Anyone here trying to loose weight with Hypothyroidism?
Dudesmum
Posts: 8 Member
Hi,
I'm new to MFP, have decided to try calorie counting to loose weight (this time!) I managed to loose 28lbs before my Wedding in May 09 but over the past year and half have put it all back on again :noway:
I have Hypothyroidism, I was diagnosed when I was 19 - I'm now 34 and take 175mcg thyroxine daily to help control this. I find that I put on weight soo easily, is there anyone else here also trying to loose weight with an underactive thyroid? I thought maybe we could cheer each other along!
Thanks for reading!
Jo x
I'm new to MFP, have decided to try calorie counting to loose weight (this time!) I managed to loose 28lbs before my Wedding in May 09 but over the past year and half have put it all back on again :noway:
I have Hypothyroidism, I was diagnosed when I was 19 - I'm now 34 and take 175mcg thyroxine daily to help control this. I find that I put on weight soo easily, is there anyone else here also trying to loose weight with an underactive thyroid? I thought maybe we could cheer each other along!
Thanks for reading!
Jo x
0
Replies
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I got diagnosed with an underactive thyroid after having some gyny problems.I am also under a rheumatologist for my lupus who says that although my thyroid results show underactivity he would class it more as borderline so they wont treat it.I really struggle with my weight and watch everything I put in my mouth so it gets really fustrating. Nat x0
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Yes! Me!
Before having hypotheroidism I had lost 4 stone. And maintained my weight loss for a couple of years, then BAM! Felt like ****, and gained 3 stone, just like that! That was 5 years ago. I'm now on 100mcg of thyroxine and don't feel one jot better. I'm generally an active person (I do 14 hour shifts as a midwife, own and ride a horse and favourite activities include kickboxing and generally being out and doing stuff ...go to center parcs every year for the sports etc). My diet is very healthy, I'm generally well within my calorie quota (as I'm never really hungry and have to remind myself to eat). And yet, I'm still heavier than I'd like to be. My BMI is classed as healthy at 24.5 but you know, I'm on the overweight end of it and I'm not happy. I'm not gaining weight anymore but I just cannot shift any of it. I'm always tired as a result of the condition but I can push myself through that. It just seems like my body clings to everything it gets and refuses to let go. I am 5'9" and 166lbs, I want to get down to 147 at least.0 -
Hi Jo,
I also have hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's disease) I was diagnosed about 3 years ago and had put 30lbs on in about 6-8 weeks. it took 2 years to get it under control, I was then able to lose the 30lbs thru calorie counting (healthy eating) and exercise. I exercised at least 4 times a week sometimes more. I increased the intensity of my exercises the more fit I got. I've since gained about 10-15lbs back in the last few months because of some personal problems, not exercising, and not eating healthy. I am now exercising and eating healthy again and lost 2lbs this week. You can lose the weight a little exercise and healthy food choices. just keep your calories where they need to be, get some exercise and it will start coming off again. Once I lose the weight again i need to figure out how to maintain it, I think that's the hard part maintence. Good Luck!0 -
Hi Jo1520,
I too have an under active thyroid. And even though the pills (thyroxine, and crestor to control the fat my body is constantly making), they don't seem to work as well now. I have just decided that exercise and cutting out JUNK FOOD is going to be an everyday thing for me. Not just a diet I sustain for a couple of months. I still indulge, but not on candy, chocolate, ice cream. Of course over the holidays, I ate just that!!! Every day at work, someone would bring homemade cookies, pies, candy, and I would cave. But once the new year started, I picked myself up, brushed myself off and started Fitness Pal. I had been off this site because of personal reasons for almost a year. I absolutely love this site, but was having issues with my (now) ex. So, between finding a place to live and making it a home, I did fall away. Combine that with the holidays and it seems the dust has settled around a a 25 lbs gain.
So, you are going to hang in there. Get on this site every day and register your food and exercise and really focus on that little blip after you close out your day, that says, "if you have more days like this, you will weigh _____ in five weeks". That little sentence is my inspiration because I ACTUALLY SEE what I will weigh in 5 weeks and I can't wait to have another good day of food and exercise just to see what it will say again.
By the way, I am turning 61 this week. I mention this because looking and feeling good is, and should be something you will be dealing with for the rest of your life. My mom is 83 and she still loves to walk (and thank goodness, she can), and she is conscious of what she eats.
