“Can a low carb diet help in controlling an overactive thyroid?”
My daughter has an overactive thyroid that is leading to weight gain and irregular periods. Will a low-carb diet help in controlling an overactive thyroid?
7 Answers
An overactive thyroid is associated with unplanned weight loss not weight gain and usually treated with thyroid blocking medications, radioactive iodine treatment to stop the overactivity of the thyroid system or thyroid surgery. If the hyperthyroidism is corrected and then changes to hypothyroidism because or radioiodine treatment or surgery, then weight gain associated with hypothyroidism can occur if appropriate thyroid hormone replacement is not prescribed or taken. Low carbohydrate (low carb or keto-diets) have shown success with weight excess especially when associated with insulin resistance conditions but not related at all to hyperthyroidism treatment. If there is weight gain and documented hyperthyroidism (not hypothyroidism), then thyroid blood levels should be checked to see if hypothyroidism has occurred and thereafter appropriately treated with replacement thyroid hormones. Stuart Brink, MD Senior Endocrinologist, New England Diabetes & Endocrinology Center (NEDEC) c/o NEDEC, 196 Pleasant Street, Newton Centre MA 02459-1815, USA phone 1-781-572-4533, e-mail: stuartbrink@gmail.com
Proper treatment of thyroid disorder could improve metabolism and appetite. Balanced low-calorie diet and exercise may help with weight.
A common cause of overactive thyroid is known as Graves disease. Dietary management has no proven effect on controlling the condition. This disorder is driven by elevated levels of antibodies which mimic the action of a normal hormone (TSH). Of course there are other reasons for high thyroid levels but I am unaware of any effective dietary methods alone which control them.
Thyroid is an important gland that makes important hormones. Thyroid hormone is one of the hormones the thyroid gland makes. Thyroid hormone is essential for controlling energy balance, growth and body repair. Sometimes the thyroid gland becomes abnormal due to many causes. It can be overactive (hyperthyroid) or under-active (hypothyroid).
When it is overactive it makes too much thyroid hormone (thyrotoxicosis) it doesn't need. The cause of the hyperactivity of the thyroid gland need to be identified. Based on the cause and magnetude of the disease treatment plan should be worked out. Watchful waiting, medical therapy, surgical removal or radio iodine ablation are some of the steps. In rare cases, iodine excess or iodine related thyroid overactivity can be encountered. In this case low iodine intake and symptomatic therapy will be instituted.
When the thyroid gland is under-active (hypothyroidism) the thyroid gland makes less thyroid hormone. The exact cause should be identified as management plans are different. In America it is mostly due to autoimmune disorder. But in third world country it is due to nutritional deficiency of iodine. Treatment depends on the degree of the disease and the cause of the disease. Treatment could be from close monitoring to medical therapy.
When the thyroid is under-active the person can have the symptoms of weight gain, fatigue, irregular periods, depression, cold feeling, constipation etc. In most cases there is no diet that will fix overactive or under-active thyroid gland. In few case were iodine excess or iodine deficiency is the cause, controlling iodine intake will be advisable.
Generally eating healthy diet (good nutrition with sufficient micronutrients) regular exercise, maintaining ideal weight, avoiding stress and good sleep hygiene is very important. You can see a good nutritionist to guide you about micronutrients that supports thyroid health.
Your daughter may have under-active hypothyroid not overactive thyroid. Dot confuse high TSH with overactive thyroid gland. If TSH is high in most cases it means under-active hypothyroid (hypothyroid). That may be why your daughter is gaining more weight. If thyoid gland is overactive it mostly leads to weight loss than weight gain. Low carbohydrate diet will not fix the thyroid gland. It may be good to loss weight but not treat thyroid diseases.
Maintaining healthy weight, regular exercise and eating healthy diet will benefit not only the thyroid gland but also the overall body health.
Please discuss about these issues with your doctor. It is very important that you follow your doctor's advice.
Good luck
When it is overactive it makes too much thyroid hormone (thyrotoxicosis) it doesn't need. The cause of the hyperactivity of the thyroid gland need to be identified. Based on the cause and magnetude of the disease treatment plan should be worked out. Watchful waiting, medical therapy, surgical removal or radio iodine ablation are some of the steps. In rare cases, iodine excess or iodine related thyroid overactivity can be encountered. In this case low iodine intake and symptomatic therapy will be instituted.
When the thyroid gland is under-active (hypothyroidism) the thyroid gland makes less thyroid hormone. The exact cause should be identified as management plans are different. In America it is mostly due to autoimmune disorder. But in third world country it is due to nutritional deficiency of iodine. Treatment depends on the degree of the disease and the cause of the disease. Treatment could be from close monitoring to medical therapy.
When the thyroid is under-active the person can have the symptoms of weight gain, fatigue, irregular periods, depression, cold feeling, constipation etc. In most cases there is no diet that will fix overactive or under-active thyroid gland. In few case were iodine excess or iodine deficiency is the cause, controlling iodine intake will be advisable.
Generally eating healthy diet (good nutrition with sufficient micronutrients) regular exercise, maintaining ideal weight, avoiding stress and good sleep hygiene is very important. You can see a good nutritionist to guide you about micronutrients that supports thyroid health.
Your daughter may have under-active hypothyroid not overactive thyroid. Dot confuse high TSH with overactive thyroid gland. If TSH is high in most cases it means under-active hypothyroid (hypothyroid). That may be why your daughter is gaining more weight. If thyoid gland is overactive it mostly leads to weight loss than weight gain. Low carbohydrate diet will not fix the thyroid gland. It may be good to loss weight but not treat thyroid diseases.
Maintaining healthy weight, regular exercise and eating healthy diet will benefit not only the thyroid gland but also the overall body health.
Please discuss about these issues with your doctor. It is very important that you follow your doctor's advice.
Good luck
Stuart Jay Brink
Endocronologist (Pediatric)
The question is a bit confusing since overactive thyroid problems, called hyperthyroidism or Grave's Disease, are associated with unexplained weight loss as the entire hormone system is in overdrive. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can be associated with irregular periods, however. Low-carb eating isn't directly related to either over- or under-active thyroid problems. But, with any weight excess, cutting back carbs allows the body to use less insulin and that combination can be associated with easier and significant weight loss for many people.
I'd also advise going back to your physician and medical team to review whether you are talking about hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
Stuart Brink, MD
I'd also advise going back to your physician and medical team to review whether you are talking about hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
Stuart Brink, MD
There is no published research that a low-carb diet will control an overactive thyroid. However, there are medications to treat an overactive thyroid.
Overactive thyroid ( hyperthyroidism) leads to weight loss and frequent menses. In the other hand, underactive thyroid ( hypothyroidism) leads to weight gain and skipping periods. Low carb diet is very healthy but it will not affect her thyroid status.
