Tough to lose weight even though Thyroid is regulated?
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No, I didn't intend to say that you will gain weight when you go on meds. I just like people to understand that the thyroid meds are only part of it. It's why I keep telling people to educate yourself about what metabolism is and to understand that it's more than just medication - it's also nutrition and exercise.Thanks Terri,
I take Borax drops, from the health food store (which takes away the vertigo in 12-20 hrs). But it keeps coming back every month, so I'm wondering what is causing it.
So, from your comments, I may end up gaining weight when I go on meds? Yikes!
This site (http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/) is where I find out much of what I know about hypo/hashi - and from my Naturopath who has helped me so much. I also purchased the book from Stop The Thyroid Madness. There are parts of it that are a little extreme, so I discuss with the doctor and we agree on how we will get rid of my symptoms.
Each person is different -- so you may have a wonderful respond to the meds and that would be fabulous!!0 -
Thanks again!
I sure hope so. I have lost 30 lbs. since September, with 10 lbs to go, I sure want it to keep going down... Although, I must admit my energy level seems to be too low to do the exercise that I have been doing. I have been exhausted through-out this weight-loss journey, but I am focused.0 -
Would you recommend going to an endocrinologist as opposed to a regular family doctor for treatment?
Go to whomever will listen to you. My family dr is better. She sent me to two different endocrinologists. One i walked out on because he would not listen to me. Kept saying there was nothing wrong as my number were all within range. Never mind i felt like crap.
The second did not listen to what i was saying either. She told me to stop putting cream in my coffee and all would be well.
After 16 years of hypro thyroid, finally had thyroid removed for other reasons. The surgeon want to put me on a lower dose than I was on before it was removed. I refused and he rewrote the prescription for the previous dose.
Then the pathology cam back on my thyroid and found cancer (small and not a problem) but i was sent to a radiation oncologist for a second opinion. He upped my synthroid and i feel much better.
Keep trying doctors, keep insisting on getting treated for symptoms not numbers. Be your own advocate. Learn all you can.
Good luck.0 -
I've been on Thyroxine for an underactive thyroid (reason "unknown") for nearly 4 years now. I have still not lost the weight I gained before they put me on medication (about 4kg) despite being in the "normal" range...
I have also now been diagnosed with issues related to other hormones, including prolactin, where they are looking for a pituitary tumor. MRI done. But now on holidays so get my results 24 April.
I'm not a large person, but these extra kilos are very depressing all the same. But then again, my messed up hormones are making me all depressed, so I'll just be happy for a proper diagnosis and hopefully then can boost my weightloss.0 -
I've been on Thyroxine for an underactive thyroid (reason "unknown") for nearly 4 years now. I have still not lost the weight I gained before they put me on medication (about 4kg) despite being in the "normal" range...
I have also now been diagnosed with issues related to other hormones, including prolactin, where they are looking for a pituitary tumor. MRI done. But now on holidays so get my results 24 April.
I'm not a large person, but these extra kilos are very depressing all the same. But then again, my messed up hormones are making me all depressed, so I'll just be happy for a proper diagnosis and hopefully then can boost my weightloss.
Best of luck to you - I would think that if the MRI showed something that needed to be taken care of that they would have been pulled into a hospital. So think positive!0 -
Well, I'm thinking that haylz_me might be from Europe or Canada where medical assistance is sometimes delayed. Hormones are crazy things -- and can really make your body do crazy things. Thyroxine is just another synthetic T4 that frequently does absolutely nothing to relieve the depression, weight gain and other systems of hypo/hashi.
haylz_me -- I will be praying for you. I would recommend that you try to reduce your carbs if you haven't already - stick to vegetables and fruit and try to eliminate "white" carbs like sugar, bread, rice, pasta. Fat is actually ok -- as long as it's good fat like avocado, coconut oil, coconut milk, almonds, salmon (wild!) etc.
Hope you can get some help for your symptoms!! I've fired several doctors and finally ended up with a Naturopath (not covered by insurance) who has helped me tremendously - and I lost 15 pounds!0 -
Dropping wheat helped for me after I read that people with thyroid problems have difficulty processing wheat.
I dropped it completely at first and went very low carb (only in fruits and veg) and lost 18lbs in the first month. Then started re-introducing non wheat based carbs ie rice, potatoes and gluten free bread.
The last few months I've only lost about 2 lb a month, usually when water comes off at TOTM, but I've only got a few pounds left to go and my goal date was June.
Hi everyone! I am new to the group. Very glad such a group exists! I have been struggling with my weight for a while now and I was always wondering if my weight gain was due to my eating habits or my hypothyroid problem or both. :frown: I was diagnosed about 3 years ago and my doc has put me on the Synthroid tablet ever since. I just recently started eating clean & exercising again (for a little over a week now) and have been eating quite a bit of whole wheat breads and such to fulfill my carb needs. Is wheat really bad for me? Should I completely discard bread from my diet & rely solely on fruits & veggies for carbs like some of you here? I really want results. ): Being put on the Synthroid pill hasn't really affected me much... I don't feel any different and I don't feel any better than how I was before.0 -
I'm new too.
