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Carb-flu or thyroid...?

NikIsSkinny
NikIsSkinny Posts: 20
edited January 2 in Social Groups
Hi everyone,
I just started paleo eating this week, and I'm feeling terrible. Like, really terrible. I've read about the carb-flu, and I think I might be in the middle of it. However, I also have thyroid problems, which my doctor is currently trying to medicate, and they often make me feel exhausted and headachey like this. Should I wait until my thyroid is balanced before I start paleo eating? I have an endocrinologist appointment on the 29th, and I was thinking about waiting until after that to begin paleo, at which point I would probably do the Whole30.

Replies

  • amanda6393
    amanda6393 Posts: 176 Member
    Don't wait! Eating paleo will help with your thyroid issues. The idea is that you won't NEED to medicate if your eating is better. Medication should be THE last resort when all other avenues have been exhausted...which if you're still eating a SAD diet, then they haven't :smile:
    Treat the cause, not the symptom.
  • KittyMarie13
    KittyMarie13 Posts: 75
    I agree with NiklsSkinny. My carb flu was terrible... I thought I was really coming down with the flu, or that I was doing something wrong, or that the world was ending. ;) Well, the last one might be a slight exaggeration but it sucked. And then just when I thought I was going to have to start a caffeine IV to keep going at work.... I came through the other side and felt GREAT. I was waking up before my alarm and my morning grogginess was almost gone. Just push through it, it'll be worth it in the end.
  • mrsdamr
    mrsdamr Posts: 54 Member
    So the headachy thing is all part of the carb-flu. I was wondering if I was starting to get sick. I was headachy all weekend, and I too have only started the Paleo lifestyle a week ago. When does it end????
  • twinmom01
    twinmom01 Posts: 854 Member
    It depends on what your eating style was before...if it was full of processed and chemical laden foods and now you are eating clean foods then I would say definately your bod readjusting and getting rid of the crap...

    When I did a full on paleo strict i had already been eating clean so i didn't have issues but I know some of the people who were doing it with me had a heck of a time the first 3-10 days because they went from eating crap and drinking soda to good for yoru body foods...

    I woudl definately discuss with your dr. though
  • LeidaPrimal
    LeidaPrimal Posts: 198 Member
    You can start eating paleo, but do not do the low carb version of it, go for tubers and fruit. Low carbs + thyroid problem = Bad Thing. You might want to check the net for info on that. Salt and broth will helps HUGE deal as well.
  • Cerebrus189
    Cerebrus189 Posts: 315 Member
    I also have thyroid issues (Hashimoto's) and I would advise you to stick with it. I had major joint issues before and within a week of transition, most of it went away. That being said, Paleo is not a cure for thyroid issues. You will very likely still have to take thyroid medication, but I know of a few people who, after going Paleo, were able to get off their thyroid meds. Unfortunately, I'm not one of those lucky few. I am taking Armour and eating strict Paleo. I feel a whole lot better when I eat really clean.

    Some resources you might want to try are Balanced Bites' Practical Paleo (book and website) and Robb Wolf, as both of them have specific information targeted towards those of us with autoimmune issues.

    It sounds like what you have is carb flu though. I was a total b!tch the first two weeks between the fatigue and headaches. Stick with it and you'll feel better soon. Take the time you need to relax and don't work out if you are too tired. I agree with Leida regarding not doing low carb. I feel a lot better when I keep my carbs higher, between 60-80 grams a day from tubers and fruit.
  • dcrevenge
    dcrevenge Posts: 3 Member
    I agree Paleo is not always low carb.
  • deannarey13
    deannarey13 Posts: 452
    I think others have given you great advice here!

    Well here I thought I had escaped the carb flu and that I was just having headaches for other reasons. That explains it now! I didn't know the headaches were related to the carb flu. I am on week 5 of primal eating and they just started last week though. I was run down, tired and had a killer headache all week. I have a mild headache today but have more energy. I hope this will pass soon though.

    Hang in there!
  • LeidaPrimal
    LeidaPrimal Posts: 198 Member
    Do you supplement Magnesium Citrate, & bone broth with sea salt? Electrolite imbalance + deficit in Mg and K could lead to the above symptoms at VLC (<50 g carbs a day sustained for over a week).
  • jennaworksout
    jennaworksout Posts: 1,739 Member
    I'm going through this right now, 15 days in, today is a bad one, hoping this will pass soon!!! :grumble:
  • zellagrrl
    zellagrrl Posts: 439
    I also have thyroid issues (Hashimoto's) and I would advise you to stick with it. I had major joint issues before and within a week of transition, most of it went away. That being said, Paleo is not a cure for thyroid issues. You will very likely still have to take thyroid medication, but I know of a few people who, after going Paleo, were able to get off their thyroid meds. Unfortunately, I'm not one of those lucky few. I am taking Armour and eating strict Paleo. I feel a whole lot better when I eat really clean.

    Some resources you might want to try are Balanced Bites' Practical Paleo (book and website) and Robb Wolf, as both of them have specific information targeted towards those of us with autoimmune issues.

    It sounds like what you have is carb flu though. I was a total b!tch the first two weeks between the fatigue and headaches. Stick with it and you'll feel better soon. Take the time you need to relax and don't work out if you are too tired. I agree with Leida regarding not doing low carb. I feel a lot better when I keep my carbs higher, between 60-80 grams a day from tubers and fruit.

    Same. And when I turned 30 in August, my thyroid once again decided that it wasn't interested in working, so I'm now on increased dosages. Keep taking your meds (if you're on them) and keep eating better. It might not improve everything (so exhausted I can't see straight at the moment, despite 7-8 hours of sleep), but it will help, even more so once the meds start kicking the thyroid into gear.

    Advice: also get your T3 levels checked. My T4 doesn't convert into T3, so I take selenium and a T3 pill. I also have Hashimoto's-- my numbers are down, but not perfect. Blood sugar levels are amazeballs though.
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