Hypothyroid Question

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KariOrtiz2014
KariOrtiz2014 Posts: 343 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I know that this is more common sense than anything else. But.. (not really)

I came across a topic that involved someone that needed help with their calculation about their BMR. They mentioned that they have thyroid issues.

Now this triggered some questions for me too. I am hypothyroid and as most of us know that f*cks with your metabolism. I take my medicine everyday, religiously! Considering that I am taking this medication on a daily basis, my BMR calculation should be pretty damn near right, right??

Replies

  • socajam
    socajam Posts: 2,530 Member
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    I know that this is more common sense than anything else. But.. (not really)

    I came across a topic that involved someone that needed help with their calculation about their BMR. They mentioned that they have thyroid issues.

    Now this triggered some questions for me too. I am hypothyroid and as most of us know that f*cks with your metabolism. I take my medicine everyday, religiously! Considering that I am taking this medication on a daily basis, my BMR calculation should be pretty damn near right, right??

    As someone in the same position as you, I am interested to see the replies.
  • DouMc
    DouMc Posts: 1,689 Member
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    I wondered that too. I am also hypothyroid but taking medication daily. i didn't have any trouble losing most of my weight but it hasn't budged since before christmas. I am interested in any replies.
  • charleigh78
    charleigh78 Posts: 247 Member
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    It "should" be but it might not be. I think the only way you will know is to try to find a good calorie goal and stick with it for 30-60 days. If you lose more than 2 pounds/week increase calories. If you don't lose, decrease calories. Rinse, repeat until you find your personal needs. I would start with TDEE - 20%. I did that and in 5-6 weeks there I gained 2.5 pounds. Guess what? I must not have a BMR equal to what the calculators tell me. Thyroid sucks. So now I set it at BMR rather than TDEE - 20% and I try to eat enough exercise calories to net at least 1300 calories. I am trying that for now to see if it works :) Trial and error, baby! lol
  • Shelliah
    Shelliah Posts: 1
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    My thyroid is completely removed, and my medication levels are steady and haven't changed for over a year. I have found that with a goal of losing a pound a week, MFP gives me 1200 calories a day. Following their guildlines, I lose a pound a month or so. Hypothyroidism definitely messes with your body, but how much is different for everyone.
  • KariOrtiz2014
    KariOrtiz2014 Posts: 343 Member
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    Trial and error, baby! lol

    This is true. I'm doing TDEE (starting today). Makes me nervous. So confusing. My doctor doesn't really give me much info on my thyroid. As in what to eat, what to avoid, etc.. I'm lacking some major info on my condition. Sucks! I may need to ask for a specialist!
  • charleigh78
    charleigh78 Posts: 247 Member
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    Trial and error, baby! lol

    This is true. I'm doing TDEE (starting today). Makes me nervous. So confusing. My doctor doesn't really give me much info on my thyroid. As in what to eat, what to avoid, etc.. I'm lacking some major info on my condition. Sucks! I may need to ask for a specialist!


    I know that I sound like a broken record but if you are on levothyroxine then you need to find someone who prescribes Armour. It has changed my life. I was on levothyroxine for ten years and I never want to go back. Weight loss has been easier (I couldn't lose on T4 meds), the brain fog is gone, and I can exercise without feeling like my energy has been zapped for days following.
  • snikkins
    snikkins Posts: 1,282 Member
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    For me, personally, when my dosage became correct, I began losing weight at the the correct rate. From what I understand, taking the medication should put you on an equal footing with everyone else, but like everyone else, you're going to have to figure out what calorie setting is correct for you because everything is estimations to begin with.
  • princessbride42
    princessbride42 Posts: 67 Member
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    I am taking Armour thyroid and have been able to lose weight at a predictable level compared to what MFP says. I have been logging fairly accurately, logging my exercise based on a heart rate monitor, and working out a lot. I eat back most of my exercise calories. Since I've been on thyroid for over a year my energy and abilities have been back to what I consider normal. I've also lost 12 pounds since January.
  • KariOrtiz2014
    KariOrtiz2014 Posts: 343 Member
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    Trial and error, baby! lol

    This is true. I'm doing TDEE (starting today). Makes me nervous. So confusing. My doctor doesn't really give me much info on my thyroid. As in what to eat, what to avoid, etc.. I'm lacking some major info on my condition. Sucks! I may need to ask for a specialist!


