Anyone with hypothyroid/hashimoto's???

tosweiler
tosweiler Posts: 5
in Introduce Yourself
I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease about 9 months ago and it has taken me about that long to lose 12 pounds. Anyone struggle with a crappy thyroid and have any tips or advice to help me out?

Replies

  • taciturnity
    taciturnity Posts: 69 Member
    I do toooooo. It really sucks. I'm sorry that you have to deal with that as well.
  • hejoba
    hejoba Posts: 5
    Me three. I'm not convinced that's why I struggle to lose weight, but I guess it's probably a part of it
  • Cassierocksalot
    Cassierocksalot Posts: 266 Member
    Yes! There are lots of us! Check out this group:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/753-hypothyroidism-and-hyperthyroidism
  • mumof5
    mumof5 Posts: 328 Member
    there is a group on here that you could join. i have had this for about 20years...yes im an old fart....what helped me was the day i decided that i was just making excuses. ok, its harder with an underactive thyroid but not impossible, its harder with 5 kids, but not impossible, its hard when life gets in the way, but not impossible. i have a no excuse policy now, i want to be fit and healthy, i must work for it.
  • phyllisbobbitt
    phyllisbobbitt Posts: 347 Member
    I have suffered with it for years, I got a tip about green tea & it works. it helps speed up your thyroid. I drink gal a day & lost 90 lbs before I joined here. try it it may help!:smile:
  • stephenson2012
    stephenson2012 Posts: 94 Member
    I have had it a long time also. As mumof5 stated, it might be harder to lose but there are hundred of reasons and there will be set backs, but it can be done. Life does get in the way. Last year I went to the doctor and she said putting on 10 pounds at my age was not unexpected. However, when I went back for my annual exam this year and was down 30 pounds, she was very surprised. Two friends told me about this site and I started in March. At times you seem to stall with the weight lose, just up the exercise. Don't give up, it sure does feel great when someone notices.
  • hejoba
    hejoba Posts: 5
    I have suffered with it for years, I got a tip about green tea & it works. it helps speed up your thyroid. I drink gal a day & lost 90 lbs before I joined here. try it it may help!:smile:

    Really? Ugh, I've been trying to pretend green tea isn't all it's cracked up to be due to loathing the taste of it but every time I turn around someone's touting its benefits so I guess I'm going to have to suck it up & start drinking it!
  • kblpn
    kblpn Posts: 32
    I am a nurse in an endocrinology office. If you havent been referred to a specialist, make sure you are. Monitor levels regularly, and make sure the doc doesn't go by TSH and T4 levels only, he needs to listen to your symptoms. Just because levels are good does not mean an adjustment can't be made to see if it helps with your symptoms.

    Also, if you are on a replacement (Synthroid, Lovothyroxine etc..) shell out the money to get name brand med only. It is pretty cheap if you pay cash for it (less than $25 a month). The generics are not as highly regulated, one month it may be one company providing the med, the next month another, and even though you are taking 88 mcg it could really be anywhere from 80 to 95 mcg. The dosing is really sensitive and even that little bit of a change can make a difference. The name brand is ALWAYS going to be the dose it is prescribed.
  • CarolynB38
    CarolynB38 Posts: 553 Member
    Yes, I do. I have recently switched to natural dessicated thyroid and I am seeing some improvement. I have stopped gaining weight and I am starting to lose weight, albeit very, very slowly (about 1lb a month if I'm lucky). I am still finding the right dose so things may get even better :smile:

    Keep at it. It can be done. You may find you need slight tweaks in you thyroid meds from time to time to get to the point where you weight loss is a little easier but you can succeed. It might be harder but then you can be even more proud of what you have achieved!

    Wishing you all the best on your weight loss :flowerforyou:
  • CarolynB38
    CarolynB38 Posts: 553 Member
    I am a nurse in an endocrinology office. If you havent been referred to a specialist, make sure you are. Monitor levels regularly, and make sure the doc doesn't go by TSH and T4 levels only, he needs to listen to your symptoms. Just because levels are good does not mean an adjustment can't be made to see if it helps with your symptoms.

