Thyroid weight gain wants to be loss

grockgirl
grockgirl Posts: 1
in Motivation and Support
Anyone out here working at losing but having extra trouble due to thryoid issues?

Replies

  • 05saleengirl
    05saleengirl Posts: 549
    There is a group for people who have Hypo and Hyper thyroid issues on here. Also, what meds are you on? What does your blood work look like? If your on a T4 only med, that type can make weight loss EXTREMELY hard for a lot of people. I've got hypo myself. Here is a good website with info: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com
  • penrbrown
    penrbrown Posts: 2,685 Member
    ME!

    I'm sure my thyroid levels are messed because I'm so tired I can barely function but my doc refuses to change my dosage so I just slog on through.

    There is also a thyroid support group on here somewhere? I'm not sure how to direct you to it though. ): I'm tech unsavvy
  • jmp1031
    jmp1031 Posts: 95 Member
    yup, it sucks! it's like pulling teeth to lose weight. i just found out i was hypothyroid in april. i had been working out 5-6 days a week and staying within my calories and didn't lose a pound for 2 months, not to mention i was always sooo tired. it helps sometimes to just think about my overall better health when the scale isn't moving. i wish you luck! feel free to add me :smile:
  • EWilliamson
    EWilliamson Posts: 50 Member
    I have hypothyrodism and hashimoto thyroid disease! NO FUN! See a specialist! I have done lots of research on this stuff...changing your eating can really help with your thyroid issues as well!
  • Sweet_T_McGee_HeatherSadie
    Sweet_T_McGee_HeatherSadie Posts: 98 Member
    ME !!!! I have Hashimoto's Disease. . . and its a pain in the *kitten*!!!!
  • JenniBaby85
    JenniBaby85 Posts: 855 Member
    YES. Soooo aggravating! My day to day life all over the place because my thyroid levels keep changing :angry:
  • djkidder3
    djkidder3 Posts: 10 Member
    I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer back in 2010, so I don't have a thyroid anymore. I am having a hard time with my weight right now too. My doc keeps lowering my meds and I can't get through the day without a 3-4 hour nap. I've ended up relying on caffeine to get get me through. I'm going to be going to a new doc in a few weeks hopefully to get things worked out. The lower my meds the higher my weight. There has to be a happy medium right?
  • DenverKos
    DenverKos Posts: 182
    Yep. I have Hashimoto's and have been on medication for 12 years. It's a pain in the butt to get weight to come off - it's all I can do to not gain weight.
    First and foremost, get a doctor that will listen to you and work with you to get you feeling good and healthy. Being on combination therapy is a god send for me - when I was only on Synthroid, I still felt like crap. I need to have armour with it. Stop the Thyroid Madness is a great site with lots of good info, so I also second that!
    It's important to know whether you have funtional hypothyroidism or if it's auto immune related like mine is. The medication treatment is the same, but you need to eat differently and treat the underlying auto immune disease in addtion to just supplementing with hormones if you do have an auto immune disease. For whatever reason, a lot of doctors wont test for it, and many will say it doesnt matter because the "treatment" is the same. Again, this comes down to finding a doctor who understands the difference and is willing to work with you to make you feel better. I've ended up in the emergency room several times due to complications of my THYROID and I was on medication! I've never seen a doctor look so scared as mine did when I walked into his office because I was feeling off. He immediately called the ER and wheeled me down there. All because of this stupid gland in my neck. Fortunately, he's a joy to work with, and we talk a lot about how I feel, and look at ALL of my numbers, not just TSH, and discuss things to due to treat the auto immune response.
    Main thing, educate yourself, because you are your only advocate. It's hard when you don't "look" sick....people don't take you seriously, even doctors.
    Good luck to you!
  • Assassins_Angel24
    Assassins_Angel24 Posts: 20
    I have hypothyroidism, i was diagnosed 2 weeks ago so atm im losing, ive lost 12lbs in about 3weeks because of my medication, i am looking for friends with the same disorder as i feel a little alone as i dont know anyone with the same disorder!

