Anyone on here with hypothyroidism?

Hi Norma,

I stumbled upon your repsonse as I have been experiencing symptoms of hypothyroidism during the past year. I just wanted to add that I had Gastric Sleeve surgery three years ago. I do not regret the decision at all, however it is not quite the solution I thought, or hoped, it would be. I lost 100 pounds steadily over two years and was having little trouble maintaining, but I have regained 50 over the past year. It is incredibly frustrating and disheartening because I never thought I would be back to where I am at. I still have restriction and can eat much less, but lately its like the weight just keeps climbing.

It is a great tool, but don't get too confortable with it. I gain weight just as easily as before and it's just as hard to lose. I let my guard down and was feeling good and let old habits back creep back in. Not trying to discourage you, or claim it doesn't work...just a warning from experience. I would do it all over again, I just wish I had kept up the good habis and not let myself slide. I never thought I would be one of the people who deal with regain.

Good Luck!

What "average range" does your doctor like to keep your TSH level at? Mine is currently a little above 4 and I've been told by my PCP that it should be lower but my endocrinologist hasn't adjusted my synthroid dosage in about 6 months now. What do you all think? Leave it alone or seek a second opinion?

I have been told that optimum TSH for non-cancer patients is 1. For cancer patients, it is even lower--like .1 or .2. My understanding is that 4 is way too high, especially if you are having all those symptoms. Once you are on the correct dose of replacement hormone, most of your symptoms should disappear or greatly diminish. Speak to your endocrinologist or get your internist to refer you to someone else.

DISCLAIMER: Not a doctor. Just a guy who researches the crap out of things.

I am. I was diagnosed about 10 years ago & just found out a year ago that I have Hashimoto's. There is a group on here for those of us with thyroid issues, you should join us.

I have Hashi's, so maybe not exactly the same but I have all those same symptoms. It came on suddenly after my daughter was born and when I went into the doctor to finally get checked (I had no idea what was wrong but I felt like I was dying), my TSH was over 125.

Anyway, through medication (levo 88mcg), healthy diet and exercise I have lost all my excess weight and gotten healthy enough to run marathons. This is coming from three years ago when I was literally unable to get off the couch because I was too exhausted to even move.

So, I know you can totally do it, but it is harder when you're working with the disadvantage of your body not working the way it is supposed to. You can add me if you want encouragement from a lady who has stood in your shoes!

P.S. When it comes to your TSH levels, within the healthy range you should be able to speak up to your doctor about it. Some people feel really crappy at a TSH level of 4 and some feel great. If you don't feel your best at 4, ask if you can up your medication to try to get a little bit lower. Your doctor should respect that request as long as you're in the healthy range.

I take 125mcgr of levothyroxine and the doctors told me I definitely would not be able to lose weight without anti fat absorption meds, but I've lost 22lbs since January. Its a slow process, and we do have to be so careful of what we eat but it is possible! I love this website it takes so much pressure off.

yep - but those symptoms SHOULD get better as your treatment progresses and it comes under control. I say SHOULD because that can take time and the right doctor/patient combination. I have been hypo since I was 19 about 20 years now. My weight has been up and down, but more because of eating/exercise habits than the thyroid condition. I'm lucky that it stays pretty steady - except when I was pregnant. I have hashimotos disease - so my thyroid is pretty much done for. I rarely have symptoms anymore except I still get really cold after I eat. I always recommend the book called "Living Well with Hypothyroidism" - to anyone I find out is hypothyroid. Regular exercise and a low fat/good carb diet are a must. Good luck.

I take Levothyroxin 175 mcg and 150 mcg alternate days since last 1 week. Even with 150 mcg, my TSH levels were little higher and my DOC is testing the dosage combination for 6 weeks. I get tested every 3 months. I lost more than 2 lbs past week after increasing the dosage.

Hi, how are you. sorry to hear you have hypothyroidism. I have Hashimoto's thyroid. I have been taking medicine for over 30 years. I can tell you its hard but you get used to reading your body, it will tell you when your meds need to be adjusted. I have battled with my weight ever since I started taking the meds. I can look to water and gain 2 lbs. I have an Endo Dr. as my PCP since hypothyroidism messes with every part of the body and I have my TSH checked every 4-6 months or sooner if I have any of the symptoms more then usual. Weight loss is really hard but don't give up.

Yup ... had it for several years, along with other things like type 2 diabetes. I've had breast cancer twice but still got two - different shapes and sizes, but the dreaded C has been beaten! Arthritis is a painful nuisance but I keep on taking the painkillers when it gets bad. Most of us get rusty one way or another as we get older but so what? I'm ALIVE!

I'm hypothyroid, as well. I take 75 MCG of Synthroid. I used to just see my PCM for it, but they never seemed to have me on the right dosage and my levels weren't right on blood tests. Since I've been seeing my Endocrinologist for the last year or so, my levels have greatly improved and I feel a lot better.

HI there,
I have an underactive thyroid as of 2010. I received the radioactive iodine treatment as I had been diagnosed overactive since 2005.
I have a 10 week old baby and am currently on 250mcg of eltroxin (i'm in South Africa). Weight loss has been extremely difficult because of my thyroid so I can understand. There are ways to help though and it's all about your daily diet.
It's nice to know that there are others out there!
Leigh

PLEASE READ!!!!
I want to share with everyone here, I have no thyroid, thyroid cancer 2 years ago, I am also a nurse, felt awful, for a long time, gained 20lb, and finally figured out what needs to be done by your doctor. Your doctor needs to test your FREE t4 and free t3 along with the tsh, ask your doctor to raise your synthroid until the t4 and t3 are in the upper third of normal. When I finally done this, I have started to lose weight and feel so much better:)_
Louise

Try going raw food vegan and eating as much food as you want. Seriously, knock back 2500-3000 calories of mostly raw, vegan foods. LOTS of fruits. It has been shown to "fix" messed up thyroids, help you lose weight, and feel way better. I eat a mostly raw vegan diet with a TON of fruits (made my way through 4 oranges and 2 large apples this morning as a SNACK) and still am losing weight and have energy to spare. Just an idea. Giver her a go!

Just wondering if you do have hypothyroidism? cuz there is no cure out there for it once your thyroid cuts down it production. It runs in the families to so it based on your family genes and you really didn't say you actually have it?