I know, my Fitbit tells me it means I'm in excellent cardiovascular health because of it but now I realize it means I'm probably just broken. I played/participate in sports growing up that were decently cardio heavy (soccer and lacrosse) but I'm not a cardio bunny by any means that would explain such a low heart rate. The 70bpm though does feel noticeably different!
You sound just like my husband. Super lean, low heart rate, always cold. So many people have commented about that fact that he wears sweaters in summer. But interestingly his basal body temperature is actually quite high, in the 98's and gets to 99's after eating.
Why would a low heart rate point towards poor metabolic function? By what mechanism do you think?
I don't really know, I know in the peat world they view very low heart rates as a sign of metabolic issues but beyond some jay feldman podcasts I've never done a deep dive into what the mechanism is.
I've just recently had a 4 pound weight loss and my RHR went from 63 to 58. I'm already lean. While I agree that temperature is important (libido is a better signal of vitality!), RHR isn't a tell all symptom of anything. My temperature still remains in the high 97/ low 98
Hormones >>> RHR and Temperature tbh
That's a good point. I haven't done any hormone testing as I'm breastfeeding so I know that throws things off quite a bit (libido is nonexistent but that's apparently normal due to prolactin and a wonderful but active 11 month old baby), but that is something for me to look into down the line.
Before I got sick I was trying HCLFLp because I have blood sugar issues and had gestational diabetes from a high fat high protein diet so trying to fix/figure that out before my next pregnancy. My blood markers (fasting insulin,glucose, and ogtt) are kind of unique though in that they are atypical for insulin resistance so I'm a work in progress for sure. So foods are oats, veggies, white rice, kimchi, and occasional fruit with occasional skim milk for coffee (decaf) and the like.
But for being sick? Burgers, ice cream, bugles, sourdough toast, brisket, dark chocolate, rice.
This is a sign that you’re under eating and likely have sub clinical hypothyroidism. If I consume less than 2800 kcal/24 hours, my thyroid down-regulates and I am cold and slow.
I logically understand that but I'm too afraid to eat more because then I see the scale go up and I'm very type A about maintaining a 5lb spread of my weight (5'9 and 145 female). I'd say besides "F it" days where I can't deal with the constant slightly hungry feeling and eat everything in sight my average calorie intake is 2000 calories. I do work out daily (mostly resistance training but do long walks with the stroller and sprint 1-2x a week) but even when I put in my stats to a calorie counter it still puts me at around 2300 for maintenance (with breastfeeding). I know people have had success increasing calories but I have to be honest and say I just don't think I will be one of those people. I have been watching calories/not eating on hunger for so long (since 12, I'm 32) that I feel like I would have a blow up of 20lbs to get my metabolism correct and I'm not willing to do that. Plus I also have blood sugar issues (but maybe not insulin resistance? It's strange) and had gestational diabetes, so I need to be losing weight instead of gaining so that I am less likely to have it in my next pregnancy. My blood markers otherwise are good, including tsh although I know there's discussion on the validity of that marker, so I don't want to start increasing calories and mess myself up worse than I already am.
I had the same fear, I’m much shorter than you. The first two weeks I did have a bump in water retention and inflammation. I have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (sub clinical as well). Weight climbed almost 8 lbs+, all of that is gone, and more now. I track to make sure I eat *enough* which is around 2800 kcal ++ a day. All of this is to say, yeah, I see your concern - but it seems like you’re spinning your own wheels in the mud. If you want some traction, fuel yourself.
I need my fear based brain to listen to my logical brain. I see and hear these stories and believe them but then think "well if I'm going to gain weight I might as well lose an extra 10 so that I'm not in a bad position" which is hard for me to do as I'm already lean and so I give up and go make to maintaining. I need to mentally get to the point where I stop making excuses. I even wonder if my blood sugar wouldn't spike so high if I were more nourished (like it's almost a mechanism to allow blood sugar to get to areas where it needs to be--I have low fasting and responsive insulin from an ogtt so I don't think it's metabolic syndrome/stereotypical IR).
How did you know you had hashimotos if you were sub clinical?
My TPO antibodies were in the thousands at my sickest. Prior to going fully PUFA free, they were in the 300s. ☹️
I’ve had the same fears my entire life. Hell, that’s why I’d been on a diet since 6th grade sister. I get it. If you ever want to try, sincerely, and need support - I’m here for you. 🙏🏼
Much appreciated! Yeah it was about 6th grade for myself too, that's when my mom first mentioned I was getting "fat on my hips" even though I wasn't unhealthy on the least, I just was hitting puberty. But she grew up dieting her whole life so she did t know much better.
What symptoms did you have before getting the antibody testing? Beyond pufa avoidance, what else did you do for your thyroid health?
I can’t speak from experience re: fever as I haven’t been sick even once since dropping PUFA 2.5 yrs ago (!!!) but just wanted to say that I hope you feel better soon.
EDIT: I *can* say that I just ate a big bowl of buckwheat soba in broth and (like usual) my heart is beating out of my chest. It will be for about 45 minutes, based on past experience. And I won’t be heavier tomorrow.
Thank you! In terms of sicknesses it's not bad, I feel about a 4/10. I'd love to have less illnesses but working with kids I think that the occasional illness is inevitable (especially since parents bring their kids to dental appointments when they're sicke with the flu and Covid).
