Hashimoto's Thyroiditis & weight loss

editorgrrl

I have Hashimoto's & take Synthroid. I lost 20 lbs. in a year by logging accurately & honestly and by moving more.

I lost slowly, but I did lose.

RxKetogenicRx

if you have autoimmune thyroid disease eating seaweed or iodine supplements can be like throwing gasoline on a fire fyi.

Totally agreed, this iodine treats hyperthyroidism...you are going in the wrong direction!

swimz

[ Japanese people are almost never diagnosed with underactive thyroids because they eat so much seaweed and other iodine rich food. You're so right - it has the best effects

Hi, this is incorrect information. It turns out that the rate of incidence of Hashimoto'sdisease in Japan (and Finland) are very similar to that of the United States according to "The Journal Of Autoimmune Diseases" " Immunogenetics of Hashimoto's thyroiditis" by Dimitry A Chistiakov Found here: http://www.jautoimdis.com/content/2/1/1

" Epidemiology and clinical features of Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Goitrous autoimmune thyroiditis, or Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a common form of chronic autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). The disorder affects up to 2% of the general population [2] and is more common in older women and ten times more frequent in women than in men [3]. In the NHALES III study, performed in the USA, the prevalence of subclinical and clinical hypothyroidism was 4.6% and 0.3% respectively [4]. Another US epidemiological study, the Whickham survey, showed the prevalence of spontaneous hypothyroidism to be 1.5% in females and less than 0.1% in males [5]. These prevalence rates are similar to those reported in Japan [6] and Finland [7]."

Bucket17

I am new to hashimoto's, diagnosed several months ago and my t4 meds have not helped my symptoms. I have read a lot of scientific studies about hashimotos and hypothyroidism since diagnosis and I wanted to respond to the seaweed/iodine benefit realized by a post above. From what I have read, 10% of cases of hypothyroidism have been found to be linked to iodine deficiency while the rest of cases can be linked to several issues such as food allergies etc. hashimoto's will eventually turn into hypothyroidism unless we can figure out how to shut down the auto immune process associated to the disease and it is different for each individual. unfortunately, iodine only exasturbated my symptoms so I am one of the other 90% of cases. I am on a hunt to figure out what is causing my auto immune response and it's basically a trial and error process. I found inspiration from a blog I found: http://hopeforhashimotosdisease.blogspot.com. The author reversed her auto immune response by getting to the root of the problem and it turns out she was allergic to milk. Her thyroid peroxidase antibodies reduced to normal range after implementing some daily vitamins and removing milk from her diet. I haven't had a food allergy test yet but I plan to. I have also read studies regarding low dose naltrexone and auto immune diseases. I am learning that it can stop the immune response for long enough to allow your body to start to heal the swelling etc. does anyone have experience using LDN? I desperately need to figure out how to get the swelling down that I've been dealing with.

QuietBloom

I gained 5 lbs before I found out I had it. I've been taking synthetic thyroid hormone for close to 15 years now. I lost those 5 and have not found it makes it any harder to manage my weight.

Once your levels are re-established through replacement, as long as you get it checked ever year, you should be good.

coburngirl2

I don't have Hashi's but had thyroid cancer and am on Synthroid. Endo said low carb/low sugar is the best diet for thyroid patient's because our bodies have different needs because of our diseases. I take 200 mcg Synthroid which is WEIGHT BASED because I'm overweight, so as your weight changes so should your doses. Weight loss is a ***** for me but just moving my body feels better. Talk to an endo or a nutritionist to see what is right for you. For Me, I can't take anything "thyroid stimulating or metabolism stimulating" because I had cancer, and the whole point of my meds is to keep my TSH levels at 0. I have a small group on here called thyroid cancer/thyroid problems if you're interested. It's about getting back up on our feet after being this lovely hurdle

coburngirl2

I have it - just had an ultrasound and Endo appt. My thyroid is dead and non functioning. I am on high dosage of Synthroid (.175). The only thing I have noticed is that it is slower to lose but I am going for it while my levels are in check (before it goes haywire again lol).

Synthroid is weight based so your dosage will change/needs to change along with your weight. I want to lose 20 lbs so I can go back to the 175 LOL. If you haven't had thyroid cancer, I've heard that Armour works a lot better than Synthroid.

alaskahey125

I'm 21 and I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's 2 years ago. Before I started taking medication, I gained sooo much weigh, although I was eating pretty healthy and exercising. I really struggled with loosing weight while I was on Eltroxin. At one point I was eating 900 kcal daily and exercising 4 times a week with no results at all. I contacted my endo because I had all symptoms of hypothyroidism and couldn't loose weight no matter what I did, although my labs were normal. He gave me another kind of synthetic T4 meds in june and I slowly started loosing weight and feeling better. So it might be that the medication just isn't working for you.

