Diet supplements and hypothyroidism

linux40
linux40 Posts: 127 Member
Hi all,
New to the group :)

I`m diagnosed with Hypothyroidsm (and Hashimotos) - and finding it really hard to lose weight.
It takes really long time to lose just a few pounds.
I used to be on levaxine (what you guys might call levothyroxine) - but it really didn`t do me any good. Too many side-effects and too easy to gain weight. Now I´ve changed my meds and am now using Armour Thyorid, and it`s so much better allready. Also, I know it will be easier to lose weight, as I´ve tried them before...(just switched to thyroxine, because where I live, Armour costs a fortune..but health really does come first, right..?)

Still, I`m wondering about trying some kind of metabolism-booster, apetitesuppressant or something that helps me stay away from to many carbs (and meals). I´ve read some reviews for Garcinia Cambognia and seen some good results, even on people with Hypothyrodism. Is it safe?
How about Leptigen -or something else to recommend?
Please let me know if some of you`ve had good experience with supplements.

Thank you! :)
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Replies

  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    Never heard of either of those supplements. I'm less hungry when I use MFP's default protein & fiber goals as minimums, and ignore fat & carbs. It'll take trial & error to find what works for you.

    I followed the advice in the Sexypants post: https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1
  • SkinnyKerinny
    SkinnyKerinny Posts: 147 Member
    @linux40 I have struggled with carbs for so many years. The only way I've been able to deal with that is to not eat very many to begin with. Once I started doing much lower carbs (50 or so a day) then all cravings stopped almost instantly.
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    I use good old fashioned caffeine to boost energy, or carbs, or sugar, but I had a thyroidectomy and no issues with energy now that I'm on Synthroid. I don't know of any effective supplement that has any measureable effects.

    Welcome aboard!
  • linux40
    linux40 Posts: 127 Member
    Thank you so much, all! Low energy is absolutely an issue, but the energy is way better on Armour than Thyroxine, so I wont complain really. Eating as few carbs as 50 a day....wow, I don`t think I`m able too...I`ll have to check into what you`re all saying, and find out what might work for me. I`m still eager to figure out if there`s any supplement that could work though. Caffeine is good for energy,though, I find that works on me too :)
    Thanks so much for your replies.
  • slieber
    slieber Posts: 765 Member
    I used garcinia for a while but it gave me really bad side effects.
  • toadqueen
    toadqueen Posts: 592 Member
    I am not familiar with either supplement mentioned. I supplement with a probiotic, potassium, magnesium, selenium, a multi, and 10K vitamin D. My energy is improved since I started taking action in early June when I changed my diet to low carb and even more when I switched to keto a couple of weeks ago. I have Hashi's too and am taking 25 mg Synthroid (generic) and 5 mcg Cytomel (generic). I just started the T3 so I do not know if it has had any effect.
  • linux40
    linux40 Posts: 127 Member
    slieber wrote: »
    I used garcinia for a while but it gave me really bad side effects.
    That`s what I´m afraid of...did you lose any weight at all....? It still isn`t worth it if the side effects are bad though...

  • linux40
    linux40 Posts: 127 Member
    toadqueen wrote: »
    I am not familiar with either supplement mentioned. I supplement with a probiotic, potassium, magnesium, selenium, a multi, and 10K vitamin D. My energy is improved since I started taking action in early June when I changed my diet to low carb and even more when I switched to keto a couple of weeks ago. I have Hashi's too and am taking 25 mg Synthroid (generic) and 5 mcg Cytomel (generic). I just started the T3 so I do not know if it has had any effect.

    I`m doing selenium, multi and D as well. Huge difference when starting up with selenium. Been thinking about probiotic, but never tried..yet. I know lots of Hypos have really good effect with low carb diets, but I just can`t do it. I "overdid" it once, for too long, so I´m kind of hesistant to put it mildly.


  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    Unless you are lactose intolerant yogurt is the best probiotic out there.

    The low carb thing is just the resurgence of a fad. Why it's so successful is that people who were undisciplined are now following a routine. Doesn't really matter what the routine is. The reason most of these fail in long term is that elimination diets are simply unsustainable and go against human nature. We are designed to eat.
  • toadqueen
    toadqueen Posts: 592 Member
    I am doing the low-carb/keto based on food sensitivities, DNA analysis, and what has proven to work for me. It is not for everyone.
  • slieber
    slieber Posts: 765 Member
    linux40 wrote: »
    slieber wrote: »
    I used garcinia for a while but it gave me really bad side effects.
    That`s what I´m afraid of...did you lose any weight at all....? It still isn`t worth it if the side effects are bad though...

