Did you tell your doctor you were doing LCHF/Keto etc

Curvycurly223
Curvycurly223 Posts: 44 Member
Hello everyone,
I have a doctors appointment tomorrow and I've lost some weight since the last time I was there so I'm sure my doctor will be curious about what I've changed. I've had my blood work done maybe a year ago with no problems. I'm 27. Not sure if that means she'll do blood work again this time. But I'm just curious how your doctor reacted to LCHF?
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Replies

  • HaveToKeepMoving
    HaveToKeepMoving Posts: 18 Member
    I saw a new doctor last monday, he kind of just blew it off and wanted to get blood work for a starting point.

    Seeing him next week, we'll see how he reacts when I come in with a 6lb drop in a week
  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member
    My doctor didn't ask any further questions beyond "what have you been doing to lose weight?"
    I told him very low carb diet. He just nodded. I then said, "ketone producing level of low carb"... He then said, well, it's certainly working and nodded approvingly. That was the end of it.
    My Gyno asked me the same thing and the conversation went similarly except that she said she believes every woman should go low carb as they approach 40 even if they haven't yet developed any metabolic disorders. She said that she recommends it to many patients.
    Anyway, here's an article you may want to give a read before your appointment.
    http://asweetlife.org/feature/why-your-doctor-may-question-a-low-carb-diet/
  • GaleHawkins
    GaleHawkins Posts: 8,159 Member
    I have been thinking about this since I am doctor shopping.

    Keep in mind a few of us can have really screwed up blood work even for the first year if we are dropping weight. Others eating LCHF do not have this temporary crazy blood work results.
  • FIT_Goat
    FIT_Goat Posts: 4,224 Member
    edited April 2016
    I told my doctor exactly how I eat. She was not thrilled. She gave me a pretty extensive handout on healthy eating (whole grains, 5+ fruits and veggies a day, lean meats, etc.) and a lecture about health being more than just weight. Then she scheduled me for a fairly exhaustive panel of blood tests (just about everything my insurance would approve without an out of pocket cost to me) to prove how sick I must have made myself in a year of eating that way.

    When nothing came back out of normal ranges, she calmed down a bit. She still doesn't like it and seems eager for the day when something goes wrong. I don't mind. I would rather have a doctor looking for a problem than one who was trying not to find one.

    I also showed up with what numbers I knew (average blood pressure over the previous couple months, average resting pulse, average non-fasting total cholesterol over the previous year, etc.) just in case the results that day happened to be odd or not in the expected range.

    I believe in being completely honest with my doctor. They are only going to be able to do their best if you provide accurate information.
  • macchiatto
    macchiatto Posts: 2,890 Member
    Not right away, but I was between primary care drs when I started. I think I was a few weeks in when I saw my MS specialist. I didn't tell them. Then I saw my cardiologist and new primary care dr just within the last several weeks. I wasn't sure how they would react (esp since the cardiologist sees my husband as well for CAD and their cardiac rehab people are big on low fat, whole grains, etc.) but they were both very supportive. It may have helped that by the time I saw them, I had reached my goal weight and my lipid panel was good before I started.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    He knows I'm pretty much protein and veg. How could he complain. :) he loves my blood work year after year.
  • sammyliftsandeats
    sammyliftsandeats Posts: 2,421 Member
    I went in for a blood test today. Thyroid function and pregnancy were the things she was looking for.

    I told her about my messed up menstrual cycle and told her that I changed my diet. I didn't say LCHF in particular but she just brushed it off as "oh that won't effect it"...which I found a bit weird because as many people have posted in this forum before, Keto does mess with your menstrual cycle.
  • Phrick
    Phrick Posts: 2,765 Member
    My doc suggested low carb and when I decided to go to keto levels I absolutely kept him in the loop.
  • mao1962
    mao1962 Posts: 33 Member
    Low carb was suggested to us by my husband's cardiologist, and my rheumatologist is very supportive as well.
  • motown13
    motown13 Posts: 688 Member
    Why yes, yes I did.... just today, in fact.
  • macchiatto
    macchiatto Posts: 2,890 Member
    mao1962 wrote: »
    Low carb was suggested to us by my husband's cardiologist, and my rheumatologist is very supportive as well.

    I'm curious; what cardiology issues does your husband have?
  • auntstephie321
    auntstephie321 Posts: 3,586 Member
    I told the np at my endo office and she heard what she wanted to hear and wrote down "heart healthy diet"
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    The doctor that handles my thyroid issues knows. He became an othomolecular doctor (specializing in nutrition). He advised me to go Atkins style about a year before I did. He's very happy with me. :)

    My old family doctor just told me to read less.
  • anglyn1
    anglyn1 Posts: 1,802 Member
    My primary care and my cardiologist both approve. My rheumatologist says if it's helping then she has no objections but I might consider adding a little fruit at some point. Overall everyone is supportive!
  • KarlaYP
    KarlaYP Posts: 4,436 Member
    I've been very upfront with my ketogenic diet. They can't dispute results when they are right in front of them. They need to know, so they can learn too! They do not know everything!
  • RalfLott
    RalfLott Posts: 5,036 Member
    I have been thinking about this since I am doctor shopping.

