Cortisol and diet
Replies
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Regarding the struggle to lose weight, Is it possible that it would be an intake issue? What has your daily calorie level been? Can you open your diary?
No... I'm not going to open my diary. I've already been that route with Sara and Sidesteel.
I haven't been monitoring my weight for awhile now. I've been eating inconsistently. I wasn't making strength gains progress when I was lifting so I stopped.
This question wasn't about my personal diet, just whether or not cortisol could be managed through carb regulation.
No. Cortisol can't be managed through carb regulation. It's much more complicated than a simple reduction of carbs.
Calorie regulation, whether higher or lower, is key to cortisol issues and their solutions.
Are symptoms other than weight your main issue with thinking you have issues with cortisol, if you're not monitoring your weight or eating?
I log all my food... I just haven't been monitoring my weight. When I was consistent, I wasn't seeing a lot of progress with fat-burning. I would gain when I knew I should have lost. And I stopped gaining strength...
I have just been sort of coasting along with my diet/fitness plan. I went to have my thyroid checked because I had some intense mood swings and a change in my periods. In researching thyroid symptoms, cortisol came up so I figured that might be attributing the anomalies I was having with my progress previously.
Do you mean you're not weighing yourself? Either way, if you're not consistent, "gaining vs. should have lost" is sort of moot until that consistency is really enforced.
Mood swings? That's not thyroid; thyroid levels can result in depression if hypo, but mood swings stem from rapid hormone changes--that's not thyroid, and the problem with getting thyroid issue diagnoses is exactly because the change is so gradual but people can feel symptoms before bloodwork shows it. Again, mood swings seems more attributed to PCOS OR cortisol. A change in periods could literally be any single hormonal condition, unfortunately. Or something as innocuous as weight change or stress.
Interestingly enough, any sort of hard to control mood + issues gaining strength would by symptoms of hyperthyroidism more than hypo. You can actually build strength and maintain muscle with hypothyroidism very easily, which is why I always point out the benefits of strength training to fellow thyroid-issue sufferers. It helps regulate some thyroid hormones, too.0 -
Do you mean you're not weighing yourself? Either way, if you're not consistent, "gaining vs. should have lost" is sort of moot until that consistency is really enforced.
Mood swings? That's not thyroid; thyroid levels can result in depression if hypo, but mood swings stem from rapid hormone changes--that's not thyroid, and the problem with getting thyroid issue diagnoses is exactly because the change is so gradual but people can feel symptoms before bloodwork shows it. Again, mood swings seems more attributed to PCOS OR cortisol. A change in periods could literally be any single hormonal condition, unfortunately. Or something as innocuous as weight change or stress.
Interestingly enough, any sort of hard to control mood + issues gaining strength would by symptoms of hyperthyroidism more than hypo. You can actually build strength and maintain muscle with hypothyroidism very easily, which is why I always point out the benefits of strength training to fellow thyroid-issue sufferers. It helps regulate some thyroid hormones, too.
Yeah, I had noticed that my symptoms actually could be attributed to hyperthyroidism, but my mom has hypo, grandmother, aunt, great aunt, cousin. Hyperthyroidism has never been a problem for anyone that I'm aware of.
I guess I can see why my doctor is having a hard time hashing this down.0 -
Regarding the struggle to lose weight, Is it possible that it would be an intake issue? What has your daily calorie level been? Can you open your diary?
No... I'm not going to open my diary. I've already been that route with Sara and Sidesteel.
I haven't been monitoring my weight for awhile now. I've been eating inconsistently. I wasn't making strength gains progress when I was lifting so I stopped.
This question wasn't about my personal diet, just whether or not cortisol could be managed through carb regulation.
You can't consider things like low carb without taking into consideration the big picture (i.e. your diet in general). If you're not willing to do that I don't know how we can help you.0 -
Regarding the struggle to lose weight, Is it possible that it would be an intake issue? What has your daily calorie level been? Can you open your diary?
No... I'm not going to open my diary. I've already been that route with Sara and Sidesteel.
I haven't been monitoring my weight for awhile now. I've been eating inconsistently. I wasn't making strength gains progress when I was lifting so I stopped.
This question wasn't about my personal diet, just whether or not cortisol could be managed through carb regulation.
You can't consider things like low carb without taking into consideration the big picture (i.e. your diet in general). If you're not willing to do that I don't know how we can help you.
So cortisol is impacted by dietary fats. I feel so silly, I knew that. Then, in your opinion what I read is big pile of BS. Thank you for answering my question.0 -
Regarding the struggle to lose weight, Is it possible that it would be an intake issue? What has your daily calorie level been? Can you open your diary?
No... I'm not going to open my diary. I've already been that route with Sara and Sidesteel.
I haven't been monitoring my weight for awhile now. I've been eating inconsistently. I wasn't making strength gains progress when I was lifting so I stopped.
This question wasn't about my personal diet, just whether or not cortisol could be managed through carb regulation.