    I didn't lose any weight and had serious headaches and heart palpitations. For someone who normally has lower blood pressure, this was not good!
  • linux40
    linux40 Posts: 127 Member
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    Unless you are lactose intolerant yogurt is the best probiotic out there.

    The low carb thing is just the resurgence of a fad. Why it's so successful is that people who were undisciplined are now following a routine. Doesn't really matter what the routine is. The reason most of these fail in long term is that elimination diets are simply unsustainable and go against human nature. We are designed to eat.

    Thanks for explaining. This makes sense to me! :)

  • linux40
    linux40 Posts: 127 Member
    slieber wrote: »
    linux40 wrote: »
    slieber wrote: »
    I used garcinia for a while but it gave me really bad side effects.
    That`s what I´m afraid of...did you lose any weight at all....? It still isn`t worth it if the side effects are bad though...

    I didn't lose any weight and had serious headaches and heart palpitations. For someone who normally has lower blood pressure, this was not good!

    Sounds scary.....Won`t even go there. Thanks for your warning.

  • Fuzzipeg
    Fuzzipeg Posts: 2,301 Member
    I have been giving carbs more consideration lately. One site I found dealing in generalisations considered many US, it was a US site, people eat more carbs in day than our ancestors would eat in a year, 10000 years ago before we started farming and tending animals. Food is more readily available for most of us in affluent society. Modern people are tending to store rather than use the excess.

    The end point was, many people might do better with a carb intake of about 125 grams per day, very loosely 2 thirds of mfp's suggestion for myself. Not low carb but possibly constrained carbs.
  • lindsey1979
    lindsey1979 Posts: 2,395 Member
    FWIW, my experience with a keto a while back had mixed results. It worked initially (even after the initial water weight drop), but I felt really run down within about 2 months. Almost like I was getting sick and my lifts totally stalled. Apparently, this is not an uncommon issue for those of us with thyroid issues as keto can impact T3 even more so than a normal prolonged caloric deficit. So, those of us who already had difficulty with thyroid issues can be even more susceptible to it. Like Fuzzipeg, I found a good number of carbs for me to be 100-130 per day. This was pretty easy to accomplish so long as I wasn't eating grains or processed grain products and usually only 1 starchy carb per day. The rest was from veggies, fruits and dairy.
  • Ginpugh36
    Ginpugh36 Posts: 5 Member
    Since you asked, I have started taking Truvision supplements. I take Trufix and TruEnergy Weightloss. I have been on them about a month now. I take it for the energy and I also take the Trufix which is supposed to help heal the body. If I get that added fix of healed body that is great. I gave up sodas last year and needed a little kick without all the side effects. The Truenergy has not give me jitters or headaches. It is supposed to help with sugar/salt cravings, so far i don't have the sugar cravings but salt is still there. I am making changes with my food choices by reading Trim Healthy Mama and incoorperating some of the eating styles. The book gave me answers/help with trying to eat better and still eat foods I like. I am in no way pushing that life style on you or anyone. I do not sell any products. I am a reader of all information. I try some things that sounds good and discard things that are far fetched. I think we have to make choices based on what we think not what someone else thinks. Some things work for some and not for others. I think it is all what you are motivated to try. I am sick of "diet plans" that push the wrong things at us. I enjoy eating food but like my shrimp allergy, i just can't eat everything I would like. So having said all that, lol, Good luck with all you try. If we do not try, we fail.

  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    My doctors told me take:
    multivitamin
    vitamin B12
    vitamin D
    calcium

    Now they're retesting my levels to see if the supplements are working, and said to start taking omega 3 fatty acids.
  • rose1617
    rose1617 Posts: 469 Member
    edited August 2015
    Starting tomorrow I'm taking Selenium, Vitamin E, Zinc, Copper, Vitamin D and Calcium Citrate. I'm hoping that the combo of these will reduce my dependency on Synthroid and Liothyronine (hoping to drop the Liothyronine altogether). I currently take Vitamin D and Vitamin C.
    As for carbs, I say do what works for you. I have dropped all grains numerous times and I feel amazing when I do that (and the weight literally falls off). The second I pick them back up all weight comes back on and I start to feel horrible. So, while I know that going grain-free or pretty close to it is probably what is best for me, I find it nearly impossible to do so because I've eaten them my whole life.
  • toadqueen
    toadqueen Posts: 592 Member
    @rose1617. How are you taking the zinc and copper? I was advised by a nutritionist to take them on separate days with the copper only once per week.
  • slieber
    slieber Posts: 765 Member
    I started taking a thyroid support supplement from 1Body about a week ago. It has a lot of the above mentioned herbs and minerals. I am finding myself feeling more alert now.

