hypothyroidism - obstacle or excuse?

Vermilla · November 2011

I have hypothryoidism (a medical condition which severely slows down the motabalism for those who may not know). It runs in the female side of my family. Likely not a coincidence, the majority of my family are quite large people. For a long time, I was very large too. I topped out at 230 lbs. I pretty easily got down to 180 pounds, but then it took me a year to get down to 155. I got sick for a while and was bedridden for a month; I gained 12 pounds. 1 year to lose 25 pounds, 1 month to gain half that back. Anybody have any suggestions to help lose weight for somebody with hypothryoidism? I'm NOT on medication for it and can't get on medication for it. Any other suggestions? Certain types of exercise or certain types of food which will help with it? Anybody else who has this condition who has found some successful ways to go about this? Thanks!

_Jessica_ · November 2011

Why cant you get on meds for it. I had my thyroid removed and let me tell you... when your levels are off, the pounds will pack on quick! I gained 50 pounds in 6 months and my docs said no amount of excersise would help until my thyroid levels were leveled out.

taramaureen · November 2011

Nothing is going to help you without medication. Seriously, NOTHING. You need to be on medication to regulate it. You do realize if you let it go too long it can get to such a severe level you could die, right?

snockers3112 · November 2011

Why can't you get medication for it? I have an underactive thyroid and take levothyroxine, I also take some thyroid supporting vitamins. I agree it is so unbelievably easy to put weight on and in a relatively short space of time too! My digestive systems is sluggish and I am often constipated too (all part of the effects of an underactive thyroid) so I try to eat lighter meals and always incorporate fruit, I also try to keep bread down to one meal a day otherwise I feel bloated. You really should get some mediation for an underactive thyroid

gemini0007 · November 2011

After years of being Hyperthyroid, I have had RAI and am now Hypothyroid - I am on medication and my thyroid levels are under control and in the normal range. Why can't you take medication? And are your thyroid levels within the normal range - if they're not - you are fighting a losing battle.

gemini0007 · November 2011

Can I ask which thyroid supporting vitamins you take??

Vermilla · November 2011

I should've clarrified. I'm not a doctor or anything but apparently there's some kind of level or turning point or something that tells a doctor if you should or shouldn't be on medication for it. My sister has been on meds for it for a few years. My mom was tested and they didn't give her meds for a while. She only got them maybe a year ago. When I was last tested for it, he said I had it, and even after I explained the family history of it (also my grandmother and my aunt), he said that there was "no need for medication yet" I don't know why; again, I'm not a doctor but without that little piece of paper from the doctor saying that I need it, I can't get it. And so nobody asks; I do trust my doctor. He's been very good to me.

Vermilla · November 2011

ARE there over the counter meds I could take to help that I don't need a doctor's Rx for?

Ruthann2 · November 2011

I would like to know this too

snockers3112 · November 2011

I've been taking Higher Nature Thyroid Support Formula for a while now - there is no proof they actually do anything but I figure it can't do any harm to feed my body vitamins that are meant to support the thyroid. Since losing some weight I feel better already

snockers3112 · November 2011

I've heard that dessicated thyroid extract does the same job at levothyroxine? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desiccated_thyroid_extract

Vermilla · November 2011

Hm, interesting. I'm not really a pill person. I hate pills and only take them if absolutely necessary. I won't even take pain medication unless I'm in the hospital. But that aside, I know there's a LOT of BS out there for just about every problem ever mentioned (and some made up most likely). There's tons of medications, herbal supplements, and "cures" for everything. Pretty much just to make money for people stupid enough to buy the products. Does anybody know of any that they know work? Preferably through personal experience or something that a medical professional suggested? I'll look into it myself if it helps but I'd rather not go on a wild goose chase. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who struggles with hypothyroidism though.

gemini0007 · November 2011

I guess your levels are considered 'under control' - I assume you have had blood tests. In that case - to answer your question - it's an excuse - I have been hypothyroid for over three years now - yes I was overweight, but thanks to MFP I have lost 17 kgs (37 lbs) and my BMI is in the normal range. Your hypothyroidism is only an obstacle when your levels are not under control.

gemini0007 · November 2011

That is what I take - it's called Whole Thyroid here in New Zealand - and it's on prescription not an over the counter medication.

