thyroid sufferer's

melvillesarahjane51
melvillesarahjane51 Posts: 5 Member
edited November 15 in Health and Weight Loss
I have just signed up today, as I'm trying to lose some weight and get healthier at the same time, I also have an under active thyroid so the weight doesn't seem to melt away easily. I'm hoping to get through this and look and feel better with you all. Thanks for reading SJ x

Replies

  • tekkiechikk
    tekkiechikk Posts: 375 Member
    Hi, I've had hypothyroidism for years but still manage to lose weight (when I really try!). I'm older now, too, so it's not so easy to just drop 10 pounds but the age-old, tried and true formula still works: move more, eat less. Your doctor will probably adjust your thyroid meds several times- mine changes nearly every time I have blood work- but don't be discouraged. Welcome!
  • gagnon9691
    gagnon9691 Posts: 75 Member
    Are you properly medicated for your hypothyroidism?
  • 30mphmike
    30mphmike Posts: 28
    I have been taking synthroid 136- 175mg for 15 years and it plays no role in my weight gain or loss. Its all about the quality of food intake and the total calories.

    Good luck with your journey its all about consistency in diet and exercise
  • BritDillinger
    BritDillinger Posts: 77
    I have had hypothyroidism since my early teens, but it’s only been since last October that they finally decided to prescribe me with medication. It started off at 50mcg but has steadily increased to 125mcg and now it may need to be increased again. I struggle with my weight loss, but not all of it stems from my hypothyroidism. It mostly comes from my own personal walls and mentality surrounding food.

    I need to become more active, I need to be healthier with my food choices and I need to be healthier in my mind. Those with hypothyroidism have an easier chance of falling into depression than those without and I have been battling my depression and an eating disorder for years.

    Are you properly medicated for your hypothyroidism? What issues do you have with weight loss? Do you weigh your food and go by serving sizes? What are your macro goals and caloric deficit?
  • goingforahundred
    goingforahundred Posts: 590 Member
    Hello SJ! I hope that you find this site as helpful as I have. I have had hypothyroidism for over 20 years now. When I am properly medicated I see no issue with weight loss. Don't get me wrong, it isn't easy. But, I can't blame that on my thyroid. If you are honest about everything you eat you will lose weight as long as you are burning more calories than you are eating.
    Good luck to you!!
  • dragonfly256
    dragonfly256 Posts: 46 Member
    I have had hypothyroidism since 2010. I find that when I really try to focus on what I eat and get the exercise I need the weight comes off easily. If I stop exercising and eat what I want, I gain weight.

    Make sure you get the right does and check your thyroid regularly. I go every three months. Use this app to track your calories and you should be fine. Hang in there. You can do it!
  • LAWoman72
    LAWoman72 Posts: 2,846 Member
    Are you on meds yet? :)

    I have Hashi's, am doing well at a slow pace as set by me, 27 lbs. since Thanksgiving. I am right there with ya, Hypo-T is challenging on a whole lot of levels but you CAN be Hypo-T and happy. You can do this - good luck!
  • melvillesarahjane51
    melvillesarahjane51 Posts: 5 Member
    Hi all and thank you for the replys, I'm on levothyroxine, and it has just been adjusted again as I have gained a stone since Christmas and was getting very sluggish sleeping loads and eye brows thinning etc. I have been doing clean eating for 2 weeks now and I must admit I'm feeling motivated so that's a positive. I'm loving this site as on track everything and it just makes you rethink certain foods you would normally just go ahead and eat, I'm just going to take it a week at a time and see how I go, I'm now weighing my foods to make sure the portion size is right for the calories. Thank you
  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
    I lost the outer half of my eyebrows over the years (there's makeup on in my profile pic) thanks to my Hashi's.

    Losing weight will help with the fatigue. I find it helpful to moderate my carbs, this might or might not be true for everyone with hypothyroidism, though. Try to see if you can start exercising as well. Even just walking around your neighborhood. I find that to be a big help too.

    It's terrific that you are weighing and measuring your intake, I've found that key to being successful at keeping the scale moving. It does move slowly, but... I'm older and shorter, and I've had a pound a week loss since November, so I'm pretty happy with that.

    Hopefully your latest adjustment will do the trick for you. Welcome!
  • Cking1162
    Cking1162 Posts: 65 Member
    Good for you for getting on MFP and getting committed to making changes. I am right there with you....was diagnosed with Hashi's several years ago. My meds change at every appt as they have not found my optimal levels of hormones yet. I take synthroid and cytomel. I have been on here for 7 weeks and have only lost 6 lbs. But I am pretty proud of that because instead of getting frustrated..I keep with the exercise and calorie counting and I am seeing results--losing inches and feeling better.

    It might be slow---just stick with it.

    Feel free to friend me!
  • WeddedBliss1992
    WeddedBliss1992 Posts: 414 Member
    i have been on meds for several months and have not found any results, in fact, i am gaining weight. my thyroid is so out-of-whack. it was nice to read these replies...hoping to find something that helps.
  • azulvioleta6
    azulvioleta6 Posts: 4,195 Member
    I have primary hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's and several other metabolic diseases.

    I am closing in on 90 pounds loss. Slow-and-steady is the name of the game.

    Eating lower or moderate carb can be helpful. Being physically active is key too. Good luck to you!
  • Psychgrrl
    Psychgrrl Posts: 3,177 Member
    Remember it takes time for the T4 (synthroid, levoxyl) to fully integrate into your system. Typically 8 weeks. It needs to build over time. The bonus is, skipping a dose won't have any effect in the long run.

    It took years for my thyroid to stabilize enough for me to feel like a person again. And it took more years for the weight to come off. I gained about 80-ish pounds. Lost all that and more.

    You might want to ask your doctor about Cytomel. It's a T3. It's a fast-acting medication--in and out in 24 hours, so missing a dose does count. Your body should convert T4 to T3. But some people suck at it. I do. The therapy is considered controversial as there are studies that show it helps TSH and Free T3, and studies that don't. However, there are also several studies that say it contributes greatly to patient quality of life. Even if it didn't help with "the numbers."

    I'd also make sure you understand what level the lab and your doc is using to measure your TSH, Free T3 and Free T4. There's a whole range of "normal." The old qualification for hypothyroidism was a TSH of higher than 5. The new (and by new I mean about ten years ago) recommendation by the American Society of Clinical Endocrinologists is 3. My lab/Kaiser uses 4. I feel better at the lower end of the range. So we keep me there. Around 2-ish.

    What worked for me was more protein and heavy weight-lifting. For cardio I do intervals. I'm in my 40's so I have that whole "slowing metabolism" crap to deal with as well. :smiley:

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