Am I doomed.......Hypothyroidism

you are not doomed. I've been on thyroid medication for over 20 years. If you're regulated and make an effort, you can lose weight. I never lost any in 20 years because I never tried. In the last year trying I've lost about 67 pounds. I didn't do anything different because of my hypothyroid. I did reduce carbs because of insulin issues, but I never took my thyroid into consideration at all when choosing calorie goals, etc. It's possible we burn a little slower with under active thyroids, but I don't believe it's so much to make a big difference. It's all about what you put in your mouth. Try the basic settings for your stats for a while and adjust accordingly. If you're honestly weighing and tracking and still not losing as much as you think you should, bump the calories down a little. It's trial and error.

I'm a fellow sufferer and continually struggle reducing body fat %. Although I do use myfitnesspal daily to monitor calories it is more of a guide than a religion. I do find that logging food is crucial to fat reduction as you become aware of every morsel you eat and question its value. However with hypothyroidism I find that even if I reduce calories, do my ten thousand and hit the weights, the progress is slow, and the worse thing is that if I take my eye of the ball for a week I quickly increase to a unwanted set point. Saying this the fat is coming off me slowly and I'm treating it as a life style not a diet. Now the controversial stuff that many will either disagree with, ignore or shout at the screen over. As I've said before calories are not important, what is important is the type of foods you eat, their combination and the overall percentage of each. Please research everything and don't take the word of anyone unless it's backed up with science not anecdotal comments. Internet search someone such as Ben Palkulski (Yes I know he's a bodybuilder) but his science stands up. And Bodybuilders can get down to incredibly low body fat % without drugs, just good science and hard work. Parting comment! Try not to eat Carbs and Fat at the same time they don't metabolise well together, again science based! Search it. I can assure you fat management can be attained with hypothyroidism its just harder. Good Luck and enjoy your food. Oh and make sure your medication is set at the right level the range doctors use is quite wide and as long as you hit it they level out your meds, however your metabolism might function more efficiently at the higher range but still within tolerance.

I've found that on synthroid my metabolism stays static - I don't gain weight like I did before I was diagnosed, but I can't lose it either. I've never quite been satisfied with synthroid for this and other reasons, so I've talked to my doctor and we're starting me on Armour (which is natural dessicated thyroid) and we'll see if that helps any at all.

I second the recommendation to see an endocrinologist as well as a GP - my GP is fairly well versed in basic endocrinology so she is willing to work with my meds to find something that works for me, but I know that many are not and having the endocrinologist take a look can help make sure its not something more malignant.

seashellsk wrote: »

Hypothyroidism question: I was diagnosed with a underperforming thyroid about 2 years ago and have been taking synthroid. I am 46, 5'3" and weight 150-160.

MFP has a hypothyroidism & hyperthyroidism group: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/753-hypothyroidism-and-hyperthyroidism

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's (autoimmune thyroid disease) in 2012. I'm 46, 5'2", and my starting weight was 154. I have a Fitbit, too!

Meds (in my case Synthroid & Cytomel) reduce the fatigue, so I can be more active. But I kept gaining & gaining until I learned to log everything I eat & drink accurately & honestly. And I reached goal before my thyroid levels even hit the "normal" range.

I have been on Armour Thyroid meds after giving up on Synthroid about 2 years ago. I have way more energy and thryoid numbers are better for me, BUT I still battle moving the weight in spite of working out and counting calories. I am most motivated to do KETOGENIC diet after watching my older sister lose weight at a ridiculous rate this way. She had been on Weight Watchers for years and finally moved it really quickly, almost 30 lbs in 12 weeks. Anyhow, glad to add and find motivation with fellow thyroid challenged ladies, and especially those who want to do the Ketogenic (high fat, middle protein, low low carbs) route.
Add away :-)

Definitely not doomed! I've been diagnosed for 7 years now. I managed to lose 55lbs at my worst (I'm not great with taking my medication...New years resolution be a better patient). I barely lost any last year but that's because I wasn't really watching what I ate. Most of last year for me was about exercise. When I stick to my diet I go down slow and steadily. Just find a way to eat for you that's realistic, not too junky, and enjoyable, and stick within your limits. For me that's been low carb. But everyone and every body is different. Also I highly recommend weights. Changed my body shape. My waist is way narrower now, and my arms and thighs and I'm getting some good biceps going. I lost about 6lbs all of last year but my total inches lost were 15. That's with me barely taking my medicine regularly and at 223 lbs.

My DW had half her thyroid removed due to a goiter. She went from 165 to 123 in a little over year at 5'3". She also is currently on synthroid. So no, you're not doomed.

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