Under active thyroid and weight loss

Just1forMe

I've found that taking L-tyrosine helps my thyroid, gives it a boost. And I feel the same way about exercise. If I make myself go do it I do feel better but somedays I would rather just sleep all day! This weekend is rough because I work 12 hour night shifts so getting in enough sleep AND spending time with my kids before work makes exercise difficult.

Yep my vitamin support tabs contain L-tyrosine too. What do you think to kelp tablets? I've heard good and bad things about taking those, so I haven't bothered as yet.

Please be VERY CAREFUL with natural supplements. If you have Hashimoto's and don't know it, taking Iodine or Kelp supplements could be very bad for you and make things way worse! I walked into a healthfood store yesterday and told her I had Hashimoto's and wanted something for Thyroid support and she tried to sell me both of those after looking it up in her "book". When I got home I did some online research and found a million articles about this. Here's one:
http://drknews.com/iodine-and-hashimotos/
Be your own advocate and do plenty of research before self-medicating. A great resource is www.stopthethyroidmadness.com.

jansus

do they not treat hashimotos with tablets in the USA ? And how did you find out it was this particular disease rather than under active thyroid?

kacarter1017

If your thyroid level is high (meaning your TSH- thus indicating hypothryroidism) you should be on Synthroid or the generic version. The normal lab value is a bit different at different institutions, but is typically between 0.5 and 5. That being said, many people have a rather narrow range within that larger range where they feel good. Having a TSH on the high side is the only way you can be diagnosed with an "underactive" thyroid. If it is truly underactive then you should be on medication.

My TSH was hovering right around the 5 mark. I had lost about 15 pounds, but was REALLY struggling to lose anymore. Since my TSH was so close to the "normal" range, my md was hesitant to start me on Synthroid. However, he did agree to start me on a low dose and it has made ALL the difference! My level is now around 2.5 and I feel SO much better. I have more energy, my hair is less dry and "crispy" , and my weight is coming off in a more reasonable time.

Someone posted that every person has a different tolerance to thyroid levels and that is very true. I have a patient who feels best when her TSH is around 1. When her level increased to around 3 at her last appointment, I increased her Synthroid a bit and she feels normal again. For me, my 2.5 seems to be ok for me.

You may need to be your own health care advocate on this and make certain you don't need Synthroid. If your health care provider says you have an "underactive thyroid" but don't need medication, have him explain why. Not that he/she is wrong, but it is unusual.

Just1forMe

do they not treat hashimotos with tablets in the USA ? And how did you find out it was this particular disease rather than under active thyroid?

Yes they do. I was unsure if you meant natural supplements or actual thyroid meds (synthroid or armour). To determine Hashimotos, they do an antibody test as well as the regular TSH.
http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/hashimotos/

HOW DO I CONFIRM HASHI’S LABWISE? Hashi’s is confirmed by two antibodies labs: anti-TPO and TgAb. The first antibody, anti-TPO, attacks an enzyme normally found in your thyroid gland, called the Thyroid Peroxidase, which is important in the production of thyroid hormones. The second antibody, TgAb, attacks the key protein in the thyroid gland, the thyroglobulin, which is essential in the production of the T4 and T3 thyroid hormones. Note: it is unfortunately common for a doctor to only do ONE test, and you need BOTH tests, since you can be normal in one and high in another! We have also noted that saliva does not always accurately detect Hashi’s as well as blood tests do.

abyssfully

I don't calorie count per se, but keep track of what I eat.

I eat five-six small, balanced meals every day (think protein, good carbs and healthy fat) and exercise (strength training and cardio) and drink lots of water.

I've lost 9.4 lbs in a month.

jansus

thanks for your posts - I am still getting my head round all this .I think my TSH level was 3.5 which in the Uk was apparently border line for medication. But I have been given tablets which I have been taking for just a few days . They netioned something about an antibody level being high - but as my cholesterol and sugar levels were up as well it was all a lot to take in at once. I will certainly ask some more questions when I go back in 7 weeks time for more tests.