I was diagnosed about 2 years ago, after gaining somewhere in the vicinity of 40-50 lbs in less than a year (and had never had any true weight issues previously). I've only had my Synthroid dosage adjusted once. It seems to work pretty well for me, thankfully, as far as most symptoms go anyway. I found, after the endocrinologist also put me on metformin, thought I'm not diabetic, that the only way I can lose is working out. Quite a bit. I lost about 40 lbs between summer 2010 and spring 2011 and I believe it was 27 inches as well. BUT, in order to do that, I had to work out at least 4-5 times per week. Depending on what was going on, for a period of time, I mostly just did 3 segments of 10 minute trainer per day 4-5 times per week, or I had a women's fitness class at my church 2 nights a week, and I went to Zumba most of the time for an hour class 2-3 times per week. But when I saw the most dramatic improvement was when I was doing 30 minutes of 10 Minute Trainer per day 4-5 times per week. It wasn't easy and I didn't like doing it, but I did like the results. I also calorie counted for a while to get a better grasp for what I was putting in my body. (I didn't do it nearly as long as I've been doing it this time.) I got busy with traveling and school and a multitude of things last summer & got out of my routine.
I got myself started back on the right track in January and I haven't lost a lot of lbs yet, but, thankfully, I don't have as much to lose this time. I had gained about 15 lbs back, I'm on a mission to lose 25 this time, probably. I've been varying my workouts, but I walk HARD generally at least once a day, I do the new Zumba DVDs, throw some 10 Minute Trainer in periodically, and just started 330 Day Shred last week (I'm doing that M-F currently). So, for me, keeping the calories as close to where they should be and working out are the key. I don't lose just counting calories. I HAVE to work out. Even though my scale results aren't phenomenal (YET), I've lost 2 inches from my hips, 1.5 inches from my waist, and inch from each thigh, an inch from each forearm and half an inch from each bicep (actually that had gone down an inch & has now gone back up half an inch, I imagine due to my strength training 
). If you're working out and watching your diet, be sure to take measurements, because the scale doesn't always tell the whole story. Best wishes to everyone. 0 -
Just my personal opinion - but anyone trying to lose weight, regardless if they are hypothyroid or not, should eliminate sugar and grains from diet. Try it for 30 days and see if it helps. Even people with normal thyroid can have insulin resistance which causes your body to store sugar and grains as fat.
@mariposa224 - my endo had me on Metformin also -- and I initially lost weight on it, but then it stopped. I suspect the Metformin is for insulin resistance. Also, I've noticed that many people that are hypo, lose weight easier on a low calorie diet without exercise... as soon as I start exercising heavily, my weight loss stops. I know there are others on this forum that have the same. I LOVE to exercise -- but best I can do is maintain.
Terri0 -
@mariposa224 - my endo had me on Metformin also -- and I initially lost weight on it, but then it stopped. I suspect the Metformin is for insulin resistance. Also, I've noticed that many people that are hypo, lose weight easier on a low calorie diet without exercise... as soon as I start exercising heavily, my weight loss stops. I know there are others on this forum that have the same. I LOVE to exercise -- but best I can do is maintain.
Terri
That's why I said "for me." I know that different things work for different people, whether or not they have thyroid disease. For me, monitoring and maintaining caloric intake alone doesn't do it. Working out (in conjunction with monitoring my diet) does.So, for me, keeping the calories as close to where they should be and working out are the key. I don't lose just counting calories. I HAVE to work out.
My a1c was at the top of the range that it could be at and still be considered "normal," so the endocrinologist termed me as 'pre-diabetic' and put me on the metformin to help kick start my weight loss. I do my best to keep things in my diet within reason and there are many days when I don't get my full amount of carbs in, other days I go over just a little. I don't eat tons of sugary treats, but I do allow myself small indulgences, as I'm working to keep this as a lifestyle change. I don't see me giving up sugar for the rest of my life, so I really don't have a desire to cut it completely from my diet. I need these changes to be sustainable changes, not something that I'm just waiting to break free from.0 -
Im new to this group as well.. and like many have a low thyroid.. my issue is what should i be eating and what shouldn't i be eating.
May I add some of you to my friends list.. maybe we can work on this together.
or you can add me please.
Charleen0 -
Well, I'm thinking that haylz_me might be from Europe or Canada where medical assistance is sometimes delayed. Hormones are crazy things -- and can really make your body do crazy things. Thyroxine is just another synthetic T4 that frequently does absolutely nothing to relieve the depression, weight gain and other systems of hypo/hashi.
haylz_me -- I will be praying for you. I would recommend that you try to reduce your carbs if you haven't already - stick to vegetables and fruit and try to eliminate "white" carbs like sugar, bread, rice, pasta. Fat is actually ok -- as long as it's good fat like avocado, coconut oil, coconut milk, almonds, salmon (wild!) etc.
