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KC's Log
Started Garret Smith's Low A program in February 2019, after reading Grant's work, and the ihealme blog that extolled the miracles of the program (until they changed their minds and deleted that post).
I have Hashimoto's thyroid disease, which is an autoimmune disorder resulting in hypothyroidism. And it's a bitch. Struggling against the brain fog is the worst, but there are lots of other symptoms. I take NP Thyroid, which is similar to Armour Thyroid. The "natural" versions of thyroid work better for me than the synthetic (Synthroid, etc.).
So something remarkable has happened to me while following this program.
My TSH levels (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) have been steadily going down on their own. This is extraordinary, for me, without an increase in meds.
When I started in February my TSH was 3.6. That's considered on the high end, and normally I'd talk to my medical practitioner about increasing the medication. Most of us are "best" at around 1.0. I put best in quotes because if you have Hashimoto's, the medication helps you maintain your life, but it's not a cure, and it doesn't alleviate all symptoms. It just helps to make them manageable.
And my TSH levels tend to creep up and up and up unless the medication is increased. Once my reading was over 100 -- which is so high they ran the test twice to be sure it was correct.
But in July of this year, my TSH had dropped to 1.69. That was astounding to me. In the decades since I have been diagnosed, my TSH has never, ever reduced on its own. Never.
In November, my TSH had dropped again to 0.83. What? Amazing. Truly amazing. Completely unprecedented for me.
Could Low/No Vit. A get me to a place where I reduce, or even eliminate the medication? I don't know but I'm not stopping now. Next TSH test will be sometime in February.
I follow the eating program 90 to 95% of the time. If I'm visiting family or friends, traveling, I accept what I'm offered with gratitude and eat it. From time to time I have some cheese or something else that's verboten on the program, and I drink alcohol occasionally. Currently I'm not supplementing with anything, vitamins or otherwise.
Congrats KC - that is fantastic news, great to hear it. It's cool that you've been tracking it to the extent you have. I had a TSH over 80 about 10 years ago, with tons of fatigue at the time. Look forward to reading your progress reports.
@kc wow those are really good results - so pleased for you. I don’t have any thyroid experiences to add. I follow the GS diet in a similar way to you - mostly but not obsessive. I use a few minerals (from testing) & now some B vitamins. Would like to be totally supplement free as poisoning myself with vitamin A supplements has made me very wary!
I think it’s sensible to include plenty of high B1 foods because of the B1 deficiency info GS has been talking about & also I’ve been reading the Dr Derrick Lonsdale book. I’ve increased black beans, macadamia nuts & sunflower seeds - because I like them too 😀
Just popping in for a quick update since my previous post in December.
Just had my TSH tested and it's gone down...again. My November 2019 reading had been 0.83.
Two days ago, the new reading is 0.084, and my meds for Hashimoto's are being lowered.
This is just astounding. In one year to go from 3.6 to 0.084...it gives me a glimmer of hope that maybe in another
year I can be off the meds.
My inflammation has decreased, too.
Thank you very much for these good news!