The Thyroid Diet - Has anyone tried this diet plan?

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isys5
isys5 Posts: 213
in Health and Weight Loss
I have been working out like fiend since January (I did a TurboFire/Chalene Extreme Hybrid) and have been tracking my calories faithfully, eating 6 small meals/day usually around 1700 calories/day now (started out at 1500 but bumped it up as was not seeing any weight loss.

I ended up with a Hernia at the end of my 90 day hybrid so had to lay off the weights until I see a specialist in June. So now I do the elliptic trainer 1 hr (burn 650 calories per workout) averaging 5-6 days per week and eat roughly 1700 calories/day.

I have lost 9 pounds in 5 months but my measurements have barely changed. My thryoid has been a problem (for me not my doctors ;) since my early 30's and in Novmeber my TSH was at 3.3. I believe the highest it has been is around 4, this month is was 2.86. According to doctors i have to have a TSH of 5 before I have a problem.

So I came across the The Thyroid Diet online and am hoping it may help but would love to hear if anyone else is in the same boat and if they have tried it :)

Replies

  • Funsoaps
    Funsoaps Posts: 514 Member
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    The new guidelines are 2.5 or below.

    I am hypo over 2.0, 1.5 and I am on it. I stay at .08-1.3 and that's my happy point. AT 3.3 I'd be half feeling half dead.


    All the thyroid diet is low carb/high protein/veggies, no soy or goitrogens and workout 1 hour per day in basic terms. It's what works for most/all thyroid people.
  • debbylee22
    debbylee22 Posts: 456 Member
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    Hi,
    That's what's working for me, and most people at the Thyroid group... have you joined? I find it very helpful. :wink:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/770-hypothyroidism-and-hyperthyroidism
  • isys5
    isys5 Posts: 213
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    Thanks ladies I just found that group and joined :) I am so frustrated as I keep hearing the levels have changed in 2003 but none of the doctors I talk to believe it. they are firm believers that 5 is the magic number :(

    thanks for the info on the diet, that is basically what I am doing already so at least I saved myself the $15 ;) I did feel like I was near death at a TSH of 3.3 that is what made me decide to revamp my eating and commit to consistent working out & tracking everything so I would have amunition when I go to the doctor, but even when I show him the numbers of calories in vs calories out he just waits until I am done talking. Then he says someone my age, 44, needs to workout out for 1.5 hours 5-6 days per week to lose weight. To just keep with it and my metabolism will straighten itself out :(

    I will check out the group more and see if anyone has tips on losing weight without doctors help...so frustrating :(
  • LilacDreamer
    LilacDreamer Posts: 1,365 Member
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    Thanks ladies I just found that group and joined :) I am so frustrated as I keep hearing the levels have changed in 2003 but none of the doctors I talk to believe it. they are firm believers that 5 is the magic number :(

    thanks for the info on the diet, that is basically what I am doing already so at least I saved myself the $15 ;) I did feel like I was near death at a TSH of 3.3 that is what made me decide to revamp my eating and commit to consistent working out & tracking everything so I would have amunition when I go to the doctor, but even when I show him the numbers of calories in vs calories out he just waits until I am done talking. Then he says someone my age, 44, needs to workout out for 1.5 hours 5-6 days per week to lose weight. To just keep with it and my metabolism will straighten itself out :(

    I will check out the group more and see if anyone has tips on losing weight without doctors help...so frustrating :(


    Your doctors are idiots. Find new doctors. Go see an endocrinologist that actually knows what they are talking about.

    I have hashimoto's disease. I feel awful when my TSH is 4.xx 3.xx 2.xx

    I am desperately trying to get my TSH to 1.xx so i can finally feel normal. What state do you live in? You need someone on your side.
  • onequirkygirl
    onequirkygirl Posts: 303 Member
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    I am going to look into this.

