OT But I trust you more than the main forum
binknbaby
Posts: 207 Member
Not really much to do with being Low-Carb (not directly, anyhow), but I've had a few thoughts bouncing around in my head and I'd love some input from informed, educated, non-broscience friends...
Okay so quick background: I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis resulting in Hypothyroid and PCOS (PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome).
PCOS is linked to insulin resistance, and most women with PCOS tend to lean towards the Diabetic end (blood sugar too high), but I actually have hypoglycemia (glucose levels after a large meal with carbs comes to *maybe* 70 mg/dL).
Now, obviously I'm on the low-carber forum because I agree that taking in fewer carbs is the way to obtain health. But the more I learn about insulin (thanks, Eric!) the more confused I am.
So is the hypoglycemia caused by an excess of insulin, due to the thyroid issues? And how do I eliminate that insulin and get it out of my system?
Clearly a low-carb diet is helpful, but it's nearly impossible to function with hypoglycemia on a *very* low-carb diet, so the day-to-day living is harder, even if my brain says it should decrease with the lower levels of glucose from carbs.
Am I right in this thinking? Or is there something I'm missing?
My brain hurts. I've been thinking too much lately. LOL
Okay so quick background: I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis resulting in Hypothyroid and PCOS (PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome).
PCOS is linked to insulin resistance, and most women with PCOS tend to lean towards the Diabetic end (blood sugar too high), but I actually have hypoglycemia (glucose levels after a large meal with carbs comes to *maybe* 70 mg/dL).
Now, obviously I'm on the low-carber forum because I agree that taking in fewer carbs is the way to obtain health. But the more I learn about insulin (thanks, Eric!) the more confused I am.
So is the hypoglycemia caused by an excess of insulin, due to the thyroid issues? And how do I eliminate that insulin and get it out of my system?
Clearly a low-carb diet is helpful, but it's nearly impossible to function with hypoglycemia on a *very* low-carb diet, so the day-to-day living is harder, even if my brain says it should decrease with the lower levels of glucose from carbs.
Am I right in this thinking? Or is there something I'm missing?
My brain hurts. I've been thinking too much lately. LOL
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Replies
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Obviously this won't necessarily apply to you, as I have neither hypothyroid (beyond what age has brought me) nor PCOS, but my doctor says that I'm hypoglycemic because I'm pre-diabetic. In other words, my blood sugar level gets too low and soon (well, if I wouldn't have changed my path) my blood sugar will constantly be too high.
As he explained it, I'm currently hypoglycemic because my pancreas is going nuts because it's had to overwork for so long, so it's overcompensating for the sugar I'm consuming. Soon, my pancreas will fail to create enough insulin, which is when I'll go from being pre-diabetic to actually diabetic.
What I think happens with low-carb is that my pancreas gets a bit of a break. It realizes (when I eat fewer carbs) that it gets to relax a bit, and I no longer have those big dips in blood sugar after ingesting carbs. If I go back to ingesting butt-loads of carbs again, it'll probably go back to overcompensating, which is what will lead to the shakes of low blood sugar a couple of hours after eating a carb-heavy meal.0 -
Interesting... It kinda makes sense (I previously did consume a large amount of carbohydrates), but my hormone specialist didn't seem at all worried about diabetes for me, though she did put me on a low-carb diet. Hm.0
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Insulin is secreted by the pancreas, which also works with the liver in unison, as well as other glands, including the thyroid. The liver releases sugars into the blood when the body needs it, so if you are having low blood sugar, it may not be an insulin issue directly, as a liver problem is also going to mess your levels up. The two organs should be in balance and communicating through
If you have a condition where your thyroid is damaged, it follows that communication could be interrupted between the pancreas and liver as well, since the hormones which would normally relay messages may be interrupted.
Has the doctor offered medications to help the thyroid?0 -
The hormone specialist prescribed Armour (thyroid replacement) but I felt "funny" on those, so I stopped taking them. I saw an Acupuncturist for a while and had great results, but I don't have money for that right now. My Acupuncturist is also a Nutritionist, so she suggested lower carb and higher fat whole foods (a la Weston A Price), and I've been following that. I currently have no health insurance, so even if I wanted to continue the meds, I wouldn't be able to without very high out of pocket costs.
My doctor implied (though it wasn't implicit) that the hypoglycemia was related to the hypothyroid, so I think it may have something to do, as you said, with the communication of hormones. My TSH, TS1, TS2, estrogen, and progesterone were all very low, with elevated testosterone. Those leveled out a bit closer to normal after my initial treatment two years ago, but I haven't had any blood work done since then.
My hormone specialist also suggested Chromium to help balance my glucose levels, which I've continued to take, and I'm also continuing a Progesterone Cream (wild yam).0 -
I also have been in the "uninsured" boat before, it really stinks. I had to go three years like that after college because the job I had was 30 hours a week, not 40 . So I totally understand about having to make due without medicines.
It sounds like you're trying to do the best you can knowing your conditions.
If a lower carb diet is working for you, keep at it. I have had sinus issues all my life and I do find that avoiding grains for some reason makes me much healthier in both weight and breathing. I've also been able to go a year now without having to take any antibiotics, so I'm really happy about that. I do believe there is a connection with hormones, grains, and human organ sensitivities, though there have not been a lot of studies, some data suggests that GMO wheat is adversely affecting humans.
Good luck on your path!0 -
I have had PCOS for years, and I did develop type 2 diabetes as well.
Simply, it was a matter of too much insulin. Eat carbs, get a high insulin surge, which brings the blood glucose down TOO much, get hungry (because of the low blood glucose), eat carbs, repeat cycle.
Eating low carb gets you off that blood glucose roller coaster. My lows where ALWAYS after a higher carb meal. It didn't happen after a low carb meal because it didn't trigger a huge insulin response.0 -
I'm definitely wheat/gluten-free, as Hashmioto's is triggered by gluten. Been GF for about 2 years now. It's allowed me to lose an initial 30 lbs, and maintain (even while eating "not so great but still GF") for the last year. I tend to avoid grains in general. One serving a day if any at all (usually none).
My lows tend to be in the morning, even after I've had my high-protein, low-carb breakfast (egg, bacon, small serving of fermented veggies, coffee w/ carb-free cream) and in the later afternoon, right before dinner (3-5pm window). Nine times out of ten, my lunch is meat and veggies (below 20g carbs for the whole meal). I try to keep my snacks mainly protein with as little carbs as possible, but I honestly don't feel right until I have a bit of sugar, usually a couple slices of grapefruit or half a small apple.
My overall net carbs for the day usually ranges from 60-70, depending on how much fiber I've had that day.0
