Hypothyroid and Frustrated!!!!!

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  • lindsey1979
    lindsey1979 Posts: 2,395 Member
    Wow. Looking for support not to be knocked down further. I do that enough to myself thanks. Also, I typed that while at work. I think the people around me would think I was crazy if I started doing jumping jacks next to my desk in a skirt and heels. You don't know me or how hard I do try to find time to exercise.

    Unfortunately, knocking people down on the forums is a fun past time for some. I don't understand that behavior either. But, there are some good people out here too. Just find those good folks, friend them, and stick to the friend feed/groups (which are much kinder and supportive in general) rather than the forums. Unless you're a masochist like me :)
  • lindsey1979
    lindsey1979 Posts: 2,395 Member
    A lot of us that are hypo definitely seem to struggle more. One of the things that really helped me was discovering that in addition to the hypo, I had other issues -- I'd developed insulin resistance (which my doc said is common for those with long untreated or undertreated thyroid problems as it's a way the body compensates) as well as huge vitamin deficiencies in both magnesium and Vitamin D (which has also been linked to difficulty losing weight when you're deficient). So, I'd ask if you know if all your other systems are good -- insulin resistance/glucose metabolism, adrenals, liver, vitamin deficiencies (D, magnesium, iron, iodine, etc.).

    I also eat Primal (less restrictive version of Paleo where dairy is permitted if it agrees with you) and I found that when I got all my stuff worked out and ate Primally, the weight started coming off. A little slower than average, but within the realm of normal. But if I add back in grains or too many carbs, I totally stall. The grains are likely setting of my thyroid since I have Hashi's and gluten is a common trigger for it. And the carbs are probably due to the insulin resistance -- it's getting better with the weight loss and I hope when I get to my goal weight that I'm back to normal levels and can incorporate more carbs into my diet (right now, I keep them below 100/day, so low-ish but not keto low).

    I also find that when I'm working out fairly hard, I need to take a recovery week more often or I start seeing hypo signs again. So every 4-6 weeks, I step back from the heavy lifting and weekly or bi-weekly sprint sessions and just walk. That seems to reset things and I start losing again. Another one of my hypo friends suggested this since she discovered it about herself and I found it to be true for me too.

    this was very helpful to me :) I just recently found out this is why my weight loss stalled. I was running 15-20 miles a day. eating 1200 + a little for the running and sometimes gaining weight. When I get my numbers back I'm going to try playing around with primal eating.

    I had that same experience. I've seen talk about how chronic high end cardio can cause inflammation and that can stall weight loss. I trained for and ran a half marathon and didn't lose a lb, while averaging less than 1500 calories per day (that's below my expected BMR). I ran it with the extra 40 lbs the whole time. Super frustrating.

    I ditched the running and put in similar miles walking/hiking (took much longer obviously) along with once or twice weekly hill sprints (HIIT) along with the 2-3 times of heavy lifting (which I was doing while also running) and the weight start to come off normally...finally. A little slower than average, but it was going. So, it made a huge difference for me.
  • CherylOMY
    CherylOMY Posts: 9 Member
    I have hypothyroidism and am post menopausal, so I can safely say my metabolism is pretty slow. With that said, I went from 158 to 127. It was slow, but I definitely didn't have to go under 1200 cals per day. I think if you do, you aren't doing your metabolism any favors. I don't eat all my excersize cals back tho.
    I would recommend that you build muscle to help and try to incorporate exercise into your daily routine,
  • CherylOMY
    CherylOMY Posts: 9 Member
    I've also personally found that I *NEED* to exercise to lose the weight. Just creating a calorie deficit through diet alone doesn't work for me unless the calories are dangerously low, and that's not a good solution to the problem. But when I'm consistently exercising -- even if it's just walks -- I'll see more results from the same deficit. I'm not sure if it's tied to the thyroid specifically or the insulin resistance (since exercise increases insulin sensitivity). This may be your issue as well.

    So, I know some here love to say it's all about the deficit and it doesn't matter how you create it (i.e. you don't need to exercise but just eat less). I've found that not to be the case for me. And I started with 35 lbs or so to lose (and only have 12 more to go or so). So you may be in that same spot.