    Last they checked my level was 20, yes 20! I was told to wait it out six months and get rechecked. Craziness. Since then I have started supplementing my diet with Kelp (Iodine) and Selenium....so we'll see. I know nothing about the diet that's reccomended though, aside from one that would promote those minerals.
  • nakiarhall
    nakiarhall Posts: 51 Member
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    My Tsh is 10.4 and I can't drop a pound? If I do drop a pound even if I eat a salad no dressing I gain weight.
  • isys5
    isys5 Posts: 213
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    It is so frustrating, all the information online from very seemly reputable sources say that the values have changed for TSH, that it is not a good indicator of thyroid problems yet doctors do not agree :( Also they have such a negative atttitude to finding a real solution to the problem. It is always, ``you are getting old, that`s all`` or ``you need to exercise 1.5hrs per day`` Seriously, where are the doctors that actually want to help?

    I got the rest of my blood work back today. I had to ask again as the lab did not test it by accident, but doctor said my TSH was fine but at least he runs the tests when I ask without a hassel :)

    So my results were:
    TSH 2.68 (lab range is 0.30 - 5.50 mU/L) it was 3.3 in November but I was too tired to argue ;)
    T4 Free 16 (lab range is 11-22 pmol/L)
    T3 Free 4.1 (lab range is 4.0 - 7.8 pmol/L)

    So I am guessing that he will say I am fine even though I am at the bottom of the scale with the Free T3....will see :)

    I would love to find a better doctor that actually cares (mine is really nice but does not feel there is a problem) but I have no idea where t a doctor is that really cares unless you have a bone sticking out of your side, it`s all good, your fine :)
  • isys5
    isys5 Posts: 213
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    Thanks ladies I just found that group and joined :) I am so frustrated as I keep hearing the levels have changed in 2003 but none of the doctors I talk to believe it. they are firm believers that 5 is the magic number :(

    thanks for the info on the diet, that is basically what I am doing already so at least I saved myself the $15 ;) I did feel like I was near death at a TSH of 3.3 that is what made me decide to revamp my eating and commit to consistent working out & tracking everything so I would have amunition when I go to the doctor, but even when I show him the numbers of calories in vs calories out he just waits until I am done talking. Then he says someone my age, 44, needs to workout out for 1.5 hours 5-6 days per week to lose weight. To just keep with it and my metabolism will straighten itself out :(

    I will check out the group more and see if anyone has tips on losing weight without doctors help...so frustrating :(


    Your doctors are idiots. Find new doctors. Go see an endocrinologist that actually knows what they are talking about.

    I have hashimoto's disease. I feel awful when my TSH is 4.xx 3.xx 2.xx

    I am desperately trying to get my TSH to 1.xx so i can finally feel normal. What state do you live in? You need someone on your side.

    So frustrating isn`t it :( I live in Canada and they do not even recognize the lower range set in 2003 so I think I am out of luck on getting any doctor help so trying to do whatever I can to feel human again.

    I am happy to say thought that in Jan I decided to really take charge of my health as I was so exhausted I did not want to do anything so I committed to working out and eating every 3 hours (I am never hungry so it was a big challenge to actually eat - bizare right ;)

    After about 2 months I really noticed my brain fog was not as bad and I felt like I gained 10 years back on my health. Then I got a hernia so could not life weights and am now doing 1 hr cardio (elliptic trainer) per day and started taking Digestive Enzymes (due to constipationa and severe bloating I thought was caused by the hernia but apparently not...also a symptom of hypothyroid apparently ;))

    I also started taking a liquid vitamin supplement called Daily Complete that my sister had left for me to try, honestly I was just using it up because I did not want her cash to be wasted...but huge difference in my energy levels and brain fog. I feel like I gained another 5 years and actually have energy most days which I have not had in years this long term.

    I don`t know what of the above factors is helping but I thought I would post for others as it sure is giving me hope that even if I stay overweight, at least I will be able to function mentally & physically without being exhausted and in a fog :)
  • lin7604
    lin7604 Posts: 3,019 Member
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    The new guidelines are 2.5 or below.

