VERY annoyed with my doctor.

JenniferH81

I went to the doctor last brought up the difficulty I've been having with my weight the last few years. I log everything between this app and my fitbit, every aspect of my diet and exercise is accounted for.
I explained this, and all she told me was to try weight watchers instead.
Really?? I'm feeling very disappointed and let down by this appointment.
Honestly, am I over reacting here?



Oh I guess I should add, I explained how I'm not losing any weight, despite strict diet and exercise. I am hypothyroid and take medicine that has me within normal range.

jwdieter

Doctor isn't likely to be an expert on MFP. Proposing an alternate approach, considering your frustration, isn't a horrible idea by the doctor.

If you want advice specific to MFP, this is a better place to ask than your doctor.

_chiaroscuro

Just going on how you described the encounter, I'd be a little bit put off. It sounds like you went in with a decent amount of information and a desire to get your weight loss headed in the right direction and you got a response that might have been dismissive. I wasn't there obviously so I don't know but from what you provided, that was a bit curt. I'd schedule a follow-up appointment solely to discuss weight loss, and if your physician still doesn't seem engaged, you might consider making a change. Finally getting a doctor who was on my team has made all the difference for me.

Also, I have Hashimoto's, but thought I was within the normal range for TSH. As it turns out, my doctor said I fell into the old normal range which went up to 5 (where I was), but now levels from .3-3 are within normal. Changing my medication to get me in that narrower range has helped. Don't know where you're at but just a thought.

ETA jwdieter is right, you may need to further explain what you've been doing, and if you don't think programs like WW will suit you, make that clear too.

micheleb15

Honestly, if you are healthy and tests come back fine, most drs aren't that qualified for nutrition advice. If you know your thyroid is under control then there is another non health related issue here.

xxmarysmxx

When I told my doctor I was using MFP... He said, is that one of those apps? I told him my goal and laughed.. he stopped himself but he laughed. Then told me how hard that would be and I more then likely wouldn't get there.

Looking for a new Dr...

0somuchbetter0

Not at all surprising. Just because someone is a doctor doesn't mean they know anything about diet, nutrition, or weight loss. I'm married to one and he thinks that the answer to weight control is skipping dinner a few nights a week.

A few years ago I went to my primary care doc (who, incidentally, is thin as a rail) because I was looking into bariatric surgery and needed her to order a bunch of tests for me. After discussing my weight history in detail, she said, "Have you tried Lean Cuisine?" I was like, "Have you heard a word I've said for the last 20 minutes????" OK I didn't say that, but I thought it.

During the "pre-op" phase of the process, I worked with a nutritionist and a shrink to get my head in order before going under the knife. One day, my bariatric surgeon told me in passing that he lost 80 lbs by switching from regular soda to diet soda, like he had discovered the big secret to weight loss. I don't even drink soda, never have. My weight problems are about emotional eating. I tried to explain that to him, but he didn't get it. I had to laugh to myself about that, but hey, he's a surgeon (and a very nice guy), not a nutritionist or a fitness expert.

Lizzy622

I am not in the normal range but my doctor won't change my meds because I am losing weight. I found that I can maintain with diet alone but if I want to lose I have to get at least 3 hours of exercise in a week. I have also lowered my carbs to 45% and increased my protein to 25%.

Mustgetbuff

I would ditch your doctor and see a registered dietitian instead. Unlike a doctor or nutritionist, a dietitian will be able to provide meal plans, calorie intake, nutrient macros, and much more valuable information. I find the automatic response of most doctors to patients looking for weight loss advise is to try Weight Watchers, which is basically just a simplified version of calorie counting. May as well see a dietitian and learn how to manage food accurately without any gimmicks. They can tweak even a seemingly perfect diet to get the results you want.

JenniferH81

My doctor recommends mfp, and since I told her that even diet and exercise is doing nothing she opted to push WW.
I might just look into another doctor, because with the amount of effort I've put into losing weight over the last 10 years I really should have lost some by now...not the same 5 lbs over and over again.
I'm just really very frustrated.

And my tsh is in the 3's. I forget the exact number

Lizzy622

If you are on a T4 med like Synthroid or most artificial thyroid replacement you may want to add brazil nuts to your diet. They have something (selenium I believe) that helps break T4 to T3 or you could ask your doctor about Armour Thyroid which is derived from pigs.

Thorbjornn

And my tsh is in the 3's. I forget the exact number

Oooh! That's too high. Optimal TSH range is <2, closer to 1. The range has been severely narrowed in the past few years. I'm hypothyroid too and take T4 & T3. We keep my TSH around 1, and Free T4 and Free T3 about 1/2 to 2/3 of the range. Free T4 and Free T3 levels are really the best test, along with how the patient presents.

