Thanks, Lisa. That is alarming. I asked and they said this diet did not cause this. I'll get more info on Monday.
What I can't figure out is I have lost 3+ a week every single week I followed phase 1 so if my thyroid is shot, how could I get such great results? My coach kept telling me what optimal results I was getting so not to change a thing. I can't determine how much I have lost since my symptoms got so bad because I deviated from phase 1 in an effort to make myself feel better and my symptoms just got progressively worse so it seems very weird that there was no impact on weight loss in first 5 months.
But, as I said, I'll know more Monday.
I know there was a dramatic change in my energy level from end of 2014 to mid-Jan 2015.

I had no impact in WL for the first 6 months before the thyroid disruptions finally caught up with me. You are not alone.

So the saga continues and for those following, I thought I would share an update. This isn't intended to be a blog about my IP/health journey but an intention of sharing information so that it may help one or more of you. I found the visit very insightful and I am hoping you will too.

First- what caused me to seek treatment is that there was a dramatic change in energy and constant headaches and light-headedness that became more pronounced when I attempted to exert myself. The weakness led me to conclude it was a strength issue related to not being able to workout for many months. I experienced this dramatic difference in well-being after about 6 months of being strict Phase 1. I thought I had an electrolytes problem from some research I had done.

Here's an explanation as to what was found.
The doctor, an internist familiar with Ideal Protein as well as other weight loss programs, ordered advanced blood testing from the get-go as he had clues based upon my symptoms - he ordered advanced thyroid and iron testing in addition to standard blood test.

Test Results
Hypothyroidism due to critically low T3
My blood work reflects #2 in the linked article
http://chriskresser.com/5-thyroid-pa...dard-lab-tests
It also shows abnormally high platelet count (inflammation) and high LDL (bad cholesterol) that he believes is due to thyroid which he believes will normalize when thyroid problem is resolved.
He believes Cortisol is high - we are getting further testing on that and DHEA (adrenal testing).

Here is what he says about the diet, how it is being administered and monitored, etc:
1 - it is a nutritionally sound program, emphasizing fat loss vs weight loss, which is doubly good
2 - it is not being monitored correctly within the clinics. He said given my height and muscle mass and commitment to protocol, I should have received the results that I have in half the time if not for thyroid. He said a blood test should have been done before and during and they should have caught this.
3 - He said because it is a nutritionally sound program it masked the underlying thyroid problem until it reached a critical state; more reason why it should be monitored through blood work, etc
4 - he said it is being administered as "one size fits all" when it needs to be personalized. For example, he said that no one should have advised me that I could not workout - he said it should have been personalized for me to accommodate overall fitness goals and that waiting until Phase 4 to workout is for someone who has never worked out before so he said the protocol is normalized based upon the average and should be personalized for the individual for those that seek that (I wish I had gone to him 7 months ago).
5 - he believes the clinics should be administering periodic detox cycles for the IP plan. He said that the fat that is released from the cells go into the bloodstream and build up. Our body views them as toxins so we need to cleanse them out. He said even though IP is nutritionally sound, it is still processed food so for those 2 reasons, he advises detoxing periodically (see below for what it is).

As for me personally, he says my numbers are good and he does not want me dieting any more. He said the last 10 pounds/last few body fat % points I want to lose will happen naturally with thyroid being fixed, and if not, he says my current numbers are good where they are. As I have never properly transitioned before, this was a sense of relief to have a medical doctor review my health/fitness scores and say it is good
He says that he doubts there will be any sort of net gain with transitioning off due to offset by thyroid getting fixed but that we'll re-evaluate if that happens.
My transition off is different than P3. It is 10 days of a detox program with T3 hormone so that my cells are getting the energy they need while we fix the underlying thyroid issue (probably with adrenal help to address high cortisol and resolve inflammation/high platelet count). The detox is a no calorie counting, organic, no processed food regimen where food groups are mixed and matched together throughout the 10 days with supplementation - it is basically a 10 day anti-inflammatory diet.
I have a follow-up appointment on Friday to see how I am feeling as he believes that I will feel dramatically different on 2 days of T3 hormone. We are also going to do a follow-up blood test in 3 weeks to check thyroid as he expects improvement but he believes in 3 months we will cure thyroid/adrenal problem.