After a couple of months I was still struggling with swelling, fatigue and very low BP, so my endo recommended that I tried a combination of synthetic T4 and T3. Apparently, some people have trouble converting T4 to T3, which is the active thyroid hormone. Since then, I haven't had any problems loosing weight, although my dosage seems to be a bit too low. So try talking to your doctor!


Bucket17:
About antibodies and supplements - I'm taking selenium + zinc supplements, which should help lower TPO. Also, I'm taking Vitamin D + Fish oil because of vitamin d deficiency. I was recently diagnosed with lupus and I've been taking Plaquenil, which has lowered my thyroid antibodies tremendously - right now they are 75, so almost within range! My antibodies have never been that high though - 400 max. My rheumatologist told me that gluten and cow milk can affect the level of antibodies - however, staying away from it hasn't helped me. I did a food sensitivity test too, but unfortunately that didn't have any effect either.

Good luck!

LeslieC1970

I have it. Weight loss is a struggle, but not impossible. I also found out I was quite deficient in Vitamin D. Since starting a rapid repletion vitamin, my energy level is much improved and that has helped give me the extra energy to stay moving! I've started losing weight again since being on the Vitamin D. Not sure if one has anything to do with the other.

I was also found to be deficient in Vitamin D and need to take supplements. Not sure if there is a connection either but my weight loss is slow despite exercise and diet changes. Having said that, I do not restrict food types or eat gluten free.

alaskahey125

I have it. Weight loss is a struggle, but not impossible. I also found out I was quite deficient in Vitamin D. Since starting a rapid repletion vitamin, my energy level is much improved and that has helped give me the extra energy to stay moving! I've started losing weight again since being on the Vitamin D. Not sure if one has anything to do with the other.

I was also found to be deficient in Vitamin D and need to take supplements. Not sure if there is a connection either but my weight loss is slow despite exercise and diet changes. Having said that, I do not restrict food types or eat gluten free.

Neither do I. I know some people have experienced great results from eating gluten free, but for me it did nothing at all. Changing my meds was the only thing that worked for me. I think it's just a matter of figuring out what works for you personally.

ChristaJeanne

I've had Hashimoto's since I was 19, and weight loss has ALWAYS been a struggle!!! However, last year I started having major thyroid issues, did lots of research, and asked my doctor to switch me from levothyroxine to Armour plus liothyronine. It saved my life!!! My thyroid was so swollen and full for YEARS, and now my neck is slender and normal. I had overall swelling/edema, and that's gone. Synthroid/levothyroxine is a T4 medication, and your body has to convert that T4 (which is the inactive form) into T3, which is what the body actually uses. Armour has both, and liothyronine is T3. Made all the difference for me.

Also, the weight that had piled on while I was so sick melted off just from the medication switch! Supplements help - particularly selenium and one called TMI (thyroid metabolism + iodine). I just keep shrinking, which is awesome, although I feel a little guilty for not working harder to make it happen (although that's in part because it's taken me this long to bounce back from being soooo sick and then to dig out of the pile of to-do's that accumulated while so sick). I'm planning to get back to working out and really eating clean - and I do notice a HUGE difference when I stick strictly to Paleo and really avoid gluten. It's worth the strictness. Another good friend who has a thyroid problem said that going gluten free has made ALL the difference for her, eliminating fatigue and aches.

But the biggest tip I have for you is to make sure your thyroid is OPTIMAL - not just in the "regular" levels. No matter what you eat and how hard you work out, if your thyroid isn't working well, you won't lose weight. Period. I went through seven rounds of bloodwork testing, pushing and pushing because even though my levels were in the normal range, I did NOT feel normal. The Facebook page Thyroid Sexy has tons of great information (cheesy as the name is) - that's where I started my research that helped me get better. Dr. Wiggy's Facebook page has great info, too. Good luck!!!!

TheContraryAthlete

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's several years ago. I was given synthroid and sent on my merry way, with only the occasional bloodwork and follow up if necessary. My TSH was always normal...

That being said, this past year has been a doozy. I started having several unexplained medical problems that just kept piling up. From rashes over 80% of my body, excessive weight gain and facial hair growth, headaches, heart palpitations...the list could go on. I was in and out of doctors offices and hospitals, and saw more then my fair share of specialists.