You can't consider things like low carb without taking into consideration the big picture (i.e. your diet in general). If you're not willing to do that I don't know how we can help you.
So cortisol is impacted by dietary fats. I feel so silly, I knew that. Then, in your opinion what I read is big pile of BS. Thank you for answering my question.
That's not what I said at all...but ok.0 -
Regarding the struggle to lose weight, Is it possible that it would be an intake issue? What has your daily calorie level been? Can you open your diary?
No... I'm not going to open my diary. I've already been that route with Sara and Sidesteel.
I haven't been monitoring my weight for awhile now. I've been eating inconsistently. I wasn't making strength gains progress when I was lifting so I stopped.
This question wasn't about my personal diet, just whether or not cortisol could be managed through carb regulation.
You can't consider things like low carb without taking into consideration the big picture (i.e. your diet in general). If you're not willing to do that I don't know how we can help you.
So cortisol is impacted by dietary fats. I feel so silly, I knew that. Then, in your opinion what I read is big pile of BS. Thank you for answering my question.
I'm trying to figure out how you came to this conclusion from his comment? It's hard to help you if you dodge lots of our questions, but then get passive-aggressive out of nowhere. I sure hope I'm misinterpreting snark here.0 -
Regarding the struggle to lose weight, Is it possible that it would be an intake issue? What has your daily calorie level been? Can you open your diary?
No... I'm not going to open my diary. I've already been that route with Sara and Sidesteel.
I haven't been monitoring my weight for awhile now. I've been eating inconsistently. I wasn't making strength gains progress when I was lifting so I stopped.
This question wasn't about my personal diet, just whether or not cortisol could be managed through carb regulation.
You can't consider things like low carb without taking into consideration the big picture (i.e. your diet in general). If you're not willing to do that I don't know how we can help you.
So cortisol is impacted by dietary fats. I feel so silly, I knew that. Then, in your opinion what I read is big pile of BS. Thank you for answering my question.
I'm trying to figure out how you came to this conclusion from his comment? It's hard to help you if you dodge lots of our questions, but then get passive-aggressive out of nowhere. I sure hope I'm misinterpreting snark here.
It was something he said earlier. My question has been answered though. And you gave me lots of helpful information too.0 -
I've never, ever heard of any sort of "thyroid imbalance" being a marker for PCOS. PCOS is highly dependent on hormone levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone; I have *read* that there are correlations with cortisol issues.
My LH and FSH are slightly imbalanced. Those are regulated by the thyroid and stimulate egg production. When the ovaries don't produce eggs (due to cysts), then it can cause the imbalance, but in this instance, there were no cysts so something else is causing the imbalance. Since the thyroid produces those hormones, then hypothyroidism seems a likely cause. Given that I am having many other symptoms (unusual hair, struggles with fat burning, sensitivity to cold) and an extensive family history with hypothyroidism, I'm pretty sure that is the cause. I'm jumping the gun a bit, obviously, because the test results on my thyroid haven't come back yet.
They're regulated by the thyroid in the same way everything is. The thyroid and pituitary glands regulate EVERYTHING, but that doesn't meant they're specifically those hormones. It'd be the same thing as saying "Well estrogen is regulated by thyroid." To an extent, it's sure connected, but thyroid levels wouldn't be a marker for anything to do with it. That's odd that your doctor referred to LH and FSH as thyroid markers, they're generally considered specifically pituitary, and in connection to reproductive hormones. TSH is really the only "non-thyroid" level explicitly linked to thyroid issues as it's specifically produced by the pituitary to regulate the thyroid (which in turn, regulates T3, T4, RT3, etc.), which in turn regulates everything else. (circleoflife)
Curious, but what do you mean by "unusual hair"? Excessive hair growth is definitely a symptom of PCOS (and Cushing's, incidentally). Losing and thinning hair is linked more to hypothyroidism.
So far, your issues seem much more like possible PCOS than thyroid problems.
I have some thinning around my bangs, and coarse hair on my neck and around my areola. My periods have been normal.
Estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone were all normal. The LH to FSH ratio is 1:2.8. The doc said 1:3 indicates PCOS and said that 1:2 would be considered normal.
First off, firstsip know her pituitary hormones!
Second, are you sure about the low LH ratio - PCOS is a high LH disease. I'm going to guess that you mean LH:FSH was 2.8:1.
Given that your periods are normal (edit: are they? in another post you stated differently) and the other hormones are normal is good - this actually eliminates a few diseases such as premature ovarian failure.
Third, and this is the only recommendation I'm really willing to give - hormonal systems are incredibly complex and should not be fiddled by poor apprentices like me - I would suggest that you discuss, if you haven't yet - the duration, type and specifics of your diet (restriction or otherwise, calories, time, total weight loss) with your doctor in order to see *if* he suggests a diet pause.