He said that there is more research done on thyroid and that a cure vs long-term maintenance is a reality. He said I would get a very different treatment plan if I took my lab results to an endocrinologist who has been practicing for many years vs a Northwestern graduate practicing for a couple - the newer doctor would be well-versed on the info in that article I linked. In fact, he said that these are now licensing exam questions and that missing one is automatic failure.

I start my treatment tomorrow.

I hope you are able to glean some info from all of this and apply it if/when it makes sense. I think the bottom line is to challenge the clinics/coaches - it is your health and well-being! And, if you are doing this on your own - don't...partner with your doctor to ensure you are getting optimal, healthy results. For someone who has white coat syndrome, that is saying a lot as I have always avoided the dr until I couldn't.
I don't buy into the logic any longer that it is easy and designed so you don't have to think, etc. The truth is that this is an extreme program and should be more closely monitored - thyroid issues should be suspected, ruled out and then monitored as we all have/had weight issues.

Wow Ro. It sounds like you found a great doc! Those are as elusive as good IP clinics. If there were a medical doc office offering a clinic around here, I'd probably go for it. All I've found is Chiros who add IP by hiring a coach and keeping it basically separate. I found one medical doc but they don't monitor either. Glad you've found true support

I really think so, Lisa!
What I didn't write in the update is he met with me for 90 minutes to review in detail my lab results, what they mean, my treatment plan and challenged me to ask whatever questions I had. Overall, my appointment was 3.5 hours with him and then his staff (exercise physiologist and nutritionist/dietician) with a follow-up on Friday. They said that someone who commits 7 months to a strict protocol like this is worth their equal commitment :-)

Btw, I see you are in St. Louis. He is in Chicagoland suburbs - it may be worth your while to visit given your overall thyroid struggles and such. If not, he did mention having out of state IP patients via the internet - I am not sure how that works but I could ask him on Friday if you would like. I don't know if it is a partnership with local clinics where he is reviewing/ordering tests and individualizing the program.

I was really amazed and impressed by him. Far into the appointment, he shared with me that he has leukemia. He shared this with me to tell me how important nutrition and fitness is and that nutrition is the first type and most important medicine. He said that he has always done his blood work every 6 months (he advises everyone to do this) and 3 years ago, he got his blood test back that showed leukemia. After getting it re-tested numerous times by different labs with same result, he asked his oncologist friend out for a drink and masked the patient name and asked his opinion and he said that I give this patient 6 months to a year to live. He said he went into a bit of a depression over it and stopped practicing for a bit but overcame that and became more committed to his clinic in regards to this type of education and helping patients as he says that through nutrition and fitness, he has kept his labs in a steady state for last 3 years without chemo, etc.

In regards to this, one of the tests he has ordered for me is a food sensitivity test because he said that can cause inflammation and wreak havoc on the system. He showed me his test that he has included as part of his nutritional plan which he believes is helping maintain his labs vs a progression in the leukemia. He said that he has a lot of professional athletes as patients for this as nutritional counseling is part of their contracts including the food sensitivity analysis due to what the inflammation can do to their achieving their optimal performance.

It is a blood test that takes a few weeks for the results. He said that given that I don't have much variety in my diet, I have an increased risk to becoming sensitive to the foods I eat due to overexposure and could be a factor in my platelet count being high (inflammatory response). It will be interesting to see what is revealed there. I forgot to ask him about soy as it relates to thyroid - I am going to do that on Friday. He did not mention to me about avoiding soy but that could be that we just haven't gotten to that part of the treatment plan yet as the 10 day detox does not have soy.

Ro - that is fantastic! You must be so relieved to get some answers, affirmation about the IP program overall, and a solid plan moving forward.

Thyroid is such a tricky thing. I was diagnosed with hypo a few months after my son was born. So I knew going into IP that it might be an issue, which is why I go through my endocrinologist's office. My check up in January showed my numbers are still stable, but she wants me to get tested again once I get under 200# and reach goal.

Wow, Ro!.... just.... wow! What a doc - one in a million! Best wishes on your T3 & detox protocol!

