I am similar to you. I am also tall, and I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's 2 years ago. I suspected something was wrong, because I put on about 30 pounds in a couple months. I realize I didnt eat great, but it packed on fast. I am on 100mg of Eltroxin. I saw my doctor in March with the hopes that she would up my medication. She said my blood levels were "ok". I have been fairly faithfully tracking calories since September, regularly play intense tennis, I have started including more walking, weights, and workout dvd's. I literally have not lost a pound since September. I have gained and lost the same 5 pounds for 7 months. Its really frustrating because I am so committed to this. However, I am shrinking slowly. I have lost some inches, so I am giving up on the scale number for now. My doctor said my weight will move slooooooooowly because my metabolism isn't what it used to be because of Hashimotos, as well as the fact that I am well into my 30's. It sucks. But stick with it. I am a lot more fit than I was, so that is awesome!! You can do it!

My weight came up slowly - it seemed, to me - over about 7 years. I should have taken a hint during the first year when I was a varsity athlete, exercising far more than the year before, but didn't clue in. Just assumed it was the freshman fifteen+. Looking back I know that that kind of gain is more than just bad eating but I never would have thought to ask anything about my thyroid.

Through the seven years, while I haven't taken the best care of myself through eating and exercise, I put on about 90 lbs.. almost a whole second person of me.

I am finding my weight loss to be very very slow, no matter what kind of eating regiment or exercise plan I follow - and it now goes back on VERY quickly - and then some. Mid-summer last year I was down about 10 lbs from where I was (207 was the lowest weight I remember) and then with improper eating and too much snacking I sprang way up to 233 before Christmas, my highest. I'm 5'5 and currently at 226 lbs.

I was diagnosed in November and have gotten a new dose every two months since - currently on 75mcg Synthroid.

I have not been officially diagnosed with anything. I've had thyroid tests and ultrasounds. Apparently I am "borderline" - however the huge lump on my throat to me indicates otherwise. I've gained 25 pounds in a year since I quit working a part time job that had me walking a store and stocking shelves. So, I've just recommitted to eating healthier and getting more exercise. I'm also looking into essential oils to see if a topical application will help me. I really really dislike meds and I'm giving this 2 months to see any improvement before I go back to the Doctor again. The last ultrasound I had was not covered by insurance and cost @$450. I can't afford to pay that every six months. ~ Terri

I have read (searching high and low) in some online articles that sunflower seeds are meant to be good for the thyroid. I try to eat them when possible - couldn't hurt.

I played ice hockey for for 10 yrs. My weight has been up and down since my first child 23 yrs ago and my last one 12 yrs ago. At my highest I was 290 at my lowest 188 two yrs ago. I have worked out or some type of physical activity almost everyday for the past two years.I went up to 248 in under 6 months. Some months I can drop weight, for the past two I have been stuck in between a 4 lb hold.I am on synthroid 88 mcg daily. When I went for blood work in November I was in the 2.5 range in January I was in the 9.5 range. I don't stay stable at all.

I did too, back in 2006, and it STILL won't come off. Tried Paleo, low carb, eliminating wheat/dairy/caffeine/sugar/processed foods, I exercise like crazy, and NOTHING. My levels are in "normal" range and I'm on Synthroid and Cytomel, still have no energy and cannot lose a pound. I'll lose 1 or 2 and gain them right back. Craziness. I used to be a personal trainer, I lift, I taught spinning and boot camps every day for 3 years, I run, I do yoga... nothing changes. I don't know why I keep going, after 7 years maybe this is just what weight I will be forever! Also tried Armour for several months but actually felt worse on that.

Going to an osteopath in June and hoping for some help. My doc is nice but doesn't know much about thyroid, and because my levels are "normal" the endos in town refuse to see me, even with a referral. Never mind that I have thyroid pain and lumps that come and go, and sleep 16 hours a night on the weekends...

If that's "normal" then that's crazy! Amirite?

I gained 50 lbs over the span of 3-4 months BUT with the bulk of it coming on in only two months. It was INSANE.

I have not been officially diagnosed with anything. I've had thyroid tests and ultrasounds. Apparently I am "borderline" - however the huge lump on my throat to me indicates otherwise. I've gained 25 pounds in a year since I quit working a part time job that had me walking a store and stocking shelves. So, I've just recommitted to eating healthier and getting more exercise. I'm also looking into essential oils to see if a topical application will help me. I really really dislike meds and I'm giving this 2 months to see any improvement before I go back to the Doctor again. The last ultrasound I had was not covered by insurance and cost @$450. I can't afford to pay that every six months. ~ Terri

I agree that the expenses are horrible, but after reading that third sentence... it might be time to find a new doc.

