Under active thyroid
tracyharvey7796
Posts: 4
Hi guys does anyone else have an under active thyroid? I have had it for 8 yrs and only ever manage to loose around 6/7lb at most. Put it back on if my levels are out. Any ideas how I can go further? When I go to docs they always say you won't loose because of your condition!! :mad!
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Replies
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I have hashimotos and have gained 25% of my body weight since being diagnosed. My doctor says my TSH is "right" and there's nothing else to do. I eat mostly vegetarian, gluten free, mostly whole foods. If I keep my calories to 1200 and don't work out, I gain. If I net 950 with diet and exercise, I stay the same. It's very frustrating to be doing everything "right" and still gain weight!! I can't lose even one pound to save my life! Even tried P90x and INSANITY and didn't lose a single pound!0
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If you're just seeing a general practitioner, I would suggest going to a specialist (endocrinologist) instead. If you're already seeing an endocrinologist, go find another one. Maybe there are certain things (foods, minerals, vitamins, oils, etc) that you should or shouldn't have in your diet to help you lose weight despite the hypothyroidism so a dietician or nutritionist may also be able to help. I don't know much about it, but I do know that there's got to be a better explanation than - sorry, there's nothing we can do or tell you, that's just the way it is.0
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Go to an endocrinologist. Are you being treated for it at all? Hypoactive thyroids can cause all sorts of problems besides weight.
Btw, I have untreated hypothyroidism and have lost ten pounds twice in a year. The first time I ate it back like a pig, though.0 -
Hi guys does anyone else have an under active thyroid? I have had it for 8 yrs and only ever manage to loose around 6/7lb at most. Put it back on if my levels are out. Any ideas how I can go further? When I go to docs they always say you won't loose because of your condition!! :mad!
What levels is your doctor testing? Are they just looking at your TSH, or are they also checking your free T3 and free T4 (actual thyroid hormones). Many doctors just look at TSH (a pituitary hormone), and also use the incorrect range for TSH, so keep people in a perpetual state of hypothyroid.
If you need meds I'd ask for a natural dessicated med like Armour or Nature Thyroid. The synthetic ones are T4-only and often don't provide you with enough T3 hormone, which is the "active" one that gives you normal energy! If you're on a T4 only med currently like Synthroid or Levothyroxine then it's especially important to have that free T3 tested. It should be in the top 1/3 of the range - if it's at the bottom then you definitely need Armour or Nature Thyroid, or at least a synthetic T3 like cytomel added.
I would also ask to have your Vit D levels checked - Vit D is required for that T3 to act on your cells, and most north americans are seriously deficient. You should be aiming for that result to be 60-80 and not just "in normal range". I currently take 4000 IUI daily, for example...
I think the first important step is getting the right labs run.
(Also, don't assume an endo knows anything about thryoids; they often just keep up with diabetes research. As another poster mentioned, keep trying until you find a good one!)0 -
I had my thyroid surgically removed a couple of years ago (so I'm extremely hypothyroid) and while it's not as easy as it was to lose weight it's still more than possible. For me the fatigue is what makes it hard to get up and go. I like some of the PPs comments, I've just recently changed doctors and while my last Dr was totally against Armour I am going to see what this one says.
The biggest thing for me is making sure I take my thyroid medication on a totally empty stomach. I have two little kids and I NEED my coffee in the morning so I've started having hubby bring it to me before he leaves for work. I then sleep another hour and then get up and I'm ready for my coffee
When we're out of town or something and I get totally off my schedule I can tell the difference in how I feel. 0 -
Hi guys does anyone else have an under active thyroid? I have had it for 8 yrs and only ever manage to loose around 6/7lb at most. Put it back on if my levels are out. Any ideas how I can go further? When I go to docs they always say you won't loose because of your condition!! :mad!
What levels is your doctor testing? Are they just looking at your TSH, or are they also checking your free T3 and free T4 (actual thyroid hormones). Many doctors just look at TSH (a pituitary hormone), and also use the incorrect range for TSH, so keep people in a perpetual state of hypothyroid.
