AVOID The Carnivore Diet If You Have Thyroid Problems

There's no question that changing the food that you eat every day can have a huge impact on your thyroid.

For this reason, thyroid patients are always looking for the best diet.

This search for the best diet leads a lot of them to the carnivore diet which promotes itself as one of the best diets available.

But is it true and should you try it if you have thyroid problems?

I'm going to argue no, for 4 main reasons:

1. Carbohydrates are needed for optimal thyroid function.
Low-carb diets have been associated with low T3 levels and high reverse T3 levels, the same pattern seen in chronic illness.

2. Decreased carbohydrate intake increases sex hormone binding globulin and decreases the activity of sex hormones.
Low-carb diets like carnivore can increase SHBG which can reduce free testosterone and free estradiol levels. This can then impact your thyroid.

3. There are better ways to lose weight.
There's nothing magical about the carnivore diet that you can't get with other whole-food diets.

4. Low-carb diets cause sleep disturbances.
Thyroid patients already have trouble with sleep and going low carb can make this problem even worse.

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Disclaimer:

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

[venomgt]

I lost 55lbs last year on the carnivore diet. And I've had hypothyroidism for 10 years. All my blood work was clean.

[TracyR]

I have hypothyroidism. I have tried tons of diets throughout my life. I have finally gone ketovore ( far more meat than veg, no fruit.working on to go all carnivore) what I can say is I feel much better. This is the first time in decades I feel better. I have more energy, I had pain in my joints, feet, hands. Pain is gone. My periods are far more predictable, my insulin is now normal, no more bloating and stomach issues. I'm happier . Heart palpitations, gone. Have been doing this for 3 months and have lost 14lbs so far.
1. We don't need sugar to survive. It's fine to get some from low carb veggies but that's truly all we need.
2. As our bodies heal, we don't need as much thyroid hormone.
3. People are drawn to the ketogenic/carnivore diet is because you aren't starving yourself. Not because of rapid weight loss. The weight loss is a byproduct of your new way of eating. People will comply with something where they actually feel satisfied with. It's not because they aren't complying it's because we aren't made to starve.
4. People generally on this diet previously had sleep issues to begin with. I know I did. It had nothing to do with the diet and this is the first I've heard of anyone saying people had sleep issues due to the diet. Eating sugar doesn't make you sleep better. Scare tactics?
All I can say is, If you want to feel better. Give this a try. If you have an auto immune issue, definitely do carnivore. I know Dr. Ken Berry's wife Niesha put her condition into remission and no longer needs any medication. You can actually search and find another person who reversed their thyroid issue with carnivore. All I know is I followed recommendations like this that Dr. Westin is recommending and is has kept me sick for most of my life. I am finally feeling like a human being. My advice, try it, you won't regret it.

[TheresaGraf]

This video makes absolutely no sense to me. I lost 179 pounds on first keto then carnivore. I now am more ketovore and my hypothyroidism is very well managed on Armour Thyroid. I feel so much better, too!

[ReneeCharles-qb]

I’m keeping this video saved solely for the comment section. Never before have I read so many testimonials about how much the carnivore diet has helped improve lives. After trying it for a month, I’m sold on its effectiveness and benefits.

[myrna]

I have hypothyroidism. I’ve tried every diet in the last 30 yrs to include healthy vegan and nothing has balanced my body more than carnivore. 7 months on carnivore (no dairy), Here are my personal results:
I sleep well at night, I no longer have a monthly migraine to go along with a super heavy menstrual cycle and I now have a average predictable cycle without PMS, insulin is normal, liver is healthier, I have consistent energy levels throughout day, cognitive function has improved, I’ve lost 65 lbs to date, my thyroid no longer hurts and my drive for living has returned.
I do my research and listen to what the good Dr. Child’s and several doctors have to say, I read books, look at the research. I make sure I address any nutritional deficiencies, take vitamin, amino acids, minerals, etc to support my body. I meditate, exercise, and take care of my mindset. It is a holistic approach. I Listen to my body and I keep an opened unbiased mind to all information before I discern what works for me and what doesn’t. So far carnivore has helped the most, to each his/her own.

[museitup]

Low T3 levels does not mean dysfunction. You can change your free t3 levels just by changing how much carbs you eat, because T3 is needed for carbohydrate metabolism. TSH is typically unaffected. This is really basic stuff, kinda disappointed that Dr Childs is so misinformed on this. At this point there are thousands of doctors that have reviewed human biochemistry on keto and proved that it does not negatively affect the thyroid.

