ArticleNeurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology2021
The effect of ketogenic diet on thyroid functions in children with drug-resistant epilepsy.
Article in Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
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3 citing papers in PubMed, 4 citations in OpenAlex.
- Low-Carbohydrate (Ketogenic) Diet in Children with Obesity: Part 2-Hormonal Effects of the Ketogenic Diet.Children (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Ketogenic Diet and Thyroid Function: A Delicate Metabolic Balancing Act.Current issues in molecular biology · 2025Review
- Obesity and Obesity-Related Thyroid Dysfunction: Any Potential Role for the Very Low-Calorie Ketogenic Diet (VLCKD)?Current nutrition reports · 2024Review
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10 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
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Abstract
backgroundKetogenic diet (KD) remains a valuable treatment option for children with drug-resistant epilepsy. However, it may cause many well-known adverse effects such as dyslipidemia or kidney stones. But, its effects on thyroid functions are largely unknown. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the KD on thyroid functions in children with drug-resistant epilepsy.
methodA total of 66 children (35 females) aged 3-193 months (median, 52 months) with drug-resistant epilepsy who received a KD for at least 12 months were enrolled in the study. All children were started on KD with 3:1 ratio which was then adjusted as clinically necessary. Serum free-thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations were measured before starting treatment and at the first, sixth and twelfth months of treatment. Changes in FT4 and TSH concentrations over 12 months were analyzed.
resultsMedian serum FT4 and TSH concentrations, and the frequencies of patients with low FT4 and high TSH concentrations did not change significantly in the study sample over the 12-month study period. Serum FT4 levels increased significantly and TSH concentrations decreased insignificantly in four patients receiving L-thyroxine replacement therapy. During the 12-month treatment period, BMI-SDS increased, and the number of antiepileptic drugs decreased significantly.
conclusionIt appears that KD therapy does not impair thyroid functions in children with drug-resistant epilepsy. KD can be used safely along with L-thyroxine replacement even in children with pre-existing subclinical hypothyroidism.
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