Hypothyroidism and what has worked best for you?!

emh15022

Hi! Would love to hear from some of you who have hypothyroidism! What has worked best for you? Any tips or information you can share as you go through this journey would be great!!

dragonfly256

I have an under active thyroid. It's not impossible to lose weight. Take your medicine when you are supposed to and make sure you see your doctor regularly to have it checked out. Eat at a deficit and exercise. Finding the motivation to exercise can be hard but it is worth it. I hope this helps.

blankiefinder

Hypothyroid here, too. As long as your thyroid levels are steady and in a healthy range, weight loss is just a matter of eating less than your body burns (TDEE). Use a food scale, and weigh everything, especially cereal, peanut butter, etc. Log everything. Use moderation, you can have a treat here or there if you're doing well on your weight loss journey, but don't binge!

LAWoman72

Just CICO. Have tried EVERYTHING else, trust me. I can eat what non-hypo-T people of my height/weight/age/activity level eat (apparently...I mean I go by MFP's calculations for me, and they don't have a category for hypo-T) but have to be STRICT about it...never over. But I know non-hypo-T people who can't really ever eat over their calories either.

I was diagnosed, hmmm...six years ago and based on my symptoms, was probably hypo for about 10 years before that (give or take). So...(probably) hypo for 16 years, didn't gain weight significantly until 12 years ago, when I was pregnant with my second son. I was indeed overeating quite a bit.

Good luck on your journey and stay well!

emh15022

Thank you to those who have replied!!

KiwiAlexP

Just diagnosed yesterday and start medication tomorrow - But have been losing at an average of 500g (1 pound?) for the last 5 weeks

galgenstrick

I have Hashimoto's. My advice is to find an endocrinologist that's educated with the most up do date research. Some of them just measure your TSH, prescribe synthroid and are done with you.

I found my TDEE is lower than what the calculator suggests, even at sedentary. I'm not sure if that's because of my thyroid or not, but I do need to eat a bit less to lose at a reasonable rate.

gothchiq

Yes, I have hypothyroidism. I take Armour thyroid. Synthetic levothyroxine did jack all for me. Eating 1200 cals and working out like a maniac have been necessary. Also avoiding eating things that will burn up quickly leaving you just as hungry as you started out... you know all the fat/sugar/processed carb things. Those things seem to just lead to dissatisfaction and binges, so I recommend high nutrition, high protein, high fiber in food selections, and avoiding most highly processed carbs that do not keep you feeling satisfied and that can monkey with your blood sugar levels with a quick peak and then crash (which, when blood sugar goes down, you become tired and hungry). And as a hypothyroid person you know that fatigue is the enemy! I also am prediabetic so that involved even more dietary changes such as never eating carbs without also eating a protein at the same time or directly before said carbs. This is how I started using protein shakes as breakfast. I was never a breakfast eater but my sugar would creep up and up until I ate something with protein. I am not sure if doing a protein shake for breakfast would be helpful for you but it may be worth a try anyway. I use a chocolate flavored one because I find that the other flavors tend to be gross and fail. I also put cold coffee in it in place of water lol. You can use the protein with carbs technique to keep your blood sugar levels as steady as possible to avoid fatigue and excess hunger, even if you don't have diabetes or anything approaching it. Get whole grain breads and pasta as it takes longer for your body to break them down.

snikkins

Being properly medicated, eating less, and moving more!

PeachyCarol

I find that all I need to lose weight is to be properly medicated, weigh my foods, and eat at a deficit. I exercise when I can (I have chronic migraines which have been acting up lately and have been getting in the way).

I moderate my carbs by choice, but I've been doing that for years to manage my fatigue levels. It's a personal choice. I don't think it's necessary to lose weight, nor do I think it's something that would necessarily help other Hashi's/hypothyroid people. I've been dealing with my diagnosis a loooooong time. Um... need to think... almost 25 years now.

paulaviki

I was diagnosed last year and my meds are now stabilised at 100mcg of levothyroxine a day. I've been losing weight at a steady pace of about 1lb a week since the beginning of the year. I'm eating approx 1500 calories a day and I often go over a little. I'm exercising twice a week, 2.5 hours in total. The exercise seems to make the difference for me.

