On thyroid meds....struggling to lose the extra pounds :(

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just4me67
just4me67 Posts: 6 Member
in Getting Started
Looking for some support from others who are on synthetic thyroid medications and maybe some suggestions to help burn the pounds. I had thyroid surgery in 2002 and before that I never had to diet. I've tried weight watchers, which worked but I didn't maintain. I'm going to beef up my exercise routine and hope that helps. Feeling rather frustrated as I just don't seem to be able to keep it off for the long term even though I exercise regularly. I need some new tips please!

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  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
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    If you're on the proper medication and were successfully able to lose the weight before, then it's probably time to stop saying it's your thyroid. You need to keep eating the appropriate amount for the weight you want to maintain.
  • daremightythings
    daremightythings Posts: 247 Member
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    When was the last time you had bloodwork done to check your thyroid hormone levels? If you're having problems with weight loss, and especially if other symptoms are creeping back in, you might need your dosage adjusted.

    Other than that, follow the protocol for taking your medication correctly and consistently, eat a macro balanced diet, and work out. I personally have more success when I'm eating fewer carbs and more fat and protein relative to my calorie goals, and I would say that that's typical in the hypothyroid community. It takes experimentation and effort, but if you're correctly regulated through medication, your body will run like everyone else's.
  • Razzyirt
    Razzyirt Posts: 20 Member
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    I know your pain. Thyroid problems do make things hard (and a lot harder than people realize).

    I was hyperthyroid several years ago. Weight literally melted off. Went on medication and the weight came back (plus a few pounds). No changes in eating habits - I never had to think about my weight prior to this. I was able to be active and had been the same weight for about 10 years.

    I went through this cycle a number of times over 2 years. Losing like 50 lbs in a month. Gaining 60 lbs in a month. It was ridiculous. I finally had 3 different wardrobes - skinny me, normal me and fat me!

    Then I had radiation treatment which completely wiped out my thyroid.

    That was over two years ago, I've been on synthroid, and they STILL can't get my numbers under control. I've had everything from a TSH of 107 to being so low the lab can't actually read it (normal is like 1-7 or something, depending on the lab).

    I've finally had a small amount of stability in the past 6 months of my levels (yay!) And I've started losing a bit of weight.

    And yes...I've seen all the specialists. The endocrinologist told me that I should be happy, as people, on average, gain 75 lbs after the thyroid radiation...and I leveled out after only gaining 45 lbs!

    Like I wanted those 45 lbs in the first place! Ugh! Some doctors...

    Anyway, just know that you CAN do this! Thyroid issues do make things harder...but it is possible. After all of this, I was 175 lbs. This morning, I stepped on the scale and was 159 lbs. I've never been so happy, as the hard work is finally beginning to pay off!!!!

    Feel free to add me as a friend if you want. We can commiserate about stupid little glands :smiley:
  • just4me67
    just4me67 Posts: 6 Member
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    My blood work shows I'm still outside the normal range but my doctor doesn't want to increase my dose again as she says I'm already at a high dose. My husband and sons are all type 1 diabetics so I stick to eating the same diet as they do, but I think I'll try adjusting my carb/fat/protein ratios and see if that helps. Thanks!
  • blankiefinder
    blankiefinder Posts: 3,599 Member
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    I am hypothyroid myself, and can say from personal experience, if your thyroid levels are stable and in the optimal zone from your meds, you can lose weight just like others. Use a food scale, weigh and log accurately. Read my post here for a better how to. http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10257474/starting-out-restarting-basics-inside#latest

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  • blankiefinder
    blankiefinder Posts: 3,599 Member
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    just4me67 wrote: »
    My blood work shows I'm still outside the normal range but my doctor doesn't want to increase my dose again as she says I'm already at a high dose. My husband and sons are all type 1 diabetics so I stick to eating the same diet as they do, but I think I'll try adjusting my carb/fat/protein ratios and see if that helps. Thanks!

    Is this a general practitioner? If so, I would suggest asking for a referral to an endocrinologist.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 32,872 Member
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    blankiefinder wrote: »
    I am hypothyroid myself, and can say from personal experience, if your thyroid levels are stable and in the optimal zone from your meds, you can lose weight just like others. Use a food scale, weigh and log accurately. Read my post here for a better how to. http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10257474/starting-out-restarting-basics-inside#latest