Email me whenever you want to vent, brag, scream, cry, laugh, etc.
Sue0 -
I'm new here too, also have under active thyroid. I experience the same problems. am generally very active, always on the go, have two boys age 7 and 8. walk regularly and try and run, I eat a healthy diet, I've been a vegetarian since I was 6, no one believes my thyroids underactive! owas 150mg for a few years now on 100mg thyroxin, still find it hard to shift weight. I was alway 9 stone before kids, put on 4 stone with first child, lost two then got pregnant very quickly with second, I am hanging around 12 stone now and can't seem to make it go any lower. Have never counted calories before (have done weight watchers point system) but this looks like a great site so fingers crossed.0
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Hi everyone,
Thanks for replying, its good to know that others feel the same! It really doesn't help if you mention to anyone that you have a thyroid problem, you get 'that look' you know the one, that implies, oh yeah any excuse! I don't think people realise the further implications of having a thyroid problem, however saying that I've lived with it now for so many years its just the norm for me now.
I know I CAN do it, as i've done it before, and I managed to maintain for a good 10 months and then I just wasn't as careful and had quite a lot of stress going on and that leads me back here!
I'd really like to have a good loss before April as we are heading to the USA for 3 weeks and I really want to feel good about myself instead of not wanting to have my photograph taken unless its from the chest up or having my little one stood in front of me!
Jo x0 -
I am in the ame boat as everybody else with uner active thyroid. Always tired, put on lots of weight, (even though I am an aerobics instructor). It has been embarassing watching everyone in the class loosing weight or at least staying thin whereas I can look at a bag of crisps and put on a pound. I have started various diets and failed almost immediately as I just can't seem to get that 'full' feeling, but my friend told me about MFP and I am now addicted. Although I haven't weighed myself, I decided this time I would take measurements, I have checked and have already lost 2 inches from my knee, 2 inches from my thigh, 2 inches from my breast and 2½ from my waist so I am very pleased. Got to confess tho that I have also bought Alli from the chemist to try to boost the fat loss. I will weigh myself eventually but I know at this early stage, if I don't lose lots then I'll give up, so at the moment I would rather not know. Lets hope the inches keep coming off!0
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Hi Skinnyville,
Wow your inch loss is fantastic! well done, I'm sure that's got to reflect a good weightloss.
Jo
x0 -
I know 'that look.' I'm not using it as an excuse, I just genuinely can't understand how I am 12 stone, because I honestly don't sit on my bottom all day ....I don't have a desk job and I barely watch any television. And because of my thyroid I'm hardly ever hungry and feel full after a small meal. It's frustrating. I shouldn't have to go to the gym. It has been suggested that I need to eat more as my body is in starvation mode blah blah blah, so now I am eating more regularly and going to the gym as often as possible and well, here goes....0
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I was recently diagnosed too! Just about 7 months ago.
I found it super odd that I started a new job and started walkin 3-4 miles per day, vs just a bit before My reward: 10 new pounds. Then I started a new job with less activity: + 10 more.
I am now on 100 mcg of synthroid. Not sure if it is enough and I am due for more blood work. Goood to have some additional support. Part of my new years resolution is to get healthier and lose some weights, so I need your support!0 -
I was just told yesterday that i have an underactive thyroide after a blood test and started Synthoid 100mg today.....im still in shock and will see and endocrinologist tomorrow.....0
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I'm hypothyroid too, they are checking me again at the end of the month to see if it's still low and if so I'll probably start the meds. Apparently 4 months postpartum many women turn hypothyroid, some go back to normal and some don't. I've been exhausted (more so than normal with a baby) the past few months so am glad to finally have a reason!
I have been able to lose weight since starting MFP but I'm nursing so don't keep to my calorie counts very well. I've been overweight most of my life though so it's not been easy... I'm hoping that getting the thyroid in check will help - I'll post again if I see any significant results! Best wishes to you and everyone else.0 -
Hi Ladies
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 10 years ago. The battle is constant. I am currently taking .137 mg synthroid and I've just started taking kelp supplements this week.
I've heard that the iodine in the kelp is suppose to help the thyroid work at.
Feel free to add me and we can support one another.
