Losing weight with thyroid problems

I had a thyroidectomy in 2010 and I just had surgery again in July where I had to go off the medication. It gets better!!! Hang in there!! I promise you will be feeling better soon:)

Before anyone thinks I am trying to make excuses here, I had a total thyroidectomy last month. So, I have absolutely no thyroid left, I am on meds, but having a really hard time getting my thyroid levels in range. I can barely walk around, let alone exercise right now and can't seem to lose any weight despite counting calories.

Ok, enough complaining...I'm really just wondering if anyone else has been in my position and if you had an advise or even just encouragement that you got through it?

Thank you.

I had a total thyroidectomy in Oct 2012 as treatment for unmanagable graves disease.

Please remember that you don't just want your thyroid levels "in range", but that you want them OPTIMAL. Optimal generally means your free T4 test is about mid-range, and your free T3 test is in the top 1/3 of the range your lab uses.

What labs is your doctor running? Are they testing your free T3 and free T4? Many doctors just test TSH, which is a pituitary hormone and not an actual test of thyroid levels. As well, TSH is often supressed in people taking thyroid meds, so it really isn't a good measure of levels.

Many/most doctors aren't well educated in thyroid management, so you'll have to be your own advocate here.



What meds are you on - a synthetic T4-only supplement like synthroid or levothyroxine? If so it's especially important to have that free T3 tested, to make sure your body is converting the T4 into T3. Honestly, many people have conversion issues post-surgery; plus the synthetic T4 is more difficult to convert. I would look at switching to a natural/dessicated thyroid med like Armour or Nature Thyroid, as they contain both T3 and T4.

I haven't had my thyroid removed but have been on meds for 15 years. I remember the feeling of it not being in control and was off the chart which was unusual as I was considered young (24 at the time). I had infertility along with it and my body felt like it was shutting down. Over the years it has gone crazy on occasion having to have radioactive iodine to zap it.
Once your levels are stable it will get better. Just don't beat yourself up about not being on track or not being motivated to do anything. I am sure just getting up feels like a marathon.
Hang in there.

I had radiation therapy many years ago to kill my throid (Graves Disease). I too was struggling with weight loss. I finally found a doctor who understood my difficulties and also met with a nutriotionist who was familiar with the difficulties of being hypothyroid. A few changes to my meal plans and what a difference! I have lost 50 pounds and 8 dress sizes over the past year and continuing to lose (slowly, but happily). Message me if you need any helpful tiips that worked for me. Good luck!

I'm new to this site and I have an underactive thyroid

I did lose weight once my meds were stabilised. They were then able to reduce the dose, but lately I have had the aches and pains you mentioned and have gained weight rapidly since quitting smoking in September. Hence the reason I have joined. I had previously lost quite a bit of weight and stabilised at 150lbs, which, having been over 200lbs I was happy with - I am aiming to get back to this weight again.

You can lose weight with an underactive thyroid - I've lost some since I've started counting calories again. But I could lose weight much more easily before the problem developed. Also, I find that the weight piles back on so fast if you are not really careful. I lost 10lbs in the three weeks before Christmas, had 4 days off and ate what I wanted (but I don't drink alcohol and I wasn't stuffing myself) and gained the entire 10lbs back! It is therefore irritating and makes weight loss more challenging as weight goes on so fast, but it is certainly possible to lose weight.

I think being active is the key. I don't do the gym but try and do activities I enjoy. I have a dog so alot of walking, badminton, pilates. Also I am trying to always take the 11 flights of stairs to my office and I walk in my lunchbreak. I don't have time to do alot of structured periods of exercise so trying to fit it into the daily routine I think is the key for me.

Good luck in 2013 to one and all. If anyone wants to give me some motivation, advice, support whilst I try and shift the pounds, would love to hear from you and I will, of course, reciprocate.