EPISODE 255
Is Fasting Safe with Hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease?
In this episode, Dr. Eric Osansky explores a common question he receives from people with hyperthyroidism: Can I incorporate intermittent fasting? While fasting has been praised for benefits such as weight loss, blood sugar regulation, reduced inflammation, and improved metabolic health, Dr. Eric explains why those with hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease need to approach fasting differently than the general population.
Dr. Eric reviews the most common fasting methods, including overnight fasting, 16:8 intermittent fasting, alternate-day fasting, water fasting, and fasting-mimicking diets. He explains how hyperthyroidism creates a catabolic state characterized by increased metabolism, muscle breakdown, and weight loss, making prolonged fasting potentially problematic for some people. He also discusses the important roles of adrenal health, cortisol balance, blood sugar regulation, insulin resistance, and stress when determining whether fasting is appropriate.
Throughout the episode, Dr. Eric emphasizes the importance of individualization. While fasting may offer benefits for certain people, especially those with stable thyroid levels and insulin resistance, it may be counterproductive for others who are actively hyperthyroid, losing weight, struggling with adrenal dysfunction, or experiencing significant symptoms. If you want a balanced, practical perspective on fasting and hyperthyroidism, you’ll get a lot out of this episode.
Episode Timeline:
00:00 – Introduction: fasting and hyperthyroidism
02:05 – Why fasting advice isn’t one-size-fits-all
02:52 – Different types of fasting explained
03:55 – Fasting-mimicking diets overview
04:12 – Potential benefits of fasting
05:33 – Why fasting can be challenging with hyperthyroidism
06:44 – Catabolism, weight loss, and muscle breakdown
07:15 – Calorie intake concerns during fasting
08:41 – Adrenal health, cortisol, and blood sugar balance
10:05 – Is fasting a stressor?
11:41 – When to be cautious with fasting
14:05 – Hypoglycemia, insulin resistance, and fasting
15:05 – When fasting may be reasonable
16:06 – Can fasting help Graves’ disease?
17:31 – The bigger picture of autoimmune healing
18:12 – Starting conservatively with fasting
19:15 – Listening to your body’s signals
19:59 – Alternatives to aggressive fasting
20:49 – Personal experiences with intermittent fasting
22:27 – Key takeaways and recommendations
23:30 – Can fasting lower thyroid hormones?
23:57 – Fasting and weight management
24:17 – Graves’ disease versus Hashimoto’s and fasting
Post-Episode Chat
26:35 – Water fasting and hyperthyroidism
27:52 – Fasting for insulin resistance
28:43 – Fasting and adrenal health
29:07 – The emotional stress of fasting
30:25 – Can fasting help autoimmunity?
31:24 – Why hyperthyroidism requires a different approach
32:13 – When fasting may not be the right tool
32:49 – Final thoughts on fasting and thyroid recovery
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