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No Thyroid

dmartins2002
dmartins2002 Posts: 21 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi everyone, I have been on MyFitnessPal for at least 6 months now. Before my surgery (June 25) I had lost 11lbs. Since surgery I have gained it all back :'( . Ive also noticed its twice as hard. Right now i don't have energy to work out but have been watching my food intake. I have stuck to the 1200 calories a day and sometime i do go a bit over. Does anyone have any advice?

Replies

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited October 2015
    This content has been removed.
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    This is something you need to discuss with your endocrinologist.
    Maybe your meds are not done being adjusted yet?
  • TheopolisAmbroiseIII
    TheopolisAmbroiseIII Posts: 197 Member
    Have you gotten your thyroid replacement medication stabilized? I have a nonfunctional thyroid, and I felt like that myself, but once I got synthroid at the right dosage (250ug in the end, I'm a big guy) I felt what I assume normal people feel like.

    If your bloodwork shows you at normal hormone (TSH/T4) levels but you still feel junky, tell your Dr and/or ask for a referall to an endocrinologist. Have them check your T3. Some people don't respond well to Synthroid and require a different product that tackles the T3 loss as well. Something like Armour or other options.

    You shouldn't feel bad without a thyroid if your meds are working. Ensure you take them at the same time every day. Food and caffiene in your system before or shortly after taking your meds will reduce their efficacy.
  • dmartins2002
    dmartins2002 Posts: 21 Member
    I've had a Total Thyroidectomy due to cancer. I am on Synthroid. Two months ago my Endocrinologist lowered it it from .125 to .112, and gosh I'm feeling it.
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    Then maybe it is time to go back and have tests done again? Unfortunately it takes time to get on the right dosage. Good luck.
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    It takes time to get the Synthroid in a place where getting up off the couch isn't a huge deal. Everyone is different, so it varies from person to person. Even the same person is going to have to adjust and readjust the meds. Just keep your appointments and take your pills.

    Are you waiting the hour after you swallow it before eating? Are you waiting the four hours before taking anything that might interfere with it?

    I've met so many people who complain about energy, then I find out that they would swallow the pill and then have breakfast. Or take it with iron. Or do whatever they were doing that interfered with the med. That's why I ask. Many people don't remember the instructions.

    FWIW, some people can lose weight without a thyroid. I've lost 96 pounds and every single one was after the surgery. When you get your med straightened out, you may, too!

    Talk to the endo. Tell him what's going on, how you lack energy. He may be able to help! :)
  • dmartins2002
    dmartins2002 Posts: 21 Member
    I eat approximately an hour later after taking my synthroid which i checked is ok as long as its 30 minutes. I don't want to wait to see the doctor to start losing weight. I won't see him until December!!
  • TheGaudyMagpie
    TheGaudyMagpie Posts: 282 Member
    112 seems low for someone without a thyroid at all. I'm on 137 and I arguably have some function left as I had radioactive iodine ablation rather than a complete thyroidectomy. While you can theoretically lose weight if your thyroid levels are too low, the calorie threshold may be too low to provide complete nutrition. If you're gaining at 1200 calories and you track carefully, and you're low in energy, I suspect your levels are too low. The addition of T3 might also help, especially if the ablation was recent (I used to need T3 but my conversion ability seems to have improved over time to the point where I no longer need it added). You may need to be prepared to change doctors. My medical provider seems to believe that everyone is overtreated and does not believe in T3, so I have had to fight for everything and have had to change doctors to get appropriate treatment.

    If you're not supplementing with vitamin D, you might also try that. For some reason thyroid patients seem to have problems maintaining some vitamin and mineral levels and that will definitely make you tired.
  • lthur714
    lthur714 Posts: 105 Member
    edited October 2015
    I've had two separate thyroid operations for nodules (non cancerous). I have been on MVP for almost 3 months and have lost 17 pounds. Too slow for me, but even though my medication is at a good level for me, I find that my metabolism is slower. Could be also because I am older now (67) and that has to be factored in, too. Still...losing a pound a week isn't bad. I'm on the 1200, too. I'm on 125 mg of levothyroxine and my doctor says it is on the high side of normal. He said as long as I wasn't having heart palpitations, he would leave it alone since every ounce of thyroid med helps with metabolism and he knew I was dieting. I don't have any problem getting my nutrients in especially if I lay very low on any junk food. As for vitamin D, 90% of the US population is deficient (unless you spend a lot of time outdoors). I take 2,000 daily now (higher initially). Any low-level depression caused by having NO vitamin D in my body has been gone a long time. Hope some of this helps. Also, for me, any disruption in my routine (going away for the weekend, not feeling wel, etc.) seems to disrupt my losing pattern and it takes a couple of weeks to get back on track, but it does come back.
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