    Also, if you are on a replacement (Synthroid, Lovothyroxine etc..) shell out the money to get name brand med only. It is pretty cheap if you pay cash for it (less than $25 a month). The generics are not as highly regulated, one month it may be one company providing the med, the next month another, and even though you are taking 88 mcg it could really be anywhere from 80 to 95 mcg. The dosing is really sensitive and even that little bit of a change can make a difference. The name brand is ALWAYS going to be the dose it is prescribed.

    I wish the doctors in the UK would follow this advice but sadly many go by TSH only :frown: I have had to resort to treating myself as I don't convert levothyroxine but they will no longer prescribe T3 because it costs more. I'm doing much better since switching to Nature-throid. I feel almost human again :laugh:
  • kblpn
    kblpn Posts: 32
    I am a nurse in an endocrinology office. If you havent been referred to a specialist, make sure you are. Monitor levels regularly, and make sure the doc doesn't go by TSH and T4 levels only, he needs to listen to your symptoms. Just because levels are good does not mean an adjustment can't be made to see if it helps with your symptoms.

    Also, if you are on a replacement (Synthroid, Lovothyroxine etc..) shell out the money to get name brand med only. It is pretty cheap if you pay cash for it (less than $25 a month). The generics are not as highly regulated, one month it may be one company providing the med, the next month another, and even though you are taking 88 mcg it could really be anywhere from 80 to 95 mcg. The dosing is really sensitive and even that little bit of a change can make a difference. The name brand is ALWAYS going to be the dose it is prescribed.

    I wish the doctors in the UK would follow this advice but sadly many go by TSH only :frown: I have had to resort to treating myself as I don't convert levothyroxine but they will no longer prescribe T3 because it costs more. I'm doing much better since switching to Nature-throid. I feel almost human again :laugh:

    That's crazy, we can't and won't make any adjustments or recommendations without a T4. We use Nature thyroid some, but not much. We very rarely use a T3 replacement either.
  • hejoba
    hejoba Posts: 5
    I wish the doctors in the UK would follow this advice but sadly many go by TSH only :frown: I have had to resort to treating myself as I don't convert levothyroxine but they will no longer prescribe T3 because it costs more. I'm doing much better since switching to Nature-throid. I feel almost human again :laugh:

    So true. I was diagnosed overseas then returned to the UK 2 years ago. I couldn't believe it when my GP wouldn't refer me to an endo & just said "your TSH is within range, stick with the meds & come back in a year" :noway: I ran out of levothyroxine so haven't taken anything for months now (and I wonder why I'm not losing weight d'oh)
  • guera8888
    guera8888 Posts: 1
    I have been taking tyroid medications for almost 17 years and yes I have struggled for many years to lose weight. I see an endo that is monitoring my thyroid and just added T4 so I will find out soon if thats helping. Just be persistant with looking for medical help and don't settle for less. Good Luck!!:flowerforyou:
  • scorpio007007
    scorpio007007 Posts: 10 Member
    Anyone who THINKS they "might" have a thyroid problem should get a simple blood test--but even when those levels are in range if symptoms are present, try natural kelp supplements which are inexpensive and SAFE. Within a few days you should feel energy levels rise. One dose of the doctor's potassium iodine supplement threw me into a tizzy--so I know thyriod function was a problem (tested in range, but my doctor said they shoud be brought down more at my age). However, potassium iodine can be dangerous and actually cause worse problems with thyroid whereas excess iodine from a food source like kelp is eliminated by the body--or so reputable sources say. If you are on thyroid meds don't add kelp. The info is out there if you do some research.
  • LadyKop
    LadyKop Posts: 19 Member
    I was diagnosed with Grave's Disease (hyperthyroid) when I was 13. The docs gave me so meds to kill off part of my thyroid, but they gave me too much and completely killed the entire thing. I have been hypthyroid now for 30 years. I take Armour Throid 2 grain now. The others (Levothyroid, Synthroid, etc) began making me sick with horrible headaches so I quit taking anything at all. Bad move on my part! My doc then told me about the Armour thyroid that is made from the thyroid glands of animals. I have been taking it regularly now and I feel great and have begun losing weight.
  • Leann1975
    Leann1975 Posts: 3
    Same here. Been dealing with it since I was 17. If the meds are not right, I gain. It sucks big time.
  • LadyNeshoba
    LadyNeshoba Posts: 159 Member
    I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism when I was 12.

