The Carbohydrate Sensitivity and Thyroid Connection

Are you one of those people who doesn’t tolerate carbohydrates very well? You may crave carbs, but within an hour or two of eating them, you start to develop symptoms of low blood sugar. You may be tired, irritable, and hungry. There could be a connection between your carbohydrate sensitivity and thyroid.

You are definitely better off limiting the carbohydrates you eat, especially refined carbs. But you should also check your body temperature. If it is low, you may have low metabolism due to low thyroid function. Low thyroid function has been associated with insulin resistance and increased insulin secretion–both factors in carbohydrate sensitivity.

To check your body temperature, use as accurate a thermometer as possible. A liquid metal (Galinstan, not mercury) thermometer is more reliable than most digital thermometers. Unlike mercury, Galinstan has low toxicity and is safer. Take your temperature by mouth, every three hours, three times a day, starting three hours after waking, for several days. For each day, add the three temperature together and and divide by three to get the average. (For more information, see “How are Body Temperatures Measured?”)

If your temperature consistently averages below 97.8 F (36.56 C) you may have low thyroid function. You may have this even if you have normal blood levels of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) and have been told your thyroid is normal. This condition is known as Wilson’s Temperature Syndrome (WTS). People with WTS may have trouble converting T4, the inactive form of thyroid hormone, to T3, the active form. Taking supplemental T3 can raise your body temperature and normalize metabolism.

Your doctor can call us at 800.420.5801 to get more information about how to use T3 and to discuss your individual case.
Some people may also benefit from thyroid support herbs and adrenal support herbs. Proper diet, exercise, and sleep are also important to keep blood sugar metabolism normal.

REFERENCES
Kowalska I, Borawski J, Nikołajuk A, et al. Insulin sensitivity, plasma adiponectin and sICAM-1 concentrations in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism: response to levothyroxine therapy. Endocrine. 2011 Aug;40(1):95-101.

Maratou E, Hadjidakis DJ, Kollias A, et al. Studies of insulin resistance in patients with clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism. Eur J Endocrinol. 2009 May;160(5):785-90.

Rai S, Kumar J A, Shetty SK, et al. Thyroid Function In Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and in Diabetic Nephropathy. J Clin Diagn Res. 2013 Aug;7(8):1583-1585. Epub 2013 Aug 1.