    I know that I sound like a broken record but if you are on levothyroxine then you need to find someone who prescribes Armour. It has changed my life. I was on levothyroxine for ten years and I never want to go back. Weight loss has been easier (I couldn't lose on T4 meds), the brain fog is gone, and I can exercise without feeling like my energy has been zapped for days following.

    I am on Levothyroxine 100mcg. And its up, down, up, down! Um. why do most doctors don't prescribe Armour??
  • charleigh78
    charleigh78 Posts: 247 Member
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    Honestly, it is an old drug. The name brand only costs me $6-10/month. There is no money in it. Just my humble opinion. Synthroid makes a killing and they push their info into doctors hands, pay for workshops, etc. It is more natural than Synthroid. I wish I would have gone on it ten years ago. If you want to know who commonly prescribes it in your area, call a local pharmacy and ask for the name of a doctor who often prescribes it in lieu of T4 meds.
  • charleigh78
    charleigh78 Posts: 247 Member
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    And even if I hadn't lost a pound on it, I would switch just because I feel 100 times better.
  • myndikins
    myndikins Posts: 39
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    I've been on thyroid meds since I was about 11, so that's 13 years now. Only last year did I find a doctor that was on board with Armour and I switched and I feel so much better. Its amazing. I haven't had pounds falling off or anything, but I don't feel like crap all the time. I was recently diagnosed with Hashimoto's and now I also take Liothyronine with the Armour because my thyroid is just that jacked up. It seems to be helping.

    I've read up a lot on foods to avoid or eat more of with a gimptastic thyroid and its really interesting. I avoid soy and gluten (as much as possible, but its in just about everything so I doubt I'll ever be 100%), I also don't eat cruciferous veggies because they can be harmful to your thyroid and mine needs all the help it can get. I also try to eat a tablespoon of coconut oil daily because it can help make your thyroid a little bit happier. I've thought of using maca powder, but haven't tried any yet. Its on my list. What really blows my mind though is that I've been on meds for 13 years. 13 years and no single doctor bothered to tell me any of these things that I could do to try and fix myself. They just told me to take a pill for the rest of my life and be done with it. Ugh.
  • KariOrtiz2014
    KariOrtiz2014 Posts: 343 Member
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    I've been on thyroid meds since I was about 11, so that's 13 years now. Only last year did I find a doctor that was on board with Armour and I switched and I feel so much better. Its amazing. I haven't had pounds falling off or anything, but I don't feel like crap all the time. I was recently diagnosed with Hashimoto's and now I also take Liothyronine with the Armour because my thyroid is just that jacked up. It seems to be helping.

    I've read up a lot on foods to avoid or eat more of with a gimptastic thyroid and its really interesting. I avoid soy and gluten (as much as possible, but its in just about everything so I doubt I'll ever be 100%), I also don't eat cruciferous veggies because they can be harmful to your thyroid and mine needs all the help it can get. I also try to eat a tablespoon of coconut oil daily because it can help make your thyroid a little bit happier. I've thought of using maca powder, but haven't tried any yet. Its on my list. What really blows my mind though is that I've been on meds for 13 years. 13 years and no single doctor bothered to tell me any of these things that I could do to try and fix myself. They just told me to take a pill for the rest of my life and be done with it. Ugh.

    Ive been on it since I was 8 years old. Its been 14 years for me too. And same here.. no info just take this for the rest of your life. I didn't even know the harm that could have been done to my son due to it. I wasn't taking my medicine when pregnant because e I was scared that it would hurt the baby. I didn't know any better. Anyway, when I had him my OB/GYN comes in to tell me that the next pregnancy I must take the levothyroxine otherwise my child can be born with retardation. Why wasn't I told this from the beginning??
  • Rocketgirlie
    Rocketgirlie Posts: 3 Member
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    If your levels are within normal limits with taking your thyroid medication, you should be using the same guidelines as those without a thyroid condition

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