Karen0 -
I have Hoshimoto's too. I was diagnosed when I was about 5 or 6, I believe. Always had a really, really hard time with it. Stopped taking my synthroid for years and now back on it.0
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BUMP!0
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I'm on the borderline, less than a point from hypothyroid. High enough for it to be seriously effecting me but too low to medicate (doesn't make sense, does it?). My mom's entire family has it so they started watching my numbers early, and sure enough, they went up every year as did my weight. Ive struggled for months counting calories and exercising religiously and nothing came off. nothing. But now doing my doctor's reccomended low carb diet the weight is fiiiiiinally coming off. Slowly!! But its moving.
It feels silly hoping my numbers get worse, but its the only way theyll get better!0 -
Yep ...me too. Had it since I was 12. Been overweight basically since then. Always struggle to keep my energy up. I take 175 mcg a day. I see an endo but she doesn't seem to be interested in looking at alternatives to boost my metabolism. If you know of any good ones in the Sacto area, let me know.0
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Was diagnosed with Subclinical Hypothyroidism in December of 2010, I started at 50mcg of Synthroid and my levels went from 5.1 to 2.9, so I am now taking 62 mcg of Synthroid in hopes to get my levels below 2.5.
Before I was diagnosed I lost 30lbs, and then gained 15 back through December to February, so now I am working to get back there!0 -
FYI-The bad thing is, the physician accepted values on the thyroid chart may be too wide. The values should be narrowed.
People may already have thyroid issues but are not diagnosed because their tests show them in the 'normal range'.
My tests put me in the normal range and my thyroid was trying hard to do it's job, but it just had nothing left to give.
If the chart had a narrower range, and Dr's used it as a general guide, not an end all, absolute answer, then more people could be helped. For those of you who are still in that 'normal range', go talk to a naturpath, and visit your local health food store. They have supplements to help. I wiish I had done both of those things before it was too late.
In 2006, I was finally diagnosed with thyroid issues when I felt a lump in my neck. (after having gained 80 lbs)
The surgeon removed the thyroid. It had shriveled up to nothing. The Dr said it looked like a tiny, twisted, dried out prune.
I had hashimoto's which evolved into thyroid cancer. Now I am taking Synthroid 137 mcg. Have lost 20 lbs.
Author, Mary J. Shomon, is widely accepted as a patient advocate. Take a look at her books and website www.thyroid-info.com.0 -
I feel your pain. I was also diagnosed at 19. Am also now 34. I am currently on 150 mcg. I've managed to lose 80 lbs after lapband surgery a year ago. But that weight was all lost in the first 7 months. For the past 3-4 months, I've been completely stalled. It is sooo frustrating! I find that if I eat more than 900 calories a day, I gain. Errrrrrrrrr.........So, I have resolved (against my lapband docs advice) that I'm just going to have to live on less than 900. I know it's can't be good for me, but weighing 185 for the rest of my life isn't good either.
I'm sending you a friend request....Good luck on your journey and welcome to MFP!! I think you'll find a lot of good support here!0 -
I had a total thyroidectomy due to thyroid cancer. It has been nearly 4 years now, but my levels are always all over the place. I am currently on 112mg of Synthroid. I started changing my eating habits the day after Christmas and weighed 199.9. Right now I weigh179.9. I feel really sluggish now and know I need to go in and have my labs rechecked.0
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I was diagnosed last summer with hypothyroidism. Even though I eat a very clean diet and exercise regularly, I have hardly lost anything! We're talking two pounds in six or seven months. I'm with the other person who said she can look at food and gain!
Even if I'm not losing much weight, I figure my body is healthier from eating a clean diet and exercising!0 -
FYI-The bad thing is, the physician accepted values on the thyroid chart may be too wide. The values should be narrowed.
People may already have thyroid issues but are not diagnosed because their tests show them in the 'normal range'.
My tests put me in the normal range and my thyroid was trying hard to do it's job, but it just had nothing left to give.
If the chart had a narrower range, and Dr's used it as a general guide, not an end all, absolute answer, then more people could be helped. For those of you who are still in that 'normal range', go talk to a naturpath, and visit your local health food store. They have supplements to help. I wiish I had done both of those things before it was too late.
In 2006, I was finally diagnosed with thyroid issues when I felt a lump in my neck. (after having gained 80 lbs)
The surgeon removed the thyroid. It had shriveled up to nothing. The Dr said it looked like a tiny, twisted, dried out prune.
