Hypothyroid help!

Larissa_Johnson · April 2013

Hey everybody!

I love MFP and I've met some awesome people on here. I would like to seek help from whoever has some experience with hypothyroid issues. This condition runs in my family. In the last year or so I've started to show more and more signs of hypothyroid disease so I went to my Dr. and had my levels tested. My Dr. didn't show much interest in my concerns, told me my levels were fine (though I was never given an actual number), and sent me on my way.

I started my weight loss journey on January 1st, 2013 at a starting weight of 210lbs and today I weighed 203lbs...I have cut my calories to 1300-1500 per day and I exercise 6 days a week for at least 30 minutes per day, usually more. I am very frustrated at the rate of my weight loss...I feel like I'm putting in a lot of effort and getting very little result.

Does anyone have any personal experience or advice that may help?

Thanks!

2stepscloser · April 2013

I have thyroid issues and take levothyroxine daily. I saw a general practioner for several years who continued to blow me off (i was borderline). I switched to an internist and she was very proactive. It took about a year to getvthe correct doseage but i am so glad I switched. Personally, I have found that eating low carb works best or me. I still eat fruits/veggies but try to eat less processed/refined food. If I eat more carbs, I try to eat them during the day rather than at night.

Are you eating back your exercise calories? I don't but I have heard of people doing that in order to lose weight.

Coyoteldy · April 2013

see and endocrinologist about your thyroid.. I started having all kinds of issues ( fatigue mostly) doc took my levels and although they were technically fine ( low side of normal) she sent me to an endo for a consult. He immediately put me on thyroid and the difference was AMAZING.. Energy came back not so tired and so forth. Its worth the trip to a specialist!

tatd_820 · April 2013

I'm 33 and have been on levothyroxine daily for the last 10 or more years. Mine was found when I went through years of infertility. I get mine checked at least 2 times/year and most times, it's all out of wack and the meds need to be adjusted. If you are not satisfied with your dr, find a new one. Your levels are your levels though. When they run your TSH if it's not in the range, you don't need meds. My sister, mom and aunt are all on thyroid meds...it is genetic. One sister has no problems.

cpsoroff · April 2013

I have a hypothyroid and have been on synthroid for a couple of years. Doctors would not put you on medication if your levels were within the normal range. I think it was somewhere between 4 and 5. The range of normal has now changed. That being said, normal for you could be lower. Some doctors still go by the old range. My doctor checks my blood work every three months, and I stay around 2. I feel much better in that range. I would do some research and then discuss, what you found with your doctor. Everyone is different. I hope this helps.

shadowchaser1 · April 2013

Keep getting it checked. I know with mine I can have normal levels one day and off the wall the next. One time one of my number (on a 24hr fasting test) was over double the maximum. For me it is a struggle and the only meds that help with it are considered cosmetic so medical won't pay for them. I am losing slowly and the biggest trick is lots of water (at least for me I carry a water bladder in my backpack) and keeping myself moving even if the body doesn't want to. You have to burn and flush the excess chemicals when they are there.

Talk to your doctor and let them know about your family and your concerns. If he or she don't take you seriously than go to a different one to get a different opinion.

mackemom · April 2013

post removed

bluntlysally · April 2013

another possibility is subclinical hypothyroidism. it is when your levels are not exactly right, but they aren't in any "bad" ranges either. ask for your test results. there should be a couple of different items to look at - not just one (forget what they are right now). if it is subclinical, doctors have different opinions on if it should be treated by meds or not. if you want it to be treated aggressively (for whatever reason) you have to say so. if the doctor still says no, see another one. generally, i want my results (for most things) to be on the high/good end of normal and have found doctors who are willing to treat things way.

JessHealthKick · April 2013

please see an endocrinologist. I have a GP overseas in Japan at the moment who says I am in the normal range but I am SURE something is wrong 110% so it is driving me absolutely insane! I can't wait to see a specialist in August.

I have been eating so well + exercising and have had about 1kg (2.5lb) loss a MONTH which is very slow but I am not overweight and not toooo worried about my weight so I can deal with this. It is a struggle though and quite disheartening.

Just see a specialist. If you GP doesn't want to refer you, tell them to shove it and get that referral!

edit: I was diagnosed with hypothyroid (Hashimoto) when I was about 14, and was on and off meds for a while. I have been off for 18months now because apparently my thyroid is working again normally... after being told I'd have to be on meds for life? I think it's very complicated!

dancingdeer · April 2013

Demand to have a copy of any blood work you have done, so you can always educate yourself about your numbers. The standard has changed for what is considered "normal" for TSH range. Anything above 3 is considered hypo. My TSH has varied from .92 - 2.0. I have a new general practitioner who is much more concerned about how I feel than about a number. I feel much better when my TSH is around 1.0. I have just started taking Synthroid at the lowest dose... I go back in 6 weeks to have my blood rechecked. I think it may be too early to tell, but I might have a tad more energy.