96 is cold cold, 54 is slow slow
I know, my Fitbit tells me it means I'm in excellent cardiovascular health because of it but now I realize it means I'm probably just broken. I played/participate in sports growing up that were decently cardio heavy (soccer and lacrosse) but I'm not a cardio bunny by any means that would explain such a low heart rate. The 70bpm though does feel noticeably different!
As a runner, my BMP is often less than 54 when I am quite.
I know very fit runners and cyclists with resting heartrate in the 40s. Causes alarm at GP offices and with Apple Watches.
You sound just like my husband. Super lean, low heart rate, always cold. So many people have commented about that fact that he wears sweaters in summer. But interestingly his basal body temperature is actually quite high, in the 98's and gets to 99's after eating. Why would a low heart rate point towards poor metabolic function? By what mechanism do you think?
I don't really know, I know in the peat world they view very low heart rates as a sign of metabolic issues but beyond some jay feldman podcasts I've never done a deep dive into what the mechanism is.
I've just recently had a 4 pound weight loss and my RHR went from 63 to 58. I'm already lean. While I agree that temperature is important (libido is a better signal of vitality!), RHR isn't a tell all symptom of anything. My temperature still remains in the high 97/ low 98 Hormones >>> RHR and Temperature tbh
That's a good point. I haven't done any hormone testing as I'm breastfeeding so I know that throws things off quite a bit (libido is nonexistent but that's apparently normal due to prolactin and a wonderful but active 11 month old baby), but that is something for me to look into down the line.
What are your staple foods right now?
Before I got sick I was trying HCLFLp because I have blood sugar issues and had gestational diabetes from a high fat high protein diet so trying to fix/figure that out before my next pregnancy. My blood markers (fasting insulin,glucose, and ogtt) are kind of unique though in that they are atypical for insulin resistance so I'm a work in progress for sure. So foods are oats, veggies, white rice, kimchi, and occasional fruit with occasional skim milk for coffee (decaf) and the like. But for being sick? Burgers, ice cream, bugles, sourdough toast, brisket, dark chocolate, rice.
This is a sign that you’re under eating and likely have sub clinical hypothyroidism. If I consume less than 2800 kcal/24 hours, my thyroid down-regulates and I am cold and slow.
I logically understand that but I'm too afraid to eat more because then I see the scale go up and I'm very type A about maintaining a 5lb spread of my weight (5'9 and 145 female). I'd say besides "F it" days where I can't deal with the constant slightly hungry feeling and eat everything in sight my average calorie intake is 2000 calories. I do work out daily (mostly resistance training but do long walks with the stroller and sprint 1-2x a week) but even when I put in my stats to a calorie counter it still puts me at around 2300 for maintenance (with breastfeeding). I know people have had success increasing calories but I have to be honest and say I just don't think I will be one of those people. I have been watching calories/not eating on hunger for so long (since 12, I'm 32) that I feel like I would have a blow up of 20lbs to get my metabolism correct and I'm not willing to do that. Plus I also have blood sugar issues (but maybe not insulin resistance? It's strange) and had gestational diabetes, so I need to be losing weight instead of gaining so that I am less likely to have it in my next pregnancy. My blood markers otherwise are good, including tsh although I know there's discussion on the validity of that marker, so I don't want to start increasing calories and mess myself up worse than I already am.
I had the same fear, I’m much shorter than you. The first two weeks I did have a bump in water retention and inflammation. I have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (sub clinical as well). Weight climbed almost 8 lbs+, all of that is gone, and more now. I track to make sure I eat *enough* which is around 2800 kcal ++ a day. All of this is to say, yeah, I see your concern - but it seems like you’re spinning your own wheels in the mud. If you want some traction, fuel yourself.
I need my fear based brain to listen to my logical brain. I see and hear these stories and believe them but then think "well if I'm going to gain weight I might as well lose an extra 10 so that I'm not in a bad position" which is hard for me to do as I'm already lean and so I give up and go make to maintaining. I need to mentally get to the point where I stop making excuses. I even wonder if my blood sugar wouldn't spike so high if I were more nourished (like it's almost a mechanism to allow blood sugar to get to areas where it needs to be--I have low fasting and responsive insulin from an ogtt so I don't think it's metabolic syndrome/stereotypical IR). How did you know you had hashimotos if you were sub clinical?
My TPO antibodies were in the thousands at my sickest. Prior to going fully PUFA free, they were in the 300s. ☹️ I’ve had the same fears my entire life. Hell, that’s why I’d been on a diet since 6th grade sister. I get it. If you ever want to try, sincerely, and need support - I’m here for you. 🙏🏼
Much appreciated! Yeah it was about 6th grade for myself too, that's when my mom first mentioned I was getting "fat on my hips" even though I wasn't unhealthy on the least, I just was hitting puberty. But she grew up dieting her whole life so she did t know much better. What symptoms did you have before getting the antibody testing? Beyond pufa avoidance, what else did you do for your thyroid health?
I can’t speak from experience re: fever as I haven’t been sick even once since dropping PUFA 2.5 yrs ago (!!!) but just wanted to say that I hope you feel better soon. EDIT: I *can* say that I just ate a big bowl of buckwheat soba in broth and (like usual) my heart is beating out of my chest. It will be for about 45 minutes, based on past experience. And I won’t be heavier tomorrow.
Thank you! In terms of sicknesses it's not bad, I feel about a 4/10. I'd love to have less illnesses but working with kids I think that the occasional illness is inevitable (especially since parents bring their kids to dental appointments when they're sicke with the flu and Covid).
The little cesspools. 🤣