Is The Ketogenic Diet Safe For People With Hypothyroidism?

The ketogenic diet has a lot of health benefits, and the fact that it is effective in weight loss has made it even more popular. We have discussed the health benefits of this diet plan in various articles, but is it associated with some health problems? Well, to respond to this question effectively, we need to keep in mind how the body functions and the macronutrients it needs.

Every day, we need a balanced diet. Ideally, the body will function properly if it is provided with all the necessary macronutrients. However, you will always be advised to seek medical advice whenever you are considering a drastic change in diet. Carbohydrates are the primary source of energy in the body under normal circumstances.

Nevertheless, keto is a low carb diet plan, and therefore, the body works differently, specifically when it comes to energy production. Instead of oxidation of glucose, the liver breaks down fats to release ketones, which are now the primary fuels. Do you want to try keto? With a keto diet macros calculator from SimpleKetoTest, an effective diet plan can be desired for you, depending on what you want to achieve. In this blog, we are going to discuss whether a ketogenic diet is suitable for hypothyroidism. Let us see.

To begin with, hypothyroidism is a disorder resulting from the failure of the body to produce sufficient thyroxine hormones. Generally, thyroxine is a growth hormone essential for repair and metabolism. Individuals suffering from hypothyroidism are plagued with constant tiredness, weight gain or even hair loss. Other symptoms include extreme cold and feeling low among others. According to studies, this condition affects about 2% of the world’s population and is more likely to affect women compared to women. Just food alone is not sufficient to cure this disorder. Nevertheless, a blend of the appropriate nutrients and medication is beneficial in this regard. What about the ketogenic diet? In case you are in the state of ketosis, the body will be oxidizing fat at a faster rate than you can actually provide it. You will fantastically shed pounds. Apart from losing weight, you will also be feeling healthy as well as proper brain function.

Whenever the level of thyroid hormone drops, the hypothalamus stimulates the production of Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone (TRH), which in turn stimulates the production of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) by the pituitary gland. The TSH stimulates the production of thyroxine T4 that is inactive thyroid hormone. In general, the circulation of T4 is under the control of T4. Some Active Thyroid Hormone, T3, is converted from T4 within the thyroid. In case the T4 amount gets to their required level, the release of TRH is repressed, and therefore, the release of T4 slows.

The Effect of Keto

Since the keto diet limits the intake of carbohydrates, it can cause a significant drop in the level of active thyroid hormone T3. This is due to the restriction of calories, though the reduction does not mean you are undersupplied with the hormone, or perhaps you are likely to have hypothyroidism. The condition is caused by the drop of T3 as well as other issues such as a considerable drop in the metabolic rate, unusually high TSH and oddly low T4 levels.

With the drop in T3, the metabolic rate is expected to drop as well. Nonetheless, no study associate this to a keto diet. Keto diet does not just focus on changing the body fuels, but instead increases insulin sensitivity, lessen inflammation, boost leptin sensitivity, etc. so then, does this mean that while on keto the thyroid usually works with various hormone levels? It is possible, for instance, lower insulin and T3, though higher insulin sensitivity.

One scientific study claims that a ketogenic diet contributes to hypothyroidism. In this work, the thyroid hormones were analyzed in 120 drug-resistant epileptic kids after being on keto for a year. The results showed 16.7% of the children were diagnosed with hypothyroidism and had to be subjected to thyroid medication. This study concluded that the diet plan stimulates thyroid malfunction. Nonetheless, the same study showed that a ketogenic diet might have improved thyroid function in other children with an anti-epileptic drug- prompted thyroid impairments. Other studies do not show any significant contribution of keto to hypothyroidism. The researchers established that keto leads to thyroid malfunction. They further recommended that thyroid function needs to be closely monitored among an individual’s epilepsy but on keto.

In another study, children were examined in two years. The results showed a change in thyroid function changed. In fact, the difference was too pronounced among:

• Individuals who were on keto relatively longer
• People plagued with seizures in life
• Those with high cholesterol and triglycerides.

Again, the same conclusion was made, that if some patients are on a ketogenic diet, it is essential to monitor their thyroid function.

So, what conclusion can we make so far? If you are on a specific diet that results in lower levels of insulin to the extent that the liver cannot effectively make T3 and T4, you are involuntarily damaging your thyroid. This is a result of pushing the levels of these hormones too low.

Nevertheless, the studies we have so far cited only focused on children. What about adults? Well, the earliest studies on the effect of a keto diet on thyroid were carried out on adults. These studies examined how low carbs, though not low in calories, impacted thyroid hormone among adults. From the findings, the low carb diets lessened T3 but raised reverse T3.

The same conclusions were made on starvation as the body struggled to limit its metabolic rate for fat storage as well as starving off infection and death. In another study involving absolutely healthy individuals, the same deductions were made. The thyroid function lessened among individuals on keto. The T3 was reduced while reverse T3 was elevated, even when calories remained the same.

The low thyroid function has various implications on the body. For instance, you are likely to experience:

• Weight gain
• Hair loss
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Higher chances of chronic diseases

In light of the above, keto diet lowers thyroid functions, not only among children but also in adults. This assertion has been proved by several studies. For this reason, the diet is not suitable for hypothyroidism. However, it remains an effective diet for weight loss.