Hypothyroidism weight loss success stories

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  • Ken2Pam
    Ken2Pam Posts: 15 Member
    I have a combinat of Graves & Hashimoto's, I have been taking synthroid for almost 7 years know. That has helped the damage done by the autoimmune disease.

    Regular exercise building slowly over the past two years I have lost 40 plus pounds and kept if off over 15 months now. Regular exercise, steady 5 to 6 times a week, it does not always have to be hard but regular 30 to 50 min or more, that has been the ticket for me.

    Also get checked for vitamin D deficiency, I had that going on as well. My endocrinologist says the research is just coming together, but she put me on a regular dose of vitamin D as well and energy and optimism has improved.

    Keep up the good work.
  • kristinhull1
    kristinhull1 Posts: 294 Member
    Thank you guys. I see my Dr 2morow for my ultrasound of my thyroid. Im nervous as to what hes going to say. My previous Dr said one of my T3 or T4 numbers were low and prescribed me iodine which did not work.
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    Thank goodness you had the sense to find a new doc! Iodine? Pardon my language, but WTF? Far too few physicians stay current on their practice.

    I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer as part of a follow up exam while I was still in the Navy, resulting in total thyroidectomy in May 2000. I was no longer able to serve in my job function and went back to finish my graduate work. Over the next 15 years I pretty much stopped working out and managed to put on about 75 lbs.

    About this time last year I read an article on Jeffrey Brown, endocrinologist who specializes in training elite athletes with hypothyroidism - many of whom performed better after diagnosis. My wife had used MFP to get back in shape after giving birth to our three kids and is the best shape of her life. I started using the site and made several newbie mistakes, but followed the CICO philosophy and lost over 50lbs to date. My endo and I came up with a plan using Synthroid at 175 & 200 mcg alternating daily. My TSH is holding steady at ~2.0.

    My end goal is not so much weight, but to get back into adventure racing and multisport (triathlon). I started lifting again and surpassed my previous maximums in all categories except the deadlift, but getting there.
  • Duchy82
    Duchy82 Posts: 560 Member
    I was diagnosed in 2010 with hypothyroidism and put on levothyroxine (synthroid equivalent in the uk) I gained about 46lbs before the weight gain finally stopped. Since starting to diet a few years ago I've managed to lose 42lbs, its taken me this long because I've had two major surgeries in between one in 2012 and one last year. I would like to lose about the same again to get me to a normal weight so I'm sort of half way. I eat whatever i fancy as long as i can fit it in my daily calorie intake so that includes fries ;) and i do generally light exercise such as walking, swimming and yoga definitely not as often as i would like but you work with what you've got.
    Good luck, with hard work and the right treatment it is definitely possible.
  • kellykneppergrundy
    kellykneppergrundy Posts: 234 Member
    I've been diagnosed with hypothyroidism for 11 years, since I was 19. I've likely had it since childhood though as I've been symptomatic since then. The medication will not make you lose weight but it should level the playing field so that you can lose weight by eating less calories than you burn. I've had ups and downs with my weight over the years, especially with having 2 children. I had no difficulty losing the baby weight with my first. With the second however I've been trying for nearly a year to lose weight and have had no success despite eating less calories than I should be burning. I finally got my medication increased and sure enough it started coming off easily with calories counting. It's important to find the right amount of medication so that both blood tests are in the normal range AND you are not symptomatic. It's also worth getting your B12 and vitamin D levels checked as well as people with hypothyroidism are often deficient in these vitamins and they both play a role in your metabolic rate.
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    I see my Dr 2morow for my ultrasound of my thyroid. Im nervous as to what hes going to say. My previous Dr said one of my T3 or T4 numbers were low and prescribed me iodine which did not work.

    An ultrasound is nothing to be nervous about—knowledge is power.

    The proper treatment for hypothyroidism is Synthroid, Synthroid + Cytomel, or Armour. It'll take trial & error to find what works for you. A good endocrinologist will adjust your dosage(s) regularly, based on both blood tests + symptoms.
  • paulaviki
    paulaviki Posts: 678 Member
    I was diagnosed as having hypothyroid last summer, I'm now stabilised on 100mcg of levothyroxine a day. Since January I've lost 23lbs. I'm also b12 deficient and have an injection of this every 3 months. :smile:

  • orchidbutterflies
    orchidbutterflies Posts: 59 Member
    I'm hypothyroid as well, I was diagnosed about 7 years ago but I avoided doctors during that time and only started regularly taking medication in March.
    My levels are around 4.5 now but they were at 16. I lost about half of my hair's volume and even with treatment it hasn't improved. I have however managed to lose 70lbs since February by using MFP and increasing my activity. My energy levels and mental clarity I attribute to my diet overhaul. I noticed the fog lift (depression and anxiety sufferer as well) about two weeks into my new eating habits, so that was before I started on synthroid.
    I don't think if I was to stop taking the medication it would affect my weight loss at all though (don't plan on doing that, of course!) I was dropping weight while my thyroid function was at its worst.
  • mustangtiff21
    mustangtiff21 Posts: 21 Member
    Im wondering do you all.follow what MFP gives as macros or do you all follow n low carb higher fat? I do low carb and well. ..sees to not help like youd think it would. Ugh!! Feel free to add me...I've lost 130# prior but now im stuck...
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    Im wondering do you all.follow what MFP gives as macros or do you all follow n low carb higher fat? I do low carb and well. ..sees to not help like youd think it would.

    I use MFP's default protein & fiber goals as minimums, and ignore fat & carbs. Not because it affects weight loss in any way (it doesn't), but because it makes me less hungry.

    It'll take trial & error to find what works for you.
  • Duchy82
    Duchy82 Posts: 560 Member
    Im wondering do you all.follow what MFP gives as macros or do you all follow n low carb higher fat? I do low carb and well. ..sees to not help like youd think it would. Ugh!! Feel free to add me...I've lost 130# prior but now im stuck...

    i use mfps macros but try and eat more protein and less carbs i will aim for the fiber but preferably more and pretty much ignore the fat i don't eat high fat anyways as it triggers my ibs. Bread is my nemesis, i love it too much, the grill is definitely my friend at the moment, i use it almost daily.
  • kristinhull1
    kristinhull1 Posts: 294 Member
    I lost 3lbs in 3 days. Just counting calories and not caring about macros much. I try to add all 5 food groups to my meals. I dont pay attention to the macros. As it doesnt really matter for weight loss.
  • dogcatac
    dogcatac Posts: 124 Member
    I've had hypothyroidism since I was 8. was always thin and fit until i got an eating disorder when i was a teenager. lost and gained tons of weight during the 13 years i was sick. got healthy this year and have lost 20 lbs safely and healthfully. thyroid doesn't really affect my weight loss, just my mood and energy levels. i try to workout earlier and make sure i'm getting enough sleep. i eat a balance diet, and make sure to eat iodine. i take a vitamin d supplement and try to get out in the sun as much as possible. synthroid dose is 150 mcg and rising.
  • 14030704
    14030704 Posts: 1 Member
    Hi everyone!!
    I am a hypothyroid trying to loose few pounds. Any advice?
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