    xfiam9q22smb.png

    +1. That's what I've found, too. I'm hypothyroid (well controlled with meds), plus old (60) and (of course) menopausal - all of which are commonly held to make weight loss more difficult - and have been able to lose at a normal rate by weighing food, logging accurately, and meeting my calorie targets (reasonably) consistently.
  • xLyric
    xLyric Posts: 840 Member
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    It's been over 10 years it sounds like, so you probably already know this, but some thyroid medicines need to be taken with several "rules" adhered to. I take levo, and I have to make sure I'm taking it at the same time every morning, empty stomach, don't eat for an hour, don't eat certain things (like soy) for a certain amount of time, etc etc. Read the literature that comes with the medicine carefully and make sure you're following the suggestions. If your dosage is correct and you're taking it correctly, your weight issues shouldn't be caused by your thyroid.
  • blankiefinder
    blankiefinder Posts: 3,599 Member
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    xLyric wrote: »
    It's been over 10 years it sounds like, so you probably already know this, but some thyroid medicines need to be taken with several "rules" adhered to. I take levo, and I have to make sure I'm taking it at the same time every morning, empty stomach, don't eat for an hour, don't eat certain things (like soy) for a certain amount of time, etc etc. Read the literature that comes with the medicine carefully and make sure you're following the suggestions. If your dosage is correct and you're taking it correctly, your weight issues shouldn't be caused by your thyroid.

    Excellent points, and all accurate.
  • just4me67
    just4me67 Posts: 6 Member
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    Thanks for all the tips folks! I'm on Synthroid, 115mcg daily, taken in the morning on an empty stomach. I'll double check what foods I should avoid as well.
  • kmash32
    kmash32 Posts: 275 Member
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    just4me67 wrote: »
    Thanks for all the tips folks! I'm on Synthroid, 115mcg daily, taken in the morning on an empty stomach. I'll double check what foods I should avoid as well.

    I am not sure why your doctor thinks your dosage us high. I had thyroid cancer a little over 10 yrs ago and so don't have one. I was on 125mcg daily until last year when it went out of whack and the Endocrinologist bumped it to 150mcg. She never mentioned that dosage was high. I would agree with whoever said it before if you aren't seeing one already I recommend seeing an Endo.
  • PokeyBug
    PokeyBug Posts: 482 Member
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    I'm hypo, too, and here's what worked for me: I got off the Synthroid and started taking dessicated thyroid. My endocrinologist didn't want to put me on dessicated thyroid for some reason, even though I made it clear to him that the Synthroid/T3 meds weren't working for me. So, I found an Integrative Medical Center, where they were more open to the idea that one size doesn't fit all. They had me try a couple of meds, and we eventually found that Thyroid-S works best for me. Once we figured out that I need 1-1/2 grains a day, it's been a lovely year and a half of being on the right meds.

    After my medical center figured out my thyroid meds and dosage, losing weight became as easy for me as for a normal person. Meaning it was just really hard, instead of pretty impossible. Thanks to my MIL, who is a nurse, my thyroid condition was diagnosed fairly soon after I started displaying symptoms. And she encouraged me to change doctors when the first doctor wasn't working with me. This site helped me enormously, and it still helps me maintain. I only gained about 40 pounds, and, honestly, it wasn't that hard to lose once I got my medication sorted out.
  • daremightythings
    daremightythings Posts: 247 Member
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    just4me67 wrote: »
    Thanks for all the tips folks! I'm on Synthroid, 115mcg daily, taken in the morning on an empty stomach. I'll double check what foods I should avoid as well.

    lol 115 isn't anywhere near high. i'm on 175 and was on 200 for a time last year. you need to see a specialist.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 32,872 Member
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    I'm on 175mcg of levothyroxine, also. If you're new to the current dosage, I can understand your doc not wanting to increase until you've been on it for (I dunno) maybe 6-12 weeks. But if you've been on it for a while, still don't feel decent, and aren't in the normal TSH range besides, I'd definitely endorse the "2nd opinion" idea.
  • just4me67
    just4me67 Posts: 6 Member
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    Wow. Well I think I need to see a specialist! I have been on the same dose for about 2 years now without an increase. I am going to get a second opinion. I hate feeling tired all the time and my skin is still just so horribly dry! :( I just trusted what my GP told me about my dose and figured I couldn't increase it. So frustrating
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,179 Member
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    just4me67 wrote: »
    Thanks for all the tips folks! I'm on Synthroid, 115mcg daily, taken in the morning on an empty stomach. I'll double check what foods I should avoid as well.

    It sounds very low for someone without a thyroid. I am on 137 and my thyroid is still there and functional. Your TSH and T4 should be well int he normal range, or you are not on the right dosage.
    Talk to an endocrinologist. Do not trust a GP for this.
  • just4me67
    just4me67 Posts: 6 Member
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    It sounds very low for someone without a thyroid. I am on 137 and my thyroid is still there and functional. Your TSH and T4 should be well int he normal range, or you are not on the right dosage.
    Talk to an endocrinologist. Do not trust a GP for this.[/quote]

    Yep, I think it's time I put the pressure on my GP to refer me to a specialist.

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