    So feel free to add me
  • Ashley_Panda
    Ashley_Panda Posts: 1,404 Member
    I have Hoshimoto too.. It's not impossible.
  • boynan
    boynan Posts: 4 Member
    Hi!
    I have been dealing with a thyroid problem for the past 18 months. The first 12 were the hardest. I began with overactive thyroid which was great, but I didn't know that was my problem. I could eat ANYTHING and still the weight came off!! My prayers answered, or so I thought!! But then I realized this was something that very much was a serious health issue! SO off to my doctor.
    After getting the standard treatment for overactive thyroid, small dose of radioactive iodine to kill SOME of the thyroid, just to slow it's production down.........I realize 3 months later they actually killed it almost completely. So thus began my slow, very slow road to trying to find the right dose for me. After 18 months, we think we have it nailed down. But in those first 12 months, I gained 25 lbs.......of what I call the most STUBBORN weight I've ever had to deal with! Btw, this problem doesn't only affect your weight, a multitude of issues are afftected by the hormones produced by your thyroid....my biggest one was depression and self esteem loss....which along with the weight gain, was a recipe for disaster!

    BUT, now to the good stuff!!! My girlfriend told me about MFP and I then realized I was using the thyroid as an excuse (mind you this was after I got my levels straight) and that if I worked at it....REALLY worked at it, I could move that scale every week!

    So, first things first....get the medication to get your throid leves in the normal range. It's a looong road, but you will come out the end knowing you can change whatever has happened previously.

    I just joined MFP September 23 (3 weeks ago and a bit) and I've already lost 7 lbs (probably more but weigh day isn't till tomorrow). So it can happen, it will happen and you really have to wnat it. It's not an easy road, but it is very doable.

    I have been fighting weight gain and maintenance for over half my life. I have always prided myself on being in control of that. When this thyroid decided to take the one thing in my life away that I COULD control, my weight, I lost my way. And didn't think I could get back. But thankfully, I did, and you can too.
    First, most important....get your levels normalized...then things will get easier.

    Geez....and here I was just going to give you a quick little pick me up note.....sorry...I guess I got carried away!! LOL!
  • vytamindi
    vytamindi Posts: 845 Member
    Another hypo here. Just getting adjusted to my meds gave me a huge boost of energy which started my weight loss. Once it's evened out and stable, you can (theoretically) lose just fine. A good Dr. and a patient attitude are important tools to have.

    Best of luck to you!
  • vytamindi
    vytamindi Posts: 845 Member
    Hi!
    I have been dealing with a thyroid problem for the past 18 months. The first 12 were the hardest. I began with overactive thyroid which was great, but I didn't know that was my problem. I could eat ANYTHING and still the weight came off!! My prayers answered, or so I thought!! But then I realized this was something that very much was a serious health issue! SO off to my doctor.
    After getting the standard treatment for overactive thyroid, small dose of radioactive iodine to kill SOME of the thyroid, just to slow it's production down.........I realize 3 months later they actually killed it almost completely. So thus began my slow, very slow road to trying to find the right dose for me. After 18 months, we think we have it nailed down. But in those first 12 months, I gained 25 lbs.......of what I call the most STUBBORN weight I've ever had to deal with! Btw, this problem doesn't only affect your weight, a multitude of issues are afftected by the hormones produced by your thyroid....my biggest one was depression and self esteem loss....which along with the weight gain, was a recipe for disaster!

    BUT, now to the good stuff!!! My girlfriend told me about MFP and I then realized I was using the thyroid as an excuse (mind you this was after I got my levels straight) and that if I worked at it....REALLY worked at it, I could move that scale every week!

    So, first things first....get the medication to get your throid leves in the normal range. It's a looong road, but you will come out the end knowing you can change whatever has happened previously.

