scared I will gain back (new hypothyroidism diagnosis)

seattle_hd
seattle_hd Posts: 23 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi,

I'm fairly new here to posting to the community. Started three years ago at 168 and stalled at 160…was never able to get below the 160 mark no matter what I did. It just wouldn't happen. I was working out (circuit training) 3x / week and participated in a triathlon so did a bit of training, so my body comp got a bit better but I still never would get my weight down.

Move forward to a really rotten year of feeling really sick. Heart palps and insomnia and feeling like lead weight when I worked out. It was a struggle.

Was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in October this year and once started meds I felt so much better. My skin issues disappeared and I started to lose finally. Lost 13 lbs November thru now. BUT I'm feeling like crap again, but this time it's my heart. it's been pounding in my chest and I keep having an anxious feeling I might die from a heart attack. I also have had terrible insomnia as the heart pounding keeps me awake. I suspect its my thyroid meds, that I'm taking too much now that I lost some weight? I'm diagnosed hashimotos so I hear that it can swing. I started taking half my meds (just the morning dose) per my doc until I see her again. I'm feeling better, finally slept last night. BUT i have a huge fear that the weight will stall and I'll gain again. I have been struggling with this for several years and when I wanted to get healthy three years ago, losing weight was a big motivation for me. I feel so huge all the time and I want to feel good. I'm feeling good being down and wearing a smaller size (in 10/12 now, which is nice) but I just fear that I will fail.

How do I keep myself motivated if I gain a bit during this time when I adjust my meds? If anyone out there has thyroid disease and has gone through any of the above, I would love to hear what's working for you.

Replies

  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    Your doctor should be having you get regular blood checks when you start thyroid meds to check the levels. It's been so long I don't remember but I think they were either monthly or bi-weekly until the dosage is right and your thyroid is stable for maybe three months? I think it took like a year in total.

    I don't remember the specifics but you should still be getting tested regularly at this point.
  • SKME2013
    SKME2013 Posts: 704 Member
    Personally I would go to my doc and get my bloodwork done until your meds are properly adjusted. Frankly, for me at least, health comes first and weight second. You might want to try the 5:2 diet? Just google it. It does not involve any money spend on anything, so it is worthwhile checking out.
    Stef.
  • maracuya23
    maracuya23 Posts: 122
    The first year or so on thyroid meds is a serious adjustment, and with Hashimoto's it's especially likely levels will fluctuate. When I started medication for hypothyroidism last year, I was getting my levels checked every 6 weeks until they stabilized.

    Since thyroid medications are strongly weight-dependent as well, losing even a few pounds can effect your dose. Definitely get checked by your doctor- TSH, free T3, free T4 to get a good picture.

    Great that you've been diagnosed, the medication has started to work, and that you've been able to lose. As long as you have a doctor willing to listen and you keep close tabs on both your symptoms and what you're eating, there's no reason you should regain everything. If you start feeling the exhaustion and other hypo symptoms coming back, get retested for a dose adjustment.

    I hope things level out for you soon.

    ETA: There's a good group here for "Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism". Lots of folks dealing with it, and lots of good info in the group!
  • EDesq
    EDesq Posts: 1,527 Member
    MD's treat SYMPTOMS, thus manage symptoms and NEVER cure; and most often pharmaceuticals cause other major problems. Has anyone informed you that pharmaceutical and OTC drugs are the leading cause of Death in this Country...so what are You taking???

    If you want a CURE you must ask yourself what is causing these symptoms? What I do know is that Insomnia is controlled by the Pineal Gland and that Thyroid problems are NOT caused by the Thyroid Gland!
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    MD's treat SYMPTOMS, thus manage symptoms and NEVER cure; and most often pharmaceuticals cause other major problems. Has anyone informed you that pharmaceutical and OTC drugs are the leading cause of Death in this Country...so what are You taking???

    If you want a CURE you must ask yourself what is causing these symptoms? What I do know is that Insomnia is controlled by the Pineal Gland and that Thyroid problems are NOT caused by the Thyroid Gland!

    You're offering a cure for thyroid problems?

    Ok, lol.:laugh:
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    MD's treat SYMPTOMS, thus manage symptoms and NEVER cure; and most often pharmaceuticals cause other major problems. Has anyone informed you that pharmaceutical and OTC drugs are the leading cause of Death in this Country...so what are You taking???

