Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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I have been dealing with what I thought were hormonal problems - acne, hairloss, fatigue, PMS and weird periods. When it did not stop I got my thyroid checked and I came back Hypo with an elevated TSH (other levels weren't measured yet). I had been off meds since starting Paleo with a low TSH, so I find that surprising. My liver levels were also too high. Z I tried different things, adding supplements, being much more strict (I cut out honey), but nothing helped. Upon researching I read about low carb paleo and high carb paleo when it comes to hair loss and a LOT of sites said going low carb too fast can actually cause thyroid like symptoms, including hair loss.

I was only eating 59g of carbs a day instead of my higher carb intake in summer, which was 70-110. I was not planning to get into ketosis, I am actually trying to gain weight, I just got tired of carbs like carrots and sweet potato.:(

Is it likely that this is my problem? And if so, how can I reverse the effects? I read that one needs to eat an insane amoun of carbs to get out of it? I am back on my usual 70-110 carbs and a bit more sugar from honey and fruit, I feel less fatigued but my hair is still coming out in clumps. I am so embarrassed to leave the house! I am 30 and female by the way.

flag	asked Jan 25 at 11:23 Mireia 105●6

	Could you post what you eat? – Anon Jan 25 at 13:05
	What supplements did you add? – Anon Jan 25 at 13:09
	A typical day starts with a coconut flour pancake with lots Of butter and some honey. Yesteray I ate 2 ground beed burgers with cucumber and mushrooms 5 tbs of Sauerkraut 3 tbs of Spinach 2 salmon filets 1 Banana 1/2 sweet potato 1 carrot 2 more pancakes with butter 10 almonds The pancakes need 4 eggs This is me trying to raise my carbs now though. Before I mostly ate meat and butter. Supplements: PMS: vitex, DIM, burdock root, milk thistle (this helped my pms and acne a bit) Vit.d 3, iron, fenugreek (for breastmilk, multi – Mireia Jan 25 at 16:45
	Iron is generally a bad idea to supplement. We get more than enough from the diet, even when we try to have a low iron diet. I wouldn't use that unless a blood test showed low iron. – Anon Jan 25 at 16:57
	Salmon is high in PUFA. Almond is high in PUFA. I wouldn't eat those while having a thyroid problem. Beef ribs and macadamia are low in PUFA. I personally found that my thyroid problem solved itself (although it took about 6 months) after I avoided all significant sources of PUFAs and started eating more fruits and dairy. I think it's good to research each vegetable to eat regarding its effects on the thyroid. Some are better for the thyroid if eaten cooked. – Anon Jan 25 at 16:58

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Anon · Accepted Answer · 2013-01-25 13:00:09Z UTC

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Do you consume significant sources of polyunsaturated fats? If so, stopping is very likely to help with thyroid function, although it takes a few months.

Some raw vegetables, such as cabbage, slow down thyroid function.

Paul Jaminet thinks a higher carb diet helps with the thyroid.

Potatoes are better then sweet potatoes, because sweet potatoes contain beta-carotene, and people with low thyroid function have difficulty converting carotene to vitamin A. When it isn't converted, carotene has an anti-thyroid effect.

answered Jan 25 at 13:00

Anon
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	Only about 10g a day, mostly saturated (110g) and monodaturated (60g). I haven't eaten sweet potatos since September and all was well before. I also can't eat regular potatos anymore, I will get inflammatory pains and acne. I get this with all non plaro foods, my body is not used to them anymore and Inwill get sick. Is there a way to find out if my body can convert the carotene? I do have a lot of Vitamin A in my diet from various foods by the way (not intended) – Mireia Jan 25 at 13:16
	If you get orange calluses, that means you have too much carotene. I would try increasing carb intake from fruits and/or dairy. Rice is not nutrient dense, that's why I wouldn't eat it. – Anon Jan 25 at 13:35
	Okay! About how many carbs a day would you think could reverse the low carb problems? And how much sweet potato is okay? I am fructose intolerant, I can now eat a moderate amount of fruits but still have to be careful. That is why I ate less sweet carbs. – Mireia Jan 25 at 16:53
	Dang, I really don't know. I can tell you my experience though. I used to have trouble eating fruits too, but then I removed ALL significant sources of PUFA from my diet, and in 3 months I was able to eat fruit and sugar without a problem. – Anon Jan 25 at 17:01

HuntingBears · Answer 2 · 2013-01-25 12:54:24Z UTC

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I have heard about the link between low carb and thyroid problems, maybe introduce white rice into your diet to add some variety