    I just joined MFP September 23 (3 weeks ago and a bit) and I've already lost 7 lbs (probably more but weigh day isn't till tomorrow). So it can happen, it will happen and you really have to wnat it. It's not an easy road, but it is very doable.

    I have been fighting weight gain and maintenance for over half my life. I have always prided myself on being in control of that. When this thyroid decided to take the one thing in my life away that I COULD control, my weight, I lost my way. And didn't think I could get back. But thankfully, I did, and you can too.
    First, most important....get your levels normalized...then things will get easier.

    Geez....and here I was just going to give you a quick little pick me up note.....sorry...I guess I got carried away!! LOL!

    THIS! Your thyroid does SO much more than metabolism regulation... focus on getting it in check first and then you can start getting healthy :)
  • firstsip
    firstsip Posts: 8,399 Member
    Join the thyroid group on here and make sure you seen an endo, and not a primary/internist/GP about it (they know next to nothing about the thyroid).

    I've dealt with thyroid problems since I was 11 :P Got my thyroid out at 13 due to nodules that were thought to be cancerous (but turned out not to be!). I was still put on high dose thyroid meds to keep tissue from growing back since they were so worried. Years later, the extensive high thyroid dose put me into thyroidtoxicosis... so even though I will forever have hypothyroidism (since I don't have a thyroid), I had hyperthyroid symptoms for awhile there! That's why I'm here... my adrenals were pumping out quite a big of cortisol which put on weight I was not eating (which involved some adrenal therapy too, which involved NO intense exercise, etc.).

    Well, I'm finally back to "okay" thyroid levels and the weight's been coming off... super slowly.

    I've been really pushing in the thyroid group: carbs are more important than calories to thyroid metabolism (180g or less), and WEIGHT LIFTING IS A LIFE SAVER. Weight lifting naturally levels hormones, but I've noticed a HUGE difference in the way I look and feel since I started about two months ago. I even chided my endo (we have that sort of relationship... he's been dealing with me for awhile) about not advocating weight lifting more. Definitely helps with the muscle fatigue/aches associated with thyroid issues.
  • tarakizer
    tarakizer Posts: 52
    I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism when I was 15. I'm now 36. I take 225mcg of Synthroid daily. They don't even make a dosage that high, so I have to take 2 112mcg pills to get to the level I need. I get blood drawn every 6 months.

    Does anyone else take dosages this high? When pregnant, I take 250mcg per day.

    Weight loss has always been too slow, and even though my thyroid level is correct according to my bloodwork, I always feel like it's the culprit.
  • stellamelle
    stellamelle Posts: 2
    Hi there. I'm new to the site and posting, so bear with me. I have had thyroid problems (hypothyroidism) since the birth of my first daughter in 2000 (she and both her sisters were born with congenital hypothyroidism, so the doc checked me too). Super duper frustrating on the weight loss journey that is my life. I have a very sedetary job (I'm a CPA) and i travel and sit, travel and sit all day every day. I have found the only way for me to really attack my weight is through a more protein based diet and weight training.

    Absolutely agree you have to find a doc that will listen to how you feel, not just read the numbers on your blood work. My doc told me I was "within normal range" just a few years ago and I told her to listen to my lips - I DON'T FEEL NORMAL. She has since done more research only to find out that different people have very different levels of sensitivity to thyroid levels. She actually keeps my TSH below 2 because that is where I feel the best. At 5 or 6 (which is still "normal range"), I feel like a slug. I also had issues with conceiving when my TSH was too high.

    I'm finally on a mission after a rough road that included a horrific divorce. I added a very unwelcome 20 pounds in "marriage grief weight" and am now ready to tackle the extra pounds. Hoping to keep my thyroid levels stable so I can do just that.

