HYPOTHYROIDISM

I started with Graves' disease and my thyroid was ablated about 5 or 6 years ago now. I gained a total of 40 pounds after the ablation and have never lost more than 10 of it. I too fluctuate. My thyroid medication needs are getting close to stable, I'm still going through minor adjustments. It is frustrating but I think patience is the only answer, unfortunately trying to fix thyroid levels is like trying to steer a barge. The response time is very slow, it takes 2 months for any adjustment to be stable in the blood work. I believe that if I don't get too frustrated and keep at it that I will eventually work it off. I try to keep in mind that because I'm working at it I'm in better shape than I have been in years and I try to keep that as my focus.

I was just diagnosed with this 2 months ago so I want in on all this info!

I spellend deficiency wrong! Sorry! Stutter fingers!

I was diagnosed in 2002, I would say find a new doctor. The one you have doesn't seem to be taking care of you properly. Also get a full thyroid test run, now they are probably just checking your tsh and you need to have your T4 and T3 checked to make sure it is all working properly. Your TSH levels should be around the 1.0 mark if they aren't then they need to adjust your meds. It took me 18 months to find a doctor who knew what she was talking about. She also helped me figure out how to lose the weight I had gained. I am always here if you need anything else. Good luck!!

I do go every 3 months and they keep increasing my dosage. Yes I'm so tired I could take a nap right now and its 9am... after I slept 8 straight hours. I also got these lovely (sarcasim) things on my arms called Granuloma Annulairs that look like ring worm but are caused by the Thyroid... so not only do I look like crap because of the weight but people think I have a skin disease. My husband is great and said if I wanted Lypo he'd pay but I've told him they could suck it out but it would come right back because my thyroid is out of control. I do feel better because I'm at the gym and I've told my doctor how depressed this is and she just keeps saying give it time... Thanks for all the feed back I just wish I could put a sign on me that says I don't eat unhealthy its my Thyroid so people would stop looking at me like I'm a lazy blob.

Resting metabolic rate and Total Daily Energy Expendature.

These are taken via Indirect calorimetry testing (they make you breath though a tube and record the oxygen burn, which directly correlates to how many calories you burn).

If you've had this done, can you post the results? It would be a huge help.

I haven't been officially diagnosed but I feel like I have a thyroid problem as well. I have great difficulty losing weight even when exercising and eating healthy. I read about taking pure iodine to help with the thyroid. I am currently taking it for two weeks now and have lost 2 lbs. I don't know if it is that or the exercising I've been doing, but I am going to keep taking it for a while to see.

Your best bet would be to get to a doc and get some bloodwork done and see if your thyroid is low. If it's not it may be some other underlying condition that you don't want to overlook.

I used to take Armour Thyroid! I loved it and it worked. Now I am told it is discontinued, and I am back on Levothyroxine. Not the best at all. Thank you for the idea on the other stuff. I go back for a checkup in a month, and cannot wait to talk to my Dr. about it!

Armour is NOT discontinued! Last year, they temporarily ran out and it took a while to replenish the supply. I started taking Armour last summer and still taking it. It's much more widely available now. Please look into it again if it worked for you.

I used to take Synthroid. I'm SOOO glad I'm on Armour. Even though I'm not having any luck on weight loss, I feel so much better now than I did when I was on Synthroid.

I used to take Armour Thyroid! I loved it and it worked. Now I am told it is discontinued, and I am back on Levothyroxine. Not the best at all. Thank you for the idea on the other stuff. I go back for a checkup in a month, and cannot wait to talk to my Dr. about it!

Armour is NOT discontinued! Last year, they temporarily ran out and it took a while to replenish the supply. I started taking Armour last summer and still taking it. It's much more widely available now. Please look into it again if it worked for you.

I used to take Synthroid. I'm SOOO glad I'm on Armour. Even though I'm not having any luck on weight loss, I feel so much better now than I did when I was on Synthroid.

I take Armour. Yes they did run out last year but I haven't had any problem getting it for at least the last 6 months.

I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto's Thyroidism when I was 22ish. My levels were out of wack after my son was born so I went on medication. While I was pregnant with my daughter, I was borderline hyper so I went off the meds. My numbers have been normal since (nine yrs). I was able to lose weight after she was born but I was working out 2 /12 hours at the gym. Boring story as to why I quit working out but I have gained 40 lbs over the last 7 yrs. I don't really think it is my thyriod but I do know that it takes a lot for me to lose the lbs. -- like working out 2 1/2 hours a day and eating a low calorie diet. My thyroid is enlarged and has nodules so my endogrinologis wants to remove it soon but I am putting it off until I lose some of this weight.

Hi i have had this problem for 15 years and about 8 years ago lost 3.5 stone with weight watchers so its possible.. i must say i have since put the weight back on ... not saying that is the answer I cant seem to get motivated to do that again.... recently on holiday i lost 12lbs without trying in 10 days.. just by eating healthy swiming and walking a little more so it is possible to lose weight, but easy to fall back into using car and snacking on the wrong things... eating more fish seems to help me with the energy levels a bit . i also believe having a thyroid issue you need to eat slighty less anyway.. sorry this doesnt sound much help

I take Armour thyroid, I get it through the mail.