    A new report just came out (read it yesterday online) that said that the garcinia cambogia supplement had little to no effect on weight loss.

  • tabbyblack13
    tabbyblack13 Posts: 299 Member
    You can also try Myso-Inositol Powder. It is suppose to help with cellular health and metabolism. I've just started it so I can't say if it will help you but it has helped a friend of mine that has hypothyroid.
  • lindsey1979
    lindsey1979 Posts: 2,395 Member
    CSARdiver wrote: »

    The low carb thing is just the resurgence of a fad. Why it's so successful is that people who were undisciplined are now following a routine. Doesn't really matter what the routine is. The reason most of these fail in long term is that elimination diets are simply unsustainable and go against human nature. We are designed to eat.

    I'm not so sure about this. I do think that elimination diets are easier for some people. Moderation is not as easy for everyone. Some do better taking certain things out of their diet and replacing them with other alternatives. Not everyone can do portion control -- or they find that more difficult than elimination diets. Or they simply feel better on elimination diets because they realize they were having a low level reaction to certain foods (like some see with grains on a Paleo diet)

    I also think keto works especially well for those with insulin resistance issues. It can feel like the first time, they aren't always craving sweets or carbs. This is due in part to the high satiation with keto (i.e. protein and fats) and also because it does help improve insulin sensitivity (as does certain types of intermittent fasting). Since insulin resistance affects over 40% of the US population at either pre-diabetic or diabetic levels, it is a widespread problem -- one that many people don't realize they have.

    So, doing keto for these people can feel like a mini miracle. They're not starving all the time or being plagued with strong sweet/carb cravings. If you've never experience such insulin resistant cravings, they can be very intense.

    So, I think this is more than a fad. It's a very legitimate path which may be the best fit for certain people. It's not a good fit for me personally because of the way it affects my T3 levels, but it can be a GREAT fit for others.

  • linux40
    linux40 Posts: 127 Member
    slieber wrote: »
    I started taking a thyroid support supplement from 1Body about a week ago. It has a lot of the above mentioned herbs and minerals. I am finding myself feeling more alert now.


    This is interesting. I haven`t read in this thread for some days, but I ordered a supplement from 1Body myself some days ago. Just waiting to get it. Sound great that you`re more alert! I hope to be as well. Heard so many good reviews for these thyroid support supplements, as they`re packed with the vitamins/minerals we need.

  • linux40
    linux40 Posts: 127 Member
    @lindsey1979: I asked my doc what he concidered to be the best diet for us with hypothyroidsm. He said keto, without doubt. I can`t do it though. I can`t do the LCHF either. Too much fuzz for me. But cutting grains is something I can do, and that has worked before. I might give it a go again.
  • lindsey1979
    lindsey1979 Posts: 2,395 Member
    linux40 wrote: »
    @lindsey1979: I asked my doc what he concidered to be the best diet for us with hypothyroidsm. He said keto, without doubt. I can`t do it though. I can`t do the LCHF either. Too much fuzz for me. But cutting grains is something I can do, and that has worked before. I might give it a go again.

    It's interesting that he thought keto was the best diet without a doubt. Looking into the research and talking to my doc, he didn't give quite that strong of an endorsement. He said, it could be the best for certain thyroid folks, but some thyroid folks responded really negatively to it because it impacted their T3 so significantly (which it's known to do anyway, but just harder for those of with that issue to begin with). So, he told me, go ahead, give it a try but if you feel really run down within a few weeks/months, you're one of the ones that has the T3-impact (which I was). I followed the classic pattern of feeling great on it once adjusting (the whole "carb flu" thing was only for 3-5 days for me) and then about week 6 or so, it hit me like a wall. Back to feeling super fatigued, like I was fighting a cold and my body just wasn't recovering from my workouts. Unlike with a lot of other diets where you can cycle on an off with breaks or refeeds, doing so with keto isn't so easy. So, no keto for me.

    He told me that a lot of his Hashi's patients that went untreated for a long time often have some level of insulin resistance so it's something he tests for right out of the box if they have any of the basic symptoms (difficulty with losing/maintaining weight, carb/sweet cravings, crash after high carb meals, etc.). He suspects it's one of the ways the body compensates when the thyroid stops working properly and you're untreated -- that and the adrenals can often be deficient.