Soooo... if thyroid is properly managed, and there's still no weight loss, it might be that calories are set too high. We hypos have to keep our calories a bit lower than euthyroids. I'm male (obviously from my avi), 5'5" 192 lbs and about 20% b.f. My weight loss cals. are about 1700-1800 to get to 165 lbs and 15% b.f.. AND I have to avoid starchy carbs.

Just some things to consider.

maracuya23

I second most of this! I couldn't lose anything when my TSH was in the 3 range. Under 1 works really well.

I'll add that it might be useful to check on common nutritional deficiencies that occur with hypo such as low vit D, iron, etc. Even taking a good multivitamin (with the rda of selenium, iron, vit D, etc) will help ensure that your body is using the medication as optimally as possible. Enough vitamin D, in particular, made a big difference for me.

boatsie77

My doctor recommends mfp, and since I told her that even diet and exercise is doing nothing she opted to push WW.
I might just look into another doctor, because with the amount of effort I've put into losing weight over the last 10 years I really should have lost some by now...not the same 5 lbs over and over again.
I'm just really very frustrated.

And my tsh is in the 3's. I forget the exact number

Maybe the doc suggested WW because of the meetings/weigh-ins aspect--more personal (vs virtual) than the MFP app (that the doc also appears to recommend but isn't working for you).

141by2016

Fire your doctor and find a primary care doc with more endocrine management experience. Your doses need to be upped.

sweet_blasphemy

Haha, I hear ya. My pdoc put me on Dopa... I mean, Topamax a few weeks back because "it's the only medication that will work as a mood stabilizer and also make you lose weight!" I told him I'm not really having a problem on my own, as I've lost almost 15lbs in the past month and a half, but he acted like it was the greatest thing ever. Took it for 2 days, that crap f****d me up for over a week and the rest of the bottle went into the dirty kitty litter.

I feel like at this early on in the game, a lot of people, including doctors don't really want to believe I'm actually eating a relatively decent diet and that I'm as active as I am. I guess they'll find out in a few more months...

Pdoc however, did order bloodwork for me due to my new meds, and added TSH on the script because it's something I've been wanting to have checked for a long time (runs in the family) so that was nice of him, I guess...

MrGonzo05

You are eating more than you think, or not burning as much as you think.

It's possible your metabolism is a little slower than average, but still, see above. Also people tend to be less active when they eat less. Fidget less, walk around less, etc.

smalltheresa

You have to measure your success not so much by the scale or pound lost. I been on my journey for about two years now and I log my food into MFP everyday. I see a nutritionist once a month, and at first I was losing about four lbs a month and after about four months or so, I lost less than 10 lbs or 8 lbs. Last month I lost only 1 lb. and that was very disappointing because she suggested some pre packed program that delivery your meals everyday and I told her I did not find that feasible or cost effective for my budget. Your problem is that you have other medical issues going on and you are not going to lose weight so easily especially if you have metabolic issues which can reflect what you see on the scale. I agree with most people comments on this site that medical doctors are not trained nutritionist or dieticians but ultimately its the choices you make in life and weight lost is a journey. When I started my weight lost journey in 2011, I weighted 324 lbs. and according to trainer scale I weighted in 272 lbs. but the reactions I receive from numerous people in my life, I lost a tremendous amount of body fat and see completely new person. Although I still have about 100 lbs. to lose, I know that during these two years, I learned to measure my progress on accomplishing goals like being about to jog for a mile without stopping or being able to run in a relay boot camp class with cheerleaders (LA Fitness gym friends in Stone Mountain GA) encouraging me every Thursday night or completing five miles when I wanted to stop or climbing top of Stone Mountain. So rather than being annoyed with your doctor, for suggesting Weight watchers which I have done for three months in the beginning of my journey, I learned about setting goals, eating healthy tips and learned about perseverance many people I meet. Financially I was not able to afford weight watchers but like my fitness pal and other fitness apps. like Spark People, its a learning tool. So rather than being annoyed with your doctor, take a good look at yourself and measure your success not on scale but realize that this is a lifestyle change which will take you through ups and downs even on scale but you just keep moving forward and learning on the way.

padams2359

Last time I went to the dr, I do like my dr and have been seeing him for years, I weighed 186 lbs. I need to go in for routine blood work. My problem is I wake up really early in the morning, usually 3a at the latest, and fasting for 8a blood work seems impossible.

_Zardoz_

I went to the doctor last brought up the difficulty I've been having with my weight the last few years. I log everything between this app and my fitbit, every aspect of my diet and exercise is accounted for.
I explained this, and all she told me was to try weight watchers instead.
Really?? I'm feeling very disappointed and let down by this appointment.
Honestly, am I over reacting here?