    Two months ago I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease and I am now talking 137 MCG's of Synthroid 5 days a week and 150 MCG's on the weekends. We just started this two weeks ago and I am so ready to feel better.

    I am having a terrible time when my thyroid swells and I am constantly choking on things and having panic attacks because of my heart palpitations. I am EXHAUSTED all the time. I can (and have) slept 18 - 20 hours a day and would still wake up EXHAUSTED. It really started kicking in about 7 months ago...which is when I quit working out and eating right.

    I am feeling better than I was but I am still tired all day. It takes all I have some days to wake up to go to work and as soon as I get home if I sit still longer then 20 min I am dead asleep til my husband comes home to wake me up (if he can) and then I go right back to sleep a couple of hours later. It's terrible it really is.

    I have lost weight before and it is possible but it is REALLY hard...but not IMPOSSIBLE.
  • LilacDreamer
    LilacDreamer Posts: 1,364 Member
    I have hashimoto's. I was diagnosed at 18...so almost 10 years ago. I've had great success with MFP, perhaps not as rapidly as other people, but i'm really proud of myself.
  • sweetcurlz67
    sweetcurlz67 Posts: 1,168 Member
    Yes, I had my entire thyroid and about half of the parathyroid removed. (Thyroid cancer 2005) As the nurse states, take the designer meds, they work best. My doctor wants me to take those which I do. We had to work on the strength and actually have to alternate two levels to get my 'perfect' strength. I take .150 one day and .175 the next and alternate.

    As far as the weight, yes, I gained a LOT of weight ~ but not just due to the thyroid. I've been gaining for about 22 years. More weight did come on after the thyroid was removed though. I did try to use the thyroid as an excuse and especially as an excuse why I could not lose the weight. :noway: But guess what? This year, I really decided to work towards losing the weight and so far I've lost 85 pounds. With NO Thyroid!!! So, it CAN be done. It's hard work and I could have lost more if I have been more focused. I do go off track at times.

    I'm sorry, I went on a soap box! :laugh:

    Anyway, a friend introduced me to this site and it has greatly helped me in my weight loss effort. Also, the encouragement from MFP friends is awesome!

    Anyone, feel free to add me as a friend. We can encourage each other! :heart:
  • tosweiler
    tosweiler Posts: 5
    I am on 112mg of levo right now. I'm still so tired all the time and it's driving me nuts. Im planning on going to the doc next week to see if I can get an adjustment. Thankfully she's pretty good at listening and helping me figure out what I need to do. I started walking my kids to school instead of letting them ride the bus so thats about an hour a day. ....and i gained two pounds. go figure. I normally would get frustrated and give up but i am not in the position to give up anymore.
  • terijoestoes
    terijoestoes Posts: 205 Member
    I have been on meds for 25yrs and have always used generic. Never had any probs. My numbers stay the same all the time but I have felt off a little in recent years so I started using a thyroid supplement from the health food store. That really helps. My weight issues have never been about thyroid. Est less move more and more and more
  • tarakizer
    tarakizer Posts: 52
    I've had hypothyroidism for about 20 years. I'm on 225 mcg per day of synthroid. They don't even make a dosage that high, so I have to take 2 112 mcg instead. So that puts me at 224 mcg per day, lol.

