Hypothyroidism - Can't lose weight!!!

I am in the same boat. It took my doctors almost 3 years to finally diagnose me after I was gaining weight nonstop. They finally diagnosed me when I was 18. It has been so hard to lose weight with this problem. But I am not giving up! I am also going to mention my new lifestyle when I go to my endocrinologist check up next week!

I am a Dietitian/Nutritionist who also has a Diagnosis of Hypothyroidism, just diagnosed in May 2012. I gained 5 lb and was unable to lose until I was put on meds (Armour Thyroid 30 mg) and joined MFP! MFP has enabled me to take my fitness to a whole new level! I am now the slimmest I have ever been in my entire life and ended up losing 8 lb. and have gained some lean muscle as well. I eat a very healthy, low fat, vegetarian diet so that helps too.

I definitely suggest seeing an Endocrinologist, having your labs monitored closely and even consider switching to Armour Thyorid instead, it is natural instead of synthetic like all the others. Both Dr. Mercola and Dr. Mark Hyman, MD rec. the Armour Thyroid. Also be sure to limit intake of Soy and avoid Kale. My Dr. said these both interfere with thyroid function. I actually started losing the weight once I increased my calories to 1400-1500 per day and even did some zig-zagging of my calories as well. This is where you eat higher on some days lower on others, but a 7 day avr. would be 1400 calories. Also, add strength training at least 3x per week if you haven't already done so. If you add lean muscle mass it helps increase your metabolic rate so you burn more calories even while at rest. I suggest moderate carbs. I eat 55% CHO/20% PRO and 25% Fat. But you can go as low as 40% CHO if you so desire and do a 40/30/30 split.

I have hypothyroid I was diagnosed with hashimotos disease last year. My levels Are always ok when I have blood work done but I can't lose weight to save my life. I'm like you 5"3 170 lbs. I got down to 153 in December doing hcg but I gained it all back.I work full to,e and have two kids so it's really hard to find me time to exercise . Right now I'm starting to count every calorie and see if that does anything. I'm know the feeling you describe of feeling like I'll never lose the weight. I've researched stop the thyroid madness but I feel like messing with my medications or taking natural supplements is too risky. I trust my dr and I know ppl say they have a "western" idea of medicine or they don't treat it fully but I just don't want to take my health into my own hands without consulting with them and I asked my dr about some of the things I've read on that website and he said he is weary of all of those items because none of them have been tested or approved by the FDA. I don't take any vitamins because he said ppl overdose on vitamins all the time. I wish there was something I could do. I hate that my thyroid controls my weight my mood and how tired I feel good luck!

I've been on thyroid meds for almost 14 years. I can loose weight..l.but I ave to be consistent....exercise, healthy/within calories and water. It can be done. It takes time.

Hi there! Thanks for your post, gives me hope! I'm 27, recently engaged and have been dealing with Hypothyroidism for 8 years. I got engaged in January, and since that day have been making healthy choices and busting my butt to loose weight.

I have stayed under 1,200 calories and been doing crazy workouts for the last 3 months. I am maintaining my weight, but not loosing an ounce! I'm starting to think it could be the meds. I'm currently on 175mcg's of Levothyroxine (a lot i know ) But have head a lot of positive comments about Armor. Can you let me know how it was transitioning? Was it hard for your body to get used to?

Thanks for the advise!

OMG This is so me 2 years ago. I did weight watchers spent a tone of money and didn't lose and once. I finally did some research of my own. Got my doctor to put me or Armour ( here in canada it's call desiccated thyroid horme) samething though. Within a few months I tried to lose weight again did but it was really slow. Since then I did more research on the site Stop the Thyroid Madness and they talked about a low carb diet. Well I am doing South Beach and I am down 14 pounds so far in 9 weeks. So this is what has worked for me. Tried other routs they didn't work. Get your meds straightened out first then go from their. Most who are hypothyroid (Hamsho) do well on low carb.

Thanks for the Canadian inclusion.... I am just starting to find a solution to my problems and will keep this info in mind..

I also have hypothroidism. I take levothyroxin daily. My weight loss has been slow, but it is coming off. I stick to my calories religiously and exercise daily. Some days hard exercise. If I go over my calories, I make myself exercise to I am either at or under. Like I said, it has been a very slow progress, but I am making headway. Maybe there is something else contributing to you troubles.

I'm hypothyroid, but I take T4 AND T3 (both synthetic versions) replacement; on just T4 (levothyroxin) I was in the same boat as you. Some people don't convert T4 medication to the active T3 hormone, so in essence they are still hypo while being medicated. Go to stopthethyroidmadness.com , they have a bunch of information. I just took my profile pic 06-17-13 (Monday) ... I'm 5'2 and weigh between 101 and 103 lbs (petite frame, I only have a 5.5 inch wrist and a 10.5 inch neck); when I tall people I'm hypothyroid they don't believe me. It's totally possible to lose weight/fat with a thyroid issue.

they may have to adjust your meds, I 've had hypothyroidism for 30 years and doing the calorie (1200) and exercise thing I am losing weight, so don't dispare and get your blood checked , good luck hon

I have hyperthyroidism and graves disease. So I know how it goes to lose weight. I was diagnosed 5 yrs ago when I was pregnant with my 4 yr old. And 1 1/2 yrs ago my thyroid started to normalize and I gained 100 pounds. It is hard but possible , my total weight loss so far is 30 pounds and I have 70 more to go, but it took 1 year to lose the 30 pounds.
You can add me as a friend if you like and we can lose it together. And I can get some tips from my brother-in-law who also has hypothyroidism as to how he lost all the weight he did.