I had a recent diagnosis too. How much did you drop your carbs? To what # of grams/day or to what % of the macros? I've had some success with cutting out gluten, but still having symptoms and I'm hoping other changes - like going lower carb - may help.

Ok I'm at 45% and 20% protein and 35% fat (try to keep bad fats low though). The amount of protein is definitely more than what I was eating before I started MFP. I think this is helping me have a bit more energy/strength, but of course doesn't solve all of those problems. I may be able to go down 5% in carbs, but what is considered low carb? What %?

Here is my experience -- I too have Hashi's. And I've recently learned how important keeping my DHEA levels up are. So, I'd ask did your doc look into the accessory issues as well -- Vitamin D, magnesium, iodine, A1C (insulin resistance), DHEA (and other adrenals), liver (I don't remember what those are specifically).

After 10+ years and 5 docs (including 2 endos) telling me I was fine or "within range", I finally shelled out the dough to pay out of pocket for a thyroid specialist. And, man, do I wish I'd done that sooner. I had no idea how little my previous docs really knew about thyroid. For me, my liver levels were fine, my DHEA, Vitamin D and magnesium was low and I had insulin resistance at pre-diabetic levels (and I was only 25 lbs or so overweight at the time). If you don't get your hormone levels in line, more than just the thyroid, you can still experience many of the same symptoms.

I learned this the hard way with my DHEA levels. I don't know why, but I just stopped taking it at some point -- I didn't realize how important it was. Then my weight loss totally stopped -- I felt a little fatigued and sometimes cold, but nothing like before, so I figured I was just having a flare up from Hashi's. My doc even upped my thyroid dose a little. Then, the most recent tests came back and I was voicing my frustration on how my weight loss inexplicably stopped (exact same calorie deficits and exercise regime) and my DHEA was low. My doc was like " What is up with you DHEA -- have you stopped taking it?!!" Yeah, sorry. I started taking it again and the few minor symptoms that had come back went away again and the weight started falling off again in line with my calorie deficits.

The only caveat I have to the thyroid diet is that if you have Hashi's there may be certain things that trigger your auto-immune response. Common culprits are gluten (wheat/grains), casein and lactose (dairy) and certain cruciferous vegetables. I personally have no problem with dairy, but I do have symptoms again with the grains, so I generally stay away from them. Since doing so, I've had far fewer flare-ups.

As for calories/macros, I can't say exactly. I know what has worked for me personally really well is an IF regime (5:2 worked well), but now I'm doing a carb cycling program called lean gains. I generally still eat very Paleo/Primal-like, but I do so in a leangains fashion which means I have no carbs except green leafy vegetables on non-lifting days and then I have a lot of carbs on lifting days (to aid in muscle recovery). I keep my protein the same throughout (which for me is 1.2 g/LBM) and the fat fluactuates with the carbs. More fat on low carb days, less on high carb days. I'm sure it's not the only way, but it's the way I've found that works really well for me. I also lift 3x week and walk a lot of miles (got a treadmill desk at work -- so I'm putting in 5-8 miles on that a day).

editorgrrl wrote: »

lindsey1979 wrote: »

The only caveat I have to the thyroid diet is that if you have Hashi's there may be certain things that trigger your auto-immune response. Common culprits are gluten (wheat/grains), casein and lactose (dairy) and certain cruciferous vegetables. I personally have no problem with dairy, but I do have symptoms again with the grains, so I generally stay away from them. Since doing so, I've had far fewer flare-ups.

According to the Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothyroidism/expert-answers/hypothyroidism-diet/faq-20058554

"Is there any truth to the hypothyroidism diet? Can certain foods increase thyroid function?

Answers from Todd B. Nippoldt, M.D.

Generally, there's no hypothyroidism diet. Although claims about hypothyroidism diets abound, there's no evidence that eating or avoiding certain foods will improve thyroid function in people with hypothyroidism."

Well, there are others out there that disagree with Dr. Nippoldt - -such as Dr. Kresser and Dr. Kharrazian. Elimination diets have been well-known to help out with auto-immune disorders for a long time -- this isn't anything new or shocking and I don't see why an auto-immune thyroid disorder would change from other auto-immune disorders. I know I personally have seen a difference with different foods and my reaction. So, I think it's great that some like editorgrrl here doesn't notice a difference, but I wouldn't mistake that for saying such a thing is an impossibility for everyone.

Plus, it's something easy everyone can try. If it doesn't work, no harm done. But if it does, it can be quite life altering. Or, I guess you can just wait around until more studies come out...