If you need meds I'd ask for a natural dessicated med like Armour or Nature Thyroid. The synthetic ones are T4-only and often don't provide you with enough T3 hormone, which is the "active" one that gives you normal energy! If you're on a T4 only med currently like Synthroid or Levothyroxine then it's especially important to have that free T3 tested. It should be in the top 1/3 of the range - if it's at the bottom then you definitely need Armour or Nature Thyroid, or at least a synthetic T3 like cytomel added.
I would also ask to have your Vit D levels checked - Vit D is required for that T3 to act on your cells, and most north americans are seriously deficient. You should be aiming for that result to be 60-80 and not just "in normal range". I currently take 4000 IUI daily, for example...
I think the first important step is getting the right labs run.
(Also, don't assume an endo knows anything about thryoids; they often just keep up with diabetes research. As another poster mentioned, keep trying until you find a good one!)
^^This!
Also get your serum iron, ferritin, B12 and folate checked too. These are often low in people with underactive thyroid and are needed in order for your cells to be able use the thyroid hormones.
If you are not able to lose weight, you are not adequately treated or something else is amiss. I am in the process of changing to NDT (Nature-throid). I have noticed an improvement in my well-being but still not losing weight yet, but I know I need to increase my dose as my temperature is still low. It takes time though. Don't give up hope though. You will get there 0 -
I've had it for 3 years now but i keep taking my medication on time and make sure I work out as much as I can. I also avoid carbohydrates,
The only form of Carbs I tend to have is a biscuit or so ( whole wheat ones) witha cuppa tea.
you're weight must be plateauing at a certain point as your body must get used to your routine of workout. Push yourself harder and try something new, im sure it will work out for you.0 -
I have Hashimoto's Hypothyroidism...I've had it for 10 years. I've lost 27.4 pounds in less than 10 months. It is absolutely possible, and my levels have been off this year as well. I found after a while that I actually wasn't eating enough and ended up having to up my calories after stalling out for a few months. Then, just like that, I dropped 6 pounds in a couple months. The slow metabolism that accompanies an underactive thyroid sucks, but you learn to work with it. It is most definitely possible to lose weight with Hypothyroidism.0
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Hi guys does anyone else have an under active thyroid? I have had it for 8 yrs and only ever manage to loose around 6/7lb at most. Put it back on if my levels are out. Any ideas how I can go further? When I go to docs they always say you won't loose because of your condition!! :mad!
What levels is your doctor testing? Are they just looking at your TSH, or are they also checking your free T3 and free T4 (actual thyroid hormones). Many doctors just look at TSH (a pituitary hormone), and also use the incorrect range for TSH, so keep people in a perpetual state of hypothyroid.
If you need meds I'd ask for a natural dessicated med like Armour or Nature Thyroid. The synthetic ones are T4-only and often don't provide you with enough T3 hormone, which is the "active" one that gives you normal energy! If you're on a T4 only med currently like Synthroid or Levothyroxine then it's especially important to have that free T3 tested. It should be in the top 1/3 of the range - if it's at the bottom then you definitely need Armour or Nature Thyroid, or at least a synthetic T3 like cytomel added.
I would also ask to have your Vit D levels checked - Vit D is required for that T3 to act on your cells, and most north americans are seriously deficient. You should be aiming for that result to be 60-80 and not just "in normal range". I currently take 4000 IUI daily, for example...
I think the first important step is getting the right labs run.
(Also, don't assume an endo knows anything about thryoids; they often just keep up with diabetes research. As another poster mentioned, keep trying until you find a good one!)
^^This!
Also get your serum iron, ferritin, B12 and folate checked too. These are often low in people with underactive thyroid and are needed in order for your cells to be able use the thyroid hormones.