    I am hypo over 2.0, 1.5 and I am on it. I stay at .08-1.3 and that's my happy point. AT 3.3 I'd be half feeling half dead.


    All the thyroid diet is low carb/high protein/veggies, no soy or goitrogens and workout 1 hour per day in basic terms. It's what works for most/all thyroid people.

    good to know that, so now how can i convince my dr to adjust my meds??? my last test was 2.9 tsh and i feel like ****! She said there isn't much movement left in my meds otherwise i get too much.. so i don't know what to do, i am feeling terrible and the only time i felt great was the last time she upped my meds late fall and that only lasted for 3,months...
  • isys5
    isys5 Posts: 213
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    So I just wanted to post an update to let everyone know that I have finally started to lose weight, about a month ago maybe?

    I did a 3 day cleanse and lost 5 lbs which was quite exciting but I did it more to try to give my body a jolt and remove toxins as I have heard that having too many toxins in your body (apparently they can be stored in fat cells and then the body is unable to remove the fat cells until the toxins are removed - this is how the body protects itself from the toxins). I then had surgery for a hernia and thought I would do a 3 day cleanse again (even though I would only normally recommend doning every 3 months) and I lost another 2 lbs or so. But since then the weight has stayed off and I even lost a couple more pounds by using veggie/fruit shakes for lunches, whey shake for breakfast and large salad for dinner with baked chicken or fish. I was worried that becuase I was unable to excercise due to surgery that the weight may pile back on. Well it has not at all and as I say I even lost a lb or 2 afterwards (surgery was 3 weeks ago) BUT

    the biggest surprise was that my TSH went from 2.8 to 1.1 It has not been under 2.5 in 15-20 years! So I don't know whether it is the diet changes, exercising over the past 8 months, the recent detox and veggie shakes or that i have recently been going ot a chiropractor which apparently can help with digestive/thyroid issues but not all the time as it depends what is causing the issues. In my case there is a fair bit of neck misalignment and arthritis right where the thyroid is located so who knows.

    I am just throwing all this info out there in they hope that maybe some of it may help others who have been as frustrated as I have for so long ;)

    I will add to this post in a couple of months (if I remember ;)) to see how progress is going :)
  • debbylee22
    debbylee22 Posts: 456 Member
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    That's great! Thanks for sharing.
    :flowerforyou:
  • conniehv40
    conniehv40 Posts: 442 Member
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    gosh, i have under active thyroid-low, consistent meds help, but I don't know a thing about it!

    After reading all of your posts, it makes me realize I should have much more information on a disease that I have!

    Bumping to keep in my topics.

    Thank you
  • isys5
    isys5 Posts: 213
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    yes all the doctors I talked to (harrassed..begged ;)) told me there was nothing I could do about my TSH and basically until it got to 5, then I would have to take medication.

    Well, I think this is pretty good proof that lifestyle changes do work and work well! I am also following a much more raw way of eating (as it actually appeals to me more than cooking anyway) and am really noticing how much better I feel and to boot :)
  • agamy4
    agamy4 Posts: 31 Member
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    I have congenital hypothyroid where I was only born with one thyroid gland. I've been chubby my whole life until I changed my endocrinologist last year. He raised my dosage right away according to the new scale. My previous endocrinologist refused to follow the new scale. I suggest you try looking for a younger doctor. The older ones will stick to their old methods.