snockers3112 · November 2011

gemini0007 - so dessicated thyroid works just as well for you as the synthetic tablets?? That is interesting

It isn't prescribed here in the UK

Vermilla · November 2011

Yeah, I had a blood test about a year ago, along with everything else. I thought about it again because it's been a while. I eat around 1000-1500 calories a day but I'm also very active and go to the gym nearly every day where I burn an extra 400-800 calories. I eat healthy and watch the nutrition of what I eat. I was doing pretty good till about four months ago or so where I just stopped dead no matter what I did, and now for the past bit, I just keep putting on weight and feeling extraordinarily tired and ceaselessly frozen stiff, even though my heat is constantly on at 70F. When I was talking to some friends, they said it may be the hypothyroidism so I figured I'd ask. I havent' been back to the doctor because - nothing personal against him - but I hate doctors.

gemini0007 · November 2011

It's the only thing I have taken since having the RAI treatment (since being hypothyroid). It's worked wonderfully for me. So you can buy this over the counter??? I must keep that in mind next time my friends travel to the UK. I had to go to my doctor and tell her how to go about prescribing it - she knew nothing about it and I insisted that I wanted to try it. And the last time I had my prescription filled - the chemist told me how strict they are with the production of Whole Thyroid-she can't hold stock she can only order it once she has the prescription - so it always takes a day or two to get.

MaraDiaz · November 2011

It does, but I believe you need a prescription for it in the US, and a doctor probably won't give you one if your numbers are in the normal range, even if it's borderline low. Which you can be, for years, or all your life. It sucks, but they will not medicate you for it.

Stimulants such as amphetamines will raise metabolism, but of course the most powerful of those are tightly controlled, you're not getting a prescription for any of them easily, either.

I'm not sure you want to start messing with thyroid hormones, no matter what the source. There are some nasty side effects reported with those, some of them potentially fatal.

I'm not a doctor this isn't medical advice blah blah etc. etc.

Edit- I did find a listing of OTC thyroid medication from dessicated pig thyroid. The article says it's weaker than the ones that require a prescription.

Still not sure I'd mess with those myself, but I guess if I was desperate I'd try anything.

gemini0007 · November 2011

Ah - okay it's been a year - your levels may have changed and it may be time for you to go on some medication. I would recommend you visit your doctor and ask for a blood test for your thyroid levels.

shakybabe · November 2011

I was born with an under active thyroid (Congenital Hypothyroidism) which caused a number of difficulties and disabilties for me in my life, but I was brought up to believe 'Disability is not an excuse' . Weight wasn't a major issue for me as a child as my doctor always had me on high dose so as not to stunt growth and my parents always kept me active.

When I developed Ataxia from it in my early thirties and had problems with my body not converting the T4 tablets to T3 I piled on weight and at my heaviest was 16st... I did get down to 11st 7 over the years as the ataxia increased the energy I needed to do stuff but it was still slow process as they didn't have my meds right to start with and I wasn't burning a huge amount of extra calories in early stages whilst it was so mild. I was also still eating carbs normally and hadn't heard of the link between Hypothyroidism and allergies.

After I put a stone back on reaching 12st 7 (175lbs) I joined a diet forum as the pain I was getting in my back was unbearable and needed to lose weight around my middle, first four months were slow then I discovered low cab and the link between wheat intolerance and Hypothyroidism, so I cut out wheat, I allow gluten free bread and a brownie once a week and rest of meals are veg, salad, fruit, lean white meat or fish, allow red meat once a week.. usually sunday dinner as I enjoy lamb or chilli made with lamb mince and corn tortilla'.

The weight has been dropping off regularly since, and as the weight has been dropping off the pain has been less, I've been able to exercise more and so I can keep a deficit in my diet even if I fancy a treat. I've now managed to lose 27lbs since June and reached 148lbs (10st 8).

Where there's a will, there's a way, as they say! ... but sometimes it just takes a while to find what works for you.

Good luck! :happy:

MaraDiaz · November 2011

This. And maybe pester your doctor to tell you your number (there are three, I believe, but usually one is used to determine whether you'll get medication or not). That way you'll know just how borderline you are. Don't listen to vague reassurances, either. Get a copy of the blood work numbers and look them up online. That was the only way I could find out I was borderline low, the doctor who ordered the blood work refused to tell me I was, despite the fact that it must have been obvious to her.

