven't seen that firsthand. There are some physiological mechanisms that make it plausible, which is why I don't recommend a VLC diet over the long term for most people. Steps must be taken to restore insulin sensitivity along the way, with the idea of being able to reintegrate some healthy carbs later. There's no hard, fast rule though. It's super important to keep your BG below 120 post-prandial, and I personally would prioritize that and then focus on supporting the thyroid and adrenals. Testing your cortisol (using the salivary profile offered by Diagnos-Techs) would be worthwhile to see where you stand there. High TSH on its own is hypothyroidism, even according to the mainstream definition, regardless of your T4 and T3 levels. That needs to be addressed, and my guess is your blood sugar and adrenal issues will improve when you do that (and vice versa). Aaron,

I am aware of the Kitavans and yes, I think the problem is more related to refined carbs than starch. Unfortunately, that’s predominantly what Americans eat. Also, once dysglycemia sets in, even natural starches can push blood sugar to unhealthy levels. I’ve seen this over and over by asking patients to measure their blood sugar after various meals.

I have heard anecdotal reports that a very low-carb diet can cause hypothyroid symptoms and adrenal issues, but I haven’t seen that firsthand. There are some physiological mechanisms that make it plausible, which is why I don’t recommend a VLC diet over the long term for most people. Steps must be taken to restore insulin sensitivity along the way, with the idea of being able to reintegrate some healthy carbs later. There’s no hard, fast rule though.

It’s super important to keep your BG below 120 post-prandial, and I personally would prioritize that and then focus on supporting the thyroid and adrenals. Testing your cortisol (using the salivary profile offered by Diagnos-Techs) would be worthwhile to see where you stand there. High TSH on its own is hypothyroidism, even according to the mainstream definition, regardless of your T4 and T3 levels. That needs to be addressed, and my guess is your blood sugar and adrenal issues will improve when you do that (and vice versa).

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