    Keep in mind a few of us can have really screwed up blood work even for the first year if we are dropping weight. Others eating LCHF do not have this temporary crazy blood work results.

    Uh-oh, that's news to me.. Do you have a good source of info on TCBW syndrome?

    Thanks!
  • CMYKRGB
    CMYKRGB Posts: 213 Member
    My doctor recommended low carb, then I took it one step further going keto. She knows and supports it.
  • ladipoet
    ladipoet Posts: 4,180 Member
    I did tel my doctor but that was only because I knew she would be pretty open to it and thankfully she was. She's delighted with my progress and every time I go in for a check or blood/lab work, she always makes the same comment: "Just keep doing what you're doing!" lol
  • neohdiver
    neohdiver Posts: 738 Member
    Yes. Of course. Doctors can't do their jobs if there are gaps in their information - so whether they agree with what I'm doing or not, my doctors get complete information (diet, exercise, OTC meds, alternative meds, etc.)

    Fortunately, my doctor my diet - so full disclosure didn't result in a long conversation about whether it was healthy or not.
  • SamandaIndia
    SamandaIndia Posts: 1,577 Member
    My Doctor recommended low sugar /low carb to handle candida over population in my gut that was causing fatigue. Honestly, I could hug the guy. Took 2 years to find him n have someone take me seriously. Within 1 week back to sparky self. 5 mths later, 10 kilos lighter and getting close to my "ideal" weight.

    I am trying our no calorie counting challenge, since 10 March when I went to USA for work n ate too much! After a gain, my weight is now dropping back down to where I started and I am happy, not hungry n healthy. Be interested to see where it naturally settles.
  • LowCarbInScotland
    LowCarbInScotland Posts: 1,027 Member
    I just moved and had to change docs, she didn't ask about my diet,so I didn't tell. I did share with my diabetic nurse that I was taking a lot less insulin, though I didn't tell her how much less exactly because I didn't want to lose my prescription for test strips. She didn't ask why, but I volunteered that it was due to diet, she asked how I was eating, I said ketogenic, she said, "huh?" so I just said low carb. But I did share a few days of my menu with her and she was happy with it, but honestly, I didn't get the feeling that any of them cared anyway. I miss my doc in the US. We have a Skype appt quarterly because I want a medical professional in my life who knows me and cares about me. I'm very honest with him, we review my test results done here and he's very supportive and pleased with my success, but then he's a very forward thinking doc, hence the willingness to Skype with me.
  • lisawinning4losing
    lisawinning4losing Posts: 726 Member
    I'm impressed by how many people in here have used keto/hflc to overcome medical conditions. I'm also here for my health and well being just as much as losing weight.
  • GaleHawkins
    GaleHawkins Posts: 8,159 Member
    RalfLott wrote: »
    I have been thinking about this since I am doctor shopping.

    Keep in mind a few of us can have really screwed up blood work even for the first year if we are dropping weight. Others eating LCHF do not have this temporary crazy blood work results.

    Uh-oh, that's news to me.. Do you have a good source of info on TCBW syndrome?

    Thanks!

    Dan put me on to Keto Clarity a book by Moore that explained it well.
  • Dragonwolf
    Dragonwolf Posts: 5,600 Member
    I went in for a blood test today. Thyroid function and pregnancy were the things she was looking for.

    I told her about my messed up menstrual cycle and told her that I changed my diet. I didn't say LCHF in particular but she just brushed it off as "oh that won't effect it"...which I found a bit weird because as many people have posted in this forum before, Keto does mess with your menstrual cycle.

    When you really dig into it, it's astounding how much the medical industry have historically denied the effects of diet on just about everything. The fact that these same doctors are often so quick to prescribe pills makes the cognitive dissonance that much more mind-boggling.
    Hello everyone,
    I have a doctors appointment tomorrow and I've lost some weight since the last time I was there so I'm sure my doctor will be curious about what I've changed. I've had my blood work done maybe a year ago with no problems. I'm 27. Not sure if that means she'll do blood work again this time. But I'm just curious how your doctor reacted to LCHF?

    I've had mixed results with doctors, and have found that the specialists have a better understanding of LCHF/keto and are more receptive to it, though my situation is complicated by the fact that my "results" are sporadic and kludgy thanks to PCOS, so I don't have the "I lost 100lbs eating this way" elephant in the room (yet). I do have superb bloodwork, though, including improving PCOS markers, so the doctors that see that can't really argue. My Endo is actually quite on board with it, because it's having positive effects, and her son has even been following keto since joining the Columbus Crew (professional soccer team, the trainer has the whole team on keto)!

