Hypothyroidism....well, this is new!

My story is similar to yours. I'd already lost some weight, maybe 25 lb, when I was diagnosed. It was totally unexpected. But I started Synthroid about 9 months ago, and things have gone well since then. I haven't noticed a huge change in my metabolism. I was losing at a fairly good pace before the meds and now am probably losing slightly faster. And I also notice I have a more energy. One thing my doctor did advise was trying to keep my carbs under 150g/day, since many people with hypothyroidism are also carb-sensitive. I eat fairly low carb anyway (my carbs come mostly from fruits and veggies, since I'm also wheat-intolerant).

I don't know that my weight loss uncovered the problem. I've always been in the "low normal" range when it came to my thyroid labs, but last year I was squarely in the hypothyroid range.

The one thing I hate about taking Synthroid is having to wait 30 minutes to eat breakfast. I usually remember to take the med when I'm hungry......and oh yeah, I haven't taken the damn Synthroid yet! Grrrrr. So I take it and THEN have to wait another 30 minutes to eat breakfast. I'm trying to get better about remembering to take it when i first wake up. But so far I haven't been too successful with that.

Women often experience changes in thyroid hormone production as they get older.

For me, it was Hashimoto's Thyroid that got mine slowed to a crawl. I was exhausted. Now I have plenty of energy. But the Synthroid didn't start my weight loss. My decision to eat less and be more active did. I am glad that I already had dealt with the thyroid before I changed my lifestyle though. It would have been discouraging to do all this hard work and not get results.

Have had it for over 20 years. Three years ago had a thyroidectomy. Diagnosis was a surprise to me too. Didn't have any classic symptoms. When I first started on meds I would get a bit jittery if I was overmedicated. Took a while for endocrinologist to figure out correct dosage.

Now I don't really think about it.

I have had hypothyroid for years and it was not diagnosis properly for years and then I was on a roller coaster of different meds to stabilize it.

The medication is no big deal. Just be certain you get to TSH of 1 and make sure BOTH T3 an T4 are in the normal range (demand a full thyroid panel be done, especially at the beginning and look specifically at the Free T3 and Free T4 levels).

That is the goal. If you can not get there just by a t4 med alone (like synthyroid or levoxyl) then start researching Armour. I have to take BOTH a dose of levoxl and armour to be stable and manage my weight.

Also ignore the idiots who say that hypothyroidism should not cause you weight issues and it all about eating in a calorie deficit. This is BS when it pertains to a person with thyroid or any metabolic resistance issue and most people do not have a clue about it because they have no freakin idea how the thyroid works. It controls the engine and how fast your burn the fuel. So while someone might lose on a 1500 calorie diet you might not, especially if you are eating a diet high in carbs. No joke

Don't go on extreme low fat, low carb, or low calorie diets to lose weight , just use the suggestions here at MFP, they are moderate and work. You will screw up your thyroid royally if you use these type of diets, especially if you are a yo-yo dieter. You have to have fat and carbs to absorb your meds. You do not though need to eat a lot of carbs. 100-125 day is plenty. Fat is critical to metabolism. Be certain you have enough in your diet as well. Protein is your friend...

Edit---yep stay away from soy, and take meds on an empty stomach. Don't even brush your teeth for 30 minutes afterwards. Just about ANY metal interferes with absorption of meds

Have been on synthoid before an it did nothing for me. Runs in my family but for me it took YEARS of different drs to diagnose me with it. Had one dr tell me I had chronic fatigue syndrome and even had one tell me I was depressed! Which I wasn't! Was first put on armour and did great on it! I lost 35lbs after years of trying everything and couldn't lose weight. Finally started feeling NORMAL at about 3 months in. I get off my meds when I am pregnant, for me the side effects are to much of a risk for my babies. But it is hard to get it regulated again after. With my last it has been crazy! Been back on armour for about 4 months but other than not feeling like a tired brain dead blob, my weight is still not budging.
Also doing some natural things to try to help and would love to get off my meds completely!