Hypothyroidism and calculating Basal Metabolic Rate

Wow, you nearly described my exact situation. I am similar height and weight as you and have the same condition. I am pretty active and eat healthy. I have tried talking to my doctor about it but he also says my lab results are fine. I also have a goal weight of 144, that is so ironic. My friend who is a PA has suggested I try Armour thyroid, but when I asked my doctor, he was not willing to prescribe it. It is a natural form of thyroid that derives from swine. I am considering asking my doctor again or changing doctors. I also read a book from the library about managing thyroid disorders and they suggested Armour thyroid. They also talk about things to avoid consuming that can prevent the absorbtion of thyroid medication. I read wait 4 hours after taking your thyroid medication before you consume any calcium, soy, antacids, and even walnuts. I hope some of this helps.

Before I would recalculate your BMR, I would have your thyroid labs taken and reevaluate your medication. If you are taking a synthetic medication(such as synthroid), I would consider changing to a natural form of thyroid(armour thyroid). Check out www.stopthethyroidmadness.com. Some studies, and people's testimonies about changing medication, have shown that armour thyroid, naturesthyroid, and I think there are a few more names, to improve people's thyroid symptoms. Some of the synthetic thyroid medicines actually don't treat all of the aspects of the thyroid. I think there are four different things that a thyroid panel checks for and synthetic meds only treat a couple of them.

If you are taking a synthetic medication(such as synthroid), I would consider changing to a natural form of thyroid(armour thyroid). Some of the synthetic thyroid medicines actually don't treat all of the aspects of the thyroid. I think there are four different things that a thyroid panel checks for and synthetic meds only treat a couple of them.

Getting a doctor to prescribe Armour is next to impossible! I have been on Levothyroxine for 4 yrs now. I have been at 100 mcg for about 3 of those 4 years. I just got my levels checked and my medicine stayed the same. In my opinion, GP's really don't know that much about thyroid disease. Sometimes I think I walk into the office knowing more than they do. I was never told what foods to avoid, I was never told that my little pill interferes with calcium absorption in my body, I learned all that through researching on my own. And you are so right when you stated that the meds don't treat all aspects of this disease. You have T3, T4, T7, etc.....but what good is a medicine if it treats one thing when it needs to treat more than that? It's confusing and frustrating to say the least.

I am just now starting to feel like a "normal" person again. The first years were hellish to be honest. I couldn't function properly. I had anxiety attacks, I was dizzy, I'd forget things, & I had a hard time remembering things. I would tell my husband that my body had turned into some freak show! :explode: I still have a hard time remembering things, but I am feeling a lot better than I was.

<<. I read wait 4 hours after taking your thyroid medication before you consume any calcium, soy, antacids, and even walnuts.>> Very true. And after you take your pill...don't forget to wait an hour before you eat.

Before I would recalculate your BMR, I would have your thyroid labs taken and reevaluate your medication. If you are taking a synthetic medication(such as synthroid), I would consider changing to a natural form of thyroid(armour thyroid). Check out www.stopthethyroidmadness.com. Some studies, and people's testimonies about changing medication, have shown that armour thyroid, naturesthyroid, and I think there are a few more names, to improve people's thyroid symptoms. Some of the synthetic thyroid medicines actually don't treat all of the aspects of the thyroid. I think there are four different things that a thyroid panel checks for and synthetic meds only treat a couple of them.

Have added this site to my favourites for later but looks really interesting!!

Hi folks! I have had Hashimoto's Thyroiditis since I was a teen. I am now 29. I work out twice daily/six days per week, doing strenuous exercises like running 5-7 miles, ashtanga yoga, pilates, and aerial dance. I have followed the calorie counting on this program (and others), eat a nearly perfect diet (I have studied nutrition and what to eat/avoid) and also eat in a balanced way to stay out of starvation mode. But STILL...I can hardly lose weight. My thyroid levels are all perfect as well on the lab report. I take levothroid and cytomel.

So...my question is...does anyone know, on average, how many calories a day a woman with hypothyroidism should consume? How do I calculate my real BMR considering the thyroids effect of slowing my metabolism more than the average human? I can't find any exact calculators online for this one, and hear a variety of amounts of calories to subtract. Clearly the one on myfitnesspal isn't telling me the truth! I am 5'9 and about 160. I am wanting to progress in my performance arts and am incredibly tired of seeing the "if you continue at this rate you'll weigh 144 lbs in 5 weeks!" since I've actually been eating like this for over six months and have barely lost anything. I must need even less than 1200 calories per day.

Any info or advice you have would be appreciated!

I'm confused...I've never heard of thyroid meds lowering your metabolism. My understanding was that your metabolism slows from untreated hypo. If your levels are right, your metabolism should be similar to someone without hypo.