    He generally suggests a diet that is similar to Paleo -- not as strict as Paleo or gets into the various hype issues, but strong in fruits and veggies, no/reduced processed foods, eliminates gluten grain products (initially all grain products, but then can slowly add back in non-gluten sources if you like and have no reaction to them such as rice, oats, etc.), starts the same elimination issue with dairy and then add back in if you like and tolerate it well, etc. If you really love gluten stuff like bread, he'll suggest that you eliminate them for 6 months and then slowly add back in if you must so you can really tell if your body is having any sort of reaction to it --- and he said the vast majority of the people at that point aren't even interested in doing it (or things are just finally going well that they want to risk it).

  • sarahbe89
    sarahbe89 Posts: 18 Member
    @linux40 I have struggled with carbs for so many years. The only way I've been able to deal with that is to not eat very many to begin with. Once I started doing much lower carbs (50 or so a day) then all cravings stopped almost instantly.

    I have found the exact same thing! I keep my carb intake to about 50g a day (and no gluten) and my cravings are pretty much non existent. Not I just crave protein all the time. Which is a good thing I think.
  • allergictodiets
    allergictodiets Posts: 233 Member
    I take about 2000IU vit D, selenium 100mcg, vit B complex with zinc and 100% RDA of iron daily. When not on holidays I have a one espresso a day caffeine habit. I think supplementing with iron makes the biggest difference for me.
    As to my diet I am slowly moving towards eating more protein and clean fats in my diet. However going below 40-45% carbohydrates for several days in a row makes me feel tired ( as in not having enough energy for exercising ) with no effect whatsoever on my hunger / sugar cravings. I think there is no one diet that works for everyone.
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    I think there is no one diet that works for everyone.

    ^This. My endocrinologist just told me "eat less." And it took a whole lot of trial & error to find what worked for me.
  • chunt87
    chunt87 Posts: 161 Member
    editorgrrl wrote: »
    I think there is no one diet that works for everyone.

    ^This. My endocrinologist just told me "eat less." And it took a whole lot of trial & error to find what worked for me.

    I third that, I have been trying to figure this whole thing out for the past 2 years since I got it. I had a doctor give me a wiki page for hypothyroidism, and another on weight loss, I found out how to get away from him. I saw a nutritionist for about 6 months and that really helped enforce these two mantras that I now firmly believe (sugar is the devil, and can you pick up some barley or wheat and just eat it, no, then maybe you shouldnt eat that).

    Different strokes for different folks. I don't think about carbs anymore (that sounds weird) its been about a week and my weight went down and I don't feel any different than before but, my weight went down and I have been taking some supplements like d3,c,b6-12, iodine, adrenal, and multivitamins. My husband has bread. I dont, and I refuse to cook pasta because for some reason those calories stick to me like glue. a gloopy gluteny tasty al dente glue that just cant be with me anymore
  • umayster
    umayster Posts: 651 Member
    linux40 wrote: »
    Hi all,
    New to the group :)

    I`m diagnosed with Hypothyroidsm (and Hashimotos) - and finding it really hard to lose weight.
    It takes really long time to lose just a few pounds.
    I used to be on levaxine (what you guys might call levothyroxine) - but it really didn`t do me any good. Too many side-effects and too easy to gain weight. Now I´ve changed my meds and am now using Armour Thyorid, and it`s so much better allready. Also, I know it will be easier to lose weight, as I´ve tried them before...(just switched to thyroxine, because where I live, Armour costs a fortune..but health really does come first, right..?)

    Still, I`m wondering about trying some kind of metabolism-booster, apetitesuppressant or something that helps me stay away from to many carbs (and meals). I´ve read some reviews for Garcinia Cambognia and seen some good results, even on people with Hypothyrodism. Is it safe?
    How about Leptigen -or something else to recommend?
    Please let me know if some of you`ve had good experience with supplements.

    Thank you! :)

    Hypo, Hemi-Thyroidectomy, was on Levo, now Armour. I haven't used either of those, but do supplement selenium, magnesium and Vit D - as those are frequently low.

    I use Examine.com to look up supplements as they have studies and grades for the evidence on supplements. It is a great resource. They also have a 'condition based' list of appropriate supplements, but it costs $$ and I'm not doing that yet.

    Doing very low carb diet helped get my food quantities under control and I feel much better over the day - no eat/crash cycle.