I had hashimoto's which evolved into thyroid cancer. Now I am taking Synthroid 137 mcg. Have lost 20 lbs.
Author, Mary J. Shomon, is widely accepted as a patient advocate. Take a look at her books and website www.thyroid-info.com.
Just went to my local health food store today and picked up a supplement. Starting it tomorrow. I know if I went to get tested it would be low enough they wouldn't help me.
Im praying this supplement helps me.0 -
BUMP0
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Hypothyroidism is my arch nemesis! I was always very thin (underweight in my youth and teen years!), very active and never a really big eater (I liked my sweets but didn't really over do it). I was a 100lbs at 19 years, then...boom! By the time I was 20 I was up to 150lbs,utterly exhausted, with dry, frizzy hair that fell out in clumps, severly depressed with super dry skin (a real catch in the dating world,lol). It was awful- I knew something was wrong but couldn't figure it out. I tried diet, exercise, slim fast (back when you made your own shakes from the powder-blech!). I finally went ot my mom's doctor, very upset...he barely examined me, didn't do any blood work and gave me this wonderful bit of advice..."say for example, say you normally eat two peas, from now on, DON'T, just eat one"....basically telling me to eat less. Meanwhile I was chugging water to get full and living on slim fast-jerk!
I figured he knew what he was talking about, so I just kept on trying to diet and exercise (so much money wasted on gym memberships). I would lose a few lbs, take a day off working out or eat a cookie and gain 10lbs- it was a crazy roller coaster! Finally, in my late 20's at 180lbs I found a doctor who took me seriously, turned out my thyroid levels were super low (surprise, surprise!). WIthin two years on the meds I was down to 160lbs. I'm now up to 130mcg os synthroid, and I still am tired all the time. The hair has gotten better, my skin is still always dry, and the battle of the buldge is never ending. If I stay really focused and dilligent I can maintain at about 140-145, which is not at all where I want to be or should be. I did weight watchers a few years ago, and got down to 130 (which is a great weight for me looks and feeling wise)...but then my thyroid levels went screwy and I went back up to 145. Now, I'm at it again, I watch the calories, work out 6 times a week with Jillian Michales dvd's and yoga-it gets exhausting trying to keep the weight in check. And I know that look all too well, the look of "sure you have a thyroid problem"...the only person who really gets it is my husband, he sees how I eat, how hard I try and is very sweet about it.
Good luck my fellow thyroid fighters!0 -
I just started back up on trying to loose some weight. In college I gained 50lbs, and thought it had something to do with "the freshman 15." Then one day my mom was talking about how crappy she felt from menopause, and everything she was describing fit with what I was experiencing. I told her, "Mom, I think I am having menopause too!" (at 22 years old). She was way more concerned than I was and checked it out, and was the first to suggest that maybe there was something wrong with my thyroid.
I landscaped 14 hours per day for a summer and GAINED weight, I went on 1000 calorie diet and exercised five times per week and maintained the weight I was at. I have been getting blood tests religiously, and still, five years later, nothing is stabilized. It seems like it just keeps getting worse. My doctor just told me to eat less. On average, I eat 1500 calories per day, no chips, no fast food, no soda, no red meat, almost nothing processed, etc. Now, I am the biggest of all my friends and family, and something has to change. So here I am.
I have to think that there is someone out there who knows some alternative ways improve our thyroids, either as a supplement or substitute to medication. Is there something I am eating (or not eating) that makes it worse or better? Is there certain vitamins I should be taking? You know where I'm going with this. Any suggestions?0 -
Hi people,
My first post so please be gentle with me.............
My story is slightly different but you might find it interesting.
In the summer of 1999 I was Best Man at a wedding and I was amazed at the pictures - I looked terrible (really thin). At the time I was playing 5-a-side football (soccer) 3 times a week and put it down to that. I'm 6ft 1in and weighed 11.5 stone (161 pounds).
A couple of weeks later, I felt really drained and had swollen glands. Fearing glandular fever, I went to the GP where I was diagnosed with an over-active thyroid. Most importantly, this was putting a strain on my heart which was beating far too quickly. Straightaway I had to quit the football and was put on beta-blockers for my heart and carbimazole to slow down my metabolism so that they could do something about my thyroid.