Thanks folks! I appreciate all your comments and suggestions. I actually tried Armour back when I was 18 and it did not sit well with my body. I developed rashes etc. and was quickly moved back to something synthetic. I have had my labs tested multiple times recently and on paper they appear normal. These have been fasting values. I think what I am alluding to - and I know this affects other folks too - is that it is common for hypothyroid folks to present symptoms even when the values appear normal. So, I am not sure if I should calculate a BMR based on "normal" since my values are "normal" or if I should calculate it based on someone who has a slower metabolism.

I do eat enough to recover what is lost from exercise, but not much more - it is a good point, perhaps I need to be eating even more. I am just honestly not hungry for more than I currently am eating, and would be interested in knowing how other folks who have no appetite manage to eat more healthful calories.

I DO really appreciate the suggestion of waiting 4 hours. I realize that recently I've been taking my meds in the morning with a little bit of a smoothie (whey protein/raw food meal replacement), which has a good amount of calcium in it. Maybe they were competing for absorption. I'll give the water/empty stomach thing a whirl and will wait 4 hours before eating the smoothie...and will let you know how it goes. Thanks again!

I have hypothyrodism as well, not from Hashimoto's though. You should definitely take your synthroid first thing in the morning, on an empty stomch. My doctor advised that I wait about an hour or so after I take my medication before I eat anything or take a multivitamin and to drink plenty of water. I usually take mine right after I get up, before I even get in the shower or anything so that by the time I get to work, it's been about 1.5 - 2 hours since taking my synthroid. Hope this helps!

. I have had my labs tested multiple times recently and on paper they appear normal.

Normal as determined by lab range? Do you have any other persistent hypo symptoms besides difficulty losing weight? The values for normal TSH levels have changed since 2002 but many labs still go my old value and docs who don't know any better just look for the bold abnormals. New normal TSH is .3-3.0, old .5-5.0. Many with Hashimoto's don't feel really good until they hit TSH of around 1. Having your TSH of 2-3 can definitely contribute to trouble with metabolism and weight loss.

I am glad that you have eliminated soy from your diet, you should also consider tofu as well. I had my thyroid removed (Thyroid cancer in my 20s), I am now in my 50, have lost 14 pounds since February, it is very hard to lose weight. I use to eat soy and tofu, have eliminated them after a bad experience and researching. I never eat anything that contains soy, and read all food labels before buying anything, and very particular about what type of fish I eat - do not eat any freshwater fish -Tilapia and the likes.

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I would also reccomend evaluating "normal" levels. The "normal" range might not be an indicator of nromal for you. I went years without undiagnosed Hypo becuase I was in the "normal" range. Little did I know that I had thyroid nodules that turned into thyroid cancer. Had I been on treatment the medication would of supressed the growth of these tumors. Look at all the levels together and not just the T3. I was around a 3 but should of been closer to a 1 or right under. I am now at a supressed dosage due to the cancer.

I no longer have my thyroid and rely soly of medicaion for these hormones. This is another challege in itself in loosing weight. What works for many on paper does not work for me when it comes to weight loss.

It's also a good idea to have your calcium and vitamin D levels checked as well.

I'm on cytomel and levo, my TSH is 2.8, and I have not had any trouble losing weight. Well, I mean, not if I actually stay under calorie goal. So I have to say, you might just be overestimating activity or underestimating the calories of all that healthful food you eat.

You may consider getting your RMR tested. It is really easy. It's a breathing test in a machine and gives you YOUR RMR. I just got tested and was shocked at how low mine was (I have PCOS). I went to a doctor's office that specializes in weightloss for this but have heard some gyms do this test for a reasonable price. My RMR was 1250, and he put me on a 1150 calorie diet. I was really down about it, but now realize it is what it is, and I just cannot eat as many calories as "normal" women my size. I am 5'4 and 150 lbs. I have lost 9 lbs averaging 1 lb per week. I hope it goes well for you!

The advantage of taking levo at night is that morning coffee also does not interfere with absorption...

I am not sure if anyone will even read this but here goes my question.

I do not have my thyroid gland and I take synthroid every day. I workout for about an hour every day doing t25 and hip hop abs. I recently had my basal metabolic rate checked and it was at 1290. I thought that was kind of low but now looking through these posts I see it's kind of normal. I am confused when it comes to eating calories and what I should do what the calories that I burn during exercise. My question was do I eat 1290 everyday minus the calories I burn (leaving me with a net caloric intake less than 1100) or do I eat 1290 everyday plus the calories I burned exercising, bringing me back down to 1290 net at the end of the day? All these numbers are confusing to me.

I have successfully lost 60 pounds but would like to lose another 25. I am frustrated and I've now plateaued.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.