New with underactive thyroid! Any tips!?

Hi!

I was diagnosed with hypothyroisdism in 2004 when I was 26. I was overweight at that time and I don't think it was just the thyroid problem that caused that. I used to overeat and definitely all the wrong things.
However, I got on medication and that helped immensely especially with my other symptoms. BUT, the trouble with the excess weight would still be there, because I simply didn't stop eating. Yes, it is a hassle for people like us with hypothyroidism to get rid of the extra weight, but it's not impossible. I've done it before and I can tell you that once you set your mind to it, you will make it.
It will be difficult and at some points you will get stuck. You might be eating too little but the scale will still show the same number. That happens. Also, eating too little will not guarantee you loosing more weight. It will guarantee you more trouble with your diet and your health in general.
What I suggest is you work things out with your doctor. A good endocrinologist will actually be able to give you more info on your situation and what you can actually do to help boost your metabolism.
Personally, I started dieting and exercising 2 weeks ago and I can see results even now. For me, keeping track of what I eat and exercising on a regular basis (without overdoing it, especially at the beginning) is what helps me most.
You have to be patient and have confidense in yourself that you can do it.

I wish you the best of luck! If you need more info or just to talk, I'm here.

Many thanks for this!!! Least I know i'm not the only one struggling!!! x

Of course, you are not the only one! You'd be surprised to see how many people struggle with hypothyroidism and loosing weight at the same time. It's doable though.

Right I think I get it now!

Okay so if my BMR says 1929 calories. Do you know why MFP set it to 1400 Calories? I was discussing this with a friend last night and we couldn't understand it!!

Yes Activity leves are Sedentary unfortuneatly, sitting in a hot office all day is probably another reason im so lethargic!!

MFP simply takes what it believes to be the amount of calories you burn daily and subtracts however much is necessary to give you the weight loss you have chosen.

Ex. You burn 2000kcal/day. You tell MFP you want to lose 1lb/week. 1lb=3500kcal. 3500/7=500. So MFP tells you to eat 1500kcal/day.(2000-500=1500)

This isn't entirely accurate because as you well know your metabolism slows as you eat fewer calories and your body fat mass goes down.

Eliminate soy from your diet. Read labels. Soy messes with your thyroid and interferes with thyroid medication.

And, do make sure you take your medication on an empty stomach -- 2 hours after eating, 1 hour before eating. The middle of the night is a great time to take it.

Hi! I also struggle with thyroid problems and I wanted to let you know that there is a group here on MFP for those with hypo and hyperthyroidism. You should check it out!

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism seven years ago when I was pregnant with my first child. The thing that makes the biggest difference for me is going by how I feel rather than how standard lab levels say I should feel. According to standards, anything under 3 for TSH levels is good enough. Well, it's not good enough for me. I feel crummy and have to take a nap everyday if I get that high. Luckily, my doctor works with me, and we have found that if I am below 2 I feel much more human.

If you are medicated, but still experiencing symptoms, I suggest checking back with your doctor. Your medication might not be at therapeutic levels yet.

I was diagnosed with Graves when I was 15, then after heavy meds it went into remission and came back as fierce Hashimotos when I was 25. I have been battling it ever since. I had been stable for a really long time and feeling great after switching from Levothyroxine to Armour thyroid about 2 years ago, what a huge difference. I was on 120mg of Armour. Then a few months ago Walgreens started giving me the generic Thyroid NP and it shows how sensitive our thyroid is, because I had my bloodwork last week And my TSH is now 20.0 crazy under active again - T3 free is low and so is T4 free. My meds have been increased and I am sure all will level out again in the next few weeks or so. This is why it's so important to get bloodwork done every six months and to get the right labs done. Go to www.stopthethyroidmadness.com and read on the recommended labs you should have done. Do not just have TSH done - there are other tests you should have too like T4 free and T3 free, Reverse t3, vitamin D, B12, ferratin, thyroid antibodies (in case you have Hashimoto's like me). I dictate my outcome because I have educated myself with what I need and base it on how I feel - and luckily I have a great GP that just follows my lead (somewhat scary but true) all you need to know is on that website. Read until you can't read anymore. One thing I can promise you is that if you stay on top of it, your meds are correct and you exercise and eat right it may be harder but you can lose just as much as anyone else.

I forgot to put that I eat 1700-2000 calories per day and that's with a suppressed thyroid. Don't let your thyroid scare you away from eating the correct amount of calories for your activity level.

And just a smaller aside... any way to see an endo instead of a GP? Most endos will know that "switching" a dose every three months isn't conducive, as it takes six months to really see the effects of a new dose.

This is INCORRECT. It takes only 6-8 weeks to see the maximum effect of a dose change.

I have graves disease and have found it very difficult. I'm on medication and have been for about a year and a half and it just seems like the weight will not budge.

Are you on methimazole/tapazole, or on PTU? I went hypo from methimazole within 4 weeks, and many doctors end up over-medicating women with graves. You sound over-medicated.

Does your doctor test your free T3 and free T4, or just your TSH?