Hypothyroid

One thing I have found with hypothyroidism - I think it is connected - is that I started getting migraines when I did not eat regularly. I tried doing the 5:2 diet but had to stop because of the headaches. Keep your blood sugar level from dropping too low by eating every 3 hours.

I also feel like I need to do lots of high-impact aerobics to speed up my metabolism.

You can lose the weight but be prepared to spend a year or more before you reach your goal!

Also... would it be ok if I added some of you? Its so hard to find people that understand hypothyroidism

One thing I have found with hypothyroidism - I think it is connected - is that I started getting migraines when I did not eat regularly. I tried doing the 5:2 diet but had to stop because of the headaches. Keep your blood sugar level from dropping too low by eating every 3 hours.

I also feel like I need to do lots of high-impact aerobics to speed up my metabolism.

You can lose the weight but be prepared to spend a year or more before you reach your goal!

I am doing 5:2 as well and have not been bothered by headaches at all. It is actually the best diet plan I have tried because I can see myself doing it long term. Everyone is different and different things work for different people which is truly evidenced by people with thyroid disorder. Several people with the same condition but on different medications with different doses. One thing that is common is that we are all here to lose weight and if it was easy we wouldn't be here right?

So I came home from the Doctors office today crying my eyes out... turns out my thyroid is producing hormones on its own and that is not my problem... I have an extreme amount of TPO antibodies (normal would be 30 or under my number is 400) that are attacking my thyroid. My doctor pretty much said that there is really nothing she can do for me other than wait and get another blood test in 6 months.. I am devastated I thought I would be put on medication and start to feel better... but nothing... now what ... I am so depressed and don't see a light at the end of this tunnel... devastated! Still no answers as to why I work out like a crazy person, barely eat and put on enough weight to not fit into any of my clothes...

Is it possible to go see an endocrinologist? I think that a lot of times people do take a "wait and see" approach to raised TPO antibodies, but 6 months seems like a long time to wait. I read somewhere that taking selenium helps with raised TPO antibodies - maybe do some research and see if there is anything to that.

Try not to get too stressed out about this (it could make it worse). Just keep eating well, stay hydrated and exercise. I am also a believer that a lot of our food has an impact on all these hormones. Thinking about the hormones that are pumped into cows and chickens - unless you buy grass fed, or organic, or free range you never know what you're putting into your body. It's not always possible (or economically feasible) to buy your food like this but if you can it might help too.

I'm sorry that you're dealing with this!

You seriously need a new doctor and I am not joking. I am 43 years old and have had Hashimoto's - where antibodies are attacking my thyroid and it only functions on medication - since I was 25. You are probably not losing weight because of this issue and the stress of how much you workout could potentially be making it worse - exercise is stress to your body - and when you have too many antibodies, this is an autoimmune situation and extreme stress will make it worse. Also, when you eat in such an extreme deficit (I saw your other post that you are eating 700-900 calories per day - is that net or gross? Either way, it's way too low - low calories suppresses your T3 hormones - even when you don't have a thyroid issue - and T3 is crucial to losing weight). I have been on medication since my 20's and when you have it under control and eat enough of the right calories and exercise moderately, you can definitely lose, build muscle and keep up the same as everyone else. Do you have your lab results? I would be interested to hear where your levels were at and am very surprised they held back on medication. My heart goes out to you as I know exactly how you feel :-(. You need to take control of this situation and get a new doctor - and educate yourself as much as possible before you go, when you have a thyroid issue it's a must. I suggest starting with going to www.stopthethyroidmadness.com, it has everything you would ever want to know about this. I hope everything works out sooner than later.

1. NEVER take generic Synthroid. Always insist on the brand name drug.
2. Listen to your body. Unfortunately, you won't always be using the same prescription. Your body will change, things like birth control (going on it or off it) pregnancy, getting older, etc. mess with your hormones and your prescription will need to be adjusted accordingly.
3. In case you haven't gotten a theme with the first two - get an endocrinologist!
4. You CAN lose weight.

Couldn't have said it better!

My endo doesn't even prescribe Synthroid, I take Armour for my hypothyroidizm. I was very fortunate to found a doctor that also tested the different sub categories if you will, of the thyroid , and realized my T3 wasn't normal so he prescribed me a special compound of just the T3 in conjunction with the armour. My mom took Synthroid for a while and it actually worsened her depression which made for a vicious cycle. Finally once I was diaganosed and put on Armour she had her doctor switch her to armour and all has been well.

Keep in mind it takes a good 3 months minimum to level out your levels. Mine took an entire year before I could get the right combo of meds, however in the past 9 months I have been able to finally drop 30lbs that otherwise was not going to come off.

Through all of this I also found out I was severly annemic and deficcient in B12 and D, you may ask your doctor to check those levels as well which can affect overall health, weight loss, and energy.

best of luck, it does get better, promise!

Kim can you give me more information about the coconut oil. What does it actually do. How do you take it? Do you use it instead of olive oil in cooking and putting on salads. Does it really help with the weight loss?

I couldn't stomach the coconut oil, but I started eating just one Archway Coconut Macaroon a day & was able to cut my Synthroid dose in half.

ON THE MIGRAINES...I notice that when I'm getting too much Synthroid, I have migraines. For me, a lot of migraines is usually a sign I need to have my levels checked & not take as much Synthroid.

I have learned that the tests to indicate thyroid issues don't always show a problem even if there is one - because their standards are off. learned that from a friend who studies that stuff.

A lot of doctors/labs are using out of date standards, based on American Board of Endocrinologists recommendations. Also, some people are subclinical, where they are having symptoms, but test in the ok range, indicating their bodies may just need more.

yes, you can lose weight once your synthroid is optimized. I have lost 44 pounds so far.

I was diagnosed with hypothyroid after several years of trying to get a diagnosis. I am still adjusting with the medication, and go back for a recheck with my doctor in a week. I've been on Armour for three months, and I am able to lose weight on it, but it is a struggle. My eating needs to be spot on, and my carb intake needs to be very minimal in the late afternoon/evening, otherwise the weight won't budge. I also need the exercise to get the weight off - adjusting my calorie intake alone doesn't do it for me. With hypothyroidism, a large part of it is finding what works for your particular body.

My recommendation for all those that think they have hypothyroidism or hashimotos, or have been diagnosed with it, is that you are your own advocate for your health. Someone else said that on here, and it couldn't be further from the truth. I'm actually seeing an internist for the management of my thyroid because two endocrinologists turned me away. Find someone that is right for you and will listen to you. My doctors philosophy is that hormones are the root of many of the body's problems, and I tend to agree