    Question: How does stress effect one's TSH? I should probably already know this. I have a very stressful job in a public accounting firm and I know it has to play a part in the struggle against the scale.
  • CakeFit21
    CakeFit21 Posts: 2,521 Member
    <
    has hypothyroidism.
  • anewnam715
    anewnam715 Posts: 17
    I was diagnosed with Hypo in September. Could someone post a link to the group on here for thyroid issues?? I can't seem to find it.
  • paulywoo
    paulywoo Posts: 169 Member
    I have hypothyroidism and pcos. It can be done x
  • cynthiapound
    cynthiapound Posts: 1 Member
    I was diagnosed with hypo in oct of 2008 than oct of 2012 its hashimotos now. I went to a new doc yesterday and i told her everything my old doc was doing. I moved to missouri from cali thats why i have a new do, anyway. She upset me pretty bad, she said don't expect weight loss with the levothyroxine and i asked her to check my T3 as well as the others and she said that is old school and only old school docs do that, she said the TSH is all we need to know about whats going on with your thyroid. At this point Im furious because I know thats not true. She drops the last bomb and says she only refers an endo if I were to have graves disease. Im so frustrated what do you all think?
  • Leeann1979
    Leeann1979 Posts: 1,090 Member
    Link to the group here on MFP:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/770-hypothyroidism-and-hyperthyroidism


    I also have Hashimotos. I am usually pretty tired, but its slightly improved recently. I started taking coconut oil supplements and selenium, so I don't know if they are helping or not. I saw my doctor in March, had bloodwork done, and every thing came back "ok" according to my doctor, so she won't change anything for me. I cannot lose weight if my life depended on it. I have been pretty faithfully counting calories, exercising etc, and I am the exact same weight as I was in September 2012. I will say that I am smaller, as I have lost a few inches, and I do feel stronger and healthier, but I have not lost a pound. Its very frustrating, but I keep going because I am a die-hard tennis player and that keeps me motivated.
  • tatd_820
    tatd_820 Posts: 573 Member
    Ive lost 78lbs while being hypo. It can be done. Get your levels checked every 6 months and adjust if needed.
  • saraann4
    saraann4 Posts: 1,296 Member
    I have thyroid issues and currently not on any medication for it. I am dumbfounded on why doctors say you will have trouble losing weight with thryoid problems. I've lost weight with no problem
  • tatd_820
    tatd_820 Posts: 573 Member
    I have thyroid issues and currently not on any medication for it. I am dumbfounded on why doctors say you will have trouble losing weight with thryoid problems. I've lost weight with no problem

    Agree....I don't get it either. If you are on meds to regulate and take daily, every morning, you should be fine.
  • gaiagal3
    gaiagal3 Posts: 39 Member
    I'm hypo too for the past 8 yrs and most likely longer. It has really impacted my weight loss...it takes me so long to lose even though I stay under calories, exercise, and take meds for it. Sooo incredibly frustrating. Anyone fee free to add me...it's nice to have support from others going through the same thing.
  • missysjas
    missysjas Posts: 4
    It really varies by person on how your body reacts to medications and weight lost attempts when it comes to the thyroid. And if your adrenals are suffering, you will likely be even more weight loss resistant.
  • slimjoycenow
    slimjoycenow Posts: 16 Member
    I've had a total thyroidectomy for a thyroid tumour. I'm currently on 125mcg levothyroxine (T4) but I've been quite ill recently and my TSH has climbed a lot. With a TSH of 8 I'm clinically hypothyroid so I'm in the process of having my dose adjusted upwards. While I would love to lay the blame for my weight on my (lack of!) thyroid, to be honest I don't think that's the case.
  • bodiva88
    bodiva88 Posts: 308 Member
    I have Hashimoto's and so far it has not an issue. I'm on Synthroid (for many years) and once my levels were good I had energy, slept better, had less issues with dehydration, and have been doing very well. When I started eating better and moving more the weight has come off pretty steadily. Of course, I expect that to change when I get closer to goal. But I'd expect that anyway.

    The only time I had issues with uncontrolled weight gain that seemed to have nothing to do with my eating/exercise was when I had a couple of bouts of ideopathic cyclical Cushings. But controlling my stress levels (and exercise really helps with that) has that in the past.

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