Lecture 81: Thyroid Health and Low-Carb Diets: What Lower T3 Really Means with Dr. Ben Bikman

Learn more about becoming an Insider on our website: https://www.benbikman.com (Auto-Translate: You can click the gear icon at the bottom of this video to auto-translate captions. For example, to translate into Polish, select Subtitles, choose Auto-Translate, then first choose English, then choose Auto-Translate, then choose Polish.) This week in The Metabolic Classroom, Ben explores the effects of a ketogenic diet on thyroid function, addressing concerns that lower thyroid hormone levels observed during the diet may indicate dysfunction. Dr. Bikman begins by explaining the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis, a regulatory system that controls thyroid hormone production. The thyroid gland produces two primary hormones, T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine), with T3 being the active form that influences metabolic processes. He emphasizes the concept of negative feedback within the HPT axis, explaining that normal TSH levels generally indicate a well-functioning thyroid, even if T3 levels are lower. Ben also reviews a commonly cited study that observed decreased T3 levels in individuals following a ketogenic diet. He introduces two key explanations: improved thyroid hormone sensitivity and reduced glucose metabolism. Improved sensitivity means that lower levels of T3 are sufficient to maintain metabolic functions, while reduced glucose consumption on a ketogenic diet lessens the body’s need for thyroid hormone to regulate glucose uptake. The classroom lecture then delves into the concept of thyroid hormone resistance, a condition linked to metabolic disorders like obesity and type 2 diabetes. Dr. Bikman references studies showing that thyroid resistance is real and measurable, often associated with elevated TSH and thyroid hormones in individuals with metabolic syndrome. He speculates that a ketogenic diet may enhance thyroid sensitivity in these individuals, reducing the need for higher T3 levels. Dr. Bikman also highlights T3’s role in glucose metabolism, particularly its regulation of glucose transporter proteins like GLUT4. On a ketogenic diet, where the body relies more on fat and ketones for energy, the demand for T3 to facilitate glucose uptake decreases. He draws parallels between lower T3 levels and lower insulin levels, noting that both can reflect improved metabolic efficiency rather than dysfunction. In conclusion, Dr. Bikman reassures those on a ketogenic diet that lower T3 levels do not necessarily indicate harm. If TSH levels are normal and no symptoms of hypothyroidism are present, the changes may reflect a healthy adaptation to the metabolic state induced by the diet. Show Notes/References: For complete show notes and references referred to in this episode, we invite you to become a Ben Bikman “Insider” subscriber. As a subscriber, you’ll enjoy real-time, livestream Metabolic Classroom access which includes live Q&A with Ben, ad-free Metabolic Classroom Podcast episodes, show notes and references, Ben’s Research Reviews Podcast sent to your inbox weekly, and a searchable archive that includes all Metabolic Classroom episodes and Research Reviews. You can learn more about becoming an Insider on our website: https://www.benbikman.com Timestamps: (approximate) 01:05 - Overview: Ketogenic Diet and Thyroid Concerns 02:06 - Basics of Thyroid Function: The HPT Axis 03:26 - Negative Feedback and the Thyroid “Thermostat” 05:30 - Thyroid Hormones: T3, T4, and Their Roles 07:35 - Effects of Thyroid Hormone on Cellular Metabolism 09:39 - The Link Between T3 and TSH Levels 13:37 - Improved Thyroid Sensitivity vs. Thyroid Damage 14:40 - Thyroid Hormone Resistance in Metabolic Disorders 16:55 - Studies Supporting the Existence of Thyroid Resistance 19:57 - Thyroid Hormone, Insulin Receptors, and Fat Cells 21:01 - Glucose Metabolism and T3 on a Ketogenic Diet 23:13 - T3’s Role in Regulating Glucose Uptake 26:49 - Parallels Between T3 and Insulin Levels on Keto 27:51 - Conclusion: Adaptation, Not Dysfunction 28:51 - Final Thoughts on Keto and Thyroid Health Ben’s favorite yerba maté and fiber supplement: https://ufeelgreat.com/usa/en/c/1BA884 Ben’s favorite meal-replacement shake: https://gethlth.com (discount: BEN10) Ben’s favorite electrolytes (and more): https://redmond.life (discount: BEN15) Ben’s favorite allulose source: https://rxsugar.com (discount: BEN20) Ben’s favorite health check-up for women: https://choosejoi.co/drben15 (discount: DRBEN15) Ben’s favorite health check-up for men: https://blokes.co/drben15 (discount: DRBEN15) Ben’s favorite exogenous ketone: https://www.americanketone.com (discount: Ben10) #KetogenicDiet #ThyroidHealth #T3Levels #ThyroidFunction #MetabolicHealth #LowCarbDiet #KetoScience #ThyroidHormones #DrBenBikman #HormoneRegulation #ThyroidResistance #KetoAdaptation #KetoDietBenefits #ThyroidSupport #Endocrinology #KetoLifestyle #TSH #ThyroidMetabolism #GlucoseMetabolism #MetabolicClassroom #InsulinResistance