Vermilla · November 2011

You're probably right. I should call my doctor and set up an appointment. He's a great doctor, always listens and explains things to me rather than shoves a prescription in my hand and shoos me out the door. The ONLY problem with my doctor is that it sometimes takes weeks or even MONTHS to get an appointment, which is the other reason I rarely go. I tend to ride things out. I didn't realize that it could really be dangerous. My sister went on it right away but my mom didn't (she was diagnosed but wasn't on the pills till just the past year) so I figured it was one of those "take if you feel like it" medications.

superrjo · November 2011

If youve got an underactive thyroid you have to get on meds for it , the longer you leave it the worse things'll get. Bad side effects of dry skin, exhaustion, depression, feeling cold. If you leave it too long it can have severe effects. Thyroxine doesnt just regulate metabolism, it helps everything keep going.

Vermilla · November 2011

Good point. -I- will have no idea what the numbers will mean but I'm sure somebody here will!

Vermilla · November 2011

I have all of those -_-;

MaraDiaz · November 2011

Well if your doctor is good, you won't have to hunt around the net for answers. My doctor was just wanting to avoid an argument she knew she'd get if I found out how close I was to being in the medication range.

When you go for the test, find out which one it is, too, there is one that only checks the one number, and another that checks three. I don't know how doctors determine which test to order, I was told last time mine was checked that the three number test wasn't even available through the company that did the blood work. Very annoying, but what can you do?

snockers3112 · November 2011

[/quote]

Yeah, I had a blood test about a year ago, along with everything else. I thought about it again because it's been a while. I eat around 1000-1500 calories a day but I'm also very active and go to the gym nearly every day where I burn an extra 400-800 calories. I eat healthy and watch the nutrition of what I eat. I was doing pretty good till about four months ago or so where I just stopped dead no matter what I did, and now for the past bit, I just keep putting on weight and feeling extraordinarily tired and ceaselessly frozen stiff, even though my heat is constantly on at 70F. When I was talking to some friends, they said it may be the hypothyroidism so I figured I'd ask. I havent' been back to the doctor because - nothing personal against him - but I hate doctors.
[/quote]

I think the main problem here is you aren't eating enough calories for your body to work properly?? if you eat around 1500 calories and work off 800 of those in exercise you have only given your body 700 calories to survive on....your body may well be in starvation mode?

CoolBos · November 2011

The under active thyroid could be one of the symptoms for poly cystic ovarian.
Which means a very sluggish metabolism overall.
I've had a slight form of it, and started to take a few supplements.
My metabolism has now improved and I am actually starting to lose some weight.

Cinnamon bark
http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-Cinnamon-Bark-240-Capsules/7268?at=0&rcode=PEV216

Maca Root
http://www.iherb.com/Nature-s-Way-Maca-Root-525-mg-100-Capsules/2020?at=0&rcode=PEV216

Luandanielle1979 · November 2011

Believe me without my medication after a few days I would be feeling terrible. I think it is unwise to not go and see your doctor and ask why you havent been given a thyroid suppliement mediction. I am on 150mg of levothroxine. I manage to lose weight consistantly and feel much better only if I take my meds properly and dont forget them. My mum has an underactive thyroid like me. I was diagnosed with it when I was about 25years old.

I hope you manage to sort something out soon x

SCOUSERWENCH · November 2011

You should be taking medication for it, cos if you dont your body will start shutting down and you will become very ill.

I take 100mg of Levothyroxine every day and will be taking it for the rest of my life. You can lose weight with an underactive thyroid and it's best to take the medication 1st thing of a morning and leave it 30mins to kick in before you eat food. it works for me.

I didnt think it was possible to lose weight with an under-active thyroid but it is possible with fitness pal i've lost nearly a stone and 1/2.

So why cant you get medication?

MaraDiaz · November 2011

I have terrible allergies in general, and I've already started cutting back on wheat simply because I've been craving meat instead. This makes me think I should cut it down even more and see what happens.

hypothyroidism - obstacle or excuse?

Replies

Categories