Going Keto: Update for 12/04/17

It has been far too long since my last keto update, but I have nothing but great things to report.  Since I haven’t shared my progress for more than two months, I’m sure you can imagine that I have a lot of things to share.  I’ll try to keep it interesting.

The Metrics

I decided to enlist my daughter’s help with more progress pictures.  These pictures are only the second set that I’ve asked her to take since beginning this journey on September 8, 2017, because my weight loss is pretty slow.  Later, I think these photos will be a lot more impressive, but for now, they are what they are.

These photos were taken on December 2, 2017.  I weighed 264.6 pounds for a total loss of 23 pounds since September 8.

My daughter also took some basic measurements.  At two weeks and one day keto, my measurements were:

• Hips: 60″
• Waist: 48″
• Bust: 51″

And at twelve weeks and one day, my measurements were:

• Hips: 55.5″
• Waist: 47.5″
• Bust: 49″

I do have to say though that I question the initial waist measurement because I need to drop down a belt size and losing half an inch off my waist would not have accounted for that.

Labs

I had an appointment with my family doctor on October 11, and before the visit, we ran some labs.  At the time the labs were run, I had been following a strict ketogenic eating plan for one month and one day.  Here are some numbers of note.

• Hgb A1c: 5.8%
• Random Glucose: 74 mg/dL
• Total Cholesterol: 229 mg/dL
• Triglycerides: 98 mg/dL
• HDL: 63 mg/dL
• LDL: 146
• Vit D: 22.6 ng/mL
• TSH: 3.590 mcIU/mL
• T4: 9.5 mcg/dL
• T3 Free: 2.35 pg/mL

There were a few items of note that we discussed at my October appointment.  First, I was happy to see that after only one month on a keotgenic eating plan, my blood sugar and A1c looked great.  I had assumed that the A1c had probably been higher and as I continued on my journey, that number would get better.  (I’ll get to that in a minute.)

My vitamin D level was still entirely too low despite supplementation, so we decided to continue the supplementation and retest before the end of the year.

My thyroid levels weren’t in the optimal range, and since I was having hypothyroid symptoms despite taking 30mg NP Thyroid each morning, we decided to increase my thyroid meds by 15mg and retest.

My kidney function (which I didn’t share above) was stable, but that was a little disappointing since I’m not going to recover full kidney function after taking Victoza in 2013, 2014, and 2015.

In preparation for my November visit with the doc, I had more labs drawn.

• Hgb A1c: 5.9%
• Random Glucose: 87 mg/dL
• T3 Free: 2.11 pg/mL
• T4: 9.1 mcg/dL
• TSH: 3.740 mcIU/mL
• TPO Antibodies: 17.7 IU/mL
• Insulin: 7.0 munit/L
• C-Peptide: 2.4

I was definitely frustrated with the second set of lab values.  Despite doing everything “right” with my eating, my A1c went up.  As a diabetic, I know I should be thrilled with an A1c of 5.9%, but the fact of the matter is, that’s still an average blood sugar of 133 mg/dL.

My healthcare provider and I discussed it, and we decided to try Tradjenta.  The hope is that we can get a better handle on the glucose that’s being made in my liver since it’s not coming from my food.  Paying for that medication is going to be a challenge though.  My insurance doesn’t cover it.

And then there’s my thyroid.  We increased my NP Thyroid in October yet my symptoms persisted and my lab values got worse.  We went ahead and increased the NP Thyroid to 60mg per day and we added 25mcg Cytomel.  I still think it’s a bit too early to tell if that’s making a difference or not.

Everything Else

Overall, my outlook is positive.  I’m happy with the progress I’m making, and aside from hypothyroid issues, I’m happy with how I feel.  I haven’t had trouble with acid reflux in weeks, the pain in my feet has significantly lessened compared to twelve weeks ago, and I’m very happy with my eating choices.  It’s really quite easy for me now, and I’m determined to do NOTHING to wreck my progress.  I refuse to mess with something that isn’t broken.

Eating on plan was so easy for me over Thanksgiving.  Even if we hadn’t eaten prime rib on Thanksgiving Day, I still would have had no troubles with food selections because there are so many things that are keto and satisfying to me.

I imagine that Christmas and New Year’s will be more of the same for me.  I’ve discovered some recipes that I absolutely love if I’m looking for something sweet, and I’m lucky that most of the people in my life support my positive changes.

In the end, I just remind myself to stay focused on the end goal.  And honestly, with keto as a tool, it’s about as easy as it could be.