To cut a long story short, over 24 months I ended up having three courses of radioactive iodine which in effect killed my thyroid gland and it is now controlled by 125mg of levo-thyroxine every day.
The thing is, I went from 11.5 stone to 17 stone whilst on the beta blockers & carbimazole and have never been able to shift it. Last summer (2010) I was Best Man again (different friend thankfully) but when I went for the fitting for my morning suit, I was embarrrassed by my measurements (44in waist, 52" chest) and so weighed myself again and was upto 19 stone 6 pound (272 pounds).
Since then (October) I have been to the gym regularly and have managed to lose 18 pounds. I put a lot of this success down to MFP.com (I fill it in religiously) and a really helpful PT (who doesnt charge - we just chat football & fitness etc) who has given me some great tips. I now run for 30 minutes straight (approx 4.22k) and have recently run a mile in less than 10 minutes for the first time since high school! I'm still however 18 stone 2 pounds and people look at me wierd when a big bloke outruns them on the cross trainer and is still going strong on the X-trainer or Exercise bike when theyve had enough. I've also started to lift weights (it's a reward for my hours worth of cardio) and I now have 'guns' for the first time ever and my lumps are now through muscle rather than purely fat. I wish that I could have measured my fat percentage when I started because I am sure that the amount of muscle I have put on has meant that my overall weight loss isnt as much as it would have been (any thoughts on this people??)
So the thing is that I believe that 'big' can still be healthy and whilst I would like (and am going to) loose another 3-4 stone I know that it will be slow steady progress - but I WILL SUCCEED and I hope that you all will too.
Steve0 -
I just started back up on trying to loose some weight. In college I gained 50lbs, and thought it had something to do with "the freshman 15." Then one day my mom was talking about how crappy she felt from menopause, and everything she was describing fit with what I was experiencing. I told her, "Mom, I think I am having menopause too!" (at 22 years old). She was way more concerned than I was and checked it out, and was the first to suggest that maybe there was something wrong with my thyroid.
I landscaped 14 hours per day for a summer and GAINED weight, I went on 1000 calorie diet and exercised five times per week and maintained the weight I was at. I have been getting blood tests religiously, and still, five years later, nothing is stabilized. It seems like it just keeps getting worse. My doctor just told me to eat less. On average, I eat 1500 calories per day, no chips, no fast food, no soda, no red meat, almost nothing processed, etc. Now, I am the biggest of all my friends and family, and something has to change. So here I am.
I have to think that there is someone out there who knows some alternative ways improve our thyroids, either as a supplement or substitute to medication. Is there something I am eating (or not eating) that makes it worse or better? Is there certain vitamins I should be taking? You know where I'm going with this. Any suggestions?
I went to my health food/vitamen store and got Thyroid care by Terry Naturally. But they had a few different things there. Do you have a health food store you could look at what they have?0 -
I'm sure going to look for one! Thanks for the info! I will keep you updated on the outcome.0
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I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in Oct of 2010 and put in .25mcg of l-thyroxine. I had been feeling tired and depressed and just thought that it was due to advancing age and the death of both parents. So I religiously took my med and exercised and dieted off 13 pounds. When I went in for my check-up six months later I was surprised that my numbers had gotten worse. The doctor upped me to .50mcg and lectured me about loosing weight. I am 5'9" and he wants me down around the 150's. I went from 194-181 in the six months between appointments and thought that I was doing great. He said that he had never seen anyone get worse while taking meds. Six months from now I am expected to go back again and have it all rechecked. I also has high blood pressure and high cholestorol. I do have "white coat hypertension", I wonder why?
I have made some changes in takng my meds to make sure I have and empty stomach I take my pill and hour before I get up and have coffee. Do you think that is enough time for the pill to be absorbed? I am also religiously dieting and staying away from most of the foods that I have read that are bad for my thyroid. I even wait to eat my oatmeal for at least three hours after pill so that won't get in the way of absorbtion. I'm exercising between 90-120 minutes every day. This is so difficult ! I was hoping that the cholestorol and blood pressure would come down on their own. My blood pressure does run normal at home but prove that to the doctor. He wants me to run around town and take my pressure in the free drug store machines. I don't want to have to take more meds.
Well that's my sob story. I'm just keeping on keeping on the best I can and trying not to get too depressed over it.0
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