Low Thyroid!!!

Psychgrrl

Diet
There are recommendations to avoid soy, goitrous veggies like broccoli and cauliflower and stone fruits like peaches and strawberries. The research is inconclusive. Some studies back it, other don't.

When I was diagnosed, I dropped it all. I had a hard time getting my thyroid regulated with the meds, gained a lot of weight and had tons of other side effects. UGH!

I really do think it's individual. I eat all those things now and am in the best health since I was diagnosed. And to be honest, before that.

Meds
Talk to your doctor about dosage and when to take them. See what s/he says about what is working best for you. True they need to be on an empty stomach and that calcium, iron and other supplements can interfere with absorption (as can food). Antacids like nexium and prevacid are a no-no and must be taken as far apart from the meds as possible.

I take all mine in the morning (well, technically at my 4am wake-up pee break). While the T4 (synthroid/levoxyl) needs to build up in your system, the cytomel is fast acting and is in and out of your system within about a day.

Elsie_Brownraisin

I have medication induced hypothyroidism. I take levothyroxine in the morning and haven't noticed any side effects.

As far as food goes, I'm sure I read something about not eating a lot of food with iodine, e.g. shellfish and seaweed. But you'd have to eat tons of the stuff, so it's not a problem.

However, you shouldn't use iodine based antiseptics (e.g. what's called 'betadine' where I live). If you end up in accident and emergency with a cut or something, let the nurse/Dr know.

Edit to add: I've never been given any instructions on what to avoid when taking the thyroxine, just to take it in the morning. That said, I take a fistful of tablets every morning and evening, so perhaps they figured there aren't optimum conditions to take it.

PeachyCarol

jadedone wrote: »

I found I have to wait 2-3 hours after taking my meds before I can eat anything. I found I feel better if I do. I wait 4 hours before taking my vitamins.My Dr said the vitamins affected the synthroid. I was told to avoid soy that it would counter the effect of the synthroid. As long as my DR has me on the right dose I lose weight normally. This is my first year of being on meds for hypothyroidism and I have gone from 165 lbs to 140lbs. I know its time to have my levels checked since I have been at 140lbs for 2 months now. :happy:

Hmm I think I will need to ask my dr about soy. I have soy sauce about 2-3 times a week, tofu/similar items 1-2 a month, and edamame 2x a month, soy milk 3-5x a month.... I wonder if these have an impact.

You have to eat a LOT more soy than that to have an impact. Don't worry about it.

PeachyCarol

Psychgrrl wrote: »

Diet
There are recommendations to avoid soy, goitrous veggies like broccoli and cauliflower and stone fruits like peaches and strawberries. The research is inconclusive. Some studies back it, other don't.

When I was diagnosed, I dropped it all. I had a hard time getting my thyroid regulated with the meds, gained a lot of weight and had tons of other side effects. UGH!

I really do think it's individual. I eat all those things now and am in the best health since I was diagnosed. And to be honest, before that.

Meds
Talk to your doctor about dosage and when to take them. See what s/he says about what is working best for you. True they need to be on an empty stomach and that calcium, iron and other supplements can interfere with absorption (as can food). Antacids like nexium and prevacid are a no-no and must be taken as far apart from the meds as possible.

I take all mine in the morning (well, technically at my 4am wake-up pee break). While the T4 (synthroid/levoxyl) needs to build up in your system, the cytomel is fast acting and is in and out of your system within about a day.

I talked to my endo about the veggies, she told me that I'd really have to gorge on them for them to be problematic. I adore cauliflower. I adore strawberries. I don't eat huge quantities, but I eat them frequently. I have Hashimoto's, and my thyroid does what a thyroid does with Hashimoto's in that it will run hot and cold sometimes, and it's hard to get it regulated, but according to my endo, it's down to Hashimoto's, NOT my diet.

editorgrrl

According to the Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothyroidism/expert-answers/hypothyroidism-diet/faq-20058554

Generally, there's no hypothyroidism diet. Although claims about hypothyroidism diets abound, there's no evidence that eating or avoiding certain foods will improve thyroid function in people with hypothyroidism.

If you have hypothyroidism, take thyroid hormone replacement as directed by your doctor—generally with an empty stomach. It's also important to note that too much dietary fiber can impair the absorption of synthetic thyroid hormone. Certain foods, supplements and medications can have the same effect.

Avoid taking your thyroid hormone at the same time as:
• Iron supplements or multivitamins containing iron
• Calcium supplements
• Antacids that contain aluminum or magnesium
• Some ulcer medications, such as sucralfate (Carafate)
• Some cholesterol-lowering drugs, such as those containing cholestyramine (Questran) and colestipol (Colestid)

To avoid potential interactions, use these products several hours before or after you take your thyroid medication.

bluepotatoes66

mamapeach910 wrote: »

Psychgrrl wrote: »

Diet
There are recommendations to avoid soy, goitrous veggies like broccoli and cauliflower and stone fruits like peaches and strawberries. The research is inconclusive. Some studies back it, other don't.

