Thryoid Problems - Need Help!

Be patient while they figure out the dosage on your thyroid medication. They've been adjusting mine since August; I get blood drawn in a week or so, and we're hoping this time my levels are acceptable. Watch for other symptoms to be relieved, not just your weight: fatigue, hair loss (big one for me), etc. That's a sign you're on the right track, and the weight will come off in time.

As to losing and gaining, fluctuation is normal, especially within a 4-day period. I try to only weigh once a week, or if I do weigh in between, I don't log it. The 7 pound loss could have been due to slight dehydration and the 4 pound gain might have been water weight, but honestly, who knows. Track the trend rather than the minutiae of each day.

Find a endocrinologist if you don't already have one.

It takes a great deal of time to sort out the dosage. I had my thyroid removed in March after a large mass was found after an ultrasound. Take the medications according to the directions. If it is Synthroid, take it an hour before you eat and with water. I found that helped me absorb the meds and I lost weight when I stuck with those particular directions. Congratulations on your determination and keep your doctor in the loop. Good luck

I too have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Frustrating for sure. This time last year as usual I had made the effort to get back in shape after the holidays. After 2.5 months of tracking calories and exercising 1-2 hours a day I ended up with a 1 pound loss and no decrease in body fat%.

After researching symptoms of fatigue and low sexual desire along with the results I wasn't getting I thought I might be suffering from low T. I discussed things with my doctor when I went for routine blood work. After results came back Testosterone was fine but thyroid levels were low. Oh joy another pill.... after researching that the symptoms were basically the same. After a week or two, I began to have a little more pep in my step, along with desire and some weight loss.

Things remained steady through out the summer until fall came. I noticed I had started to get a little sluggish again, along with some weight gain, despite working out. So during my normal yearly physical tests it came out thyroid levels were low again. Increase your dose. Energy levels came back up as well as weight.

The 1st of December I jumped in with both feet on the exercise wagon along with tracking calories. I'm currently exactly the same weight as I was on the 1st of December, although body fat actually had come down the last couple of days until this morning.

Hopefully something will break soon....

I was diagnosed with hypothyroid in 2002, just after my wedding. I was dieting before my wedding, but every dress fitting the dress got tighter and tighter. By the last 2 days of my honeymoon, none of the clothes I packed fit. It took about a year of playing with the dosage to get one that made me feel better. I didn't start trying to lose the weight until I'd been stable for 6 months, but I would imagine trying when the dosage was still off would have been frustrating.

I will say that the "normal range" is in fact a range. There is no magic number that is right for everyone. Some people operate best smack in the middle. Some people operate best to one side or the other. And a few people function best just outside the range. It's about more than the number, but also about the lack of symptoms. My first hints that things are off are itchy ear-drums and hair loss.

Another thing to keep in mind is taking your meds on an empty stomach and not taking vitamins for at least 4 hours afterwards.

Hi! I"m Hypo since 2006. It's tough sometimes! Definitely monitor your levels AND your symptoms. I had very high numbers but my results were still in the "normal" range, However, my symptoms were horrible. I was falling asleep while sitting up and losing hair by the handfuls. I had a sluggish metabolism, dry skin and nails, and felt 'blah' overall. Thank God I had an awesome endocrinologist. He gave me medication and tweaked it until I felt like my old self. Weight loss is dificult for me, but it's doable as long as I track my calories and exercise! Good luck.

Find a endocrinologist if you don't already have one.

With all due respect, they are often the LAST people you want taking care of hypo. I've had a LOT of luck with my very well educated PCP.

Well, I first had hyperthyroid, everything I ate, went right through me. I was always hungry, but very sick. So I went through nuclear medicine to stop my thyroid from overworking. Now I struggle to lose weight. I am very faithful in taking my meds, since it has been about 20 years since radioactive iodine therapy.

Need to remember to take it first thing in the morning, don't take any vitamins with it, wait till later in the day to take any supplements.