Hypothyroidism and Weight Loss

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13

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  • metzica
    metzica Posts: 24
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    Hi! I just joined MFP yesterday and I have thyroid issues as well, I've been on levothyroxine for about 7 months now. I've been working to lose weight for awhile, I'm 24 lbs down from where I started (some ups and downs, after having gallbladder surgery the end of January I took a big hiatus from my weight loss plan!) Just now trying to get back on track, I want to lose at least 45 lbs.
  • MrsEb79
    MrsEb79 Posts: 42 Member
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    I was told by an emergency room doctor in 2010 that I had hypothyroidism, but my endocrine doctor dismissed her diagnosis and won't provide me with any medication. I've tried other doctors, but they won't either. I just keep getting bigger and bigger. I developed menorrhagia in 2008 when my TSH level started to elevate after being treated with radioactive iodine for Hyperthyroidism. I had to have a blood transfusion. All any doctor will do is supply me with birth control pills so I don't have to have another transfusion.
    The pills are awful and have turned me into a food-eating machine for 4 years now. I've got about 13 other symptoms of hypo, but nobody but me and my family seems to care. My primary care doctor actually told me to stop coming to see her if I'm going to keep bugging her about my thyroid. My TSH level was 4.8 in November, that sounds normal, but given that I suffered from hyperthroidism from age 16-22 that went untreated until I was 23, my thyroid is hardly normal.
    I am trying so hard to lose weight, and did lose 10 on a 21 day fast in January, but it's so hard. I just want to eat and eat and then I can't stand myself.

    Pretty, I'm so sorry for all of your troubles. It sounds awful. Are you currently seeing a specialist?
  • MrsEb79
    MrsEb79 Posts: 42 Member
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    Hi! I just joined MFP yesterday and I have thyroid issues as well, I've been on levothyroxine for about 7 months now. I've been working to lose weight for awhile, I'm 24 lbs down from where I started (some ups and downs, after having gallbladder surgery the end of January I took a big hiatus from my weight loss plan!) Just now trying to get back on track, I want to lose at least 45 lbs.

    Congrats on your loss so far! You should be very proud.
  • momma2teacher
    momma2teacher Posts: 44 Member
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    Hi all,
    I have been on my weight loss journey since January 4th. I have lost a total of 18lbs which is amazing. The last 10 have been a real struggle. Lose 1 and stall for weeks. I have been at 156 for 2 weeks. I could not figure out why. I found the group on MFP and wow!!!! I am now down to 1000 calories a day and starting to lose weight. Not sure how long this is going to last, but we shall see.
  • sunshine3737
    sunshine3737 Posts: 44 Member
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    I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism 18 years ago and I opted for the radioactive iodine treatment which pretty much killed my thyroid. It took a while for them to get my levels straight but once you get them straight you shouldn't experience any of the symptoms of hypothyroidism. I take levoxyl every day. The only time I have to get it adjusted is when I was pregnant or if I gain or lose a lot of weight. I have lost 53 lbs in the last 7 months and had to have mine adjusted a couple of months ago. I will probably need it adjusted again in a few months. I can usually tell if my medication is off and know when to have it checked.
  • sunshine3737
    sunshine3737 Posts: 44 Member
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    I might be wrong but if you was treated with radioactive iodine that will kill your thyroid. That was the option I went with when I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. And once the levels leveled off they started treating me for hypothyroidism. I would try to find another doctor until you get answers.
  • LemonsAndCoffee
    LemonsAndCoffee Posts: 313 Member
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    Hi all! I also have hypothyroidism and have been on various doses of levothyroxine for about 5 years now. I was diagnosed after I had my first daughter. I don't think I've ever had my bloodwork come back normal - it seems my dosage is always changing. It probably doesn't help that I'm not very good at remembering to take my medicine daily. :grumble: Anyways, I'd love to have some friends that can relate so feel free to add me!

