Carnivore Diet Month 6 Health Update
Posted by Mira on September 1, 2025 in stories
In this month, to continue the recording habit in Tokyo and Sydney, I also documented what I ate and how I exeercised. I also crafted a plan for my training.
I did not change much the way of eating in this morning compared to last month: mainly meat, yogurts and fruits for electrolytes. But I did drink espresso more.
Contents
Improvements
Down-dosing Doptelet with stable platelet count
Toward the end of July 2025, I reduced my Doptelet dosage from 20 mg daily to 20 mg three times per week.
- First, I tried alternating days (20 mg every other day). My platelet count came back at 107 k — reasonable given the reduced dose.
- Then I switched to an actual three-times-per-week schedule. My platelet count stabilized at 118 k.
Even on a lower dose, my platelet count is holding steady — and even ticking up slightly. A very positive sign! One step closer to getting off the only medication I still need to take.
Improved white blood cell (WBC) count
In August 2025, I had two blood draws — one at the beginning and one at the end. Both were around 3.5 k, much better than my prior 2.x readings (though still below normal).
I’ve been making an effort to walk outside daily to get sunlight, even in the intense Texas heat. Some interesting trends:
- May (California): spent a week outdoors → WBC was 5.5 (best ever, thought it might be lab error).
- June (Tokyo): strong sun but stayed shaded due to photosensitivity → WBC readings: 2.8, 3.2, 3.5, 3.2.
- July (Sydney, winter): tried to get outside, but low UV → WBC readings: 2.9, 3.3, 2.4.
Working theory: sunlight exposure may help improve WBC count. I’ll continue testing.
Stopping feeling hunger
Once I returned home from Sydney, I stopped feeling hungry. Fasting has become much easier to manage — I no longer have to carefully track how much fat or protein I eat. It just happens naturally.
Possible reasons:
- Warmer weather may suppress appetite.
- Fewer temptations from eating out.
Better Skin
This is a non-measurable improvement: I’ve noticed my skin looks much better than before — smoother, with little to no pimples. Every time I FaceTime with my parents now, they comment on how good my skin looks too!
Possible Findings
Aggressive fasting at the end of menstrual cycles → spotting and hair loss
In my last update, I mentioned hair loss and new menstrual changes — spotting at the start and delayed bleeding. My cycle has always been “quick start, quick end,” so this puzzled me.
This month I read Fast Like a Girl. It mentions that excessive fasting late in the cycle can raise cortisol, suppress progesterone, and lead to hair thinning and spotting. Women respond to fasting differently than men because we have to balance three sex hormones, not just one.
I believe this may be the root cause of my symptoms. I’m adjusting my fasting schedule to test this.
Lesson learned: when men give health advice — however well-intentioned — women should consider whether it actually applies to them.
Sunlight → Joint Stiffness/Pain
In Sydney, I often had no joint pain at all. Back in the U.S., the first three sunny weeks of August brought stiffness again. In the last week (mostly rain), my joint pain nearly disappeared.
Working theory: my joint issues may be triggered by sunlight — either autoimmune-related or from lingering HCQ photosensitivity. Since HCQ has a six-month half-life, most should be cleared from my body by the end of this year.
Heat → Lower VO₂ Max
While in Sydney, my VO₂ max improved significantly. But after returning to Texas, it dropped sharply and didn’t recover. During a cooler weekend in Michigan, it improved again — and also during a rainy week in Texas.
Working theory: high heat may suppress VO₂ max.
My average VO₂ max over months
Heat → Higher Resting Heart Rate
The same effect seems to apply to my resting heart rate (RHR). Since I got back, my RHR has been slightly elevated — around 62–63 bpm (still much better than when I was sick). While in Michigan, it dropped back down to 59 bpm.
Working theory: High heat may elevate RHR.
My average RHR over months
Autoimmune Update
Lupus: Stopping rheumatology visits for now
I canceled my three-month follow-up with the rheumatologist because:
- I’ve stopped taking hydroxychloroquine, so it’s no longer part of my care plan.
- I don’t agree with the lupus diagnosis and doubt its accuracy.
- The main reason to visit would be to check inflammation markers.
- I’m not sure if I even want to see those numbers — they might create unnecessary anxiety or false reassurance.
- I can test inflammation markers through my primary care doctor if needed.
In short, I don't believe I’ve ever had lupus.
I never had any symptoms of lupus, such as the butterfly rash. I was diagnosed purely based on blood markers. My hypothesis is that some lupus-related blood markers were elevated because of my ITP, and there isn’t adequate research yet to confirm or rule out that link. Hematologists often refer patients to rheumatologists to suggest that lupus causes ITP, but I’m not convinced.
Labeling the condition as “lupus” doesn’t seem helpful to me. My understanding is that a damaged gut likely triggered multiple autoimmune symptoms, rather than lupus being the root cause.
That being said, I will stop reporting on lupus-related improvements in the future unless I receive a confirmed diagnosis of lupus.
ITP: Monthly blood draws with hematologist
I asked my hematologist to switch to once-a-month blood draws if my platelet count stays above 100 k — and he agreed. I also requested smaller needles and alternate sites — which helped.
This idea of changing cadence came from another ITP patient also taking Doptelet.
Repeated use of the same vein left heavy bruising that took weeks to heal.
My arm recovery over time
After four weeks without using the same site, the bruise finally started to fade.
