New here…and a question
Question:
Does anyone have any experience of low-carbing with hypothyroidism and/or CFS? If so, i’d love any advice that anyone has.
I have Fibromyalgia and hypothyroidism, you will find walking to be good form of exercise (and yes do count the trip to the store as part of your walking. Low carb will really help with the pain; but you will need to find which foods are triggers and what health care helps you the best (massage and acupuncture help me). Also be very, very picky about your nutritional supplements. I find that time release multi vitamins work much better then the regular kind. I also take SAMe as it does help with the FM. COncentrate on the diet first, the exercise will get easier over time Be kind to yourself – Fibromyalgia is a great mystery (more of a symptom then a disease) — Dragon Mom started at size 28W, today wearing 18W, goal 16W started low carb Sept. 2000. 5′6" Female, age 50
Response:
Hi all =) I did the Atkins Diet a few years ago, and was very successful on it. However, about a year ago, I suddenly got ill and all the weight piled back on. I’ve just started Atkins again yesterday (must re-read the book to refresh my memory), but there are a few things about my personal circumstances which are different to last time I tried this and i’m wondering how they will effect weight loss. My illness was, ultimately, diagnosed as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and they’ve recently discovered that I have hypothyroidism too. This means that, due to CFS, I can’t exercise much at all and although i’m on Thyroxin for the thyroid problem, my weight has been pretty out of control. Last time I did Atkins I also did a lot of exercise, so i’m a little worried that being sedentary is going to put a spanner in the works. Does anyone have any experience of low-carbing with hypothyroidism and/or CFS? If so, i’d love any advice that anyone has. Emma
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hi all =) I did the Atkins Diet a few years ago, and was very successful on it. However, about a year ago, I suddenly got ill and all the weight piled back on. I’ve just started Atkins again yesterday (must re-read the book to refresh my memory), but there are a few things about my personal circumstances which are different to last time I tried this and i’m wondering how they will effect weight loss. My illness was, ultimately, diagnosed as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and they’ve recently discovered that I have hypothyroidism too. This means that, due to CFS, I can’t exercise much at all and although i’m on Thyroxin for the thyroid problem, my weight has been pretty out of control. Last time I did Atkins I also did a lot of exercise, so i’m a little worried that being sedentary is going to put a spanner in the works. Does anyone have any experience of low-carbing with hypothyroidism and/or CFS? If so, i’d love any advice that anyone has. Emma
I’m curoius as to why they would diagnose you as having two problems with the same symptomns, some of them anyway, hypothyroidism, where you’re absolutely knackered all the time, and CFS, where you’re absolutely knackered, er, all the time. Are you sure you’ve been properly tested? I have an interest here as I was assumed to have post-viral fatigue which turned out be hyperthyroidism and after treatment for that I am now permanently hypothyroidal. I’m on thyroxine too, by the way, and have just upped my meds by deciding to take two pills daily as opposed to the prescribed one. We may do well to compare notes from time to time. I need to lose the extra weight too as I want to take my black belt next year. BB MFW Britpack www.kruse.co.uk There is only one war, and it’s not the rich against the poor, the blacks against the whites, the Federation against the Borg, or the Democrats versus the Republicans. It’s those of us who aren’t complete idiots against those of us who are. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –
Response:
I had to keep increasing the doasge until my TSH is at between 0.05 and 0.09. Anything above 1 made me feel bad. I just strated low and waited several weeks and then added more until I finally felt better. It took several months…. but was worth the patience. good luck
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ronda, You mentioned you changed your Armour dosage several times during the months on Atkins. Was that change in dosage increases, decreases or varied? I am hypothyroid (though not Hashi) and have steadily had to increase my thyroxin dosage. ConnieW I was diagnosed with Hashimotos Disease (hypothyroid) 6 years ago. Gained weight steadily all that time. Went on Atkins in March and have lost 46 pounds. I changed my Armour dosage several times during the months on Atkins. I have never felt better. My cholesterol is way down (320-175) and my TSH is finally down to 0.06. I will never eat carbs like I did before. I feel too good without them. This seems to be a perfect diet for hypothyroid patients according to everything I’ve read about it. Remember though, your mileage may vary. Good Luck and monitor the TSH levels closely for the first few months. Hi all =) I did the Atkins Diet a few years ago, and was very successful on it. However, about a year ago, I suddenly got ill and all the weight piled back on. I’ve just started Atkins again yesterday (must re-read the book to refresh my memory), but there are a few things about my personal circumstances which are different to last time I tried this and i’m wondering how they will effect weight loss. My illness was, ultimately, diagnosed as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and they’ve recently discovered that I have hypothyroidism too. This means that, due to CFS, I can’t exercise much at all and although i’m on Thyroxin for the thyroid problem, my weight has been pretty out of control. Last time I did Atkins I also did a lot of exercise, so i’m a little worried that being sedentary is going to put a spanner in the works. Does anyone have any experience of low-carbing with hypothyroidism and/or CFS? If so, i’d love any advice that anyone has. Emma
Response:
I’m on thyroxine too, by the way, and have just upped my meds by deciding to take two pills daily as opposed to the prescribed one. We may do well to compare notes from time to time. I need to lose the extra weight too as I want to take my black belt next year.