Oh I guess I should add, I explained how I'm not losing any weight, despite strict diet and exercise. I am hypothyroid and take medicine that has me within normal range.

what did you expect want your doctor to say? You went in telling him you were doing everything right then expect him to come up with some miracle solution? In reality your either eating more than you think it not burning as much as you think. As good as things like fitbit are they can be wrong

FrauMama

Doctors are very rarely trained well in nutrition. He was probably just trying to be helpful, but if you want any advice beyond the standard "eat less, exercise more", most aren't going to have much to offer. Several of my doctors have asked ME for diet advice, which I found interesting. And my friends who are doctors (mostly GPs, one neurologist, and a cardiologist) honestly are way less knowledgeable about diet and exercise than a lot of people on this site. Unless they've been specifically trained in this field, the ones I know just don't have the specific knowledge or time to do their own research.

LisaNSW

My doctor was very much the same when I approached her about weight loss and healthy eating. I went to see a Dietician/Nutritionist a few weeks later - I would recommend seeing someone more specialised in this area.

txteva

I don't know if you are in the UK but some areas have a weight management scheme which you can ask your doctor to refer on to - they can provide you with one on one meetings with a nutritionist and support groups. (I know Bristol & Plymouth do this)

poedunk65

Read or watch Forks over Knives and Hungry for a Change, then find another doctor.

I was having alot of issues trying to lose a qhile ago, when my chiropractor told me about thopse movies.

lsigall

I echo the people suggesting you see a registered dietician (RD) for this issue. An RD will be able to assess your food intake, measure your macronutrient levels, and provide sound advice on how to tweak your diet.

pattycakes726

Doctors can be morons just like anyone else. I've had the same doc for 10 years. In all that time she never spoke to me about my weight, even though I ranged from 240-290 during that time. Last spring I mentioned I was considering weight loss surgery and she said "have you ever tried dieting?" DUH!

trisH_7183

I would ditch your doctor and see a registered dietitian instead. Unlike a doctor or nutritionist, a dietitian will be able to provide meal plans, calorie intake, nutrient macros, and much more valuable information. I find the automatic response of most doctors to patients looking for weight loss advise is to try Weight Watchers, which is basically just a simplified version of calorie counting. May as well see a dietitian and learn how to manage food accurately without any gimmicks. They can tweak even a seemingly perfect diet to get the results you want.

What this says

JenniferH81

Thank you everyone for the advice. I called a nutritionist last night and will try that.

wingchungym

Quote: Doctors know it all (not)
While he was studying to become a doctor, Mosley was surprised to hear that, within 15 years of completing his six-year degree, half of what he had learnt would be out of date.
For this reason, he says, exempting those who are specialists or make a concerted effort to keep abreast of the latest science, many doctors lack knowledge in certain areas.
Nutrition and weight loss is one. In fact, he says during his years of training he was required to attend just one class on nutrition.
Despite this, and although some doctors are open-minded about the latest research, "some are happy to pontificate about subjects they know nothing about".
He mentions one study comparing various methods of weight reduction where the group who received advice from their GP actually put on weight.


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/diet-and-fitness/michael-mosleys-five-biggest-health-myths-20130920-2u3vb.html#ixzz2hDl5r9qL

lcfairbairn74

Honestly, doctors know very little about nutrition. On a more pertinent note though, your TSH level is a little high. It could do with being nearer 2 or a little lower, so you should discuss your thyroxine dose being adjusted. I think seeing a nutritionist may be a step in the right direction as well.

runnermom419

I went to the doctor last brought up the difficulty I've been having with my weight the last few years. I log everything between this app and my fitbit, every aspect of my diet and exercise is accounted for.
I explained this, and all she told me was to try weight watchers instead.
Really?? I'm feeling very disappointed and let down by this appointment.
Honestly, am I over reacting here?



Oh I guess I should add, I explained how I'm not losing any weight, despite strict diet and exercise. I am hypothyroid and take medicine that has me within normal range.

We must have the same doctor. I went to mine with a similar complaint back in 2011. I wanted my thyroid tested since problems run in my family. Doctor told me to run instead of cycling/spin classes since running was the best exercise ever and anything else was a waste of time.

Turns out I was pregnant, pregnant enough where my body knew not to lose any more weight.

Stage14

When H was diagnosed with diabetes, his nurse practitioner went on and on about WW. You would have thought it was the cure to every ailment known to man, seriously. Every bit of advice she gave was geared towards joining. When he came back 14lbs lighter 6 weeks later and with better BS readings, she assumed he had joined. He told her he had simply joined here and started counting calories and carbs, per advice from a dietician who specializes in hypoglycemia and diabetes. She was shocked because she'd never had a patient be that successful on their own.

There's nothing wrong with WW, but it does seem to get a lot of push from medical staff because it's so popular and known to be successful.