I spent years undiagnosed, mostly because doctors didn't think to look at thyroid problems in women below a certain age, and certainly not one who had never been pregnant. I was constantly cold, had really low blood pressure, and could walk by a picture of a cupcake and gain 10 lbs. It was honestly a relief to find out what the problem finally was.

Dealing with low thyroid is frustrating, that's true, but it can be dealt with and you can be successful at losing weight and keeping it off. It does take time, effort, and sometimes being your own advocate when dealing with your doctor. PubMed can be your friend when it comes to following research related to the condition. I know researching came in handy when my doctor wanted to put me on cholesterol medication when my levels were above what he felt comfortable with. If I had not been aware of the relationship between T3/T4 levels and cholesterol, and had not inquired about where I was sitting on the scale at the time (it turned out I was on the low end of 'normal'), I would have ended up on another pill instead of just getting my dosage revised upwards. On my follow up visit 3 months later, surprise, my cholesterol levels were down to where they should be.

For myself, I've been finding that exercises that build muscle mass have helped me to lose weight and keep it off. The thing with muscle is that having more of it will raise your metabolism, because it takes more energy to maintain. The process has been slow, but I have manged to maintain my losses through the holidays and while on vacation.

I was also diagnosed with Hypo thyroidsm 2.5 months ago
and on levo 50mcg from past 3 months.

my doctor said my TSH level was 7.2 something. Before i was diagnosed i packed on 25 pounds and all my blood work was mess. cholesterol ,prediabitic.

for sure i can say this happened within a year ,as my last year blood was normal

I started this collection, after I was diagnosed with Hypothryroid.

Symptoms I experienced
Frequent sore throat
Dullness
Fatigue
Headaches
Muscle pains(neck/arms and back)
Thin hair
Weight gain
Restless legs(esp at night) ,when i try to sleep)
Sinus
not able to sleep . I used to sleep like baby before.. now if i get up night to pee ,its very difficult to go back to sleep)

After that I started researching why I was having this thyroid issues and what should I do to overcome that.

1. Vitamin D deficiency ( yes this is serious ,and people in northern parts esp in winter... take Vitamin D) ,spend atleast 15-45 mins in sun,without sunscreen. mornings are best

2. Iron deficiency: no need to explain ,but hypothyroid effects your body absorption of these minerals

BOOST YOUR THYROID FUNCTION:
1. Eat more of these great sources of iodine to enhance thyroid function:
• Low fat cheese
• Cow’s milk
• Eggs
• Low fat ice cream
• Low fat yogurt
• Seaweed (including kelp, dulce, nori)
• Soy sauce
2. Eat less of these foods; they slow your thyroid because they block your thyroid and your medication from producing thyroid hormone properly, especially when eaten raw. Cooking these foods inactivates their anti-thyroid properties. These foods are called goitrogens, which are chemicals that lower thyroid function. Eat these foods sparingly or only once every four days:
• Almonds
• Cauliflower (Any vegetable that falls into the broccoli family is a goitrogen and shouldn’t be eaten more than twice a week if you have hypothyroidism.)
• Millet
• Pears
• Turnips
• Brussels sprouts
• Corn
• Mustard
• Pine nuts
• Cabbage
• Kale
• Peaches
• Soy (Isoflavones block iodine)
• Canola oil
• Peanuts
• Spinach
3. Workout every day. All you need is a pair of sneakers and a watch, and you’re ready to go. For optimal thyroid function, you must exercise at least three days a week for 40 minutes per workout.

Enhance your thyroid with supplements. Take thyroid-enhancing supplements daily to gently and safely keep your thyroid working optimally for life. The best way to treat anything is to prevent it! Supplementing is the best way to keep your thyroid running at an optimal rate and to keep your weight under control. Start your supplement regime first by using a very strong, high quality multivitamin

WHAT CAN WE DO
These are needed depending on which symptoms

• B12 with folate (not folic acid) try one with hydroxocobalamin or Methylcobalamin : this fights insomnia ,Depression.
• Magnesium,Zinc,Selenium (nuts like brazil Nuts ,walnuts ,not too much) :These also help with restless leg syndromes
• Vitamin D (go out in Sun ,if not able to in winters try to take vitamin d supplements.)
• Vitamin C ( not absorbic acid)
• IRON ( make sure you have enough Iron)
• For gut health try Triphala or taking lemon+warmwater with empty stomach
• For lowering Stress : Aswagandha ,holy tulasi leaves
• Your body should have Optimal Stomach acid to absorb nutrients. (google stomach acid)
Use coconut oil for cooking. This helps a lot and has many benefits. Say no to corn /vegetable oil. If you have to try canola.
Avoid processed cheeses ,use fresh /organic ones

I was able to loose 7 pounds these past 2 months by following above and keepng my limit to 1200-1400 cals

IMPORTANT : do not do Diet(restrict calories ) or high intensity exercise without addressing HypoThyroid. You will just pack pounds . Trust me i had that. Your body will reduce its BMR(metobolic rate) due to bad adernal function and keeps storing Fat. Try low intensity like walking etc ,till you feel good ,no aches. Then try high intensity ones

I have Hashimoto's (autoimmune thyroid disease). I lost weight just like everybody else—by logging everything I eat & drink accurately & honestly.

The advice in this post worked for me: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-Sexypants

MFP has two thyroid groups:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/770-hypothyroidism-and-hyperthyroidism
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/51427-butterfly-chasers