Liana

I have to admit I was completely lost in the grocery store - took me 2.5 hours to shop for 10 days :-)
After 7 months of IP P1 and now a different program; although it is only 10 days and probably similar to when folks transition from P1/P2 to P3. Many things I bought that I haven't bought in a very long time (fruits, sweet potatoes) or ever (quinoa, rice milk, etc). It is interesting but I find more challenging than IP. They took away my main source of protein - turkey and chicken. They want me eating fish - I don't eat fish so I stocked up on legumes as the alternative option. I don't even know what to do with them lol. They gave some recipes. I guess I'll figure it out but boy it is hard especially feeling the way I do.
I guess what I can say is IP as well as this detox have opened me up to new foods - I have never heard of jicama or chayote squash nor had I eaten rhubarb - all of which I did recently and now I guess I'll be further exposed to things like rice milk and legumes.

Ro22- That article is very interesting. It sounds like you found one of the few doctors who know what they are talking about and are not dismissive about thyroid issues. Please keep us updated on revelations with him. Did you post which doctor you are seeing?

I did not. If you are interested, PM me.

I had a follow-up today to report that there has been no improvement
We are doubling the dose over the weekend with a follow-up on Monday. I am not having any side effects from what I am currently taking and T3 is so low, that it warrants doubling up.

Headaches and light-headedness continue in addition to weakness/fatigue.
I dropped off the adrenal test stuff today which will take a few weeks to get the results.

I have seen a number of posts where IPers are having similar symptoms well into the program as I did. I hope you are following up with your doc to get advanced thyroid test.

I had my follow-up today (had to move it from Monday due to work crisis).
I told him I have much more energy since doubling dose and no side effects. I swear that he is more relieved than me

Headaches, light-headedness and some dizziness remain. The headaches are less frequent though as they were constant and now they come and go but I have noticed that physical exertion is a trigger.

We are waiting on adrenal results and tonight he ordered testosterone test too given what I am reporting now that I am receiving thyroid treatment for a week and did detox diet. I did 7 days and told them I am stopping as I feel bloated because I am not getting enough protein as the only high protein option is fish that I don't eat. I am now abruptly in maintenance without a plan so I will figure out a game plan in the morning. I know I will have poached eggs with toast in the morning - something I have craved for almost 8 months!

I am going to the gym in the morning also to get back to weight training so I will resume my Body Sculpting Bible for Women workout tomorrow. If I physically can't handle it given that I am not 100%, then I will back off. But, right now, and this is weird to say and feel, but I am craving it. I feel weak, flabby, and bloated in spite of maintaining my weight since late Jan.

I won't get the remaining test results back until week after next. So, I don't yet know full treatment plan or duration and am still coping while less than 100% (going back to traveling for work next week). Once I do, I am going to discuss cause and effect with him to factor into my long term maintenance plan as I have more data to suspect Ideal Protein was an important variable in my abnormal hormone results, and I will share my findings once I validate or disprove to offer some avoidance tips for anyone interested in my experience.

Once all is resolved, I plan to repeat my resting metabolism test to get updated BMR and also get active one and calculate my maintenance plan calorie consumption allotment. In the meantime, I will count calories and closely monitor scale. This is a time I need to be careful. I took today as my cheat day so I hope I feel up to gym workout to begin the burn as my goal is to raise metabolism to be allowed to eat more for weight maintenance.

Ro, such important information you are sharing, thank you. Does the Dr. feel there is a direct correlation between following the IP protocol and developing hypothyroidism? That is, does he feel IP caused the hypothyroidism? (Edit - just reread your previous post and see that he said he did NOT feel it was related). I suspect not, since he said the program is medically sound, but I see so much chatter on this forum about 'thyroid' that I can't help but wonder. Since we all obviously were or are overweight to begin with, is it a matter of having, but not being aware of, an underactive thyroid prior to starting IP, and it just being discovered during IP? Not an actual cause and effect? I am already hypothyroid and have been on medication for over 15 years. I have my levels checked regularly. I am really interested in your link and a possible 'cure' vs just ongoing treatment! Can't wait to look into it further and ask my doc about it. Does anyone have any information about how IP affects existing hypothyroidism? And Ro, any idea why the detox limits your higher protein source to fish only? Does it limit grains and dairy (sources of inflammation)? Thanks so much for taking the time to share your saga. I wait anxiously for your updates!

Hello All,

Sorry I have been absent for awhile - a lot going on with me.

I am sorry to share that after more tests and the latest prescribed treatment that did not sit right with me, I sought a second opinion today from a board certified internist as well as being board certified in integrative medicine.

Let me update you on what transpired in last few weeks...

