Does Keto Cause Thyroid Problems? Keto & Hypothyroidism

Should you avoid the keto diet if you have thyroid problems? Will the ketogenic diet cause hypothyroidism or low thyroid function? The answer is maybe.

I'm not a huge fan of keto for thyroid patients for a few reasons and we will be discussing those reasons below. Having said that, there is a time and a place for using the keto diet if you have thyroid problems.

Will keto cause thyroid problems? Probably not, but it may trigger it in some people or make it worse in others. It’s not the keto causing it per se but it’s the fact that you were probably bordering on hypothyroidism anyway and that just happened to be the trigger.

It’s also the case that some people who do keto with existing thyroid disease will get worse. Not most, not all, probably not the majority, but some. So that is a risk worth considering before you go on it.

Some of the pros of the keto diet include:

May cause rapid weight loss (sometimes but not always)

Impact on insulin and blood sugar

Treats depression, cognitive function, and memory

May be better for appetite control

Some of the cons of the keto diet include:

May not work as well for women as men

May reduce free T3 levels and increase reverse T3 levels (appears to be proportionate to carbohydrate intake)

May increase cholesterol levels

May deplete minerals/nutrients

Easy to do wrong (unhealthy versions)

Key takeaways for thyroid patients:

1. Keto can work for thyroid patients, I’ve recommended it on thyroid patients and have seen success.

2. I’m hesitant to recommend it long-term as it hasn’t been well studied.

3. Healthy keto is probably much healthier than the standard american diet, so if you like eating that way and the alternative is worse, then it’s probably okay to continue the keto diet.

4. As a thyroid patient, if you have tried other diets without success, then trying a keto diet is probably okay. If it leads to weight loss then the pros probably outweigh the cons.

5. If you feel worse on the keto diet or you see that your thyroid gets worse, then stop doing it!

6. If you want to be safe, keep an eye on your thyroid lab tests after starting it. If you both feel worse and see a drop in your thyroid labs then you have an answer. If your thyroid labs get worse but you feel better then it’s unclear what you should do from there.

Disclaimer:

Dr. Westin Childs received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic medicine in 2013. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Childs is no longer practicing medicine and does not hold an active medical license so he can focus on helping people through videos, blog posts, research, and supplement formulation. To read more about why he is no longer licensed please see this page: https://www.restartmed.com/what-happe...

This video is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, treatment, diagnosis, prescription, or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Childs and you. You should not make any changes to your medications or health regimens without first consulting a physician. If you have any questions please consult with your current primary care provider. Restart Medical LLC and Dr. Westin Childs are not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other information, services, or product you obtain through this website or video.

#thyroid #hypothyroidism #hashimoto's