    ^^^^^ YES!! I think this totally applies to me as well. The scale doesn't budge if I don't exercise (and I don't eat my exercise calories back). I attribute it to age, and hormones. I do have to add that when I started this, I really didn't think it would work. In fact, the first week or so, I gained .8 of a lb, but I stuck with it and it did work (much to my surprise).
  • CarKiller2013
    CarKiller2013 Posts: 26 Member
    I would definitely suggest a FULL thyroid panel. If your endocrinologist won't do it (many old school doctors won't), find a integrative doctor that will. Taking all the synthroid in the world won't help if you don't convert it right. There are probably underlying issues other than no time to exercise. You should still be able to take off weight by cutting calories if your thyroid is working properly. I take liothyronine, synthroid, D3 and selenium all for my hypo issues. Granted, losing still isn't a piece of cake, but I just need to stop taking nibbles of things here and there. Because every bite counts! You can do it...good luck.

    ^^^THIS

    Make sure you're getting a COMPLETE thyroid panel, not just TSH. I am hypo due to Hashimoto's and ended up firing my endo and switching to an osteopath. She not only makes sure my numbers are optimal, not only "in normal range", she also had me do a elimination diet to figure out food sensitivities. I'm on Levothyroxine, liothyroine, selenium, zinc, and curcumin and am finally beginning to feel normal. Good luck to you!
  • dawniee
    dawniee Posts: 143 Member
    I'm with you!! Just found out I've been Hypo for a long time, I also tapped out my adrenals. I have severe low cortisol on top of hypothyroid. I just getting on Armour and MANY other things. I would do to FULL THYROID PANEL, TEST MINERAL DEFICIANCYS, MTHRF Mutation, Adrenal test. Take your temp~~~ test your temp for 5 days at 3pm and see if your temp is between 98.2-98.6. if not your definitely not on enough meds or you need to support those adrenals too~ if your temp varies within .2 degrees on the 5 days you DO have weak adrenals. If the temp is low and steady its just a thyroid issue. But if you temp isn't where it should be your still hypo.


    I've been going thru a nightmare of health issues for 3 years. I finally just found Stop the Thyroid Madness book and it changed my life! Check out her website. Her book helped me to truly figure out all of what my body needs to recover. I am still really weak right now but I have cut Gluten, SOY ( attacks your thyroid), and corn. I did cut out dairy but find I'm not sensitive to it thru an elimination diet. I take 3000 mg of vitamin C, 250 mg selenium,23 mg iron supplement, 5000 iu;s Vitamin D, and Iodine drops.

    Do not take ANY Iron, calcium, magnesium or zinc within 4 hours of taking your thyroid meds or it literally steals for the it. I take them at lunch and dinner.

    I still am trying to lose weight but nothing is happening except going up :/ I been trying to lose 25 lbs for 2 years~ I'm praying with the thyroid and andrenal support it will start going in the right direction.
  • JenMc14
    JenMc14 Posts: 2,389 Member
    Sneak in any extra movement when you can. There are lots of 10 minute videos out there as well. Log your food. Don't so this so your husband things you're hot, do it for you, for your owns reasons. I don't know a ton about hypothyroidism, but I follow Molly Galbraith on Facebook, she's a fitness professional who progresses body positivity, and she has Hashimotos, and mentions it now and then. You might find her inspiring. Mollygalbraith.com.
  • trbkjb
    trbkjb Posts: 12 Member
    Update: In September 2014 when I first wrote this post i was seeking help and several comments were just plain rude. As a result it sent me into tears and I totally gave up. I was in all honesty doing my absolute best at that time and seeking some genuine advice. Fast forward to now last May I decided i would try again and i did. i saw some weight loss, but not as much as i had hoped. My doctor decided to prescribe Phentermine to assist me. I have had some success on my own, but it is difficult to say the least and according to my doctor a qualified physician and not someone sitting behind a computer looking to tear people apart, my health conditions are what has been hindering my weight loss. Although I didn't want to turn to a drug to help me my doctor felt that i had done everything i could on my own. So far I have been able to lose weight. My doctor is very pleased. The reason I am updating this is because I am hopeful that the person/persons who discouraged me will realize that your words really do affect people sometimes negatively. Emotionally i was extremely fragile and your comments utterly devastated me. This should be a place of encouragement not discouragement. The challenges of losing weight may be specific to my individual health issues, but they are real and shouldn't be dismissed so easily. To everyone who spoke words of encouragement i sincerely thank you. You may never read this, but your words meant a lot. Also anyone suffering with hypothyroidism i strongly suggest looking up Dr. Wentz. She is totally awesome and adrenal fatigue is very real. I am taking vitamins to not only support my thyroid, but also to help my adrenal glands. I am positive and happy and well on my way to reaching my healthy weight. Good luck to everyone still trying. You can do it and do not be discouraged by negative people. And to anyone who does not suffer from hypothyroidism or adrenal fatigue you really shouldn't respond to posts you know nothing about. Only people who have these issues can relate to the struggle and believe me the struggle is real. God bless.
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