Hope you can get some help for your symptoms!! I've fired several doctors and finally ended up with a Naturopath (not covered by insurance) who has helped me tremendously - and I lost 15 pounds!
I'm in Australia, but have gone on holidays so can't get my results until I'm back.
I'll keep you posted though... I know my body is just being annoying... but all the same
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bump0
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I just joined tonight--so glad I found this group.I had a heart attack 15 years ago at 40 years old and found out I had hypothyroidism around the same time.I take medication that slows my heart down,so that doesn't help my metabolism either.This my sound weird but I'm really mad at my body,feel like it let me down I guess.I went from 120 lbs.to 174 in about 6 mths.I was thin all my life.I am down to 155 but I'm hoping to get down to 135 for my sons wedding this August.Thank-you all for all the information you have put up! I'm not much of a blogger or into facebook but I'll be sure to check in to read whats up.Thanks again.0
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I just joined tonight--so glad I found this group.I had a heart attack 15 years ago at 40 years old and found out I had hypothyroidism around the same time.I take medication that slows my heart down,so that doesn't help my metabolism either.This my sound weird but I'm really mad at my body,feel like it let me down I guess.I went from 120 lbs.to 174 in about 6 mths.I was thin all my life.I am down to 155 but I'm hoping to get down to 135 for my sons wedding this August.Thank-you all for all the information you have put up! I'm not much of a blogger or into facebook but I'll be sure to check in to read whats up.Thanks again.
I came close to a stroke when I was 45 years old - 15 years ago -- and they put me on beta blockers, diuretics, blood pressure meds, statins, anti-depressants and a host of other pills -- 11 medications in all.
Today, at 60 years old, I take only Armour Dessicated Thyroid. And I'm doing my first triathlon next month. Don't give up and if you can afford it, find a Naturopath or holistic doctor that will treat your symptoms naturally and allow your body to heal so that you can lose weight. I lost 15 years of my life believing those idiots.0 -
I started trying to drop some weight in preparation for pregnancy. I lost 2 in 2011 and even though docs never said anything about it, I know that dropping even a little can be helpful.
it was my fertility doc who finally found out that my TSH was high. on meds now for three weeks. have noticed a slight difference in increased energy levels, but my weight loss has stalled out at 16 or so pounds.
Just found out that I haven't been ovulating for the last year. I know weight has to do with hormones and thyroid has to do with weight, and hormones have to do with ovulating so I think this is my vicious circle.
I am scheduled to get a TSH and free T4 in a couple of weeks. I know there are other tests, but those are the only ones ordered. Should I ask again about why only the two tests? She (the doc) explained about how it would show if my thyroid was still working too hard to try to produce the hormone levels required for healthy me and healthy pregnancy.
I go in on Monday to see the doc and maybe it can't hurt to ask her order the entire panel?
How long until I feel a lot better?
Thanks for being kind to another newb. Gina0 -
it took me about a month to feel better. My does was upped last oct and i am starting to feel not god again. I just had tests done a few weeks ago and of course my dr is on holidays, so i have to wait till she is back to see where my levels are. I am just exhausted and so many side effects are back
i felt great for 5 months, now back to feeling icky 0 -
I started trying to drop some weight in preparation for pregnancy. I lost 2 in 2011 and even though docs never said anything about it, I know that dropping even a little can be helpful.
it was my fertility doc who finally found out that my TSH was high. on meds now for three weeks. have noticed a slight difference in increased energy levels, but my weight loss has stalled out at 16 or so pounds.
Just found out that I haven't been ovulating for the last year. I know weight has to do with hormones and thyroid has to do with weight, and hormones have to do with ovulating so I think this is my vicious circle.
I am scheduled to get a TSH and free T4 in a couple of weeks. I know there are other tests, but those are the only ones ordered. Should I ask again about why only the two tests? She (the doc) explained about how it would show if my thyroid was still working too hard to try to produce the hormone levels required for healthy me and healthy pregnancy.
I go in on Monday to see the doc and maybe it can't hurt to ask her order the entire panel?
How long until I feel a lot better?
Thanks for being kind to another newb. Gina
TSH and Free T4 don't tell the whole story -- ask you doctor to please test your T3 also. Here's the list of labs that they should test for in order to get a holistic view of what your thyroid is doing: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/recommended-labwork/
This site even has a letter to your doctor explaining why you want him to test for more than TSH and T4: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/dear-doctor/
It's your body, and your doctor works for you -- you don't have to be meek and mild with him/her -- tell him you want to know more about what's going on in your body. And if he won't find someone that will.0 -
i also learned today about Adrenal Fatigue, check it out... it makes you go hummmm0
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Awesome info. Thank you so so much!0
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