hypothyroid ppl, how many cals a day?

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jaydensmommy2010
jaydensmommy2010 Posts: 129 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hey guys.. For those who are hypothyroid, how many calories a day are you eating to lose weight? I am having absolutely no luck.> Yes I know I have days that I eat garbage and don't log in..... BUT, I have ate garbage for most of my adult life every single day and any little change I would make I would instantly lose weight. I stopped drinking all soda ( after drinking 6 pepsi a day) and drink only water. Any other time, that small change helps me lose weight, but for some reason any small changes I make are not enough. I have been working out since Oct-Nov ( haven't been on this site that long) which before this I did absolutely nothing for a year ( used being pregnant as an excuse.. ) The only thing I can think of is that its this hypothyroid. I was recently diagnosed after having a baby..... Can someone give me some suggestions please??!! Like I said before, I could easily lose weight before if I just changed some eating habits a tiny bit... But now, nothing... Thanks!

Oh sorry one more thing.. Before I was diagnosed with this, as long as I exercised I could lose weight. This isn't working anymore..
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Replies

  • nancymmorris
    nancymmorris Posts: 310
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    I have hypothyroidism. Have had it for 4 years. I could not lose weight until I foun a doctor who would test my T# and T4 levels and he kept upping my medicine until a felt really good. The other doctors I had seen kept telling that my dose was high enough but I still felt like crap. I am taking almost double the amount of medication and I feel great. And I am losing weight for the first time in years.
  • ProjectSara
    ProjectSara Posts: 83 Member
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    *BUMP*
  • kriswigg
    kriswigg Posts: 95
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    I agree, if your current dr isn't listening, find one that will. I am hypothroid because of thyroid cancer, and one dr. kept telling me my issues couldn't be thyroid related cause I didn't have one anymore. Had to find a dr who would help me find the right level of meds for me, not just the numbers. I have been on here for a little over a month and have lost 7 pounds. Keep at it. The right combo of excercise, calories and meds will work. My goal is around 1,500 a day. I go up and down, but try to stay under that and get at least 30 min of cardio per day.
  • beatlemom
    beatlemom Posts: 250 Member
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    I have been hypothyroid for 3 years. I had to have my medicine adjusted every 3 months from when I started until 6 months ago. Most doctors do not know that the board of endocronologists lowered the normal range, so it may take a while until you get to that level, depending on where you are at now. I did alot of research and pushing my doctor (even printed out the BOE newest paper on hypothyroidism and brought to his office) I finally hit the normal level about 6 months ago. I have found that I have to exercise every day and really count my calories but I am losing weight, and that's all that matters to me. Good luck with your journey!
  • Just1forMe
    Just1forMe Posts: 624 Member
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    From what I have learned, and from my own experience, it is very important to not UNDER eat when you have hypothyroidism. It will slow your metabolism down even more. I eat what MFP sets as calorie goal for me and always eat 90% of my exercise calories.
    You can do it!
  • jaydensmommy2010
    jaydensmommy2010 Posts: 129 Member
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    Maybe I am expecting too much? I have only been on the meds now for a month. So I was just assuming as soon as I start this then I will be ok.. I guess I am wrong!! So am I just wasting my time right now, since my meds probably aren't adjusted properly yet? I don't go back to the dr for 1-2 months for a blood test...
  • rileymax07
    rileymax07 Posts: 15 Member
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    I was recently diagnosed with hypothyroid, but on my doctors advise, at this point not on any medication. I have completely changed my life... eating only healthy foods (yes, once in a while I still splurge), and excercising. Since Feb 1, I have dropped 15 - 19 pounds, depending on what day I weigh.. but have plateaued there. I have, however, dropped 2 pant sizes. So... I am seeing a good amount of result. I feel 100% better, and I have an appt to check my throid end of April to see where my levels are at then. I keep my calories around 1200-1400 per day, and do a ton of cardio (walking and biking), and some weight training. My dr said not to be too concerned with the scale, as I am seeing results in other ways. Listen to your body... log your foods, and stay active. You'll see the results. Good luck.
  • jaydensmommy2010
    jaydensmommy2010 Posts: 129 Member
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    I have been hypothyroid for 3 years. I had to have my medicine adjusted every 3 months from when I started until 6 months ago. Most doctors do not know that the board of endocronologists lowered the normal range, so it may take a while until you get to that level, depending on where you are at now. I did alot of research and pushing my doctor (even printed out the BOE newest paper on hypothyroidism and brought to his office) I finally hit the normal level about 6 months ago. I have found that I have to exercise every day and really count my calories but I am losing weight, and that's all that matters to me. Good luck with your journey!