    Nikki
  • mummy2munch
    mummy2munch Posts: 6 Member
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    I am a fellow hypothroidian!!! Oh my I did not know that craving salty things was one of the side effects of this crappy thing we have to deal with!!! Please add me as a friend! I want to support you guys and get support back! xxx
  • scapez
    scapez Posts: 2,018 Member
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    You CAN lose weight while hypothyroid...I'm proof of that as are many other MFPers.

    For those of you that are not getting a diagnosis because your numbers aren't what your doctor says they should be (despite having all classic hypo symptoms), FIRE THAT DOCTOR and find another, pronto!

    Lots of good info here: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/
  • CosmicBella
    CosmicBella Posts: 195 Member
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    I lost 40 pounds in two months and I don't even have a thyroid anymore! (lost it to cancer 3 years ago) Go to an endocrinologist and have them find the right medical dosage for your thyroid level and function. If they can get your levels correct, even being hypo, you can lose the weight. Trust me on this one!...
  • amymrsr
    amymrsr Posts: 4
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    Dietitian here where I work said Thyroid levels should be between 3-3.5 and anything outside of that is not working right. This is the latest information as opposed to older info which said 3-5.
  • MrsEb79
    MrsEb79 Posts: 42 Member
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    Dietitian here where I work said Thyroid levels should be between 3-3.5 and anything outside of that is not working right. This is the latest information as opposed to older info which said 3-5.

    Amy, which level are you talking about? TSH?
  • AISIGO
    AISIGO Posts: 44 Member
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    I too have hypohyroidism. It has been a battle for me. I lose maybe 1/10th of a lb a week if I am lucky.
    I wish it was different!
  • Mizzylizzy
    Mizzylizzy Posts: 12 Member
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    I was battleing hypothyroidism for a short time, about 2 years or so. I have been recovered for not that long ( few months). I remember never being able to lose any freaken weight. It was frustruating. So I know how u guys feel. Well I recently found out that soy meat could have been the cause of my hypothyroidism. So I stopped being a vegetarian, STOPPED EATING SOY MEAT, and ate actual meats, chicken, fish etc and the hypothyroidism is gone!! Just thought u guys should know, I wish I had known before I got sick.
    Also birth control pills can slow down ur thyroid but that's a different story.
  • dajostev
    dajostev Posts: 8 Member
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    I told my doctor that and he will still only go by the old TSH numbers. He considers anything below 5 normal.
  • dajostev
    dajostev Posts: 8 Member
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    Hi, it is really important to take the meds daily, try to take it at the same time everyday helps. I have mine sitting on the counter with my tea bags. When I make my morning tea , I take my pill.
  • prose58
    prose58 Posts: 52
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    Hi I have been Hypothyroid for many years.

    I hear you about having to work extra hard.

    I stay within my calorie level as much as possible even under. Be as active as I can in whatever way works for me. (I hate gyms)

    I have lost 5 lbs since being on here but lost 20 lbs over the years and kept it off.

    Just tired of being + size.

    Add me to your friend list if you want.
  • kjrupert
    kjrupert Posts: 6 Member
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    What is it on your labs that are low? Your TSH is the test that is used as a quick screening. The way it is diagnosed from the results are opposite from what you would think. The normal range for TSH is 0.3-3 dependig on your lab. If your TSH is significantly elevated you are considered to have hypothyroidism. Generally, it is not treated unless the TSH is >15-20.
  • lmd172
    lmd172 Posts: 172
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    Lots of good info here: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/


    thanks for the link - lots of good info here! was recently diagnosed with hypo and am going to my dr tuesday...

    best to everyone!
  • swat1948
    swat1948 Posts: 302 Member
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    I have been exercising and dieting since the second week of January. Last Monday I was up to 17 pounds lost. Got up this morning and I gained two pounds? What the hell???!!! Missed the exercise bike only once this week and have avoided most goodies and have kept my calories around 1200. I am really discouraged this morning.

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