And thanks I will check the website and be even more careful with my diet.

snockers3112

Please be VERY CAREFUL with natural supplements. If you have Hashimoto's and don't know it, taking Iodine or Kelp supplements could be very bad for you and make things way worse! I walked into a healthfood store yesterday and told her I had Hashimoto's and wanted something for Thyroid support and she tried to sell me both of those after looking it up in her "book". When I got home I did some online research and found a million articles about this. Here's one:
http://drknews.com/iodine-and-hashimotos/
Be your own advocate and do plenty of research before self-medicating. A great resource is www.stopthethyroidmadness.com.

Thank you for the links, they make for very interesting reading

JMatGam

I just had my second round of bloodwork and my TSH went from 105 to 5. I'm still symptomatic and he hasn't even bothered to call me since the blood test which was March 4th. My T4 is still on the high side as well. Time for a new doctor.
Does anyone else have trouble digesting fruits and vegetables?

jansus

I have suffered from IBS for years and I am now wondering if it was actually down to thyroid. at the moment my most worrying symptom is short term memory problems

JMatGam

Wow, there are some great stories on here and lots of good advice too What I found really exciting was looking at everyones tickers...everyone is doing well with the weightloss..even if it is harder for us..we're doing great!

I agree about refined carbs, I stopped eating white bread at Christmas and felt better for it, I've also swapped to brown rice and very little potato. I used to get a lot of stomach cramps but since changing my diet those have all but gone and I feel healthier. I've also started taking a thyroid support vitamin supplement, as it makes sense to feed your thyroid what it needs to stay as healthy as it can be

I still get very tired days when all I want to do is curl up and sleep but have found that forcing myself to exercise, even if it is just a walk really wakes me up and makes me feel energetic again. Though sometimes of course I give in and sleep

JMatGam

You mention a thyroid support vitamin supplement. Details please!

JMatGam

Short term memory loss is a great big problem for me too. I was warned not to drive until my TSH was below 20.

AllisonWBaker

I was diagnosed with Grave's Disease (severe hyperthyroidism) about 14 years ago and the doctors told me I had to have my thyroid radiated. So, I did, and ever since then, I have been on gradually higher doses of synthroid. I seemed pretty much under control until I got pregnant in 2003. Then, after my son was born, it took nearly a year and a major dose increase to regulate my levels again. Of course, nearly as soon as it was under control, I got pregnant again and it took another 18 months after my daughhter was born to regulate me again. So, now that my daughther is 4 1/2, I feel like it's finally under control and I have started to lose the 15 pounds per child that I gained over the past 8 years! My advice - make sure you have a good doctor or go see a specialist - an endocrinologist - who understands your condition.

jansus

Short term memory loss is a great big problem for me too. I was warned not to drive until my TSH was below 20.

20 - crikey thats very high isnt it ? That must couse you lots of problems

babyblue1974

I feel so blessed to find this conversation thread. I have been trying to lose weight for a year and found out 6 mo ago that I was underactive. I havent lost any weight yet but I gym for 2 hrs 5 days a week and in 3 weeks I lost an inch and 4% body fat. Me too I try and lay off the carbs and no sugar but it definitely feels like a battle. All I know is that when I exercise and take the medication my life is better, its like a fog has been lifted and I generally feel well although I am still obese.

karenrace

Hi everyone,
So glad to have found this. I was diagnosed with hypothyroid two months ago, and am a little frustrated right now with my slow rate of weight loss. I have been doing some online research and keep reading that I should avoid some raw veggies, etc (I have also been experiencing painful bloating). I was down to 140 last week and all of a sudden, I am back up to 144. Grrr!

Does anyone have a good resource for a sample meal plan for someone with low thyroid? I feel like I need to really change up my diet. Who knew eating salad wasn't always a good thing? thanks for any help!

amnsetie

How many calories do you subtract from your tdee if you have hypothyroid problems?
Asking for a friend.

pixilix

bump

Acherona

I also have an under-active thyroid, and the doctor said the same to me that i would have to work harder to lose weight.
That didn't stop me and i have now lost over 50lbs. I feel like i have to work harder then my partner but other then that i do the same as him, eat healthy and exercise.