- was taken off IP
- placed on 10 day detox diet
- started very high dose for hypo (4 grain - little improvement)
- was waiting on results of adrenals and testosterone

Got results yesterday and all but cortisol came back very low. Testosterone was so low they couldn't even get an exact reading so just said < 3 mcg on a scale of 8-49.
Cortisol came back very high.

Now, this is where it gets interesting.
The first doctor, who was source of earlier posts in this thread, prescribed treatment for every abnormality in my test results.
Specifically:
- high dose of thyroid medicine
- DHEA injections
- testosterone cream
- adrenal supplements

All of this did not sit well with me as the high platelet count was not factored in, nor relief in all these weeks from headache and light-headedness and still low energy and it seemed odd to me that each of these needed separate attention vs tying it all together.

Consequently, I sought a second opinion and was quite lucky there was a new patient cancellation so I got in today.

Before I share what he said, I want to provide a disclaimer as I don't want anyone to be upset with what I share. This is my experience and one doctor's point of view that I find more logical but you may not so please just take this as information sharing.

- he completely contradicted the first doctor (in a professional way)
- He told me to stop all treatment prescribed.
- he said my blood test results reflect someone that has been on a ketogenic starvation diet for 7 months. He said the great energy that I had for 5+ months is due to the body releasing endorphins in starvation mode as its backup energy source as a survival mechanism which happens so the body has the energy to go get food, ie, hunt. He said the feelings that I felt where there was an abrupt change was my body depleting the endorphins. I told him that I don't feel any better even though I am off all diets for 2 weeks and he said it takes the body longer to recover from a 7 month starvation diet (starvation as defined by < 1000 calories per day).
- he said all the blood test abnormalities will correct itself by remaining off starvation diet.
- he said I do not have hypo, etc in spite of what test results show - these results are strictly its reaction and defense to slow things down due to starvation
- in fact, he said it is a sign of my health that I did not have side effects from such a high dose of thyroid. He said if I was not as healthy, I would have had serious side effects.
- he said the cortisol is another matter. This did not happen as a result of this diet. He said he needs more data before we treat. He ordered additional blood work, which he said should have been ordered at the outset which will take 2 weeks.
- he also said he is going to do research on IP to see if he missed anything in regards to potential nutritional deficiencies and said he'd have that analysis for me at the next appt on April 21 when the blood results will be back
- he said we'll solve this and to hang in there even though my symptoms continue. In fact, he said I looked so worn out that he was sure if he gave me a blanket, I could have curled up and went to sleep on his office floor and I told him he was right.
- he was very critical of the detox diet too - he said it is non- sense

I am going to follow 2nd opinion because this seems more right to me than all that other treatment. I don't know anyone who had DHEA injections nor women getting testosterone cream, etc thereby treating every blood abnormality as a separate treatment - doesn't seem right.
In a nutshell, I think the first doctor is overzealous in his desire to try and help me. Also, I think there is something to be said for going to a doctor that understands metabolism, thyroid, adrenals, etc but is not affiliated nor an endorser of any one diet including Ideal Protein.

I contacted my original clinic because it has been 3 weeks off IP and I am gaining inches and weight that is making me feel bad about too. I asked the clinic tonight if they could adjust the program so that it is not a starvation diet such that it is more like 1200 calories but still applying the low carb approach and they said yes - to come in and we'll work it all out. This is the first time they have said they would modify given what I have going on so seems like bringing a medical doctor's input is helpful.

One thing my doctor said is I cannot workout with adrenals in the shape they are as that will further stress them - he wants results from blood in 3 weeks before addressing that aspect so I feel I am getting the IP knowledge mixed with medical knowledge that I think I need for long term health and maintenance. I also like the fact that my doctor is going to research Ideal Protein for further guidance.

I knew transitioning wasn't going to be easy for me but I never expected this

I do need to diet for I'm guessing about 4 weeks to get me back to where I was before stopping P1. I can't stand how I feel! And, I still have headaches and little energy, etc - bad combination so I am struggling but I'll get through this and be better for it!

I hope this info continues to be helpful for some of you.

Ro22: Sorry to hear the latest, but, good that things may get straightened out for you, even if it is slow. I have heard of testosterone cream for women and adrenal supplements, the other I haven't come across any information on (haven't looked though).

Whew, I hope you get feeling better soon, the cortisol is troubling. The no working out for adrenals part I get!

Keep us posted!
Best wishes for your health!

Liana