When I was diagnosed, I dropped it all. I had a hard time getting my thyroid regulated with the meds, gained a lot of weight and had tons of other side effects. UGH!

I really do think it's individual. I eat all those things now and am in the best health since I was diagnosed. And to be honest, before that.

Meds
Talk to your doctor about dosage and when to take them. See what s/he says about what is working best for you. True they need to be on an empty stomach and that calcium, iron and other supplements can interfere with absorption (as can food). Antacids like nexium and prevacid are a no-no and must be taken as far apart from the meds as possible.

I take all mine in the morning (well, technically at my 4am wake-up pee break). While the T4 (synthroid/levoxyl) needs to build up in your system, the cytomel is fast acting and is in and out of your system within about a day.

I talked to my endo about the veggies, she told me that I'd really have to gorge on them for them to be problematic. I adore cauliflower. I adore strawberries. I don't eat huge quantities, but I eat them frequently. I have Hashimoto's, and my thyroid does what a thyroid does with Hashimoto's in that it will run hot and cold sometimes, and it's hard to get it regulated, but according to my endo, it's down to Hashimoto's, NOT my diet.

Also, the chemical that causes thyroid issues with goitrous veggies starts to break down at 110 degrees Celsius (10 degrees above boiling)/230 Fahrenheit (18 degrees above boiling) - so steaming cauliflower and broccoli will basically get rid of it anyway.

PeachyCarol

bluepotatoes66 wrote: »

mamapeach910 wrote: »

Psychgrrl wrote: »

Diet
There are recommendations to avoid soy, goitrous veggies like broccoli and cauliflower and stone fruits like peaches and strawberries. The research is inconclusive. Some studies back it, other don't.

When I was diagnosed, I dropped it all. I had a hard time getting my thyroid regulated with the meds, gained a lot of weight and had tons of other side effects. UGH!

I really do think it's individual. I eat all those things now and am in the best health since I was diagnosed. And to be honest, before that.

Meds
Talk to your doctor about dosage and when to take them. See what s/he says about what is working best for you. True they need to be on an empty stomach and that calcium, iron and other supplements can interfere with absorption (as can food). Antacids like nexium and prevacid are a no-no and must be taken as far apart from the meds as possible.

I take all mine in the morning (well, technically at my 4am wake-up pee break). While the T4 (synthroid/levoxyl) needs to build up in your system, the cytomel is fast acting and is in and out of your system within about a day.

I talked to my endo about the veggies, she told me that I'd really have to gorge on them for them to be problematic. I adore cauliflower. I adore strawberries. I don't eat huge quantities, but I eat them frequently. I have Hashimoto's, and my thyroid does what a thyroid does with Hashimoto's in that it will run hot and cold sometimes, and it's hard to get it regulated, but according to my endo, it's down to Hashimoto's, NOT my diet.

Also, the chemical that causes thyroid issues with goitrous veggies starts to break down at 110 degrees Celsius (10 degrees above boiling)/230 Fahrenheit (18 degrees above boiling) - so steaming cauliflower and broccoli will basically get rid of it anyway.

Oh, that's good to know, thanks. I usually have my cauliflower roasted with smoked paprika. No worries eating it that way!

Kalikel

You cannot fix a bum thyroid with food. You need a doctor.

Itisneeded

Here is another one. You have all given so much info there probably isn't much to add. I was diagnosed hypothyroid about 24 years ago. My doctor was never the talkative kind, and I didn't know enough to ask besides being worried about "complaining". I did notice that at every pregnancy after that, I would be unusually tired and kind of feverish the first three months, then came three months of calm, followed by a bad roller coaster ride of depression and anxiety with over 10 lbs weight loss the last 6 to 10 weeks. I did carefully mention it to doctor, but he didn't know what it was. He was sure it had nothing to do with the Synthroids. So now I wonder what it could be. Anyone else experience this?

editorgrrl

Are you just hypothyroid, or do you have Hashimoto's? Hashi's is autoimmune, which means your body is attacking your thyroid. Usually the thyroid reacts to the attacks by not producing enough hormones, but sometimes it reacts by overproducing. Hence the ups & downs.

Hashi's is diagnosed by a blood test for antibodies plus an ultrasound of your neck. Ask for a referral to an endocrinologist. (If your doctor is an endo, find a new one—one you feel comfortable talking to.) A good doctor will regularly adjust your meds based on both your levels & your symptoms.

ccesq73

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 2007. I was on Weight Watchers at the time. I was within three pounds of my goal weight. All of a sudden I started gaining weight if I so much as thought about food. (This may explain why I want to scream whenever someone on this site says a calorie deficit will solve everything). The doctor put me on levothyrixine and I've never experienced any side effects. Unfortunately losing weight is really, really hard.

editorgrrl

ccesq73 wrote: »

I was within three pounds of my goal weight. All of a sudden I started gaining weight if I so much as thought about food. (This may explain why I want to scream whenever someone on this site says a calorie deficit will solve everything). The doctor put me on levothyrixine and I've never experienced any side effects. Unfortunately losing weight is really, really hard.

