Hi all. I have been lowcarbing successfully since May, 2001. I'm down about 26 lbs and have hit a bit of a stall. This was to be expected. However, despite all the wonderful advantages to this wol, I have developed some unsettling medical problems. Since May I have been diagnosed as hypothyroid, hypoglycemic and in the beginning stages of rheumatoid arthritis. Could there be some connection with my eating habits? I realize that most of you have had favorable physical benefits to lowcarbing and I thought I would too until all this stuff began to happen to me. Any words of wisdom from the learned and more longterm lowcarbers out there to help me with this? I'm beginning to think I'm sabatoging myself because I have never felt so awful in my life. I take many supplements and chart my foods in Fitday. I seem on track with the mainstream Atkins program. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks,
Lara

Gee Lara,

you do sound quite upset by all this . I am no long term LCer but still a beginner really . It's just that I also had a health scare and I understand just how you feel especially as we love this WOE so much .

As a medical person I feel that you have just begun to experience an autoimmune disease . It is most unlikley that so many organ systems would be affected in this way that seems to be autoimmune . You have been seen by specialist I presume?

I say listen to your body , if you feel uneasy , then try to go back to include CHO but I dont think it would change anything , maybe just make you feel beter .

Rob

I just read a post somewhere in here about the relationship between red meat, egg yolks and arthritis. I too have arthritis and am thinking that I might have to start preparing it the way that post suggests and eliminating the yolks from my diet. I wish that I had copied out the post, but you can run a search for it...

Holly

http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthre...ach%2A+AND+acid
I found it, I hope this works

Holly

You're right Lara, most of these medical conditions are actually lessened with LCing. I recently did some research on RA and LC for my mother as she developed it last year and I found some interesting discussions on the PP BBS (www.eatprotein.com). What kept coming up in the discussions was cutting out dairy Most of these people had RA or PA and were taking methatrexate; when they cut out dairy 80% of their pain and symptoms dissapeared.

My boyfriend has an auto immune disease (Crohn's) and has found the LCing has helped him enourmously. He no longer has to take his meds He has had to start adding more carbs into his diet to stop his weight loss and is having very few problems, HOWEVER if he so much as has any grains (esp. wheat) he gets violently ill.

Just a few things to think about. I would also suggest getting a copy of Protein Power Lifeplan and taking a peak at the chapter on Auto Immune diseases.

HTH
Nat

Thanks everyone for the info. Dairy and eggs feature greatly in my daily intake so I'll try to adjust that. I will check out your referrals and try not to abandon this wol because I do feel that it potentially is the best for me. I really appreciate everyone's input. Thanks again.
Lara

Sorry you're not feeling so hot, and hope things get better soon. Being someone with chronic, longterm health problems myself, I can relate ... and nothing ever happens overnight, it seems to take so darn LONG!

Considering the hypothyroid ... as long as you get adequately treated for the problem, then you should be ok. Meaning, when you've been prescribed enough of the right kind of thyroid replacement hormone, then you will basically be normal thyroid.

Hypoglycemia symptoms are best prevented by eating smaller meals and snacks more frequently. So 6 small meals instead of 3 big ones. Make sure you have some protein at EVERY meal and snack .. at least 5 to 10 grams. A celery stalk with 2 Tbsp natural peanut butter is great ... 9g protein, 8g carbs/3g fiber. Try to consume most of your carbs earlier in the day, when insulin is most sensitive. Meaning, because insulin is more sensitive to the presence of sugar in the blood, less of it will be produced. Late in the day, and overnight, insulin is less sensitive, so more gets dumped into the bloodstream in response to sugar. That's the whole problem with hypoglycemia ... it's not really about not enough sugar, it's all about too much INSULIN.

Doreen

Hello Doreen.

Many thanks for your input. Apparently after my last blood test, my thyroid level is okay. I'm thankful for that. It's just the dizziness and fatigue that I really am having trouble controlling. I do take my supplements too. I like the idea of more protein and the smaller meals. I will make a concerted effort to try this. I have been trying to stay at about 20g. carbs but will up this a little too. Thanks again.
Lara

P.S. Hate to be a whiner but everything was going so well for the first couple of months and then I started a downward slide. I'm determined to overcome all this because lowcarbing seems so right to me. Take care!

In July I was diagnosed with High Blood pressure and Diabetits. I was taking Zestril [for the HB], Glucatrol and Actos for the Diab. The Zestril gave me such a terrible cough that I would vomit. My Dr put me on all kinds of meds for allergies etc. I searched the web and found out that the hacking cough was a side effect. The Glucatrol, and Actos made me gain 23lbs (I was already morbidly obease). I got fed up with being sick and decided to try Atkins. When I was a kid this was the way that I prefered to eat (meat and veg), but picked up some nasty addictions (to food) along the way. Well, I no longer have to take the meds. I stopped taking the Zestril and the Cough went away (what a coinki-dink), I also stopped the fat pills ( I wasn't really eating anything that would produce enough insulin. What type of carbs. do you eat? ). Well, I went to the Dr's and my sugar levels have been good (over the past 3mos) w/out meds, and my Blood pressure (which at its highest was 197/100) is now 130/70. I owe it all to this way of life. It has been a God send. *I am not saying that you should stop taking your meds, you have to evaluate your own situation, but in this world you have to be your own "best advocate". The internet is such a great resource. Good luck. You will be fine.