Gaining weight unfortunately is a side affect of an under-active thyroid if not treated properly. I am on pills for it and i noticed that i lost more weight taking them then when I'm not taking them so they help a lot considering

mona169

My problem is 'over-active' thyroid. It started when I became pregnant. After delivery I just stopped taking medicines and now after almost an year my GP thinks it is back. My glands seem swollen and my voice cracked. Just took my blood for tests and waiting for result. Not sure if it is underactive or overactive thyroid. I sure look very bloated especially around my neck. Will update this post once the results are back.

lesle1

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 1994. I always felt it would be hard to lose weight because of it. I'm on Synthroid 175 mcg. I thought after losing the weight my dosage would change. It didn't. The doctor is keeping it the same because of my blood work. I have a friend that lost 100 lbs and they lowered hers.

Anyway, I found that exercise worked for me. I tried working out off and on for years but always gave up. I never really got serious about it. When I finally did - the weight came off. And I discovered I love running.

Nessiep

hi there ..iwas diagnosed with over active thyroid (graves disease)16years ago and was on tablets..ilost alot of weight..3 years ago i had my thyroid removed..througout the 16 years my weight went up and down like a yo yo!!...now ive lost 4 stone on MFP icld off never done that with my thyroid all over the place so i feel much beta now in myself...im on 150mg thyroxin and will be on it for rest of my life ..its all in my family..nan,sister auntie.....so you can loose weight i'm proof !!!..good luck with your weight loss xx

BWinsto1

I was diagnosed with Hashimotos Disease (under active thyroid)this past January. I gained over 30 lbs in one year. I am currently on levothyroxine 75mg and I am either at my right dose or the dose is too high. I have started a gluten free, soy free, dairy free diet which has helped me lose 7 lbs so far this week alone. I exercise at least 5 times a week. I plan on sticking to the gluten free, soy free, dairy free diet for the rest of my life.

fatboypup

ugh i forgot to take my pill this AM .....

brandiuntz

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism a couple years ago. Being on medication (compounded at local pharmacy) and getting my levels into a "normal" range has made all the difference. Besides weight struggles, getting my levels in a normal range fixed my TOM problems.

I've lost close to 50 pounds over the past few years.

saraann4

I agree, i am not going to blame my whole weight gain on my thyroid, my choices had something to do with it for sure. I think it's just finding a balance between medication, food choices and exercise. It's nice to see you all have been having success!

I agree with this. I also have an underactive thyroid. It is very hard losing weight. It also sucks because I am so tired all of the time. On the other hand, I did lose 10 lbs last month!

iwantahealthierme13

I gained weight because of thyroid issues but I also lost it because of thyroid issues, right before I was diagnosed. I topped out at 208-210 then I lost about 15 pounds (in 2010) because low thyroid made me sick for awhile (nauseous) then when I was all stable, I lost another 8 pounds to make it down to 187. Just this past February, I was 181-183 for a little while, went up to 188-190 again in March then started MFP on April 12 of this year. Since April 12th, I am now back down to 185.5 and still losing. It's a little more difficult with thyroid issues but it can be done.

amnsetie

this doctor says that the BMR for hypothyroid is about 10% lower than normal thyroid.


http://www.hussmanfitness.org/html/TFCalories.html


anyone able to support/refute/refine this info??

It would make for easy maths if it's right

darknyx

I've had hypothyroidism for 12 years. It was under control with medication, diet and exercise... until early 2011. My levels have went erratic and my endocrinologist has been struggling to find a reason for it. Test after test, (not to mention 30 pounds in the first 3 months) but there is still no sign of balance. My diet has been restricted again to eliminate possible gluten allergens this time. As if, soy, dairy, cruciferous vegetables, and fresh fruits weren't enough? I have yet to lose any weight on the doctor's plan, but give it time she says. I'd be content to just feel better at this point, even if I wasn't losing.

mansellfitness

I have all the symptoms of underactive thyroid, and awaiting blood test results. For the last year I have been working out 5 times a week and sticking to a 1250 cal diet and I have still gained nearly 14lbs !!! Feeling very depressed and frustrated :-(. My fitness trainer is at a lose as he has tried everything for me - diet, cardio,running,circuit training . I am only 4ft 11" and gone from size 10 to 12/14 !!!!! Please can someone give me any advice/help as I feel so alone and feel like giving up .