I found the better I ate, that is the more I ate plenty of fruits and veg within calorie restriction I still did not loose weight and my joints ached to the extent I had to use walking sticks and this was before my thyroid really became a nightmare. By accident I discovered if I took medication pre exercise I had pain. Then I realised if I forgot to take pills I got no pain. Over time the discomfort totally went and I lost a lot of weight but had no clue why. Then I discovered salicylate. I would not wish salicylate sensitivity on anyone, it can be a component in chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, asthma, so many other chronic illnesses even MCS.

Salicylate is a toxin which many plants use to protect themselves from moulds and mildews, it is the active ingredient in aspirin and other related pain relief, in us too much can cause untold problems from fluid retention, night sweats and many also on the low thyroid lists. In general doctors are even less aware of dietary salicylate as an issues than they are low thyroid. Doctors advise asthmatics to avoid aspirin because it will make their breathing problems worse but they do not consider corn starch, vanilla, tomato purée common food additives to be a real problem too. My attention was drawn to your problem with coffee, like tea, this too is high in salicylate.

Please look up Salicylate Sensitivity.com this site uses information compiled by an Australian Dietitian and many of her colleagues giving a graduated list of herbs, veg and fruits etc as well as symptoms of sensitivity. Some people have trivial symptoms others are more susceptible and it is not known why, this is at the edge of science apparently. The UK Thyroid support site came up with the salicylate /thyroid connection, for me when I did a cross reference search. Finegold is another name to search. The consensus is for an exclusion of all diet and then add back. I would suggest initially cutting out high value foods and if this is an issue you should feel personal benefits within days then it is up to you how far you go or need to go for optimum benefit.

Last January I consulted an immunologist who confirmed salicylate sensitivity and thyroid issues but my immune system was too suppressed by the thyroid so I was referred to endocrinology. When I eliminated aspirin related medication and then as much salicylate from my system as I could, I had been reducing the toxic load on my thyroid. The thyroid function is to monitor and support many of our hormonal systems from cell replication and digestion from start to finish including the elimination of toxins and general waste products from digestion, respiration as well as substances which breach the moist mucus and skin barriers particularly when the thyroid is under performing.

Back to your question about weight loss medication. I don't know. They can be helpful in some people. I would observe myself for unwanted side effects. Because low thyroid function and weight problems go together, hand in glove I would try for optimum treatment first. Reading around and around my SS and thyroid problems I have concluded, A/ tsh should be at or under 1, B/ the addition of t3 to the t4 is helpful in terms of well being and weight loss particularly where a person is not converting 4 to 3 well, (selenium can help in this process) C/ natural thyroid is possibly better than synthetic because it includes t2 (which is made in women's ovaries) and t1, (I don't know where that comes from, just that it exists). Contrary to common belief and the net recycling old information the natural thyroid is no more problematical in the production of equal tablets than any other medication. All pharmaceutical companies and products are subjected to checks and balances and have to pass at very high standards to be tested on and then given to members of the public. Information at the start of this paragraph is controversial, the medical profession seem to fall into two main camps one gives minimal treatment where as others seek optimal benefits for the patient. Being able to find a sympathetic practitioner is difficult. I have noticed in the US there are practitioners who straddle the natural approach as well as general medicine and this offers some a third option. Finding a practitioner who treats to symptoms is in my humble opinion, desirable.

All the very best, I hope you find what will work best for you. After all this is all any of us want, what works best for us.

I'm relieved you have so many good reasons to disregard salicylate toxicity as a contributory factor. I'm pleased for you that you are recovered from so many bad happenings. From what you have written if anyone can beat this thing, thyroid, you can. I spoke out because I have been failed by my health advisers, being told to live with this and that and couldn't keep quiet if someone else were having similar issues to mine, or at least how it all started.

All the very best, hope all comes right soon.