    My TSH wasn't terribly high it was 4.9... That is all she tested of course.
  • dreamc08
    dreamc08 Posts: 74 Member
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    I'm hypo and currently taking 75mcg levothyroxine. My current MFP calorie goal is 1850 (I've met with a dietician and she recommended a similar #). My activity level is set to sedentary, but I work out 4x per week. I've been steadily losing just over a pound per week. Cutting back on "bad carbs" and eating more protein, fruit, and veggies is really helping me feel better.

    Your calorie goal will really depend on your BMR (age, weight, height) and activity level though.
  • liftnat
    liftnat Posts: 8
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    Are you on medication to manage your thyroid? It's not good to continue to be hypothyroid. I would recommend seeing an endocrinologist with experience treating thyroid disorders.

    I wouldn't recommend increasing your thyroid meds above normal numbers even if you continue to feel bad for two reasons:

    1. The thyroid may not be responsible for those continued bad feelings. Taking too many meds may "numb" those symptoms, but if something other than the thyroid is causing a problem, that will only get worse. (Additionally, when we constantly are on the lookout for feeling bad, we are going to feel bad. Tons of studies back that up.)
    2. It takes a long time for your body to adjust to the meds even if your numbers are normal.

    Secondly, your body changes as you grow older. It will take more effort to lose weight. There's a reason all weight loss programs ask for your age. It is mathematically figured in to how many calories you should consume each day.

    Last but not least, you'll want to track your calories and your weight on a scale. Whenever I don't, I gain weight every single time. I think I'm doing a good job of estimating in my head, but I'm not. I always realize that when I start to track again.

    But it won't do you a lick of good until your thyroid numbers are back on track.
  • jaydensmommy2010
    jaydensmommy2010 Posts: 129 Member
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    I'm hypo and currently taking 75mcg levothyroxine. My current MFP calorie goal is 1850 (I've met with a dietician and she recommended a similar #). My activity level is set to sedentary, but I work out 4x per week. I've been steadily losing just over a pound per week. Cutting back on "bad carbs" and eating more protein, fruit, and veggies is really helping me feel better.

    Your calorie goal will really depend on your BMR (age, weight, height) and activity level though.

    According to MFP, my BMR was around 1650, I chose sedentary, but I work about 5-6 times a week..
  • jaydensmommy2010
    jaydensmommy2010 Posts: 129 Member
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    Are you on medication to manage your thyroid? It's not good to continue to be hypothyroid. I would recommend seeing an endocrinologist with experience treating thyroid disorders.

    I wouldn't recommend increasing your thyroid meds above normal numbers even if you continue to feel bad for two reasons:

    1. The thyroid may not be responsible for those continued bad feelings. Taking too many meds may "numb" those symptoms, but if something other than the thyroid is causing a problem, that will only get worse. (Additionally, when we constantly are on the lookout for feeling bad, we are going to feel bad. Tons of studies back that up.)
    2. It takes a long time for your body to adjust to the meds even if your numbers are normal.

    Secondly, your body changes as you grow older. It will take more effort to lose weight. There's a reason all weight loss programs ask for your age. It is mathematically figured in to how many calories you should consume each day.

    Last but not least, you'll want to track your calories and your weight on a scale. Whenever I don't, I gain weight every single time. I think I'm doing a good job of estimating in my head, but I'm not. I always realize that when I start to track again.

    But it won't do you a lick of good until your thyroid numbers are back on track.


    Yes I am on the lowest dose right now since I was just diagnosed and wasn't too high. I was diagnosed by my family doctor. I went in there complaining about being exhausted, hair loss, joint pain, and not able to lose weight. My family doctor is the one that prescribed the medicine, and never mentioned about going to a specialist.
  • runracer11
    runracer11 Posts: 45 Member
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    I agree wih the other posters who said how important it is to find an endocrinologist who is willing to up your dosage until you feel better. The range of "normal" is big, and I don't feel good at the higher end of TSH. I would also have a very difficult time losing weight there, and feel depressed and tired.

    Right now I'm at the low end on the TSH scale (just above the border of hyperthyroid), and my endocrinologist is fine with keeping me there as long as I'm not having any hyperthyroid side effects. I'm also having my bloodwork done every 2 months. And the weight is finally coming off. Now the weight isn't magically coming off -- I'm exercising hard at a very high intensity almost daily, eating pretty clean and low net calories (1300/day) . BUT, there is no way that I would have the energy to do this if my thyroid was out of whack. The foundation of weight loss for me is having my hypothyroidism really well controlled. That gives me the mental and physical well-being necessary to function at a high level, and then weight loss follows by living a healthy, active life. Sometimes it seems so easy (I've lost about 30 lbs in 3 months), and for that I am truly grateful to have an endocrinologist who takes the time to listen to me!!!