I hope you had your doctor’s okay to double your thyroid meds! Taking too much is not a good idea. It’s not a ‘more is better’ kind of medication.
Response:
Hey Big Bill, better ask your doctor before you just decide to up your dose. They probably test your TSH level to adjust your meds. If you go the oppisite way you put yourself into hyper thyroid which has bad results also. You are probably within your normal limits 0.5-6.0 on your TSH test. Just check first ok?
Response:
| Fatigue is not actually the main symptom of CFS for me – the condition they | call Fibromyalgia (muscle pains) is – although there seems to be some | disagreement amongst CFS experts whether Fibromyalgia is a separate disease | all together or just another name for CFS (some call CFS ‘the disease with a | 1000 names). My other main symptoms are continual cramping in the back of | my neck, headaches, nausea, vertigo, dizzyness, depression, stomach upsets & | insomnia. I also became intolerant to alcohol and caffine and, from being a | real wine lover, I now have to avoid it at all costs as even one glass will | make me sick all the next day. Many of those symptoms are more associated | with CFS than they are with hypothyroidism. Hi Emma. My understanding is that many fibro sufferers find that a low carb diet is really helpful. And I’ve heard the same thing for CFS, although with some modifications. We used to have a poster – Cyndi – who suffers with fairly severe CFS and has used a modified, mostly vegetarian version of low-carb to partially regain her health. She has a web site with a lot of information, and I believe it’s listed in the Mini-FAQ or the FAQ, which you should read. Her URL is something like Immuneweb.org or something similar. She still posts here occasionally, but isn’t a regular any more. HTH HG
Response:
Ronda, You mentioned you changed your Armour dosage several times during the months on Atkins. Was that change in dosage increases, decreases or varied? I am hypothyroid (though not Hashi) and have steadily had to increase my thyroxin dosage. ConnieW
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was diagnosed with Hashimotos Disease (hypothyroid) 6 years ago. Gained weight steadily all that time. Went on Atkins in March and have lost 46 pounds. I changed my Armour dosage several times during the months on Atkins. I have never felt better. My cholesterol is way down (320-175) and my TSH is finally down to 0.06. I will never eat carbs like I did before. I feel too good without them. This seems to be a perfect diet for hypothyroid patients according to everything I’ve read about it. Remember though, your mileage may vary. Good Luck and monitor the TSH levels closely for the first few months. Hi all =) I did the Atkins Diet a few years ago, and was very successful on it. However, about a year ago, I suddenly got ill and all the weight piled back on. I’ve just started Atkins again yesterday (must re-read the book to refresh my memory), but there are a few things about my personal circumstances which are different to last time I tried this and i’m wondering how they will effect weight loss. My illness was, ultimately, diagnosed as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and they’ve recently discovered that I have hypothyroidism too. This means that, due to CFS, I can’t exercise much at all and although i’m on Thyroxin for the thyroid problem, my weight has been pretty out of control. Last time I did Atkins I also did a lot of exercise, so i’m a little worried that being sedentary is going to put a spanner in the works. Does anyone have any experience of low-carbing with hypothyroidism and/or CFS? If so, i’d love any advice that anyone has. Emma
Response:
You may also want to check out alt.support.thyroid as well…many of the people can give you plenty of advice. Some are on Low Carb plans as well. Cheers Julie (UK)
Response:
political correctness in alt.support.diet.low-carb , and said: I’m curoius as to why they would diagnose you as having two problems with the same symptomns, some of them anyway, hypothyroidism, where you’re absolutely knackered all the time, and CFS, where you’re absolutely knackered, er, all the time. Are you sure you’ve been properly tested? I have an interest here as I was assumed to have post-viral fatigue which turned out be hyperthyroidism and after treatment for that I am now permanently hypothyroidal. I’m on thyroxine too, by the way, and have just upped my meds by deciding to take two pills daily as opposed to the prescribed one. We may do well to compare notes from time to time. I need to lose the extra weight too as I want to take my black belt next year.
