Low-Carb Diets and Cycling

[Dianyla]

Dianyla, my fasting glucose levels were under 100. My throid profile (T3,T4, TSH) was normal as well. That being said, I know I'm sensitive to carbs and I get really sleepy after eating some carbs UNLESS I eat a good protein source first.

When they tested your T3/T4, did they test total values or free values? My scenario is that my TSH is within the normal range (though, just barely) and testing Total T4 and Total T3 didn't show my problem, since I have normal amounts of these hormones. The problem is, most of my T4/T3 is in the less available storage form, not the active usable form. The Free T4 or Free T3 tests actually indicate how much active and bioavailable thyroid hormones you have in your body, as opposed to the total. Also, there is a Sensitive TSH (sometimes called STSH) test that is more accurate.

I found my local doctor from this online list:
http://www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/index.htm

So, back to the carbs. It is possible to have a normal fasting sugar level but have really bad response to glucose. You might want to try your own oral glucose tolerance test that TriskelionGirl told me about a few posts back, and measure your response.

I also noticed I am sensitive to tomatoes and tomato products.

You might have a problem with the Nightshade family, which contains potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, sweet peppers, chili peppers, and tobacco.

Just curious, how much carbs should I take in for a 3 hour ride? Yesterday I ate 1/4 c of egg whites with one slice of low calorie wheat toast. It helped fuel me for the first 2 hours, but I started to take in a little honey 45 minutes into my ride, and the last hour I had a Carb-boom. Was that adequate? I felt like I needed just a little more, but I didn't have any on me. When I finished my ride, I ate a Cliff bar on the way home. Then I watched my carbs the rest of the day. Is this kinda what is recommended?

What you just described sounds pretty good, at a glance. There are some formulas in the Paleo Book that talked more specifically about how many grams of carbs and protein you should use for x pounds of body weight and y minutes of intensity. I can go look those up tonight, if you like. But, formulas aside, what matters is that you feel that you are consuming enough to have good energy but not so much that you start having a bad reaction. You may just have to go by feel or start measuring your own glucose to know what feels normal for you.