Hypothyroidism Experience Needed and Motivation

MsDaniG
MsDaniG Posts: 17 Member
in Motivation and Support
Hello Everyone-
I was recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism and it put alot into perspective for me. I never thought twice about why my hair was falling out. It became evident no matter how much I tried the scale wouldnt budge or why I would be gaining when doing the same as others in my house and they would be losing. I constantly felt drained of energy, so when I found out what was causing it, I was relieved to finally get medicated for it. My levels are still not where they need to be and the doctor has been adjusting my meds, but I was wondering if anyone else has had any experience with this and can shed some light. Ive been really trying to jump into gear and take control back over my life.

Replies

  • neohdiver
    neohdiver Posts: 738 Member
    Diagnosed 2+ months ago with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (an autoimmune disorder that is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the US.) I'm down 22+ lbs since diagnosis.

    Do ask your doctor to check for vitamin D deficiency and diabetes. The three are often linked and (since I simultaneously got a diabetes diagnosis), my exhaustion seems to be more closely linked to blood glucose levels than to thyroid functioning. (I'm controlling blood glucose by eating a very low carb diet, < 50 net carbs a day.)

    I hope, by tweaking your meds, you mean that your doctor is testing all of the thyroid hormone levels, including reverse T3, lowering your T4 supplement and adding T3 if your reverse T3 is outside of the normal range. Our bodies turn T4 into T3 - which is the reason for only supplementing with T4 initially. But with Hashimoto's (at least), that pathway may be impaired and instead of making T3, it makes reverse T3 (which has the opposite impact on well being of T3). Many doctors only ever supplement with T4, and only test overall thyroid functions, which misses the imbalances created by supplementing only with T4 when our bodies don't properly make T3.
  • MsDaniG
    MsDaniG Posts: 17 Member
    neohdiver wrote: »
    Diagnosed 2+ months ago with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (an autoimmune disorder that is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the US.) I'm down 22+ lbs since diagnosis.

    Do ask your doctor to check for vitamin D deficiency and diabetes. The three are often linked and (since I simultaneously got a diabetes diagnosis), my exhaustion seems to be more closely linked to blood glucose levels than to thyroid functioning. (I'm controlling blood glucose by eating a very low carb diet, < 50 net carbs a day.)

    I hope, by tweaking your meds, you mean that your doctor is testing all of the thyroid hormone levels, including reverse T3, lowering your T4 supplement and adding T3 if your reverse T3 is outside of the normal range. Our bodies turn T4 into T3 - which is the reason for only supplementing with T4 initially. But with Hashimoto's (at least), that pathway may be impaired and instead of making T3, it makes reverse T3 (which has the opposite impact on well being of T3). Many doctors only ever supplement with T4, and only test overall thyroid functions, which misses the imbalances created by supplementing only with T4 when our bodies don't properly make T3.

    When my labs did come back it was also determined that I have a vitamin D deficiency so I have also been taking a supplement for it. I dont believe she tested me for diabetes but I will be sure to mention it to her when I go back for more labs in 6 weeks. Thank you for your input it was very informative. I may look into a low carb diet as well. Is there a particular diet that you have been following or have you just been trying to stay under the 50 net carbs threshold?
  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
    edited December 2015
    14+ years with hypothyroidism. Once your levels are back you will feel more "normal". I also struggle with vitamin D deficiency and am borderline prediabetic. I found that exercise helps with both staying out out of the diabetic range and weight loss. Yes you can do this and not let the disease take over your life.
  • neohdiver
    neohdiver Posts: 738 Member
    MsDaniG wrote: »
    neohdiver wrote: »
    Diagnosed 2+ months ago with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (an autoimmune disorder that is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the US.) I'm down 22+ lbs since diagnosis.

    Do ask your doctor to check for vitamin D deficiency and diabetes. The three are often linked and (since I simultaneously got a diabetes diagnosis), my exhaustion seems to be more closely linked to blood glucose levels than to thyroid functioning. (I'm controlling blood glucose by eating a very low carb diet, < 50 net carbs a day.)

    I hope, by tweaking your meds, you mean that your doctor is testing all of the thyroid hormone levels, including reverse T3, lowering your T4 supplement and adding T3 if your reverse T3 is outside of the normal range. Our bodies turn T4 into T3 - which is the reason for only supplementing with T4 initially. But with Hashimoto's (at least), that pathway may be impaired and instead of making T3, it makes reverse T3 (which has the opposite impact on well being of T3). Many doctors only ever supplement with T4, and only test overall thyroid functions, which misses the imbalances created by supplementing only with T4 when our bodies don't properly make T3.

    When my labs did come back it was also determined that I have a vitamin D deficiency so I have also been taking a supplement for it. I dont believe she tested me for diabetes but I will be sure to mention it to her when I go back for more labs in 6 weeks. Thank you for your input it was very informative. I may look into a low carb diet as well. Is there a particular diet that you have been following or have you just been trying to stay under the 50 net carbs threshold?

    I'm not following a specific diet - just targeting 50 net, no more than 21 in any one meal (and 21 is a big stretch for some meals). I also keep my protein at around 60 grams (the amount needed to maintain my lean body mass). That means the rest of it is made up in healthy fats (no trans fats, no chemically extracted plant fats, lots of nut & milk fats -preferably grass fed).

    I may (or may not) be in nutritional ketosis (an emerging dietary treatment for diabetes) - I am not specifically following a ketogenic diet (typically 20 or fewer carbs a day + testing to make sure you are producing ketones). My goal is to keep my blood glucose below 140. (Most doctors and diabetes educators tell their patients to aim for below 180 two hours after meals - nowhere near the normal range, and a level at which you can do serious organ damage). I choose foods I expect to be able to eat (based on their net carbs), and then I test them to see what impact they have on me. (I test blood glucose before eating, 1 hour after, 2 hours after, and (if test 2 is higher than test 1) at 3 hours. If the test is high, I either eliminate the food from my diet, or eat it in smaller portions.

    You can get a very cheap blood glucose meter (TrueResults runs around $5, including shipping, online). The strips are the expensive part - but the TrueResults ones aren't too bad.

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