    Anyway, I've always had problems losing weight no matter how strict I was. I mean I could lose weight, but it was very slowly. So slow that eventually I gave up.

    After years of struggling with various diets, I turned to the HMR diet as it promised fast weight loss. I was told I wouldn't lose weight as fast as the other people in the program because I wasn't as obese as them, but I did lose weight as fast as most. My average was 2.5 pounds per week for the entire phase 1. 've been in phase 2 since August 1st. I actually switched to maintenance mode about a month ago, but technically I'm in phase 2. I'll continue going to support group meetings for about a year and then will graduate and be on my own.

    I do not work for HMR. I am just a happy patient. If you lose weight very, very slowly because of your thyroid issues, you may want to take a look at that diet.
  • LoveLiveLifeXo
    LoveLiveLifeXo Posts: 8 Member
    I am under 18.
    But, I was diagnosed in the year of 2009.
    I always would wonder why I had such a hard time losing weight. I always struggled with my weight, since I was little.
    But, I can't blame it all on hypothyroidism. I lose motivation fairly quickly.
  • joann
    joann Posts: 624 Member
    I had my thyroid taken out 10 years ago and it is a struggle to lose weight. At my check up in Oct. the Dr. said I was a little hypo but we will leave your meds the way they are...meanwhile he also said I should lose weight???????????? yeah easier said than done...but Im trying. My daughter was just diagnose with hashimoto and she did some research on it and they say a glutten free diet can really help. add me to your friends and we can chat
  • wrkout2bfit
    wrkout2bfit Posts: 41 Member
    I have Hashimoto's Thyroid too. I was diagnosed about five years ago by Cleveland Clinic. Went there because of severe hairless. I have a really hard time losing weight..... between that and my age! Best of luck, feel free to add me as a friend if you like. :smile:
  • prairiewalker
    prairiewalker Posts: 184 Member
    I'm focusing on two things right now:
    MATH:
    calories burned > calories consumed = weight loss
    &
    NUTRITION:
    natural, clean food with minimal (to no) processed food will allow the body to heal itself

    I was diagnosed just this past year with hashimoto and like the others have said..it's slow going..but not impossible to lose weight..my synthroid dosage has just been increased since the first prescription dosage did minimal improvement ..I have NOT been referred to a specialist...so I appreciate reading that bit of info... feel free to add me as a friend...
  • Corryn78
    Corryn78 Posts: 215
    I just started on a low dose of Synthroid after my Dr found thyroid antibodies in my blood work. They have been testing TSH, and both free t3 and t4 and the numbers jump around quite a bit.

    This past year I've had a lot of brain fog, inability to lose weight, brittle nails, fatigue...just not feeling great. I go back for a retest after 8 weeks on Synthroid to see where my numbers are. So far I can't tell a difference, it's been about 4 weeks.
  • jcfitnesspal
    jcfitnesspal Posts: 3
    I am so excited to read someone having success dealing with Hashimoto, and even without a thyroid. I am really totally frustrated with the fatigue but need some help and clarity. Nothing seem to work, but I just need to figure out how my body works now. I am looking to start the C25k along with MFP. I was doing very well and meds were adjusted and I gained 12 lbs last month. I can just scream. :sad: :brokenheart: Anyway, thanks for sharing and I hope you continue to lose.
  • brainfreeze72
    brainfreeze72 Posts: 180 Member
    Ironically you JUST reminded me of my hypothyroid which might be part of why I've flat lined on my weight this past month. I suspect I've also lost enough weight that I need to decrease my daily intake in order to continue losing. I've increased my exercise the past couple weeks but haven't weighed in yet. I'm sick now so no gym today, hardly any food either. I'll probably get that dreaded warning about not eating enough when I complete my diary today. Anyway, mine isn't too bad but I decided back in June to not let my thyroid be an excuse for weight gain any more and I'm working towards my goal slowly but surely.

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