    I realized our metabolism is completely screwed compared to other people. I remember I would work out everyday and would hardly lose any weight however gain a lb as soon as I eat anything besides lettuce. When my dosage changed, I started to see results like anyone without thyroid issues would.
  • SanteMulberry
    SanteMulberry Posts: 3,202 Member
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    Thanks ladies I just found that group and joined :) I am so frustrated as I keep hearing the levels have changed in 2003 but none of the doctors I talk to believe it. they are firm believers that 5 is the magic number :(

    thanks for the info on the diet, that is basically what I am doing already so at least I saved myself the $15 ;) I did feel like I was near death at a TSH of 3.3 that is what made me decide to revamp my eating and commit to consistent working out & tracking everything so I would have amunition when I go to the doctor, but even when I show him the numbers of calories in vs calories out he just waits until I am done talking. Then he says someone my age, 44, needs to workout out for 1.5 hours 5-6 days per week to lose weight. To just keep with it and my metabolism will straighten itself out :(

    I will check out the group more and see if anyone has tips on losing weight without doctors help...so frustrating :(


    Your doctors are idiots. Find new doctors. Go see an endocrinologist that actually knows what they are talking about.

    I have hashimoto's disease. I feel awful when my TSH is 4.xx 3.xx 2.xx

    I am desperately trying to get my TSH to 1.xx so i can finally feel normal. What state do you live in? You need someone on your side.

    So frustrating isn`t it :( I live in Canada and they do not even recognize the lower range set in 2003 so I think I am out of luck on getting any doctor help so trying to do whatever I can to feel human again.

    I am happy to say thought that in Jan I decided to really take charge of my health as I was so exhausted I did not want to do anything so I committed to working out and eating every 3 hours (I am never hungry so it was a big challenge to actually eat - bizare right ;)

    After about 2 months I really noticed my brain fog was not as bad and I felt like I gained 10 years back on my health. Then I got a hernia so could not life weights and am now doing 1 hr cardio (elliptic trainer) per day and started taking Digestive Enzymes (due to constipationa and severe bloating I thought was caused by the hernia but apparently not...also a symptom of hypothyroid apparently ;))

    I also started taking a liquid vitamin supplement called Daily Complete that my sister had left for me to try, honestly I was just using it up because I did not want her cash to be wasted...but huge difference in my energy levels and brain fog. I feel like I gained another 5 years and actually have energy most days which I have not had in years this long term.

    I don`t know what of the above factors is helping but I thought I would post for others as it sure is giving me hope that even if I stay overweight, at least I will be able to function mentally & physically without being exhausted and in a fog :)

    You might want to look into using natural progesterone cream. It is available over-the-counter in the U.S. (most health food stores carry it). One of the problems is that one could be producing adequate levels of thyroid (or at least what was considered adequate in the past) but because they are estrogen dominant (and many women are today because of "xenoestrogens" (various chemicals) in the environment---which act like very potent estrogens. Without estrogen being opposed by an adequate amount of natural progesterone (synthetic progestins in the birth control pill don't count--they actually make the problem worse) the result is "estrogen dominance" and that spells trouble in the female body since it tends to shut down ovulation and ovulation is how we get our natural supply of progesterone. Estrogen dominance blocks the uptake of thyroid hormone in all the cells of the body, whereas, progesterone effectively increases the metabolic rate because it does a number of things that enhances the efficacy of thyroid hormone (the reason why pregnant women in the latter stages of pregnancy feel hot all the time---their bodies are pumping out the progesterone like crazy). It has been theorized that one of the main reasons why women suffer post-partum depression is because they go from being basically progesterone dominant to being estrogen dominant--literally overnight. More primitive cultures have a disgusting way of dealing with this as a potential problem by having the midwife save the placenta and having the new mom eat it! :noway: Since the placenta has an enormous amount of progesterone in it, the woman's body will go right back to ovulating quickly and getting her progesterone supply back. If you aren't into eating placenta, bio-identical progesterone cream is your next best alternative (bio-identical is very important as synthetic progestins will not solve the problem--they will exacerbate it). Some women find that they can cut back their thyroid medication when they supplement their progesterone. But, be warned, if you have been very estrogen dominant for a very long time (and thyroid disease is not only a result of estrogen dominance but a cause as well) the progesterone can wake up estrogen receptors that have "gone to sleep" as estrogen production begins to wane as a woman approaches menopause. It would be good if you could get access to an endocrinologist who actually knows something. :frown:

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