Thyroid UK seem to be recommending a tsh of under 1. It would be good if all "experts" sang from the same page. To be able to work towards this would help so many.

Yes, yes it would. Because I am at a 2.1 I am "fine"- but not really- not when you consider that eating 1300-1400 calories per day nets a weight loss of about a pound every 4 months- smh.

I asked about that and mentioned that 2.1 is toward the higher end of "normal" as "normal" is now .3-3 and she said that depends completely on where you send the blood work to get the lab results. Really? I thought normal was dependent upon years of research and study. Silly me.

dramaqueen45 wrote: »

I've been on the same 100 mcg of levothyroxine for several years and my TSH has fluctuated from 3.5 to 2.1. I went in today to suggest raising my mcg because I can't seem to lose weight lately- or if I do it's like 1 pound every 3-4 weeks. Since I have tightened up logging, weigh everything, etc, etc, logic would tell you that maybe I should try to up my meds to bring my TSH down a bit. But no, my nurse practitioner said that because I was at a therapeutic level (2.1 in May) that she would not up my dosage and that maybe I just didn't need to lose more weight. I really felt judged- like she thought I was being vain, etc. Yeah maybe I am at the high end of a healthy weight for me, but really, why does it matter if I want to lose 10-15 more pounds? Why does she ask me- well how much more weight do you want to lose? Why does that matter- the point is if I'm eating 1300-1400 calories per day (more if I exercise a lot that day), I should be able to drop at least a half a pound a week. I get that she doesn't want me going into hyperthyroid mode, but still- what I weigh is my business unless I am underweight and putting myself at risk. When I told her I thought I should weigh 125-130- she said "and you probably weighed that when you were 18." NO ma'am I weighed 117 when I was 18- I think 125 is a reasonable weight for a 48 year old small frame, 5'4" woman.

And those levels should be just a guide- and then tailored to the individual. Just venting- Grrrrrr. Anyone have any thoughts on how to just help my weight loss along? I was losing fine- 5 pounds a month at first and then of course the closer I get the slower it is, which is fine, but it's kind of getting ridiculous and frustrating

I think I may try to just take my meds before bed instead of first thing in the morning- anyone have better luck with this?

I know that this isn't exactly what you asked, but do you think there may be some value in focusing on body composition rather than weight? Recomping is not easy, but sometimes focusing on the scale number can ultimately be a disservice --- after all, aren't we all ultimately more concerned with body fat percentage than scale weight?

Now, I know the young lady in this article is much younger -- but it does show as a powerful example of the difference in body compositions at different weights. At her thinnest, she was 117, but she looks AMAZING at 131 and 142 (she put on some serious muscle) -- I believe she's also 5'4". It was reading this story that really drove home to me the benefits of weight lifting and focusing on body fat/composition rather than scale weight.

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

allaboutthecake wrote: »

Sometimes in my deepest darkest thyroid hour, I wish all the endo docs to have their own thyroid fail and for them to be stumbling around in the medical world dealing with the same smartaleck phrases their endo colleagues toss their way.

^That! I confess that I've thought that at times...

dramaqueen45 wrote: »

lindsey1979 wrote: »

dramaqueen45 wrote: »

I've been on the same 100 mcg of levothyroxine for several years and my TSH has fluctuated from 3.5 to 2.1. I went in today to suggest raising my mcg because I can't seem to lose weight lately- or if I do it's like 1 pound every 3-4 weeks. Since I have tightened up logging, weigh everything, etc, etc, logic would tell you that maybe I should try to up my meds to bring my TSH down a bit. But no, my nurse practitioner said that because I was at a therapeutic level (2.1 in May) that she would not up my dosage and that maybe I just didn't need to lose more weight. I really felt judged- like she thought I was being vain, etc. Yeah maybe I am at the high end of a healthy weight for me, but really, why does it matter if I want to lose 10-15 more pounds? Why does she ask me- well how much more weight do you want to lose? Why does that matter- the point is if I'm eating 1300-1400 calories per day (more if I exercise a lot that day), I should be able to drop at least a half a pound a week. I get that she doesn't want me going into hyperthyroid mode, but still- what I weigh is my business unless I am underweight and putting myself at risk. When I told her I thought I should weigh 125-130- she said "and you probably weighed that when you were 18." NO ma'am I weighed 117 when I was 18- I think 125 is a reasonable weight for a 48 year old small frame, 5'4" woman.

