a thyroid condition

That's frustrating. I've been there. I hope this is something that you are openly discussing and managing with your doctor. Thyroid conditions are nothing to mess around with. The first step is to work with your doctor to get your thyroid hormones into a normal range. Until that's under control, this will be more complicated.

After that, it's the classic calorie intake (eating) vs. calorie expenditure (movement, exercise and basal metabolic rate).

In the meantime, it doesn't hurt to be aware of what you are eating. Weigh, measure and honestly track everything and emphasize eating a healthy, moderate, balanced diet. Don't get discouraged and fall into bad habits because you're frustrated.

Have you been diagnosed with Hashimoto's?

I was "subclinical" for several years (yeah, right....) before finally being diagnosed in my mid to late 40's with hypothyroidism. I got the usual Levothyroxin for many years. Now I see a MD who considers herself a functional medicine MD and by working closely with her on increasing my Ferritin (iron) to OPTIMAL range, adjusting my meds to Armour, and eliminating gluten.....my labs (AND the way I feel) are the best EVER at age 61! I haven't bothered with antibody testing for Hashimotos as everything I have read pretty much says if you are diagnosed Hypo, there is an 80-90% chance you have Hashimoto Syndrome, an autoimmune disorder.

Hey there,
I can relate to this. Have been diagnosed with Graves back in November and am now on meds. Just like lseulte I put on weight before getting on meds and even more so after! I found that the main issue was being emotional and crazy really (!) so much so that I could not stop myself from overeating. Now that my hormones are managed it is so much easier to control the food intake. So I can definitely say that simple calorie counting with maybe a bit of low carb will help you get through any fluctuations in hormones. However when your hormone levels go up it might be more difficult to stick to your eating plan.

85219 wrote: »

too have that problem. What foods have idione and iron in them. I prefer to eat natural foods rather than supplements.

If you have hashimoto's thyroiditis, then iodine isn't the best option, you need prescription medication.

Hilda0414 wrote: »

I was "subclinical" for several years (yeah, right....) before finally being diagnosed in my mid to late 40's with hypothyroidism. I got the usual Levothyroxin for many years. Now I see a MD who considers herself a functional medicine MD and by working closely with her on increasing my Ferritin (iron) to OPTIMAL range, adjusting my meds to Armour, and eliminating gluten.....my labs (AND the way I feel) are the best EVER at age 61! I haven't bothered with antibody testing for Hashimotos as everything I have read pretty much says if you are diagnosed Hypo, there is an 80-90% chance you have Hashimoto Syndrome, an autoimmune disorder.

Some really useful points here that echo some of my own experience. Diagnosed hypo and pretty much just left to it, felt like I was going crazy trying to maintain a stable weight (and I was eating well, below maintenance, etc), I was still exhausted, still sore. Had first child and thyroid was all over the place post-partum. Finally got a doctor who looked at the whole picture, worked with me to improve absorption of meds through dietary changes, and encouraged me to go on with functional exercise. It worked! I limit caffeine, I have it regularly but just not every day and not more than 2 cups in a day (had 3 cups as a surprise/mistake the other day and the result was a very ill me!), eliminated gluten, low red meat vs more fish and white meat, increased iron, vit D, folic acid and B12/B-complex (vit. D and iron are the key ones for me). Also taking a fish oil supplement with a decent amount of DHA and EHA (I think that's what the acronyms are something like at least 120/180). Still enjoy carbs, fats, chocolate and such... I take my meds at night and that seems to make me feel more alert, I take supplements with breakfast as iron can inhibit absorption of levo.

I did this just to get my health on track and feel well, I left calorie restriction to try and stabilise, it worked and I started losing naturally. Had another child, now I'm 20 weeks into logging to lose baby weight and some remaining weight I was trying to shift pre-pregnancy, I'm 28 pounds down and all going very smoothly and easily.

Everything is just so much easier and more enjoyable when you get some stability in your health, I hope you get some help and more info soon and then with that and with time you will easily see improvement in weight loss efforts as well.

My endocrinologist told me there's no such thing as a thyroid diet. Just learn to log everything you eat & drink accurately and honestly. Logging works.

Did you know MFP has a Hypothyroidism & Hyperthyroidism group? http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/753-hypothyroidism-and-hyperthyroidism