I have an example of a way that I lost about 50 lbs. in a weekend (60% water, the rest fat), but you can only do it if you have type 1 diabetes and for those able to do it, it is incredibly dangerous (I am lucky to be alive). So I won't explain how because it isn't safe.

As far as safely, I had lowered calories a couple months ago to an even larger deficit, and within a week, I started to gain weight. I thought at first it might be water weight, but I continued to gain weight fast. After a few weeks, and 6 lbs. of gain later, I read that eating less than BMR will cause weight gain. I checked and found that I was eating about 100-200 calories below BMR. So I raised my calories again to a smaller deficit (but above BMR) and within a week, I lost not only the 6 lbs. that I had gained, but an additional lb. also. Then I was back to losing very slowly and eating at a smaller deficit.

I don't know how to translate that experience into a 1 week weight loss without also having a gain in the preceeding weeks, but maybe there is some way you can find that to be useful.

I became hypo, then got my meds at the (relatively) correct dose, and THEN restarted on my diet. That first week I lost 12lbs. I ate at my normal IIFYM, just stayed within my calorie limits, I didn't limit any particular foods, and was running 3 times a week. (about 3k, i'm working up to a 5k)

Actually the more I think on it now, I think it was mostly 'water-waste' weight, I couldn't go to the bathroom when I was hypo. Now, I'm anywhere between 1-3lbs a week.

My new doctor (as of September) said that she would let me change my dosage as she feels I am knowledgeable enough in recognizing how I feel. But at the time she thought I was hyper because she only looks at TSH and since I was feeling a bit hyper at that time we discussed lowering my dose a bit. But my TSH remains low and I definitely went hypo before and after that so I raised my dose a little to 105 as I had some left over 15 mg pills.

Anyway, I think raising it was a good thing. I feel better, though not great, and when I get the results of my latest blood test (taken last Thursday) I might raise it another 15 mg. I'm ignoring my TSH as that and my free T3 and free T4 have all been low which doesn't even make sense.

I was hoping to discuss my game plan with the doc on Thursday but all she did was take blood and she was gone in a flash. She didn't even ask me how I was feeling. I'm over being disappointed with doctors at this point so I'll just do what I need to do and hope she will write me new prescriptions when my current ones run out.

I don't have any experience with LDN but would love to know how it works out for you. My latest blood test showed high antibodies, very low TSH, high normal free T3 and mid normal free T4. I don't know what is up with my TSH but it's been at almost 0 for several months. Anyone else experience low TSH and normal free T3 and T4?

I'm currently on Armour at 105 mg. I feel ok, maybe a little anxious but very depressed. Although the depression could be seasonal or holiday related - who knows anymore. I'm getting another blood test in 8 weeks.

When I was first diagnosed about 3 1/2 years ago I was put on Synthroid by my first endocrinologist. I was on it for two months with no improvement in how I felt at all. The endo said that my levels were fine (she only cared about TSH) so she wouldn't do anything else and I should got back to my regular doctor because "something else" must be wrong with me.
Anyway, I found another doctor (not an endo) who seemed to understand the importance of T3 and he put me on Armour Thyroid. I started to feel better almost right away. I have Hashimoto's though so I've been up and down since then.
One of the problems has been the doctor reacting to fluctuations of symptoms and labs by reducing the amount I'm taking instead of riding them out. Fluctuations happen with Hashi's and reducing meds doesn't seem to be the answer.

i have been on synthroid for 20 years and I hate it. I feel awful and don't think it's working as I have all the symptoms of hypo. my sis started talking about t3 with me and has been trying armour thyroid, and i'm super interested in trying it out. she has hashimoto's disease. I had graves' disease as a child and now am hypo after being treated for the graves'. i'm heard that docs don't really like prescribing it, did your doc even suggest synthroid?

@allergictodiets - That's interesting. So was your period of weight loss the "temporary flutter" your doctor was talking about or is the not feeling so good part the flutter? I know my periods of feeling good have been few and far between but I'd like to think that they are the "normal" that I'm trying to achieve and sustain.
This year I went through two cycles of what I described above - feeling normal and losing weight for weeks, then not feeling great and no weight loss for weeks, then back to feeling good and losing, then back to not feeling great, then to really hypo after beginning to exercise for a few weeks, then really hyper when I stopped exercising. Its been a roller coaster that I can't control. I raised my dosage by 15 mg and now I feel better and I think I'm losing weight again but not feeling as good as I was earlier this year.

@allergic - I so wish I could find the answer to keeping things working right. I hate not having control over this. My TSH has been very low recently (close to zero) even though my Free t3 and free t4 have been in the normal range. I'm ignoring my tsh for now and trying to get my thyroid hormones into the high end of normal.

I've read that symptoms can be worse during winter, possibly requiring a higher dosage. Have you found this to be true? I was in bad shape last winter but my dosage had been lowered in the previous July which was a mistake. So by winter it was way too low.

RedBec7 wrote: »

I've read that symptoms can be worse during winter, possibly requiring a higher dosage. Have you found this to be true? I was in bad shape last winter but my dosage had been lowered in the previous July which was a mistake. So by winter it was way too low.

I have read about it as well but I have not experienced such a strong correlation myself - I mean I feel like my Hashi can strike anytime :-((( True, my last winter was dreadful but so was early summer the year before. On the other hand my winter pregnancy was fantastic. So you never know...

@Veronakings - The thyroid surgeon I met with told me that years ago there was a purity issue with Armour and the processing and control of what went into the drug. Since that time the makers of Armour have addressed any impurity issues and according to this doctor it is a 100% perfectly acceptable drug. I asked him about switching and he basically said if it's working - don't mess with it. He said he has some patients who do horrible on Armour but great on Synthroid.

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's last Fall after taking Armour for 1-1/2 years and not feeling any better. I've increased my dosage from 30mg to 90mg per day and added a TON of vitamins beginning last September. I've cleaned up my eating (not counting Christmas ugh) and while I've not lost any weight I do feel like a brand new person.

A good endocrinologist will adjust your dosage(s) based on both your levels and on symptoms.

You have three treatment options:
• Armour (dessicated pig or pig & cow thyroid glands)
• Synthroid (levothyroxine), which is synthetic T4
• A combination of Synthroid & Cytomel (liothyronine), which is synthetic T3

Since options 1 & 2 haven't worked for you, try #3.