    I've been in the place where I need to sleep 12 hours a day, crave carbs and sugars for the energy "fix" that I so desperately needed... and the weight piled on like crazy (several pounds in one week, when I definitely wasn't overeating by that much). I totally understand the weight struggle associated with hypothyroidism. Find a great endocrinologist... it really makes all the difference!
  • charlandblair
    charlandblair Posts: 1 Member
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    I have been eating about 200 calories less than mfp gives me (on average) some days I will eat all the calories allowed.. and then once a week I try and have a day that I eat very little although mfp tells me not to...and so far the pounds have been coming off.. but Im thinking it has more to do with my thyroid levels than just the calorie counting.. and possibly having some higher end calorie days and then low calorie days seems to somehow just jumpstart the weight loss (I find works well once you hit a plateau). hope this helps! good luck!
  • madwells1
    madwells1 Posts: 510 Member
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    Wait for your next round of blood work and see how you start to feel. You may need to work with your GP on dosage. If you don't have an endo, find one that listens to you.

    On a personal level, my levels were 4.9 (like yours) for years and no one treated me. I felt terrible, could barely function, and honestly started to believe it was all in my head.

    I switched GPs who finally listened to me, and started treatment (.75 mcg). I also started with an endo and my levels dropped to about 1.5 over the course of half a year. i started feeling so much better it was unbelievable, and I have managed to drop around 45-50 pounds over six months. Note, this was because I had energy to work out and focus on my eating patters instead of just going to bed. The pill itself wasn't a magic bullet.

    My endo actually increased me to .83 mcg as I was still feeling a little tired and lethargic (especially around mid-cycle)...bad news is, about a month ago, I started feeling tired again--and my weight loss has stopped. I just got my blood work back for my next appointment and I jumped back to 3.5. Boo!

    Just one example of how these silly hormones do wreak havoc on your goals...even though a lot of people don't believe it.

    For your question (sorry about the rant...I'm annoyed over my hormones), I am around 1800-2000 with a goal of 2 lbs a week. Was losing consistently on these calories until the past month.

  • Cdona111
    Cdona111 Posts: 13 Member
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    Not to hijack but I have thyroid related question and this seems to be the place where the hypo folks are. I was diagnosed pre-diabetic a couple of years ago and I've lost about 75 lb. I'd like to lose about 20 to 30 more. Well actually I need to at lose that at least. But I can't lose a single thing and as a matter of fact sometimes I'll game 2 or 3 lbs seemingly overnight.

    When I saw the endocrinologist last week I mentioned that plus some tingling in my hands and feet at times at night and cold feet and a couple of episodes of vertigo and too many bouts with constipation so he tested my thyroid numbers. Only TSH. I've had them tested at other times in the last 2 years and it's very bad from a little above 2 to almost 3. Right now it's testing at 2.03.

    Whatever your thyroid numbers started at does your doctor medicate you down to zero or just down into the "normal range?"

    I've asked if it would make sense and if he would consider starting with a very low dose and seeing if that makes a difference in my symptoms.
  • Cdona111
    Cdona111 Posts: 13 Member
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    suzannesimmons3 wrote: »
    Cdona111 wrote: »
    Not to hijack but I have thyroid related question and this seems to be the place where the hypo folks are. I was diagnosed pre-diabetic a couple of years ago and I've lost about 75 lb. I'd like to lose about 20 to 30 more. Well actually I need to at lose that at least. But I can't lose a single thing and as a matter of fact sometimes I'll game 2 or 3 lbs seemingly overnight.

    When I saw the endocrinologist last week I mentioned that plus some tingling in my hands and feet at times at night and cold feet and a couple of episodes of vertigo and too many bouts with constipation so he tested my thyroid numbers. Only TSH. I've had them tested at other times in the last 2 years and it's very bad from a little above 2 to almost 3. Right now it's testing at 2.03.

    Whatever your thyroid numbers started at does your doctor medicate you down to zero or just down into the "normal range?"

    I've asked if it would make sense and if he would consider starting with a very low dose and seeing if that makes a difference in my symptoms.

    Hypo folks weren't here for six years before someone re opened the thread...

    I don't understand your point?

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