    If you want a CURE you must ask yourself what is causing these symptoms? What I do know is that Insomnia is controlled by the Pineal Gland and that Thyroid problems are NOT caused by the Thyroid Gland!
    What are your qualifications to render this "diagnosis"?
  • connnieup
    connnieup Posts: 6
    Congratulations on feeling better about yourself and losing weight!
    The beginnings of a diagnosis can be super frustrating. I was told I had Hashimoto's around 5 years ago now. The first year or so was kind of rocky. My levels were always fluctuating and just when I thought I was feeling better I would start to feel tired, hazy and achy again. I remember I was doing field hockey at the time and after our workouts, I would be in bed for a long time with complete exhaustion. It would make me so mad at myself because I wasn't able to do my regular stuff without feeling terrible. I eventually had to take a break from that.
    Some things helped for me:
    I stayed consistent with doctor's appointments and level checks, took my meds as per instruction (for a while, I was eating food with my pill and wondering why I felt sluggish all day), learned what foods mess with the medication and started doing slower paced exercise so that I felt good about myself without feeling completely drained.
    I'm repeating a lot of what everyone else said but just do what feels good for your body right now and take care of your health.Try to remember that once you are in control of your body again, the symptoms will barely be a thought in your mind and I'm sure you'll be seeing some really great improvements with the weight :smile: Good luck!
  • firstsip
    firstsip Posts: 8,399 Member
    MD's treat SYMPTOMS, thus manage symptoms and NEVER cure; and most often pharmaceuticals cause other major problems. Has anyone informed you that pharmaceutical and OTC drugs are the leading cause of Death in this Country...so what are You taking???

    If you want a CURE you must ask yourself what is causing these symptoms? What I do know is that Insomnia is controlled by the Pineal Gland and that Thyroid problems are NOT caused by the Thyroid Gland!

    Lol. If only.

    Anyway, OP: I second what Bean said. Every month or so was pretty normal for me for a looong time to get thyroid levels adjusted. Then every three months. Etc.

    Your symptoms (heart palps, insomnia, etc.) all scream "Hyper" symptoms, so it could definitely be your dosage being too high (the full effect of a dosage generally can't be felt for ~6 months; during your body's adjustment period, you could have been feeling good... but then a month later you start to feel bad). Conversely, your dosage could have been fine, but having Hashimoto's, your thyroid levels (regardless of medication) "flipped," as you said. As maracuay said, even weight loss can be cause to change your dosage.

    Welcome to the world of Thyroid Roulette!

    It's unfortunate, particularly right at the beginning of a diagnosis, that things can be so touchy and need to be adjusted so frequently, but you WILL get there. Talk very regularly with your doctor, and if you are just seeing a GP, I recommend getting an actual endo on your team.

    Talk with your doc about your fears of weight issues; they may more gradually lower your dosage (my doc's done so by just having one pill a week being halved for a "6 1/2" day dosage) so you can become more aware of what/how your body changes with the dose.

    Granted, this may end up with you feeling crappier for longer, but a good doctor will work with your concerns.

    Also, though hyperthyroid is associated with weight loss, just known: a great number of people can still end up gaining weight with "too much" thyroid, either from combined issues with cortisol (too low or too high thyroid for too long can lead to this, as I've learned... twice), eating more from elevated appetite, etc.

    Good luck!
  • rworton
    rworton Posts: 28
    I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism 5+ years ago, it did take about 1& 1/2 years to get my levels corrected & I had a hard time losing weight no matter how much exercised or dieted, this is the bad news, Now for the good news I didn't know about myfitnesspal back then & I wasn't tracking all I was eating correctly to stay the course,I think with continuing to exercise and calorie counting you'll be fine and once you get your level correct for your thyroid you'll feel like a brand new person.
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    With a new diagnosis, you should likely getting your levels tested at least every 6 months (after they get them stabilized initially - which should have meant tests every 4 to 6 weeks). What you're describing sounds exactly like you've gone hyperthyroid, and yes, swings can happen with Hashimoto's. I just had my first hyper swing last year and wow...it was far rougher than I thought it would be! As for losing weight once they correct it, it may slow down a bit, but you should still be able to lose weight.
  • supergirl6
    supergirl6 Posts: 224 Member
    I got my thyroid levels checked about every month and a half in the beginning and they regularly required my dosage to be adjusted before I settled in. My weight loss stopped, started, stopped, started - you can't control it and there's nothing you can really do about it until your meds really kick in. It took about 6 months for me before I stopped fluctuating. Talk to your doctor and get bloodwork done soon. If she can't have you check your labs regularly because she's too busy, find another doctor. The thyroid effects SO many issues in the body that you can't go for a month waiting to see your doc. You'll go nuts feeling terrible.

    Good luck. Thyroid problems are no fun.
  • seattle_hd
    seattle_hd Posts: 23 Member
    Thank you all so much! I'm thinking I need to find a new doc as mine doesn't seem to be as concerned to check levels as often. I will be demanding a blood test right away - hopefully today.

    I wish it were more B&W. however it's encouraging that this can be dealt with and figured out. I'm thankful that I am feeling better than 5-6 months ago so gives me some hope. I will have to try not to focus on weightless as much as being healthy and feeling good.

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