postpartum hypothyroidism and weight loss

Annaekv

Hello All,
I was diagnosed 8 months ago with postpartum hypothyroidism. This has been a very challenging to say the least. I had an ER c-section 12-12-12 and from there started healing. Two months later, I developed chronic hives that lasted for 6 months ( would of been longer if I didnt find a naturopath), weight gain, tiredness.. well you know all of the hypo sysmtoms that are terrible but I wont go on listing them all. I was put on Levothyroxin and didnt feel a differnece.. felt worse! My doctor would not change me though since my leverls were normal. So I begged my natropath to put me on Armour thyroid (natural), that seemmed to help me much more with my energy.. but my joints still ached and still no weight loss. Then after about 5 months armour stopped working and my dosage was upped.. still didnt work. My general doc put me back on levoand a generic t3. Boy i had allergic reactions right away. My face was swollen, my throat was swollen, I had insomnia but was so fatigued all day, weight gain ( err this weight gain is so hard!). THen all my docs went on vacaion at the same time. Not knowing what to do, I just listened to my body. I stopped Levo completely, started taking my armour again but with the added 1/2 dose od t3. Thats where I am at now. I feel better, but not good. Im waiting for my doctors to call me back. Idid research and found good feedback on Naturethoid and NP thyroid. My questions for you all are..
1. HAs anyone developed postpartum thyroiditis and did you recover eventually?
2. HAs anyone tried Naturethoid and or NP thyroid? DId you like it, did you loose weight?
3. If exercising, breastfeeding, and eating healthy isnt working.. how can I drop any weight like this?
4. HAs anyone breastfed and had it make you keep your weight on?

I hope someone has some good info for me.. thanks to all of you!

vancityduck

Hi there. I too have thyroiditis (Hashimotos Autoimmune). I had a C section 12-24-2009.

It has been a long battle, but after finally going through a few clueless doctors, I found a great naturopath and was put on NDT.

To answer your questions:

1. HAs anyone developed postpartum thyroiditis and did you recover eventually?

Once your thyroid stops working you will always need treatment. But I am WAY better than i was when first sick. Once you get to managing it and figuring out what treatment works for you and avoiding foods that trigger attacks, life is much better. Go to www.stopthethyroidmadness.com and read as much as you can. They also have a facebook group. They saved me!


2. HAs anyone tried Naturethoid and or NP thyroid? DId you like it, did you loose weight?

I haven't tried these brands> I am in Canada and take Erfa Thyroid (which is the same as any of the NDTs). Feel 100 times better than on Synthroid.

3. If exercising, breastfeeding, and eating healthy isnt working.. how can I drop any weight like this?

First you need to reduce inflammation in the body and take a good look at what you are eating. In most cases, it makes cutting out gluten and A LOT of grains, also no sugar or dairy. What is your diet looking like?

4. HAs anyone breastfed and had it make you keep your weight on?

I didn't notice a huge difference in losing weight after I weaned my son. I wouldn't worry about that so much right now. Just eat super healthy, exercise a lot and try get good rest (as much as you can with a kid).

Let me know if you have any further questions and feel free to add me.

Annaekv

Thank you vancityduck for answering me in such detail, means alot!

I read that 80% of woman that develop thyroiditis from pregnancy regain there thyroid back, so I had high hopes. I guess if I felt normal then it wouldn't bother me as much as it does now. It is so strange that you can have a healthy thyroid all through life and pregnancy and then BAM everything changes.

I did find a natturopath and she put me on a strict diet, it helped with inflammation but since I am breastfeeding It starved me. It is to hard for me to cut out all these foods at this moment, but I to the best I can. I will have to admit that I am really bad with dairy, I guess I really need to just do it and follow through. Thyroid issues are bad enough, but not being able to enjoy food is hard!

My diet is pretty healthy, although now with having a baby I dont eat much which in turn may make me gain. I exercise at least 5 days a week. I am pretty healthy, but as you stated I guess I have to cut things out.
Normally I am 128 pounds and really active and in shape. I went up to 180 while pregnant, lost 20 right after birth, and have been stuck at 160 163 since ( I am 10 months post partum). I have never gotten rid of the water retention yet.
I start a new natural thyroid tomorrow and hope it helps, I would love to feel like myself again. I would love to enjoy being a new mom to the fullest!!

struggling_1980

4. HAs anyone breastfed and had it make you keep your weight on?
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YES!!! i was told for years that breastfeeding helped lose weight after birthing baby....well not for everybody. Did you know that the hormone responsible for lactation is prolactin and it is also an appetite STIMULANT!?! for moms with normal hormone levels the extra calories burned by making milk might help them lose weight, but i do know of moms...myself included...that actually GAINED weight after birthing baby, despite exclusively nursing. i do have hypothyroidism and have for years and i suspect that is why my body reacted the way it did to prolactin. please dont let this discourage you from nursing though. this time is very temporary and extremely beneficial for your baby's nutrition as well as your emotional connection. the weight might come off slower but it is worth it. very very WORTH IT!