And those levels should be just a guide- and then tailored to the individual. Just venting- Grrrrrr. Anyone have any thoughts on how to just help my weight loss along? I was losing fine- 5 pounds a month at first and then of course the closer I get the slower it is, which is fine, but it's kind of getting ridiculous and frustrating

I think I may try to just take my meds before bed instead of first thing in the morning- anyone have better luck with this?

I know that this isn't exactly what you asked, but do you think there may be some value in focusing on body composition rather than weight? Recomping is not easy, but sometimes focusing on the scale number can ultimately be a disservice --- after all, aren't we all ultimately more concerned with body fat percentage than scale weight?

Now, I know the young lady in this article is much younger -- but it does show as a powerful example of the difference in body compositions at different weights. At her thinnest, she was 117, but she looks AMAZING at 131 and 142 (she put on some serious muscle) -- I believe she's also 5'4". It was reading this story that really drove home to me the benefits of weight lifting and focusing on body fat/composition rather than scale weight.

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

Very true. In fact I have redefined my legs after I started lifting and going on long bike rides. I need to figure out my body fat percentage because you're right- that's the main thing is to lower that. I do however want 125-130 to be my ultimate- not too focused on numbers but I know when I'm carrying extra fat, and even though I'm at a "healthy" weight for my height- that is again a very general number. It's all about individual differences. But yes I will try to not focus on the number.

I know it's hard. The scale is just so much easier because it's a definite, easy-to-read number. But it's also so frustrating because it can fluctuate so much -- just even from water weight retention and hormonal differences throughout the month.

That's why I liked that article in Nerd Fitness in particular because you got to see one girl with very different body compositions. I don't find it as helpful to talk about the differences among people because even though very true, it's hard to see how it applies to any one individual. But, when you see the differences in one person -- like you do with Stacey -- it's pretty powerful. The fact that she looks so awesome at 142 blew my mind, especially when you compare it to where she was at 117 (and even 131).

Like the OP I also live in Europe and there is a conspiracy of care which sets out to restrict all hypothyroid patients to t4 medication only in the EU. They make no distinction between those who are hypo without antibodies and those with Hashimoto's for whom many wider world medics agree t3 supplementation in some form straight or combination gives best relief. BTW Natural thyroid products are a definite NO. Very occasionally one may find someone who will go out on a limb and treat according to symptoms most often this person will be a private practitioner, not covered by a nations own health service. A Medic within the Health Services may compromise their licence to practice were they to follow their instincts. Most who did/do so were trained in the days of Natural Thyroid Treatment only, pre tsh etc.

This t4 only conspiracy is reinforced by restrictions on which tests are permitted. If hypo thyroid issues are most likely to be an issue, not borderline, then tsh, t4 are permitted. If you are very fortunate t3 and antibodies are tested but support is not always available. Private healthcare is not an option for many who have to contribute first to the healthcare supplied by their countries out of their taxation. Private = privilege.

I think most of us particularly with Hashi's would like to have had access to tests for, TSH, T4, FT4 FT3, reverse T3, adrenal stress, cortisol, DHEA, SigA, nutritional elements, Vit D, b12, Ferritin, anemia profile, then from the Immunological aspect the most up to date tests for "food allergies" measuring the cellular reactions to both Ige and non-Ige mediated reactions, and possible underlying inflammation from digestive imbalances and yeasts, as extras appropriate gender profile, including life stage relevance for females. Then to have access to someone who could point out how we can address our personal issues and our regain or maintain what good health we have. To incorporate all these tests the costs would be about, £2000 UK pounds per person at private prices. (a well funded hospital lab could provide better value) From a National perspective I see this as a reasonable up front cost to ensure every patient can go on to maintain an active, productive part in everyday society, improving the individuals sense of well-being-self-worth. Future costs of physical and mental disability will be radically reduced. European short shortsightedness. Penny wise Pound foolish. Oh! for the day when we can stop banging our heads against brick walls.

Needless to say I would also ban all metal dental fillings. The dental profession know the problems but some countries bind them to silence in the name of price. Silver, tin another metals form a large part of metal fillings, Mercury forms the greatest part at apx 50% of each filling and off gasses fumes when you breath, chew, drink, clench or grind your teeth. The more filling you have the worse the problem. You do not need to be allergic to experience problems. Strict protocols need to be in place to remove to replace the things too.

Why do doctors bother to see us? Because they have to! But many know they are bound by ridiculous constraints and hide behind endo's who grew up with the glories of tsh. Others who know better become stymied by those self same endo's.