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Q&A: Does Keto Harm Thyroid Function? Bone Health, Ketones & More
Description
Can a ketogenic diet affect your thyroid? What about bone health, uric acid, cannabis use, or ketone supplements?
In this Metabolic Mailbag episode, Dr. Bret Scher and Dr. Georgia Ede answer your most pressing questions about ketogenic therapy and how it interacts with real-world health concerns.
From thyroid function to mental health, this conversation highlights how nuanced and individualized metabolic therapies can be.
You’ll learn:
- How ketogenic diets influence thyroid hormones, and why lower T3 doesn’t necessarily mean hypothyroidism
- When to monitor thyroid function more closely, especially with pre-existing conditions or medications like lithium
- What the evidence says about protein intake, uric acid, and bone health
- Why temporary changes during the adaptation phase (like uric acid fluctuations) may not reflect long-term outcomes
- How cannabis use may affect appetite, cravings, and adherence to a ketogenic diet
- Whether exogenous ketones and MCT oil provide the same benefits as nutritional ketosis
Dr. Ede also shares a key principle: context matters. Lab values, symptoms, and individual biology all need to be considered together, especially when using ketogenic therapy for mental health or metabolic conditions.
The key takeaway: ketogenic therapy is not one-size-fits-all. It’s a dynamic, personalized approach that often requires thoughtful monitoring, adjustments, and collaboration with a knowledgeable clinician.
🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.
Expert Featured:
Dr. Bret Scher
- https://x.com/bschermd?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/bret-scher-08baaa102/
Dr. Georgia Ede
- https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgiaedemd
- https://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaEdeMd/
- https://www.instagram.com/georgiaedemd/?hl=en
Experts Mentioned:
Dr. Jeff Volek
Dr. Stephan D. Phinney
Dr. Dom D’Agastino
Resources Mentioned:
- National Osteoporosis Foundation study on protein and skeletal health - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28404575/
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