And, regarding food. There is a decent book out that is called The Thyroid Diet. Basically, low carb is the way to go. Too many carbs and sugars can really interfere with thyroid function.

Sorry you're having such problem and no help from your doctor. Find another one - maybe a woman doctor. (That's what I did).

There is also a group on here for Hypothyroid that you might want to join. Good luck! :flowerforyou:

Amazon_Who · April 2013

Ask for a copy of your lab report too! I found out my doctor was using older standards.

missmegan831 · April 2013

I'm hypo.. and I agree with the other posters, get a copy of that report, you paid for it!!! I will tell u what works for me, everyone is different but cutting out carbs like white stuff, breads, pasta, rice and eating veggies and fats and protein has helped me lose 52 pounds in 5 months.. however its not for everyone, its a commitment, a lifestyle change, i cant go back to eating donuts and loafs of bread when i reach my goal (also have Type II diabetes issues) I also suggest that you may want to look at your calories, seems like low calories for your activity level.. what ever you decide keep up the great work. If you want supportive friends that log and are on daily feel free to add me

meaningful99 · April 2013

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism a few years ago after gaining a lot of weight in a short period of time. I take levothyroxine now and I feel great. When I started the medication, though, my doctor was careful to make sure I understood that even though hypothyroidism may have contributed to my weight gain, medication would not take the weight back off -- I would have to eat less and exercise more just like anyone else to lose the weight. I think you need to be your own best health care advocate but you also have to buckle down and do the work. Good luck!

Edit: I don't mean to imply that you're not working hard; just trying to say that diagnosis and/or medication won't be a magic fix.

pen2u · April 2013

I had a similar experience to yours. I joined the gym with two friends and went every day with them, did the same workouts, ate the same diet (Body for Life.) They looked amazing after 6 months and I didn't change at all except to become a little stronger. I then found out I was hypothyroid (Hashimoto's) and it took another year or two to get it all straightened out. My GP at the time was worthless. Not that the endo I ended up seeing was much better, but at least she did more extensive tests and upped my levothyroxine dosage.

lithezebra · April 2013

Ask for your actual TSH test results. Generally a number between 0 and 3 or 4 is good. Higher than that is more likely to indicate a problem. Also, although I've done well with only the TSH test, some people who have a normal TSH result need to have T3 and T4 tested to find the problem.

Being hypothyroid didn't really make me gain weight, although I sometimes say "I got thyroid medication" when people make a fuss over the fact that I'm 23 pounds lighter than I was. The real reason I lost weight was because I got my eating and exercise habits under control, which was easier to do when I was no longer severely depressed from being hypothyroid. However, I was hypothyroid for years, while my nurse practitioner ignored my abnormal test result because she felt I was thin enough already.

P.S. Losing 7 pounds in 4 months is not bad at all. You're doing a good job. If you feel up to it, strength training and adding some high intensity interval training to some of your cardio workouts will both help increase your calorie burn. Some studies have shown that it takes quite a bit of exercise to make a big difference in weight loss, like about 60 minutes a day - something to work up to if you can make the time.

mickleach · April 2013

Hey everybody!

I love MFP and I've met some awesome people on here. I would like to seek help from whoever has some experience with hypothyroid issues. This condition runs in my family. In the last year or so I've started to show more and more signs of hypothyroid disease so I went to my Dr. and had my levels tested. My Dr. didn't show much interest in my concerns, told me my levels were fine (though I was never given an actual number), and sent me on my way.

I started my weight loss journey on January 1st, 2013 at a starting weight of 210lbs and today I weighed 203lbs...I have cut my calories to 1300-1500 per day and I exercise 6 days a week for at least 30 minutes per day, usually more. I am very frustrated at the rate of my weight loss...I feel like I'm putting in a lot of effort and getting very little result.

Does anyone have any personal experience or advice that may help?

Thanks!

mickleach · April 2013

Don't despair, every so often your body tends to hit a plateau and weight loss does become slighty more difficult but rest assured you will lose weight and normal service will be resumed. Also remember by exercising you are building muscle and muscle weighs more than fat.

lithezebra · April 2013

And, regarding food. There is a decent book out that is called The Thyroid Diet. Basically, low carb is the way to go. Too many carbs and sugars can really interfere with thyroid function.

It's far from being a proven fact, but there may be a connection between gluten intolerance and autoimmune thyroid disease.

sarcosis1 · April 2013

Hi there.
I have hypothyroidism, and I have lost 73lbs and still have more to go. So don't worry, it can be done, it may take a little longer but stay strong!

Larissa_Johnson · April 2013

Thank you guys so much for all you advice.

I greatly appreciate it! It has given me a lot to think about, research, and apply to my life. I feel encouraged knowing that I'm not the only one who is struggling with weight loss even though I'm doing a lot of things "right". I hope that in a few months I can post some more serious success

Good Luck on your journey and thank you for helping me with mine!

Hypothyroid help!

Replies

Categories