What if I told you there -is- a way to lose weight as a Hashimoto's Thyroid/Hypothyroid patient who is going through the dreaded weight gain cycle?

From my experience, I diagnosed as hypothyroid initially in 2007, being promised that taking Synthroid would help the weight come off with calorie counting. No dice. Then recently in late 2011 discovering that I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, I felt as if I am doomed to be overweight forever, as I gained almost 100lbs in a year, dieting my life away with no results. Not having any of that, I asked my Endo to work with me. She started checking blood work a bit deeper, with finding the following: Vitamin D deficient, Vitamin B12 deficient, fasting blood sugar higher than average, insidious weight gain no matter what eating/exercise plan I was following and my TSH was at 11, and my T3 was much too low and reverse T3 too high.

You should be your own advocate: Be firm but polite, let them know that you are miserable despite making healthy choices but these changes are not making your health better. Let it be known that your doctors can use the labs as a basis to give treatment but if -YOU- don't feel better and your labs are normal, the symptoms should be recognized and treated. You are not your Lab Work. Don't be afraid to ask to try new medicines or programs available to you. If your current doctor won't budge away from Snythroid, time to find a new Endo. If I don't lose the weight I need in a few weeks along with having my symptoms flare up, then I am switching to Armour.

I am currently on Synthroid at 350mcg. I also take Metformin 500mg 2x daily. If you are having issues losing weight and most of it is accumulating in your midsection, there may be a chance you could also be Insulin Resistant as most Hypothyroid patients who experience weight-loss difficulty are in this category. Check with your Endocrinologist and get tested.

I started Keto on 3/11/13 and have lost 29 lbs (had a few water weight days, damn hormones.) As being afflicted with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and being Insulin Resistant means I -really- need to watch my carbohydrate and fiber in take. I have no issues with all sorts of meat, cheese, dairy and properly cooked vegetables as long as there is a good balance of natural fat with them. My intake of calories is around 1800 for now and I eat at 60% of those calories as Fat, 30% calories as protein and 10% as carbs. Is Keto difficult? It can be, but once you get past the need/want for pasta, bread, cookies, crackers, chips, this lifestyle change becomes easy. I think of it this way: Do I want to fit into my goal clothes sooner or feel guilty eating crap? I act as if these items are poison to me right now and will destroy everything I worked so hard for. When I get to maintenance, I can be less stringent but still need to watch carbs as I have noticed anything over 60g-100g net total of carbs a day will make me gain weight. As for my results? Normal blood pressure, TSH dropped to 4, T3 levels improved and reverse T3 is being used efficiently. My A1C went from 6.6. to 2.8 (not Diabetic but Insulin resistant) and my daily glucose is around 100 or less,

So half the battle for us Hashimoto's Patients is giving up crap/processed foods and moving onto a very low carb/non-processed lifestyle as much as possble. Eating 100% clean can be hard to do, so I do the best I can to avoid it. Get vitamin/mineral levels checked. A mutlivitamin helps fill in the places you may be missing nutrients. I take 5000 IU Vitamin D pill daily, 3-4 99mg Potassium Gluconate, 250mg Magnesium and a Women's Multi as it has a good source of Selenium. Do not go over 400g of Selenium as it is very dangerous for your health.

Many people think fat is the enemy. Newsflash: It is not. Quite the opposite as long as it isn't trans fat. I work out three times a week, - a total of 1 hour of cardio and 1 1/2 of strength training. You don't have to exhaust yourself working out. That's not smart or healthy. I am a strong evidence that as a woman with metabolic issues that lifting weights gives a lasting effect on metabolism. My hair is thick and healthy now, my skin is clear, I am losing weight, I have great energy and I am not very hungry or hungry at all between meals. When I did low-fat/low carb and low calorie, most days I was ravenous or ultimately sick to my stomach, bad IBS and felt like sleeping all the time. I was always counting the minutes down to my next meal. With Keto, I am alert, I have energy and I feel great. I feel almost normal again, save for the weight that needs to come off.

Living on carrot sticks and Snackwell's is no way to go through life and certainly will damage your already slow metabolism. Real food = real results. It so simple, it makes me feel dumb for giving into the diet gimmicks out there in the first place.

If anyone is interested in trying Keto, (think of Atkins but much less restrictive and completely free to do) I have a wonderful community I belong to at http://www.reddit.com/r/keto