If you are not able to lose weight, you are not adequately treated or something else is amiss. I am in the process of changing to NDT (Nature-throid). I have noticed an improvement in my well-being but still not losing weight yet, but I know I need to increase my dose as my temperature is still low. It takes time though. Don't give up hope though. You will get there
These!!!! I was diagnosed a couple of years about by a Naturopath and she put me through the proper tests (mentioned above) and on a correct dose of natural thyroid medication. The dose they put you on is generally higher than a regular doctor. Also you need to take an Adrenal supplement as well (I do Ortho-Adapt) . Keeps your levels in check and also keeps energy levels up which makes it easy to work out. I've lost close to 30 lbs easily with having an underactive thryroid. You can't let it control you and you can't let it dash your weight loss dreams. Also these things take time. Its not like I lost the weight over night, it happened steadily over 8 months.0 -
I have hashimoto (hypothyroid) and if my thyroid levels get too low, it definitely gets harder to maintain a good weight (or lose weight). It's important that you have a doctor who doesn't just look at your blood test results, but also listens to how you *feel*
It's also important that your doctor is taking into consideration the whole picture -- your T3, T4 levels, and also your TSH.
Make sure you take your pill at the same time every day and make sure that you take it on an empty stomach.
You might also consider getting a micro nutrient test. At my last physical I found out that not only was my thyroid low (which made sense b/c I was working my tail off just to maintain), but also my B12 and D were low. When you're deficient in certain vitamins, it can exasperate your hypothyroid symptoms.
You might try taking an evening primrose oil supplement. It can help a bit with hypothyroid symptoms.
Finally, while getting your levels to that sweet spot is key, it's still work to get down to your ideal weight. I was diagnosed 10 years ago and I've had it under control for the majority of that time. I'm fortunate that I have a really awesome doctor who always takes the time to really listen to me and works with me to make sure that not only are my levels in the normal range, but that I actually feel good too (sometimes it takes a little fine tuning -- for instance, there was a period when I needed to take an extra half a pill once a week to get my levels jusssst right). But even when my thyroid levels are perfect, I feel like it would be very easy for me to gain 20 pounds and 2 dress sizes if I stopped watching what I eat and working out 5 days a week. It just is what it is.
Good luck.0 -
I had hyperthyroidism and lost a gang of weight (had a racing heart, palpitations, insomnia). My TSH was .001 (normal range is between .3 and 3.0 - over 6.0 is hypo). My thyroid was working...but working too much. I had to slow it down and as part of that balancing act I had a period where my thyroid was under active (hypothyroidism) and I put on a gang of weight.
Do research, go to an endocrinologist - I say that even though I didn't listen to a word mine said. I used a holistic method and changed my diet. Many of the foods you eat affect your metabolism, some foods are known to exacerbate the problem. This is a personal journey, as most Dr.s don't encourage discussion about natural healing and only wish to write scripts.0 -
I had my thyroid surgically removed a couple of years ago (so I'm extremely hypothyroid) and while it's not as easy as it was to lose weight it's still more than possible. For me the fatigue is what makes it hard to get up and go. I like some of the PPs comments, I've just recently changed doctors and while my last Dr was totally against Armour I am going to see what this one says.
The biggest thing for me is making sure I take my thyroid medication on a totally empty stomach. I have two little kids and I NEED my coffee in the morning so I've started having hubby bring it to me before he leaves for work. I then sleep another hour and then get up and I'm ready for my coffee When we're out of town or something and I get totally off my schedule I can tell the difference in how I feel.
If you're fatigued then your meds are wrong, full stop. I would STRONGLY encourage anyone, especially those post-thyroidectomy, to look at a natural dessicated med like Armour or Nature Thyroid (many have a reaction to the new fillers in Armour). Your body needs T3 to function, so I can pretty much guarantee that if you're exhausted that your free T3 is too low.
Ask your doctor to test your free T3 and free T4. If the FT4 is high but the FT3 is low, then you definitely need a natural dessicated med. Worst case you can ask to add in synthetic T3 like Cytomel, but most people feel infinitely better on the Armour or Nature Thyroid.0 -
That's complete crap that they told you that. It is not true. You can too lose the weight, people do it all the time. I lost 24 lbs before getting pregnant, took almost a year, but I DID IT. You can too. Stop believing these idiot docs or making excuses for yourself.0
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That's complete crap that they told you that. It is not true. You can too lose the weight, people do it all the time. I lost 24 lbs before getting pregnant, took almost a year, but I DID IT. You can too. Stop believing these idiot docs or making excuses for yourself.
