Yes, yes. I am hypo-thyroid. I am also diabetic. Carbs turn to sugar within the body. First, you need to become familiar with nutrition label on food. I cook from scratch most the time. You can research carbs on the internet. Become familiar with foods that have high carbs. This does NOT mean you cannot eat them. It just means you have to be careful when eating them. In moderation. I usually limit my carbs to 45 each meal and 15 during snacks. This is just a start. Don't expect to become familiar with it all in a few days. I've been doing it for YEARS, and still have to consult the charts.

I've weaned myself off of carbs, but like MaryTurk said, we have to be careful and pro-active in how many we actually eat. It takes time, but it sure makes a difference! When I have salads, I put garlic croutons in and I like the taste and the crunch. I have half a bagel with peanut butter or light cream cheese...I used to have a heavy hand.
I too have hypo-thyroid and diabetic (uncontrolled). My Endo. and I are working on me.. He's very knowledgeable and I trust him...which really helps.
You'll notice a difference so I think it's a great start. Very good post!

Hey there, when you get your labs if you feel comfortable doing so, please post them here and we can help you "take a look and interpret them" along with your symptoms if you'd like. Totally, up to you and good luck with the low carb diet.

I'm starting to figure out this low carb thing. I have been on it now for a week along with some exercise i lost four pounds already. Im still alittle confused on that labels at the grocery store though. If a person is on a 45 carb per day diet do you just add up all carbs of which you are buying and or eat throughout the day? I don't know thats where im confused.

Scott

Well hopefully your doctor is not just dosing by TSH. My daugher of 24 has been to a family doctor and and endocrinologist and they both say its all in range, and looks good. Even when I said Ft4 and Ft3 must be in the upper third of the range. See this TSH testing is just a money making business so they can sell all those drugs to people that are not properly treated like antidepressants, cholesterol drugs, diabetes meds and there is more. So please post your lab results here. Sorry had to vent. So frustrated with doctors. grrr

No bm63 i don't think my doctor is i trust him and he would not do something if it was not necessary. I have been stable now for over fifteen years now with no changes in my levels. I just need to lose some weight. It's hard eating low carb because the stores here have nothing but CR_P in them and it can become expensive to eat low carb because of all the ingredients you have to buy. In the state of Illinois obesity is at an all time high and people give up and say oh well i can't afford it so i will just eat CR_P and be happy. I am glad i don't want to be one of these people. I have done it once before i can do it again.

Scott

That's good 2magicman.Sometimes my mouth gets the best of me.

Welcome and great question. When something is fairly new, it takes quite a bit to get used to but don't ever get down on yourself which is easier said than done being so much is controlled by the thyroid affecting your weight, eyesight to a degree, hair loss can be a factor, dry skin (which is an effect of processed foods and the low thyroid I've come to believe). One of the biggest issues is to avoid a traditional 'American' diet assuming you're from the U.S. Is not so much 'low' carb, (which is a quick fix but not good for long), watch the 'types' of carbs which are culprits for sluggish thyroid and weight gain. Your metabolic rate gets slower based on what you're eating. This question does come up especially when you're not familiar with what to eat, what to avoid, etc. Alcohol #1 should be avoided or diminished. It turns to sugar, which thickens your blood, the thyroid which is your baseline defense to things being absorbed that's definitely a no-no. SOY (processed), avoid it like it is an alien which (processed) soy is the worst for your thyroid. Too many soy products make their way into processed foods specifically being it is an additive and easy to cultivate in a lot of regions of the world. Natural soy is another story. Consult your dietitian or endocrinologist for that info. Foods which are rich in iodine are good. Berries of every kind are beneficial as well as fish (not farm raised), avoid broccoli and cauliflower which are known as cruciferous vegetables same with cabbage and brussels sprouts. Also, when your thyroid is low, it seems like you might crave iodine which is partially true but make sure it is not a ton of salty stuff especially table salt. It's best to use seasalt if that's your take. Additionally, at the healthfood store or vitamin place by you, I've been told that typically those who have low thyroid also have lower levels of vitamin D in their system. Alot of times those with low or hypothyroid might be vitamin D deficient. Your endocrinologist might recommend a vitamin D supplement (NOT cows milk to get your vitamin D).. Think of in the summer months if you live in four season area, when the sun is out and you're soaking it in that's the best vitamin D you can get but think also of winter months not to mention skin damage from too much sun exposure.. Lastly, I'd avoid most processed anything. We are in a bad place in the country with SO much temptations of processed foods, commercials, cute cartoon characters promoting bagged snacks, etc. They're HARD to avoid especially with a low thyroid because you're seeking salty things alot of times (hence the low iodine). I am not a doctor, I've just read alot about it on top of a see-saw thyroid issue for nearly thirty years to which the last two I've gotten better at managing. We assume being like everyone else is hard to change your diet and other habits. If you drink alcohol, cut it out. Not only for anyone is it not the best for you but it wreaks havoc on your endocrine system with or without a thyroid issue. Lastly, exercise. A lot of times when your thyroid is low, you just want to chill on the couch with a bag of snacks, the remote control to the tv or a book and veg out. Looking from a person who is sixty lbs. down from their heaviest, exercise was the last thing I wanted to do but it started with walking a block, then two then a mile then four, then six, etc. Now, there's a seven day routine done which has put me back to my normal weight for most of my adult life as well as oodles of energy naturally from exercise. Research YOGA if you're not doing it now. There are many lighter yoga practices and you'll find one that works for you. I used to have this friend who pushed yoga, yoga, yoga on me and I was not hearing them because is hard to take advice from those who don't practice what they're preaching. You probably didn't ask for all this info but I sure wished I might have had some of this before becoming a guinea pig on myself to find out what works and what doesn't. Good luck and best to you getting things situated with your health. It will happen if you desire it to even when you feel like you can't get a grip on things. Nothing happens overnight but that's o.k. if you stay for the long haul. Lastly is a good book to read on the subject called; "The Thyroid Solution Diet: Boost Your Sluggish Metabolism to Lose Weight" by Ridha Arem will help. It goes into greater detail but was a great book to read on what is good and isn't. Best to you.

I also went on low carb earlier this summer. I cut out everything grain based (breakfast cereal, bread, rice, oatmeal), everything with sugar, and everything that comes in a colorful plastic package. I didn't realize it at the time, but I went Paleo.