I was pretty fed up, when I finally found a wellness doctor who helped me. What was happening was that although my TSH was normal, my thyroid antibodies were excessively high, and practically no nutrients were being absorbed the way that they should. My body was in a constant state of attacking itself and was about to shut down on me. I can't believe that so much damage had been done by this little thyroid.

With the new doctor's help along with my prmary care doc, I have had to re-learn how to eat. Not only am I gluten free, but other sensitivities have deveoped as well. As soon as I cut out all of the things I was reacting to, it was like a re-boot to my system. I'm now losing weight they way that I should. :bigsmile:

tlmarchand

hmmmm

tlmarchand

Clearly the topic is who here has Hashimoto's and how can we lose weight. I have Hashimoto's and there is a difference between having Hypothyroidism vs having an auto-immune disease such as Hashimoto's. If eating kelp and having an increased diet in iodine works for you (who only has Hypothyroidism), that's great, BUT those of us with Hashimoto's need to be careful of a diet high in iodine, including any iodine supplements. I was told immediately, at my diagnosis, never to consume iodine supplements.

"It appears that iodine may only pose a problem for people with Hashimoto’s and other autoimmune thyroid diseases in the presence of concurrent selenium deficiency. "

Regarding the initial question on this message board, I went from 114lbs to 141lbs very quickly, and I'm an avid runner and eat light. My immune system attacked my thyroid gland because it recognized it as something that shouldn't be in my body. For the 6 years leading to my diagnosis, I was having symptoms such as wacky heart rate, hair loss, fatigue, swollen thyroid. However, not one doctor could figure out what was wrong until my immune system officially killed my thyroid gland, at which point my thyroid gland no longer produces hormone on it's own. Once, the thyroid gland no longer produces thyroid hormone, it's inevitable that we will gain weight, as the thyroid is responsible for metabolism. So, as soon as my thyroid was "killed", I gained weight...but not "fat" weight...more like "water" weight. My high-risk doctor called it peripheral edema. Basically, I filled with fluid.

I take 100mcg or Synthroid daily and I still exercise everyday. I run or walk for 30-60 minutes a day plus weight train and I haven't lost a pound. Because I have Hashimoto's, I am cautious about my intake of goitrogenic foods such as almonds, almond mile, kale, strawberries, brocolli, etc. My doctor told me not to remove the goitrogens from my diet completely, but cooking them, rather than eating them raw might help to remove the goitrogenic toxins. My doc also said not to consume goitrogenic foods on a daily basis.

In addition, with Hashimoto's, all of us are at different stages of it, so it's about finding the right dose of medication that works for you. In other words, you want to find a dose that's comparable to what your thyroid gland actually used to produce on it's own. Also, because we are all at different stages of the disease, what works for you doesn't work for me. Because Hashimoto's is a progressive disease, and will only get worse, I suggest trying your best to accept what is uncontrollable. Find a support group. I wish everybody luck with their treatments and weight loss!

Paiger81

Tlmarchand - thanks for your response. I was just snacking on some almonds and promptly threw them away.

I'm currently going through what my doc is considering "probable Hashi's", technically all my thyroid levels are 'normal' but they are on the "normal to almost hypothyroid" level. I've had every symptom you've had plus have a nodule on my right side that is listed as benign. It's less than a centimeter, so I was literally just told yesterday that we'll just leave it in there because my levels are still normal. Thyroid issues run rampant on my dad's side of the family, so it is what it is at this stage of the game. I just hate not having a definitive answer right now.

I was told to go gluten free/dairy free, avoid the goitrogenics as well as start a Vitamin D supplement. I'm to revisit the issue is 3-6 months (which is horrifying to me because I'm getting married in 8 months).

krissynicole787

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's last June. I had the hardest time losing weight. I would only lose about 1-2 lbs a month and then nothing for a month. I was 127 when I started medication and got down to 119 when I was on 88mcg of Levothyroxine. My doctor lowered my dose to 75mcg because I appeared to be a little overactive. But after a month of being on the dose, I gained 4lbs (its been 2 months now and I havent even lost 1 lb even though I work out AT LEAST 5 times a week) I'm tired again, and now my salivary glands are swollen. I had a blood test back in December and my levels are where she wants them to be, but I just don't know.

tlmarchand

@krissynicole7 I'd ask your Endocrinologist to put you back on 88mcg. It's about finding what dose works for you. Heck, who cares if the gland was overactive! With Hashimoto's, we will never be in the hyper range again.