Thank you. I am part of a PCOS community and most of the women there say that PCOS made them fat or that they cannot lose weight because of it. I am proof that you can lose weight with some of these disorders, even if it is harder. My doctors told me that they best treatment was to GET to a healthy weight, and they the symptoms of my syndrome would cure themselves, which they have.0 -
I was diagnosed with Hypo 8 months ago. After taking medicine for a month I lost 5lbs. Now I am on a schedule of working out 3 days a week so we will see how that adds to any weight loss.0
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First and foremost, you need a different doctor. You absolutely CAN lose weight. I don't have a thyroid. I take levothyroxine and have my levels checked four times a year. As I've lost weight we've had to lower my dosage some. Your metabolism has a lot to do with your thyroid levels. A light cardio several times a week will be enough to boost it some (if you aren't already doing that -- this is just what works for me) and you should see a decrease on the scale before long. I have noticed that I do need the deficit set for 2 lbs a week or I tend to either maintain or gain. Feel free to add me if you wish.0
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I have hypothyroidism and I have had it for 12 years, but I was borderline so I didn't really have to be put on any medication. Well, after my wedding I gained 20 pounds and felt miserable. For the past year, I have been on my thyroid meds and they have helped me feel a bit better and I've lost just about everything I put on during that time. I am also working on taking off an extra 20 after this. You really have to see an endocrinologist and get yourself on medication, that's the key.0
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First and foremost, you need a different doctor. You absolutely CAN lose weight. I don't have a thyroid. I take levothyroxine and have my levels checked four times a year. As I've lost weight we've had to lower my dosage some. Your metabolism has a lot to do with your thyroid levels. A light cardio several times a week will be enough to boost it some (if you aren't already doing that -- this is just what works for me) and you should see a decrease on the scale before long. I have noticed that I do need the deficit set for 2 lbs a week or I tend to either maintain or gain. Feel free to add me if you wish.
^^^^This!!! Once I was diagnosed with a low thyroid and put on medications, I dropped weight almost without trying. I lost the 15 lbs I had gained when my thyroid went bye-bye. I'm still losing weight. When my dr. weighed me pre-thyroid diagnosis I was 153, my highest weight ever (I'm 5'4"). I am now down to 133 I am on Armour Thyroid and have been for about a year. But this past November my doc said my thyroid was STILL low (so think about that---I lost 15 lbs even with a still-low thyroid!) I am now on Armour Thyroid plus levothyroxine. It is definitely possible!!!!!! Feel free to add me as well if you'd like 0 -
I have Hashimoto's Hypothyroidism...I've had it for 10 years. I've lost 27.4 pounds in less than 10 months. It is absolutely possible, and my levels have been off this year as well. I found after a while that I actually wasn't eating enough and ended up having to up my calories after stalling out for a few months. Then, just like that, I dropped 6 pounds in a couple months. The slow metabolism that accompanies an underactive thyroid sucks, but you learn to work with it. It is most definitely possible to lose weight with Hypothyroidism.
It definitely depends on how hypo you are, but I have to agree with this. Before my thyroidectomy I was hypo due to meds (for my hyperthyroid), and lost 18 lbs while fairly hypothyroid.
But, just want to reiterate for everyone that you DO NOT have to live with hypothyroid issues (fatigue, etc). If you are treated properly it is a non-issue except for taking your meds. Get your free T3 and free T4 levels tested, ensure your free T3 is in the top 1/3 of the range, and that you are taking the right meds.0 -
checking out alternatives to synthetic thyroxine now...thanks for info. Anyone know if doctors in UK will prescribe? and which thyroid tests are done as standard?0
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From other people in the UK posting here it doesn't seem like testing free T3 and free T4 is standard?
Med options overall are:
1. synthetic T4 only
2. Synthetic T4 + synthetic T3 (in the US it's called Cytomel, not sure in the UK what it's called)
3. a natural dessicated med that contains both T3 and T4. In the US they sell Armour and Nature Thyroid, in Canada it's Erfa's Thyroid, but not sure what is available elsewhere.
This link looks like it's helpful!
http://www.thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatment/where_to_get_desiccated.html0
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