snikkins

I have found that exercise seems to push it along for me a bit as well. I will still lose without it, but my diet and wiggle room have to be much more on point.

rushfive

I have been taking the meds for years... had my thyroid removed.
Has any body had trouble with their teeth?.... recently my dentist said I have a very dry mouth, usually from the meds I am taking, witch may be the cause of some dental problems.

brendak76

I've had hashimotos for almost 30 years and have always taken levothyroxine. I just went to a new endocrinoligist recently who told me the importance of the timing of the medication. 1 hour before you eat or 3 hours after. Even coffee will interfere. So I've been taking it when I get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Silly but I've talked to lots of people who do this. I think my morning coffee had been interfering.

ksnel3

I take my medicine before bed at night so that nothing interferes with it being absorbed. Since doing that I am able to take my multivitamin late morning. I've been stalling for quite some time, but then I started weighing my food and it has made a HUGE difference! I lost 2lbs this week! I have also found that I do better if I add a lot of protein to my diet. I am very sensitive to carbs, but have been able to lose more weight if I have protein with every meal.

another_chelle

clnrush wrote: »

I have been taking the meds for years... had my thyroid removed.
Has any body had trouble with their teeth?.... recently my dentist said I have a very dry mouth, usually from the meds I am taking, witch may be the cause of some dental problems.

I've been on Synthroid for about five years and at my recent dental appointments the hygienist talked about dry mouth and damage its doing to my teeth. I never put the two together. I have to go to the dentist four times a year now for pareodontal cleanings.

The hygienist recommended non-alcohol based mouthwash and biotene to help with the dry mouth.

As for issues with weight loss I find as long as I take my meds and my levels are good it doesn't interfere with my weight loss. What does interfere is my love for food and lack of discipline when it comes to food

American_Beauty

Take your medication everyday, and drink lots of water stick to your calorie goal and get moving This place has been my saving grace since I have it too, water seems to work the best for me, I drink 3 ltrs a day and my calories aren't always perfect but sticking to my goals set here have made a HUGE difference when everything else failed. I started in November and I'm halfway to my goal weight (down 22 lbs). I've had hypothyroidism for about 6 years. You can do it, trust me I didn't think anything would work but this does Best of luck, you can add me if you want ♥

rushfive

Thanks Another_,
I am relieved it isn't just me (synthroid also) and poor dental care on my part... I do all the right things to care for them, yet have bad checkups recently.. I hate it when I doubt myself.

on weight loss.... I really have to watch close on my calorie intake and exercising has made a big difference for me... I try and walk 4 times a week for 1 hour. It is slow, 1/2 pd. loss a week, but I will happily take it.

lauraloy2013

I've had hypothyroidism since birth and it's gone up and down but I find that if I keep taking the medication, weigh everything and keep within my allowance it works and no different to others. Good luck with it!

another_chelle

clnrush so glad you mentioned the connection between the medication and dry mouth.

Dentist used to compliment me left and right on my teeth. I had strong teeth and really great structure etc. then a few years ago I started getting really bad dental reports and had no idea how I went from great reviews to needing tons of dental work. Looking back the timing is right for about a year after starting Synthroid to all my dental problems.

PeachyCarol

clnrush wrote: »

I have been taking the meds for years... had my thyroid removed.
Has any body had trouble with their teeth?.... recently my dentist said I have a very dry mouth, usually from the meds I am taking, witch may be the cause of some dental problems.

I have chronic dry mouth from meds too, and I drink a TON of water to counteract it.

According to my dentist, I have "boring" teeth. No cavities at all. The only problems I ever have come up from delayed issues arising from an accident I had on a bike when I was a kid and fell off a bike and landed on my face. The nerve damage can take years to be a problem, apparently. I just had to have a root canal last year for one tooth because of it.

PeachyCarol

clnrush wrote: »

Thanks Another_,
I am relieved it isn't just me (synthroid also) and poor dental care on my part... I do all the right things to care for them, yet have bad checkups recently.. I hate it when I doubt myself.

on weight loss.... I really have to watch close on my calorie intake and exercising has made a big difference for me... I try and walk 4 times a week for 1 hour. It is slow, 1/2 pd. loss a week, but I will happily take it.