Hi Bill Fatigue is not actually the main symptom of CFS for me – the condition they call Fibromyalgia (muscle pains) is – although there seems to be some disagreement amongst CFS experts whether Fibromyalgia is a separate disease all together or just another name for CFS (some call CFS ‘the disease with a 1000 names). My other main symptoms are continual cramping in the back of my neck, headaches, nausea, vertigo, dizzyness, depression, stomach upsets & insomnia. I also became intolerant to alcohol and caffine and, from being a real wine lover, I now have to avoid it at all costs as even one glass will make me sick all the next day. Many of those symptoms are more associated with CFS than they are with hypothyroidism. I also have what they call ‘borderline hypothyroidism’ – my tests return outside the normal parameters…but only by a hair’s breath. I also have things which are not linked to hypothyroidism, but which *are* linked to CFS – namely extremely low blood magnesium levels (conventional thought is that this is what causes myalgia). I did think, and hope, that hypothyroidism would account for my illness – however I’m told both by my GP, and a CFS expert, that this is not the case and that it’s just ‘one problem’ they’ve turned up. The fact that Thyroxin has not altered any of my symptoms whatsoever would also seem to lend credence to their belief on that score. The two illnesses (well, 3 if you count Fibromyalgia as a disease unto itself), do appear to be linked and there is more information coming out about them all the time. You may find the following article interesting: http://thyroid.about.com/library/weekly/aa090897.htm Emma
Response:
I was diagnosed with Hashimotos Disease (hypothyroid) 6 years ago. Gained weight steadily all that time. Went on Atkins in March and have lost 46 pounds. I changed my Armour dosage several times during the months on Atkins. I have never felt better. My cholesterol is way down (320-175) and my TSH is finally down to 0.06. I will never eat carbs like I did before. I feel too good without them. This seems to be a perfect diet for hypothyroid patients according to everything I’ve read about it. Remember though, your mileage may vary. Good Luck and monitor the TSH levels closely for the first few months.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all =) I did the Atkins Diet a few years ago, and was very successful on it. However, about a year ago, I suddenly got ill and all the weight piled back on. I’ve just started Atkins again yesterday (must re-read the book to refresh my memory), but there are a few things about my personal circumstances which are different to last time I tried this and i’m wondering how they will effect weight loss. My illness was, ultimately, diagnosed as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and they’ve recently discovered that I have hypothyroidism too. This means that, due to CFS, I can’t exercise much at all and although i’m on Thyroxin for the thyroid problem, my weight has been pretty out of control. Last time I did Atkins I also did a lot of exercise, so i’m a little worried that being sedentary is going to put a spanner in the works. Does anyone have any experience of low-carbing with hypothyroidism and/or CFS? If so, i’d love any advice that anyone has. Emma
Response:
Hello all. I have been reading this newsgroup for a while, trying to figure it all out, but have never posted. Well… I still havent figured it out! I have went to several sites that have been posted here, and I still managed to be befuddled! (No, I am NOT the brightest light bulb in the lamp) So I have a couple of questions, and hope a few kind souls can help me figure it out! :O) I am 29 years old, have been overweight most of my life, and well, I’m sick of it! I have two children and we ( hubby and I) are not having anymore, so pregnancy and the dangers of dieting if that is a possibility are nonexistent. In any case, I have done the yo-yo thing, all the fads, the slim fast, all that good stuff.. and could probably buy myself a condo in Florida somewhere and a lifetime pass to Disneyworld if I had all that money back… :O) Well, I am still fat. I am still unhappy… and I heard about this low-carb thing, and thought why not, but I cant figure it out. I havent bought the book… I’m hypoglycemic, and currently battling high blood pressure… and I am on a budget that is so restricted that potatoes and beans are about all we can afford to buy…. so how do I do this diet, and stick with it? What am I supposed to do… what is stacking? Okay… I guess that is enough for one post. It has been delightful reading all of your posts and all of your successes… and thanks in advance for any help! Gamielle :O)
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[minor snippage] I havent bought the book…
When you get a chance buy Doctor Atkin’s New Diet Revolution or Protein Power (By The Doctor’s Eades). Hit the library if you need to, they should have one or the other. I’m hypoglycemic, and currently battling high blood pressure…
You sounds like you have a better than average chance of doing well on low carb. What am I supposed to do…
Start getting your fluid intake up to decent levels. by fluid I mean water. Water is really good for you, universal solvent and all that jazz. Try to hit about 64 ounces a day (the same 8 8 oz glasses that darned near everybody of any eating style wants you to get) and some say 8 ozs extra per 25 lbs you need to lose. Gamielle :O)
– Low Carb: 1/6/99 365/334/265 (Confirmed Meatatarian)
Response:
1) Hello and welcome back at ya. 2) Don’t worry about stacking for a while yet. Get comfortable with the new way of eating and then see if you still want to try it. 3) The budget can be hard to get figure out but you need to sit down and really decide what you are spending now. In my case it was McDonalds for lunch quite often but that did not count for my grocery bill. For less than eating at McD I can go to grocery and get 1/2 pound of lunch meat slice up in the deli and be satisfied. No more money spent on soda, we drink water. Chicken, tuna, mayo are all not that much. 4) When you say you are battling high blood pressure, are you seeing a doctor regularly for this? Are you on medication? Include your doctor, some are actually supportive of low-carb lifestyles. Your medication may need to be adjusted (most likely decreased). 5) You may have trouble the first 3 days having carb withdrawal. I had a headache for 3 days straight. Also, for some people, they have trouble due to toxins stored in the body’s fat cells being released back into the blood stream for elimination. This detox can be unsettling but it passes. 6) Don’t depend on good luck, it takes work. But if some good luck comes your way–take it. -Bill 265/201.5/180 since 3/1/98, restart 6/1/99 at 212 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all. I have been reading this newsgroup for a while, trying to figure it all out, but have never posted. Well… I still havent figured it out! I have went to several sites that have been posted here, and I still managed to be befuddled! (No, I am NOT the brightest light bulb in the lamp) So I have a couple of questions, and hope a few kind souls can help me figure it out! :O) I am 29 years old, have been overweight most of my life, and well, I’m sick of it! I have two children and we ( hubby and I) are not having anymore, so pregnancy and the dangers of dieting if that is a possibility are nonexistent. In any case, I have done the yo-yo thing, all the fads, the slim fast, all that good stuff.. and could probably buy myself a condo in Florida somewhere and a lifetime pass to Disneyworld if I had all that money back… :O) Well, I am still fat. I am still unhappy… and I heard about this low-carb thing, and thought why not, but I cant figure it out. I havent bought the book… I’m hypoglycemic, and currently battling high blood pressure… and I am on a budget that is so restricted that potatoes and beans are about all we can afford to buy…. so how do I do this diet, and stick with it? What am I supposed to do… what is stacking? Okay… I guess that is enough for one post. It has been delightful reading all of your posts and all of your successes… and thanks in advance for any help! Gamielle :O)
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I’m hypoglycemic, and currently battling high blood pressure… and I am on a budget that is so restricted that potatoes and beans are about all we can afford to buy…. so how do I do this diet, and stick with it? What am I supposed to do… what is stacking?
Someone will post the links to the FAQ soon enough to answer most of your questions, but here’s a link with respect to low-carbing and frugality. http://www.caprok.net/dgservices/
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4) When you say you are battling high blood pressure, are you seeing a doctor regularly for this?
Yes.. Atenolol, 25 mg a day… *yuck* Thanks everyone… who answered my post… and I am going to ask hubby to pick me up the book today… I certainly appreciate you all taking the time to answer! Also thanks to the person who posted the Low carb/frugal site… I plan to check it out thouroughly today… One more question…. I keep reading about "induction"… sounds kinda ominous… should I wear a black veil during this period?? LOL!!! Just kidding… LOL…Anyway, warped sense of humor aside.. I cant find instructions for all the steps… should I just wait and get the book, or is there a site that lays it all out for you??? Thanks again!!! Gam :O)
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Hi Booth’s wife, LOL…I like the idea of the black veil during induction. Maybe the guys can wear some kind of black hooded robe thing? I am fairly new here also, but wanted to let you know that the book does indeed lay out all of the steps for induction. In fact, the good doc is quite the writer; I enjoyed the book immensely and read in whilst on the treadmill (it doesn’t bother me to read and walk.) I like the frugal shopping site as well. Hmmm, think I’ll head back there and soak up some LC wisdom. Go for it! Here’s to the new slim you waiting to emerge! Ken BoothsWIFE wrote … Also thanks to the person who posted the Low carb/frugal site… I plan to check it out thouroughly today… One more question…. I keep reading about "induction"… sounds kinda ominous… should I wear a black veil during this period?? LOL!!! Just kidding… LOL…Anyway, warped sense of humor aside.. I cant find instructions for all the steps… should I just wait and get the book, or is there a site that lays it all out for
you??? …
Response:
I havent bought the book..
This newsgroup is wonderful, but you really MUST read one or more of the books listed in the FAQ (see the Low-carb Diet one at the bottom of my sig line) to "figure it out." There’s even a link there on Frugal Low-carbing, which should help with the budgetary aspects. If you can’t afford to buy the book(s) right away, then check at your local library. Most of the books mentioned in the FAQ should be available there. That way, you can read them before deciding which one to buy. HTH, Arlene 276/248/160 —started Atkins 2/21/99 Low-Carb Diet FAQ http://www.grossweb.com/asdlc/faq.htm Learn about Tourette Syndrome: http://tsa.mgh.harvard.edu/