When I eat very low carb I get very anxious and depressed so I stick to about 120 grams of carbs a day (i think) I added in white rice as well, I think paleo is a guide not a strict rule

answered Jan 25 at 12:54

HuntingBears
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Having avoided rice for some time though, i now experience too many side effects when eating it. I fear it might really throw my body off. Is there other carb alternatives maybe? – Mireia Jan 25 at 12:57

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The side effects you're getting are likely due to low thyroid function. Low thyroid function increases allergies. – Anon Jan 25 at 13:40

I see. I noticed increased sensitivity to a bunch of foods. Occasionly I would eat cake or other things and it was not a problem until now...Now it causes me inflammatory pain, fatigue, brain fog, migraines, worsening of hair loss and acne. – Mireia Jan 25 at 16:49

RK · Answer 3 · 2013-01-25 13:22:15Z UTC

Here is a great article from Dr Cate about low carb and thyroid (you may have read it already):

http://drcate.com/going-low-carb-too-fast-may-trigger-thyroid-troubles-and-hormone-imbalance/

She basically says to eat carbs again until the symptoms stop, then start again, but SLOWLY reducing the carbs. I think this is fairly common in women as we get into the 30s and beyond. I especially hear of it a lot from peri- and post-menopausal women.

I would definitely try adding back in some white potatoes. Maybe even a little white rice (per Jaminet).

A personal anecdote: the first year I was paleo I would occasionally have this crazy intense craving for oatmeal. (about once a month ... hmmm). I would make a big bowl of gluten free oatmeal (from Bob's Red Mill) with maple syrup and cream (I don't usually eat cream either!). It was heaven. Then I would be fine. About a year into it, that craving finally stopped. Looking back, I guess it was my hormones learning to re-regulate; it was the only craving I had.

My mother also has the same issues, but hers manifests as massive exhaustion. She started eating a bowl of gluten free steel cut oats every few mornings, and it went away.

Of course oatmeal is not paleo, but it's not a bad concession (personal opinion) if you are trying to ease your body and your hormones into a new pattern.

Another thought: if you are trying to gain weight, you should consider going "primal" rather than paleo, and adding a little dairy, even if it's just heavy cream. (One of my fave treats is heavy cream on frozen blueberries - it freezes and tastes like ice cream). A few teaspoons of cream a day packs on the pounds for me. :)

VB · Answer 4 · 2013-01-25 17:00:57Z UTC

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Please read about Ray Peat and add some suitable carbs to your diet.

answered Jan 25 at 17:00

VB
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	As far as I know Ray Peat also eats carbs that are not Paleo or primal and I have been having severe reactions to them lately. Especially grains. – Mireia Jan 25 at 18:08
	Ray Peat is against grains. His favorite carbs are fruits and potatoes, but if you have a fructose sensitivity, you might have to work on other things before you can eat fruits. – Anon Jan 25 at 18:55
	I might test again to see how potatos affect me now. My first sign is always acne, then inflammation. – Mireia Jan 25 at 19:49
	Then I would not go anywhere near potatoes. Try carrots - they are very safe. – VB Jan 26 at 1:21

Lazza · Answer 5 · 2013-01-25 20:58:37Z UTC

Mireia, what about your high liver levels? What does your doctor say about this? I know zip about liver issues but might be this cause of your symptoms? Not sure how eating low-ish carbohydrate diet can cause liver problems.

As for your thyroid, it is essential you get free T3 and free T4 levels tested. An elevated TSH level is disconcerting but it might not be problematic really. Should your free T3/T4 values be low your doctor might want to prescribe something like Synthroid. I would also ask for additional thyroid tests to see if you have Hashimoto's (a thyroid autoimmune disease). If all you have is a slightly weak thyroid you might consider iodine and selenium supplementation.

Best of luck. Like you, I struggle getting ample carbohydrates because of IBS and GERD issues ... but I am doing okay. My TSH is also elevated but I don't have any overt hypothyroid symptoms. I do take an iodine (kelp) supplement and make sure I get enough selenium in my diet.

_Lazza

VandyGear03 · Answer 6 · 2013-01-25 20:59:04Z UTC

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I am no expert, but many people experience hair loss (even in clumps) from 3-6 months after giving birth. I'm sure you've already thought of this, but since you said you are breastfeeding, I thought I would mention it:

http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/symptoms-and-solutions/postpartum-hair-loss.aspx

answered Jan 25 at 20:59

VandyGear03
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I know and I had this after birth but it stopped 12 month ago and my hair regrew. It lasted for a shorter period of time and once there was regrowth it was over. But now I have regrowth on top of regrowth and ai am Shedding short hairs too. – Mireia Jan 25 at 22:20

Low carb - strong hair loss, PMS, thyroid, liver?

6 Answers