Don't be too hard on yourself! Some teeth problems I think just come down to genetics. At least I think I remember reading that.

chazza_x

I take my tablets every morning between 7am-8am.. On my days off this is when I just wake up and on my nightshifts at work this is when I have just come home. I take 150mg levothyroxine daily and don't really know the best ways to taking it, what does everyone else here do? I want the best possible result to help with losing some weight!

nopotofgold

You should have a more focused question. There are a few types of hypothyroidisms.

stenchdog4000

I have hypothyroidism. I take 175g levothyroxine each night before sleeping.
My throid levels are now stabalised and i'm losing weight like anyone else.

LAWoman72

nopotofgold wrote: »

You should have a more focused question. There are a few types of hypothyroidisms.

Maybe. But from what I understand having talked to other people, these other forms (i.e. genetic, as one poster above stated - I'm assuming that means an underactive thyroid without the antibody issue?) tend to "act" the same, and the rules for thyroid hormone replacement are the same. In addition, Hashi's is the most common form of hypo-T, so though hypo-T doesn't exclusively have to be Hashi's, she'll probably get a good few response from other Hashi women/men. I didn't see anything wrong with the OP's question. It was a jumping-off point. Just the way I saw it.

Cking1162

Hi there..another hypothyroid (Hashimoto's) person here!
I was diagnosed about 4 years ago and my medications have changed at every single appt. They cannot seem to get me in an optimal range (where weight loss will be a bit easier, I am told.)

right now on Synthroid (125) and Cytomel (10). I eat 1200 calories a day and do not eat back exercise calories...which range from 300-800 calories on most days.
I have lost 6 lbs in 7 weeks so it is VERY slow.....but I am keeping with it.

Feel free to friend me---I would love to have friends who are in the same boat!

blankiefinder

Cking1162 wrote: »

Hi there..another hypothyroid (Hashimoto's) person here!
I was diagnosed about 4 years ago and my medications have changed at every single appt. They cannot seem to get me in an optimal range (where weight loss will be a bit easier, I am told.)

right now on Synthroid (125) and Cytomel (10). I eat 1200 calories a day and do not eat back exercise calories...which range from 300-800 calories on most days.
I have lost 6 lbs in 7 weeks so it is VERY slow.....but I am keeping with it.

Feel free to friend me---I would love to have friends who are in the same boat!

Wow, that's not many calories if you're not eating any back. Are you using a food scale?

PeachyCarol

Cking1162 wrote: »

Hi there..another hypothyroid (Hashimoto's) person here!
I was diagnosed about 4 years ago and my medications have changed at every single appt. They cannot seem to get me in an optimal range (where weight loss will be a bit easier, I am told.)

right now on Synthroid (125) and Cytomel (10). I eat 1200 calories a day and do not eat back exercise calories...which range from 300-800 calories on most days.
I have lost 6 lbs in 7 weeks so it is VERY slow.....but I am keeping with it.

Feel free to friend me---I would love to have friends who are in the same boat!

6 pounds in 7 weeks is NOT slow. Do you NEED to be eating 1200 (you're short and don't have much to lose or are older)? If you truly are burning up to 800 a day and it's not just an overestimate (which many exercise burns are wont to be), you really should be eating some of that back.

As for your thyroid, I've been where you are where they can't find the right dosage. It's frustrating. Hang in there.

The fact that you are losing at a good rate (1 pound a week is a good rate) in spite of what's going on with your thyroid is potentially a sign that you're restricting calories too aggressively.

pollypocket1021

When your labs are drawn, make sure they check T3 and free T3. Some people have trouble converting T4 (levothyroxine and synthroid) into T3, which is the more bioavailable but does not cross blood brain barrier. Some people look strictly at TSH and T4 and that may not tell the whole story.

txrn123

I've had it for a long time but finally got serious about treating it about 8 months ago. Facing turning 50 this year I decided to make a real effort in wt loss. Signed up with MFP in January and then got a fitbit for my birthday in February. Since mid January I've lost 20 pounds. My TSH has been normal for 6 months now so that is helping a lot. Started off at 240 pounds and just hit 220 this week. Still have a long way since my goal wt is 140 but this is the most progress I've made in years!