Calorie Intake

1983ashleigh

Since I've realized my thyroid hates me I've backed my calories WAY down... I'm now having between 700-1000 calories a day. I know not enough... BLAH, BLAH, BLAH! I'm not trying to starve myself, but I'm sick of gaining weight so quickly. In less than 2 months I gained 10 pounds... Well of course yesterday I was 200 calories deficient from my daily recommended & I woke up this morning & had gained 2 pounds... HELP!

At this point I'm waiting to get into see an endocrinologist, so I'm hoping to get the problem resolved soon. I'm just looking for some advice before I start getting the issue taken care of. All I know currently is that I do have a goiter. My TSH level is in the normal range; however, I know understand a normal TSH does not exist.

HELP! I'm desperate!!!!

Janette3x4

I am having the exact issue that you are, although my calories per day are not as low. I have been eating less and less, with no results other than gains! On "good" days, I can maintain my higher weight, but there have been no losses for weeks. I started on sythroid, but it is a very low dose. I feel more energetic, feel better all around and walk everyday to get a minimum of 10k steps, but to no avail. =(
Prior to this hypo issue that I have (due to RAI) if I ate 1200 calories per day, I would be losing lots of weight. I am begining to think that since I cannot live on less than 1200 per day, I may have to cut out carbs for a while. Which is tough, because besides the small amount of dairy that I eat, I eat a pant based diet. And I weigh all of my food!
Maybe once our meds get stable we can then eat whatever we want at a deficit and lose weight? When I take my pulse rate, 60 is tops. Shows how slow my metabolism is right now!
I wish you the best of luck.

AleshaRae82

Are you exercising at least 30 mins a day? Do you have access to a pool or a gym? Walking certainly is a great start but you need to push yourself. Having gone from Hyper to Hyper I know all about the weight stuggles and even with my current exercise routine I feel like it takes me a heck fo a lot longer to lose weight but I keep pushing myself.

Your calorie intake is very low - you are only hurting yourself in the long run. Your body is going to go in this "starvation" mode and will start storing calories into fat.. The more you move the more you burn....even after working out your body is still burning more calories.

You don’t necessarily need a gym there are tons of youtube/fitness websites that you can check out online for at-home type exercises. Your local library also will have fitness DVDs you can rent for free.

Eating right is equally important. You are not doomed with this dreaded plague. Its a hindrance for sure but you still have control.

AleshaRae82

Hyper to HYPO lol oops

1983ashleigh

Good luck Janette! This is definitely an area that is not easy to adjust to!

Thanks Alesha! You are doing great on the weight loss! I'm not starving myself, I'm actually eating a lot but everything I do eat is super low in calories. Oatmeal, vegetarian chili, etc. I am not having no food, I'm just limiting the food I'm putting into by body (staying away from breads, alcohol, etc). I drink mostly water, but sometimes have unsweetened tea.

As far as moving I'm really trying to. I have done 180 mins of hot yoga, and walked for about an hour (outside of my normal walking) in the past 4 days. I didn't weigh myself this morning, because I couldn't handle the scale possibly going up more. I'm getting closer to gaining 15 pounds in the past 2 1/2 months, so it is pretty depressing! Moving is another thing I'm having an issue with, because I have the Epstein Barr gene & the chronic fatigue has been acting up lately too. I'm just ready to feel like my old self again! The yoga for now is at the very least helping my mind not go too crazy!

Thank you both for the input!

kimekakes28

I understand your pain!! I monitor my food all the time because I know my thyroid is in hypo mode. I do make sure I do some type of exercise every day. Most days I am so tired, I just walk for about 15 minutes. I know this sounds like a broken record, but it has really been the only thing that helps me to maintain my weight for the past six years since I've been diagnosed. We are in this together!

Lizanne1975

Too low-calorie intake will wreak havoc to your metabolism and have a negative effect on your thyroid. Cutting too many calories out of your diet also inhibits the conversion of T4 to T3 and causes your body to start storing fat instead of burning it. If your TSH level's are correct, it may be that the conversion from T4 to T3 is not be working properly.

Too little calories will also cause water retention which will appear to increase your weight (even though it just you body storing water).

I realise it's very difficult getting the right balance between calorie intake and excercise with a thyroid problem and hope you manage to get it all sorted.

MostlyWater

you need to be under a dr's care but it takes time to level out. good luck!

Missfit35

Get to the doctor ASAP!

mom2pne

I would consult a dietician and doctor. You may need your med upped. My thyroid is a mess. My TSH level was 13.4 and I was on 150mcg and am now on 175mcg. I also got an appt with a dietician who told me to have 1500 calories a day.

Janette3x4

My Doctor took me off of a beta-blocker last week. (I still take an ARB and ACE) and since then, have dropped a pound. He says that I should not have to eat less than 1500 calories a day considering I am careful to get at least 10k steps in a day. My HR was at 60, but now it is at a more normal 80. I have more energy (could also be the synthroid) as well. OP- keep up the Dr.s visits! It really helps if you can print out your food journal from here to show the Dr. when you go in.

I hope you are still giving it your best shot!

1983ashleigh

I'm glad you are getting a little bit of help & congrats on going off the beta-blocker. I'm still waiting on my endocrinologist's apt, it is 1 month from today. I'm definitely not hitting 1500 calories a day. I've been staying between 900-1100 the past 2 weeks. I've not gained like I was, but I'm not loosing anything either. My symptoms do seem to be getting worse though.... I'm definitely looking forward to Sept 8th to get some more answers.

Fuzzipeg

I know as well as many how lowering it is to try to loose weight and not get anywhere, even going in reverse for no seemingly particular reason. I think the best thing I did while I was waiting for various appointments was to invest in some good, not the first you find, vitamins and minerals achieving a very broad spectrum, its hard enough eating at a deficit to achieve the right nutrition but when you are plagued by a recalcitrant thyroid its nigh on impossible.

Just a thought. All the best everyone. The younger you are when you get taken seriously the better, believe me.

Janette3x4

Ashleigh, you are right where I was at about a month ago. When I went to go see my doctor he put me on a very low dose of synthroid and it seems to have helped a little bit with the symptoms of depression and achiness. I am still struggling with my weight but it's not quite so hard. I'm not gaining a half pound a day or whatever lol. I wish you the best! Please keep us posted

hteepeg

I struggled for 6 months with exercising 4-5 days a week, regulating my diet through weight watchers, getting enough rest, and managing my stress levels. I kept playing with the same 5 lbs over and over for those months. I have a primary care doctor and an endocrinologist. My endo thought I was doing fine, but my PCD didn't agree. I got the two of them together and they agreed to do blood tests (even though my tests 3 months ago showed my TSH, T4, & T3 moving towards the normal range). Blood tests showed that I had slipped into the more hypo range and my endo upped my Tirosint. In the last 2 months, I've lost 14 pounds with very little change other than leaving WW for the 5:2 eating method. I know it is frustrating, but until your thyroid levels are regulated you can do everything "right" and not see a success. In the hardest times, I have to remind myself that thyroid is an illness and I can't be mad at myself for something so outside of my control. All I can do is advocate for my own wellness with my doctors and keep trying to be the best me that I can. Good luck and I wish you patience and success.