If you want to adjust cortisol levels that is the likeliest "fast path" - no diet, limited exercise and good rest.0 -
I've never, ever heard of any sort of "thyroid imbalance" being a marker for PCOS. PCOS is highly dependent on hormone levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone; I have *read* that there are correlations with cortisol issues.
My LH and FSH are slightly imbalanced. Those are regulated by the thyroid and stimulate egg production. When the ovaries don't produce eggs (due to cysts), then it can cause the imbalance, but in this instance, there were no cysts so something else is causing the imbalance. Since the thyroid produces those hormones, then hypothyroidism seems a likely cause. Given that I am having many other symptoms (unusual hair, struggles with fat burning, sensitivity to cold) and an extensive family history with hypothyroidism, I'm pretty sure that is the cause. I'm jumping the gun a bit, obviously, because the test results on my thyroid haven't come back yet.
They're regulated by the thyroid in the same way everything is. The thyroid and pituitary glands regulate EVERYTHING, but that doesn't meant they're specifically those hormones. It'd be the same thing as saying "Well estrogen is regulated by thyroid." To an extent, it's sure connected, but thyroid levels wouldn't be a marker for anything to do with it. That's odd that your doctor referred to LH and FSH as thyroid markers, they're generally considered specifically pituitary, and in connection to reproductive hormones. TSH is really the only "non-thyroid" level explicitly linked to thyroid issues as it's specifically produced by the pituitary to regulate the thyroid (which in turn, regulates T3, T4, RT3, etc.), which in turn regulates everything else. (circleoflife)
Curious, but what do you mean by "unusual hair"? Excessive hair growth is definitely a symptom of PCOS (and Cushing's, incidentally). Losing and thinning hair is linked more to hypothyroidism.
So far, your issues seem much more like possible PCOS than thyroid problems.
I have some thinning around my bangs, and coarse hair on my neck and around my areola. My periods have been normal.
Estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone were all normal. The LH to FSH ratio is 1:2.8. The doc said 1:3 indicates PCOS and said that 1:2 would be considered normal.
First off, firstsip know her pituitary hormones!
Second, are you sure about the low LH ratio - PCOS is a high LH disease. I'm going to guess that you mean LH:FSH was 2.8:1.
Given that your periods are normal and the other hormones are normal is good - this actually eliminates a few diseases such as premature ovarian failure.
Third, and this is the only recommendation I'm really willing to give - hormonal systems are incredibly complex and should not be fiddled by poor apprentices like me - I would suggest that you discuss, if you haven't yet - the duration, type and specifics of your diet (restriction or otherwise, calories, time, total weight loss) with your doctor in order to see *if* he suggests a diet pause.
If you want to adjust cortisol levels that is the likeliest "fast path" - no diet, limited exercise and good rest.
Yeah, I was afraid I had that backwards.
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll definitely discuss diet in depth with my doctor once he gets the new results back.0 -
I'm trying to figure out how you came to this conclusion from his comment? It's hard to help you if you dodge lots of our questions, but then get passive-aggressive out of nowhere. I sure hope I'm misinterpreting snark here.
It was something he said earlier. My question has been answered though. And you gave me lots of helpful information too.
???Being overweight is a major cause for elevated cortisol.
If you are, I'd suggest losing weight to help with your problem. The carb percentage isn't as important given you meet your protein and fat requirements.
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So why worry about low carb?
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You can't consider things like low carb without taking into consideration the big picture (i.e. your diet in general). If you're not willing to do that I don't know how we can help you.
...
That's not what I said at all...but ok.0 -
^thisI'm trying to figure out how you came to this conclusion from his comment? It's hard to help you if you dodge lots of our questions, but then get passive-aggressive out of nowhere. I sure hope I'm misinterpreting snark here.
It was something he said earlier. My question has been answered though. And you gave me lots of helpful information too.
???Being overweight is a major cause for elevated cortisol.
If you are, I'd suggest losing weight to help with your problem. The carb percentage isn't as important given you meet your protein and fat requirements.
...
So why worry about low carb?
...
You can't consider things like low carb without taking into consideration the big picture (i.e. your diet in general). If you're not willing to do that I don't know how we can help you.
...
That's not what I said at all...but ok.
and he knows his stuff.0 -
I'm trying to figure out how you came to this conclusion from his comment? It's hard to help you if you dodge lots of our questions, but then get passive-aggressive out of nowhere. I sure hope I'm misinterpreting snark here.
It was something he said earlier. My question has been answered though. And you gave me lots of helpful information too.
???Being overweight is a major cause for elevated cortisol.
If you are, I'd suggest losing weight to help with your problem. The carb percentage isn't as important given you meet your protein and fat requirements.
...
So why worry about low carb?
...
You can't consider things like low carb without taking into consideration the big picture (i.e. your diet in general). If you're not willing to do that I don't know how we can help you.
...
That's not what I said at all...but ok.
Okay... you're right. It was firstsip that said it. I was on my phone when I was reading through the thread, and lost track of whose comments were whose.0
This discussion has been closed.