Q&A: Does Keto Harm Thyroid Function? Bone Health, Ketones & More

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 hypothyroidismWhen to monitor thyroid function more closely, especially with pre-existing conditions or medications like lithiumWhat the evidence says about protein intake, uric acid, and bone healthWhy temporary changes during the adaptation phase (like uric acid fluctuations) may not reflect long-term outcomesHow cannabis use may affect appetite, cravings, and adherence to a ketogenic dietWhether exogenous ketones and MCT oil provide the same benefits as nutritional ketosisDr. 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 Scherhttps://x.com/bschermd?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^authorhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bret-scher-08baaa102/Dr. Georgia Edehttps://www.diagnosisdiet.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgiaedemdhttps://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaEdeMd/https://www.instagram.com/georgiaedemd/?hl=enExperts Mentioned:Dr. Jeff VolekWebsite: https://lowcarb.osu.edu/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-volek-b3944092Dr. Stephan D. Phinneyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-phinney-631467/Dr. Dom D’Agastinohttps://secure.instagram.com/dominic.dagostino.kt/Resources Mentioned:National Osteoporosis Foundation study on protein and skeletal health - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28404575/Free CME Clinician Trainings:Are you a clinician who would like to learn more about the science behind these therapies and how to implement them in practice? Earn CME with our growing library of courses from some of the top experts in the field including Dr. Chris Palmer, Dr. Georgia Ede, Dr. Matthew Bernstein, Dr. Mariela Glandt, Dr. Deanna Kelly, Dr. Julie Milder, Dr. Zoltan Sarnyai, and Dr. Bret Scher with more coming soon.Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits: https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-ytFollow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, inclu