    One thing I've found to be a decent indicator of receptiveness is what their patient load looks like -- Do you see the doctor for less than 5 minutes? Does the time with the doctor feel rushed? Is the waiting room crowded for the number of doctors in the practice? These are indicators that the doctor is running on volume, which makes them less likely to be keeping up with the latest research and changes in things like dietary information, and less receptive to an alternative way of eating like LCHF or any real discussion on it. If, however, they focus more on quality and spend more time with each patient, they may be more open to dialog about LCHF.
  • DittoDan
    DittoDan Posts: 1,850 Member
    Both my endo and family doc gave me high 5's when they saw the results of my weight loss and blood work.

    Then, I went to them for about 6 months after that. Then I quit going to them every 3 months (I'm diabetic). I feel so good now and my blood glucose levels are normal, that I don't need to pay a $30 copay x two doctors every 3 months for them to say, "Keep doing what you're doing".

    So, I only go to them when something goes wrong, nothing has yet, except a small calcium deposit on the side of my foot. It doesn't hurt, so I am reluctant to go see them.

    I hope this helps,
    Dan the Man from Michigan
    Keto / The Recipe Water Fasting / E.A.S.Y. Exercise Program
    v1bk0hqkhxv5.jpg
  • T1DCarnivoreRunner
    T1DCarnivoreRunner Posts: 11,502 Member
    I have both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and have struggled with weight loss from the beginning. My endocrinologist is always happy with the meager losses I've shown, but I'm not. Last time I saw him, I complained (again) about how little I lose. He explained (again) about how taking insulin makes it hard to lose weight (it is a bit more complicated than that, but I understand what he is trying to say). So I said maybe I should take Symlin to cut insulin, and that I would cut carbs to cut insulin too (I will always need to take some insulin even when I eat nothing, but more carbs means more insulin). He was fine with that, and wrote a prescription for the Symlin. I suggested that it would help stabilize BG's and we would see if it had any effect on weight loss.

    I also asked about low carb and Symlin, and we decided to only take it if I eat more than 30g of carbs at a time. I've only taken it a couple times and that was a month ago. One time I should have and was at work without the pen with me (32g of carbs for a meal, so barely over), and a couple times I was treating a low, so it would have been a bad idea to take the Symlin.
  • slimzandra
    slimzandra Posts: 955 Member
    Yes. I told both Primary Care and Ob/Gyn I've been doing LCHF. Both gave me a thumbs up.
  • 60to35
    60to35 Posts: 297 Member
    My doctor had a heart attack last year. He was in great shape- a former ultra marathoner. When he recovered he switched to LCHF. He talked to me about it and said he gets to eat way better stuff now- "What's better than sausage and eggs for breakfast?" Glad he told me- it's changed my life.
  • T1DCarnivoreRunner
    T1DCarnivoreRunner Posts: 11,502 Member
    60to35 wrote: »
    My doctor had a heart attack last year. He was in great shape- a former ultra marathoner. When he recovered he switched to LCHF. He talked to me about it and said he gets to eat way better stuff now- "What's better than sausage and eggs for breakfast?" Glad he told me- it's changed my life.

    LOL

    That reminds me of a conversation I had last year, well before I started low carb. I was hiking in a large national park, woke up and ate some oatmeal for breakfast before hiking out. The plan was to hike out of the park that morning and drive on to another destination that evening. Anyway, it was only a few miles to the trailhead, and it took a little longer than it should have (there was a wildlife-related delay), but it still wasn't even 10am before I get to the trailhead. I was quote hungry and really wanted some sausage, eggs, and bacon... I had a craving for meat and fat.

    Well, there is this tiny little town on the edge of the park and they clearly rely on tourism to this park because they even had an "information center" for the town (it couldn't have been more than 1,000-2,000 residents). So it opened at 10am, and I got there right as they were opening. So I asked for a place where I could get brunch, specifically asking for "a place that has sausages and bacon and eggs... you know, the good stuff." I can't forget the guy's reaction... "Awwwww yeeeeaaaahhhh...... you gots to have the good stuff!" (I don't remember all of our exact words, but we definitely understood each other's sentiment.
  • DorkothyParker
    DorkothyParker Posts: 618 Member
    I've always just used quick clinics when sick. What does a primary care physician do? How do you find one? My family never had a family doctor before even when I was a kid. I have a gyno from my pregnancy, but I don't get the primary care stuff.

    My work does annual testing of blood and stuff and I've always been super awesome so not totally stressed on it, but thinking it's a good idea to get a doctor for my husband and I. (Kiddo has a great pediatrician, I wish she was my doctor!)