[flempa]

Carnivore has helped heal my thyroid conditions. It’s been amazing! I’ll never go back to carbs

[MichYankeeFan]

My blood work is dayum near perfect! Hypothyroidism for 9 years. Hashimoto’s for 4. Tried every diet except for keto or carnivore because the drs and other “experts” said that’s the worst I could do for my thyroid health. I’m not sure what they’re smoking other than the “keep them all sick so I can make a mint off these dummies” cigars! My health began improving immediately. One issue after another. First, inflammation down. Joint pain gone, lifetime insomnia and migraines gone. Brain fog gone. Gastritis, ulcers and gerd gone! Energy level of a 30 yr old (I’m 55). Depression & anxiety almost gone. Iron deficiency anemia gone!! B12 deficiency gone. I’m 2 years carnivore. I now allow an avocado for extra fat and to change it up, some olives, and a strawberry-banana-kefir smoothie every now and then. Otherwise I’m carnivore and I’m pissed I listened to the ignorant drs that won’t bend an inch after only taking 6-8 hrs of thyroid class in college. I’m now my own expert and ONLY use my dr for lab work and rx for my NDT and T3. Dr won’t even discuss my massive improvement. Just says keto/carnivore is not good long term and I will see that soon enough. I said, it’s better to take that risk than to be a dead woman walking and su!c!dal because of my health being in the garbage 24/7. I’m living again and that’s all that matters. Oh! And I lost 45 pounds and almost at my college weight again! 🤷🏻‍♀️

[rosealex]

That’s funny because the carnivore diet is the only thing that makes my thyroid symptoms go away.

[TakeTheRide]

I was vegan, not eating any animal products. I switched to carnivore. A1C went from 9.9 to 6.8, all this in the first eight weeks. Triglycerides 1475 fell to 419. Lost 20 lbs. Thyroid balanced out; my hair quit falling out. Started sleeping better, not having to take Ambien constantly. Doctors were impressed and shocked. It may not work for all people but it is certainly is working for me. So much more energy now & clarity of mind. 🎉

[lisap]

I have hypothyroidism. I was vegetarian most of my life. Have recently been eating red meat at least twice a week. I feel so much better with much more energy !

[lms]

Carnivore 2 + years and my thyroid antibodies have come WAY down.
Lost 50 lbs, no depression, no anxiety, no fatigue, no brain fog, no joint pain, no gas or bloating.
Best thing I’ve ever done for myself.

[ilovehuera]

Carnivore is what got rid of my graves disease 🎉

[museitup]

My TPO antibodies are going down for the first time in 20 years after going carnivore

[davidjones]

Never felt better on carnivore. Dropped 2 trouser sizes, no more anxiety and TSH levels are coming down.

[Acmdru-Ang]

I have to disagree with you on this. Between moving to Carnivore along with tirosant-sol, such I started because of you, I actually have energy for the first tone in 19 yrs. I’m sleeping through the night and my lab work, including my thyroid numbers, are leveling out. I haven’t felt this Good since before I was diagnosed. I eat Carnivore and specially no processed food at all. I think that’s the point you missed. I would recommend looking into Dr Elisabeth Bright, especially for women, asks Dr Chaffee, Berry and Baker Studies can prove anything you want it to these days

I think more of the takeaway is to remove processed foods. Even “natural” fruits and vegetables are no longer natural they are bioengineered and still a problem.

[cassandrabond]

Carnivore is awesome. More than 3 years for myself and hubby and going strong even after my hubbys brain injury with a brain bleed from a fall off a ladder.

[paolamolinari]

This is disappointing Dr Westin that’s a total fallacy. My husband is carnivore and his hashimotos and hypothyroidism had never been better. He’s been a carnivore for 6 years and just recently had the best thyroid test results he’s ever seen. This is bad information. There’s zero need for carbohydrates, have you not heard of gluconeogenesis?? I help many people with their diet and when changing to carnivore, their testosterone has increased and thyroid numbers have improved.

[StitchingWithLove]

Looks like the people have spoken, doc.

[HappilyCarnivore]

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 2016. Between then and 2023 they only ever had to increase my medication. I went carnivore three years ago out of necessity (I literally only feel well eating only meat, fish, and eggs AND my health has improved in every conceivable way), and when I went carnivore they had to REDUCE my medication for the first time ever. Three times they've reduced it. I added vegetables back in and not only did I go back to feeling like garbage, but they had to raise my medication again. I'm going back to carnivore because that's 100% what's right for my body.