I really & truly thought I was gaining for no reason, but learning to log everything I eat & drink accurately & honestly showed me the ugly truth—I was eating way too much.

I think Hashimoto's has messed up my hunger cues—which is why I still log every day even though I reached goal six months ago.

socajam

Synthroid should be taken on its own with water preferably one hour before eating anything. I usually take my Synthroid first thing in the morning with 8 ounces of water, eating breakfast sometimes 1-2 hours after.
I take my Vitamin D with my evening meal.

slieber

Thanks for the link to the thyroid group. Posted a big question there.

LAWoman72

I was DXd five years ago, have been taking Levo since. It took a LONG time for my doctor to figure out what dosage I really needed. I was up and down, up and down (which is standard for Hashi's - you never really know how bad the "attack" on the thyroid will be on any give day, nor how much your thyroid is going to feel like putting out against the odds, so to speak).

I still have my ups and downs, but am at 88mcg now and that seems to be my sweet spot, at least for the past nine months or so. Going strong now. I do have my very tired days. When I do, I don't let myself get entirely inactive any more. If I have to, I do things in stages. Fold a load of laundry, sit for a few minutes. Get up and do the dishes, sit for a few minutes. And so on.

On "good" days I try to get up and actually move around. I am getting more and more active.

I'm very tired today, but not Hashi's tired (which is how I like to think of it). I have been up and at 'em clearing up the toys under the Christmas tree, taking all the Christmas garbage to the curb (my God but we created a lot of garbage this holiday), cleaning, playing with my kids. Oh, and baking bread!

Hang in there. With an autoimmune disease, it is progressive so it's likely for many of us that over time, we will have to keep "upping" our dosages. For some of us we will eventually be at our max dosage. My father-in-law is there now. His thyroid has basically lost all function after years and years of Hashi's. However, he feels stable on his dosage.

I will take the ups and downs over the years I spent before being diagnosed and receiving medication. I remember the only reason I eventually went for my thyroid blood test, which my OB had suggested due to my very heavy periods, was that I had to go to the store, was driving back and just didn't think I could make it. I just wanted to sit down before I fell down. I knew there would be a waiting period at the lab and the thought of just being able to sit in a chair with the back of my head leaning against the wall was like heaven to me. And necessary. I knew I WAS NOT going to make the drive home (which was less than two miles). I literally went for my blood test ONLY because I was too weak to drive home and I was passing the lab and suddenly remembered the blood test order in my glove box. The results came back at a TSH of just under 8 and TPO of greater than 1800. My doctor called and told me, "You are sick. You are very sick."

Those days were hell. I slept up to 16 hours per day and was bleary the other eight, trying desperately to clean...to get my work done (I work from home)...trying to be awake long enough to help my kids with their homework. I felt like the living dead. I feel like I lost at least two years of my life. They are just...the years that weren't. For me.

I am grateful there is medication and that I don't have to live that way until I die.

barby6011

I have hypothyroidism. I am on armour thyroid med. Classic symptoms, weight gain. Bad memory, constipation, hair loss, bad nails. I have a friend who has the opposite condition. She was losing weight like crazy. And eyes were bulging. I have already

barby6011

Had to double the armor thyroid
. Feeling much better hope you do too.

LAWoman72

barby6011 wrote: »

Had to double the armor thyroid
. Feeling much better hope you do too.

Good news that you're feeling better!

Itisneeded

editorgrrl wrote: »

Are you just hypothyroid, or do you have Hashimoto's? Hashi's is autoimmune, which means your body is attacking your thyroid. Usually the thyroid reacts to the attacks by not producing enough hormones, but sometimes it reacts by overproducing. Hence the ups & downs.

Hashi's is diagnosed by a blood test for antibodies plus an ultrasound of your neck. Ask for a referral to an endocrinologist. (If your doctor is an endo, find a new one—one you feel comfortable talking to.) A good doctor will regularly adjust your meds based on both your levels & your symptoms.

Thanks for your answer. I don't even know why I am hypo, though I remember it was the blood test that confirmed it. I had no ultrasound at all. Maybe I should ask my doctor a couple of question. All the posts here will be helpful to focus on what to ask.

Zhost

Hypothyroid male diagnosed about 10 +/- 1 year(s) ago. I've recently dropped from 225-230 down to as low as about 165. I take 150 mcg of levothyroxine daily. It's possible.

slieber

Wow! Congrats Zhost. Weight Watchers said that men tend to lose more easily, though. It is still quite impressive, however!

Zhost

slieber wrote: »

Wow! Congrats Zhost. Weight Watchers said that men tend to lose more easily, though. It is still quite impressive, however!

Yeah I agree as a guy and being 6'2 it's funny that I can get away with about 1.8k calories and still drop weight whereas my gf has to stay around 1.2-1.3, hah.