Low Carbing and Pituitary Issues???
Sorry for the long post, but I have some things on my mind! I went to the free clinic tonight, and after many hours of patiently (or rather impatiently lol) waiting, I got my new metabolic stats. I am excited to report, that since I started low carbing back in November when I was diagnosed, my A1C has gone from 10.5% to 5.5%. It's a tad higher than it would have been, had I not started having issues with morning sugars related to dehydration... but now that they are fixed, I expect the next one to be slightly lower, to about 5.3%, which is what it was a month ago, with one of those Bayer testers... :) I have lost 57 lbs, and I no longer have issues with high liver enzymes. My lipid profile is perfect, and my cholesterol is the lowest it has ever been. Everything came back perfect, pretty much...
The only thing which has not been perfect, has been my TSH. Now, I am a Hypothyroid Diabetic. I have been Hypothyroid since early childhood, and I am very well educated on how the Hypothalamus, Pituitary, and Thyroid glands interact, and I have always kept pretty close tabs on my Thyroid numbers, and my current hormone levels are all normal (T3, T4)... The only thing abnormal is my TSH (which is a hormone produced by the Pituitary, used to communicate with the Thyroid gland in order to control the levels of T3 and T4 hormone produced). Even with a decrease in Levothyroxine medication (even though my T3 and T4 hormones are doing just fine), from 150 mcg to 125 mcg, my TSH levels have plummeted from an already low 0.10 to a 0.01. They should have gone up! ... And are not responding. As the Free Clinic has no specialists, my Doctor is going to consult with an endocrinologist, and I am going to go for some further testing this coming week for Microsomal Antibody, Thyroglobulin Antibody, and PTH Intact Antibody Levels... Considering my other symptoms: dehydration (despite drinking lots of fluids), hair thinning, dry skin, constipation, sensitivity to cold... It seems apparent to me that I may have Hypopituitarism, or another similar Pituitary condition. Time will tell, when all the tests come back.
My doctor... Not finding much else wrong with me to blame the 'evils' of low carbing on... Told me to start eating more carbs to see if it would fix my Pituitary and TSH levels. heh I dunno what to say... I know SO many of you who low carb, have Hypothyroidism or Hyperthyroidism, and do NOT have these kinds of issues with your Pituitary... In fact, every resource I have found suggests low carbing is the best thing to do for a lazy Thyroid, and Pituitary gland. *shrug* She wanted to know family history, but I honestly don't know ANYONE else in my family who has or has had Hypothyroidism, or any Pituitary issues... Though the Pancreas and the Pituitary are counter regulatory glands... I just wonder... My immune system seems to be attacking everything... Kind of odd that I'm a Type 2, and not a Type 1... but whichever one, I am pretty sure I still would have gotten Diabetes.
... Anyone have some experience with this, similar stories, or even some useful insight? :)
Liz
Tags: Pituitary, Thyroid, low Carb, type 2 Diabetes
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mila on -
Interesting story !
My sister and I both have Hypothyroidism. My sister had a hard time getting a good diagnosis because her TSH was very low (0,02) while her T4 was in the low-normal range). It turned out that her Pituitary gland wasn't working well. But hardly any doctor seemed to know anything about this.
As for myself, I'm also a Hypothyroid diabetic (T2) and have a vitamin B12 deficiency, as well as my sister. When I finally found a good endocrinologist, he was sure that I was suffering of Polyglandular Autoimmune Syndrome, but after testing it turned out there were no antibodies at all.
I am curious about how your next results will be, and if they can find out why your TSH is so low.
And I have to get back to a low carb diet, because it helped me so much in the past. I actually can't believe low carbing could have a negative effect on the Pituitary. Have you tried already to raise your carb-intake?
Good luck, and keep on posting ! -
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Permalink Reply by The Diabetic Welfare Queen on -
When I went back, they they said it was probably a spurious result, and told me that they will just retest the TSH in 2 more months! So I have to live with the crazy symptoms I told them I was having, as well as be without a proper diagnosis for 2 more months! Since I don't have insurance, though, I can't fight them very much on this... They are a free, volunteer clinic that depends on donations, and are always very hesitant to do any exams, unless they feel 100% they have to do them... (though I feel 100% they have to do them)... :/ Sucks!
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Permalink Reply by Sarah on -
Lizmari - I recently joined a Google group you may be interested in - it's essentially all about hypothyroid and low carbing (or eating "paleo"). Check it out!
http://groups.google.com/group/paleothyroid
Not sure if you will find any answers there, but definitely good discussion and food for thought!
Check out this link, too - this is where it came from:
http://www.modernpaleo.com/paleothyroid.html -
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Permalink Reply by The Diabetic Welfare Queen on
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UPDATE: My TSH went up, but not by very much at all... so now, they've lowered my meds to 100 mcg (from the 125 they had already lowered them to.) I sort of worry that this will interfere with my T4 levels, and such... so if in 6 weeks time, when I need to go back for more testing, it's still too low, I'm going to demand other testing, instead of just keep messing with my Levothyroxine... Someone also suggested that all that weightloss I've had has lessened my need for thyroxine, and I think this might be true, too.
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Permalink Reply by Cleo on -
Lizmari- I can identify with many of your issues. I also have a thyroid problem which has not fully been resolved. But I'm mainly wondering how you were found to be a type 2. Did you have the GAD antibody test? I was told I was 'pre-diabetic', then after much low carbing to avoid becoming a type 2, I discovered that I was a type 1, but the slow onset type. It took about 7 years for it to become full blown, but apparently my beta cells were being demolished while I thought I was holding off diabetes by eating correctly. I wish everyone who is suspected of having or getting diabetes could be screened for antibodies.
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Permalink Reply by The Diabetic Welfare Queen on
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They will not do those tests on me... as they see no need. I'm overweight, and an adult, so they will always assume I'm a Type 2 who needs no other tests. My control is pretty perfect, as of right now... so until I drop somewhere, and need an ambulance, I won't get much help from them. I doubt that I am a Type 1... But I do agree with you on that everyone should be tested and screened, and no assumptions made.
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