Hypothyroidism

Hey there! I have a hypothyroid too. I've been on synthroid and the generic version (Levo). I am up to a dose of 100 on synthroid. I have found and have been told by a few doctors that the generic is NOT as effective as brand. I switched back to brand over this past summer and finally regained a little energy and found that I could lose wait slowly with VERY careful watch over calories (can't go above 1200) and daily exercise (~600 burned calories through exercise a day). Most people would probably lose weight fast given my regimen but I lose weight at a rate of 1 pound per week (max). It takes lots of motivation and support to lose this slowly.

Anyhow, hope this feedback helps. I know it is recommended to be gluten-free w thyroid issues. I do try to limit gluten (though I am not gluten free). You can search this relationship and find LOTS of supportive solid research on being gluten free to aid with thyroid management and health. I was gluten free for 3 years and my weight was in a great range -- I do believe it helps.

Thanks!! I had not heard that! My PT wants me gluten-free because of Asthma. Now I have another motivator! I have been on Synthroid for a decade. I screwed up my thyroid doing Atkins and dropping 30 pounds in 2 months. BAD IDEA!! I know that is when it happened because I haven't lost weight consistently and kept ift off since. It is a constant battle. Hubby doesn't understand. Thyroid is an "excuse". Oh well, when I quit worrying about him and the scale, I saw some success. It has taken a combo of weight lifting and cardio as well as coutning cals I am on Synthroid. Hated Levo - waste of money as far as I am concerned. My levels are good so i can't convince doc to up my dosage (50mcg). I think it should be higher. I go to my gp or my ob, not an endo doc so that may be my prob. OB put me on meds and sent me to an endo and he acted like I was nuts. He said my percentages were not off enough for meds. His nurse pulled me aside and said, based on my symptoms, she would talk to another doc. Her levels were like mine and synthroid made a big difference. I never went back to him. I was falling asleeo, driving home! Not symptomatic enough? Started going to my gp for the refills. It isn't a cure-all for weight-loss. I wish! There are times when I feel totally drained at the end of the day, though. That's when I think my dose needs to go up. ANyway, feel free to send a friend request. We can never have to many supportive friends!! :flowerforyou:

I take it. It's helped tremendously. I had the unfortunate symptoms of slurred speech and the mental effects- memory loss, difficulty connecting thoughts, inability to follow conversations... to me these symptoms were even worse than the weight problems. Levo has helped me get my mind back.

I was hyper, then had radiation and now am hypo been on meds for 13 years now. was told by my birthmother who is hypo as well that she wasn't able to take generic and since i was having issues with generic I asked for synthroid. I have been on it for several years now and while my weight fluctuates, my meds will too. at my highest weight I was at 200mcg now im at 137mcg however i was on 125mcg for a year as i lost a ton of weight. I'm sure ill be dropped back down when I get my blood work done next. I do find it interesting that your doctor is starting you at 25mcg and bumping you up month by month. when I was bumped up it was after 2 weeks i did bloodwork then got bumped up level by level, I gained about 100lbs in about 6months because my thryroid was so out of wack. Pay attention to your body and if you feel weird call the dr, get blood work done. the one thing i have learned with being hypo is you have to pay attention to what your body is telling you good luck! feel free to add me if you would like

I was under-treated for 10 years and never felt better. When I finally stopped taking the doctors' diagnosis of fine, I realized my treated levels were 3.8 TSH when 4 is enough for a diagnosis. I added liothyronine to the levo, got down to 2.7, feel better (finally), but still waiting for my eyebrows to grow back.

I was just diagnosed with hypothyroidism on March 21st. So I've only been on them for about 2 weeks now. However my exhaustion has greatly approved and I can actually workout now without feeling like I'm going to die. Not to mention my depression/irritability has improved 100%! I get my labs drawn on May 1st to see if my dosage is working for me. I believe I'm on 25mg of the Levo.

I have been on synthroid for nearly 12 years. Never really noticed a difference in side effects. I'm still always cold and tired. I was on the minimum dose for years until my pregnancy. My dose increased 3 times and there it stayed!

ive been on levothyroxine for nearly 3 months now and im finally able to string a sentence together. ill be having my levels checked in the next week to see if the 50mcg dose is sufficient. im thinking its too low as im still exausted but my weight loss has been good even if i do loose erratically

Can I ask (for anyone) what was the instigating factor in getting your thyroid checked? I've been debating it for a while but for some reason I feel embarrassed calling the dr and asking to have it done. The last time I tried, my GP told me to "stop trying to lose weight" because I wasn't obese, at which point I started crying and he tried to put me on anti-depressants.

Hi.
I've been on thyroid hormone replacement therapy since I was 10 years old (I am now 35) because of Hashimoto's disease.
When I was 27 years old I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and I underwent surgery to have my thyroid completely removed (and then iodine radiation just in case they had missed any cells).
I am as hypothyroid as you can get, and for years I used it as an excuse not to lose weight. I told myself and others I just couldn't lose weight without a thyroid gland.
I have lost about 40 lbs, by counting calories and working out. I do feel I have to work out more than most people and eat less to see results, but it is possible.
Feel free to add me!

Thank you for replying. Congratulations on your weight loss! Keep it up. I still weight the same as when started MFP (2 1/2 wks. Ago) and have been on synthroid for 3 days only (25mcg) the doctor said that is very low (minimal dosage) to take it for a month and then go up to 50mcg. He wants to see me in 4 months. All I know is that I am not giving up because it takes time and dedication. Even though I haven't lost any pounds I am starting to feel different and sort of lighter with more energy than before.
You mentioned about starting another med, which one is it? Best wishes.

The weight will come off. Just stick with it. My new med is liothyronine which is generic for cytomel.