My thyroid numbers are generally always normal. I know when I need my synthroid dose increased, as I will have a spike in symptoms such as fatigue and bloating of my abdomen. During these spike in symptoms I usually put on added weight as well. I have one nodule on the back right side of my thyroid gland, but it's too small so my biopsy came back inconclusive. If any of you have a biopsy of your nodules, they can test the cells to see if you are genetically predisposed to thyroid cancer. At which point, if you have a high chance of developing cancer, your doctor will probably recommend removing all or part of the thyroid gland. Because my nodule is so small not to allow the test, my doctor has me go for routine ultrasounds every six months to monitor the growth of the nodule, as well as my swollen lymph nodes. My doctor told me the lymph nodes will likely be swollen most of the time, since it's the immune system that's attacking the thyroid gland. My doc compared it to our immune systems attacking a cold or the flu and the lymph nodes are swollen when we are sick.

Also, I've seen a lot of you mention your doctor's recommended a gluten free/dairy free diet. While this may work for one, it won't work for all. Paleo auto-immune diet is gluten free and dairy free, but it's a huge lifestyle change. And remember, even though the Paleo auto-immune diet is high protein allowing only meat, fish, fruits and veggies, you must be careful not to consume too many goitrogenic foods. If you do eat goitrogens, cook the ones that can be cooked. Here is a list of foods to avoid....copy and paste into browser....
http://www.lowthyroiddiet.com/foods-to-avoid.htm

For more info on the Paleo auto-immune diet read this: http://www.hashimotoshealing.com/hashimotos-diet-keys-to-success/

I've been eating a high protein diet, however, I haven't cut milk or eggs from my diet. I did switch to lactose free skim milk. I would drink soy milk or almond milk, but those are products on the list to avoid. I cut cheese from diet almost completely and if you know me, you'd know how difficult leaving the cheese behind is for me, as it's been my best friend for years. I continue to use non-fat Greek yogurt, as it's high in protein. I use Greek yogurt for all of my veggie dips and even use it with my organic rolled oats and fruit.

This is a typical breakfast for me:

one egg (any way I like it)
one slice whole grain bread (not on Paleo diet)
half avocado spread on the bread
1 clementine or grapefruit
cup of hot lemon water with honey


or

overnight oats
raspberries
cup of hot lemon water with honey

I've learned to make my own roasted soups, which are really simple, using carrots and tomatoes. We eat a lot of salad for lunch or dinner, in our house. However, I don't use store bought dressings. I simply use lemon juice and olive oil or make my own dressing in the blender with tomato, avocado and extra virgin olive oil.

I eat fresh salmon, tilapia, occasionally shrimp and I love smoked oysters. My husband hunts so we have an over abundance of venison meat in our deep freezer. I eat a lot of venison anything (since it doesn't contain fat), from venison sticks, venison jerky, venison meatloaf, etc. I also eat turkey and chicken, but I've cut deli meats out of my diet completely.

What diets and/or combinations work for you? I'd love to hear how others have changed their diets.

fossands

This is really great to have a community, I don't personally know anyone who has Hashi, so it's really hard to relate, and people just don't understand. Half of my battle has been "oh you have low thyroid then, easy, try to get it functioning higher and boom it's gone", I have been ridiculed saying I can reverse it, or lose it entirely, and they don't understand why it would affect weight, and SOOO many other things. I was just diagnosed last year, I am 23 now, I can't believe it took this long, I knew it was thyroid related from the start, but it took a good doc to push for the antibody test. I have put weight on like its nothing. It's very frustrating, I am a crossfitter, I actually probably dont eat enough. I went to a wellness doc and we found some nasty food sensitivities, so I try to avoid those right now, but find it very hard to do. I also have adrenal fatigue, and CKD. All in all, I am determined to lose weight, I need to and want to. It'll be great to see how everyone here does, and just having people who understand will make all the difference :happy:

Tine313

Hi,
I have had Hashimoto hypothyroid for over 10 years now. I have been on so many different meds. I have gained and lost and regain more than what I lost. I have had an extremely high sed rate- normal is 1-15 I was at 107. I have been through every single test you can think of and no one has a clue ! I am really frustrated that everything I try to loose weight does nothing. I will how ever say while researching on line I found for people with Hashimoto the natural thyroid med Amour works well. So I decided to give it a try. I have noticed a difference with my hair being softer, my nails growing and outer edge of my eyebrows growing back. So I know it is working better than the other meds, but still need to figure out what my other issue is. I'm happy to be able to chat with people who know what I am going through. Everyone wants to help you but they don't realize it isn't easy for us to do things.

editorgrrl

I'm happy to be able to chat with people who know what I am going through. Everyone wants to help you but they don't realize it isn't easy for us to do things.

MFP has two thyroid groups:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/770-hypothyroidism-and-hyperthyroidism
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/51427-butterfly-chasers