traveljjo wrote: »

to hear your ideas on some symptoms/issues I am having.

Quick background: I started all this because I seem to have significant insulin disorder. I have low blood sugar and blood pressure. (for a long time). Even my body temp runs low. I am extremely tired all the time, I crash at 2pm to the point of passing out at my desk (I am a teacher). I have been a pretty "healthy eater" (no significant junk food) but I ate a lot of caffeine and carbs. After trying to 'cut back' on many things, including carbs & some sugar, I have not had any success at losing the 15-20 lbs I gained, or get my energy, memory, and active lifestyle back. To be fair, I did have a major trauma in my life, so that contributed to a very high stress level. This has been worked on extensively, and is much much better now. My only major health issue has been the removal of my gallbladder (which will be a consideration as I move to high fat). My hair was falling out, my skin patchy and dry, and my knee cartilage was so tore up, I had surgery. I am only 42, and have always been active. (rock climbing, rodeo, hiking, mini-tri's, etc)

Onto now:
I am on day 4. My calories are low (1200) but I am very short, and have a small body frame with light bone density. I am set at 65, 35, 5 - so my carbs come out at 15 (but I am not sweating 20 when it happens).

My biggest struggles are: not getting hardly any fiber (even with a salad), very low potassium from diet, and low sodium. It was fine until today, and I could hardly make it through church. Went home and passed out in bed. I overloaded on fats at breakfast for sure. So now I am light on protein but that is fixable. I made some beef broth and salted it up, but the app did not apply much so I added in 1/2 teas to be sure it calculated it. Still short. Geez!

I have never been a great water drinker. I have had 30oz lemon water, and at least 16 oz coffee, and another 16 oz of tea.

Is this the "flu" or is this just me adjusting to this new lifestyle?

Is it easier to get the blood ketone monitor or the breath one? I think I had better start monitoring this better than the ketostrips.

Thanks! Jennifer

Jenn;

It's entirely possible (maybe even "probable") that what you are seeing is indeed "just" the symptoms of the k-flu as many of the specifics you've listed are fairly typical for at least some (others see only one or two, some none, it varies).

I am a little concerned though about how you arrived at the conclusion that you have "low BP, low BG, low body temp.." and especially the energy level and "....pass out at my desk".

First question would be, are these either occurring for the first time (except the one you said was "for a long time"), or are you fairly certain they are a direct result of starting the diet?

Next, are you actually measuring BP and BG (if so, what the the numbers?) or do you just "know" they are low?.

How frequently has the "passing out at the desk" thing happened, or was it actually just feeling light headed maybe "dizzy"? Did you talk to the school nurse about it?

Normally I'd just say it's the K-flu, and while I'm almost certain that you are no where near being keto adapted yet, you certainly are in the midst of the "transition" assuming your food intake numbers have been consistent each day in the manner you described.

You might consider opening your food dairy, if not to "all" at least to "friends" so we can take a look and see if anything jumps out.

Sounds like you are doing the "right" things (broth, potass & mag). I wouldn't stress over either the "fat overload at breakfast", or the protein and water levels (they're both fine for now). Don't worry about cals either during the transition - if your body is telling you it's hungry, EAT (just try to stay away from sugars, grains, etc, as best you can).

My bride, also a teacher, could almost be your twin as far as "symptoms" go. She's had the *very* low BP, low body temp (always "cold"), and "pass out in bed" (meaning fall asleep in 20 seconds or less from exhaustion of the job and long hours), pretty much her entire career.

Every time she has her BP tested, the nurses ask "are you really alive? - do you feel ok? - wnat some orange juice?" because of the low readings they just can't believe.

When the exam is over, she's in perfect health (except for Hashi's) and goes on her way.

Aside from any personal issues, teaching is an extremely high intensity, stressful, and demanding job (especially if you're elementary and as dedicated as she was), and if you are going to do it long term you simply MUST take care of yourself - start NOW!

Hopefully, another day or two and you'll come "out the other end" of the k-flu but if not, I'd at the very least have a "chat" with the school nurse and get her opinion.

While I do think it's great to "jump in, both feet" - for those that can do it, some just are better off "easing in" (slowly reducing carbs, sugars, etc) over time until reaching NK "adaption" levels.

Nothing "wrong" with either method - whatever works for YOU. (and there's no "shame" in switching).

As far as the meter goes - go for one of the meters which will do both BG and ketones. You absolutely want to be able to do daily BG tests (which the ketonix won't do at all) and when you get to the point of actual nutritional ketosis (likely at least 2 or 3 weeks or more) it's the only testing method that will give you accurate and precise results.

See this thread for details.
BG BOHB Meters Thread

If you have any questions after reading it, feel free to ask them in that thread.

These symptoms sound like a mix of keto flu and something else. My thoughts on this are:

thyroid imbalance possible (Hashimoto's, hyper or hypothyroid)
Epstein-Barr virus (mono)
syncope (common in people with low blood pressure, which can make you exhausted just by itself, and a higher sodium diet is usually prescribed for syncope)
anemia (not all anemia is from low iron)
low vitamin D
adrenal fatigue from the significant event that occurred in your life
hypoglycemia

Another thought...if your BP, BG, and temp were only tested once, it doesn't make a pattern. It's a data point. I suggest you check it and track it at least weekly, and keep a spreadsheet along with symptoms.

To help with keto flu, make sure you eat enough sodium, and take your potassium/magnesium supplement. Also, eat enough calories for your activity level, and only do gentle exercising while you are converting to fat usage as your primary fuel.

From personal experience I suggest "hypothyroid!" The hair falling out, dry skin and exhausted by lunch, was my personal experience.
Glad you posted!