Hypothyroidism and Weight Loss
100poundsx
Posts: 87 Member
Hi guys and gals. I, like many others, have hypothyroidism and struggle with my weight. Those with a thyroid condition, other than sticking to your meds. what do you do to make weight loss easier?
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Working out helped me. I was a chronic dieter, and until I started working out, I was stuck. Make sure you drink plenty of water too. I ended up being taken off of my thyroid meds altogether. Best of luck to you.4
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It's a constant battle but I am successfully (slowly) losing weight by eating healthy and working out. I was steadily gaining weight until I started working out six days a week. 1hr to 1.5hours. A mix of STRENGTH, which I think is the most important, hiit, cardio and yoga. I try to eat gluten free as much as possible and plant based. Thyroid meds did nothing for me so I have been off for a year and a half now.0
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Thank you! I am hitting the gym hard 4-5 days a week. Trying to give up diet soda and drink more water but it's haaaaaaard. Congrats on being taken off the meds!Working out helped me. I was a chronic dieter, and until I started working out, I was stuck. Make sure you drink plenty of water too. I ended up being taken off of my thyroid meds altogether. Best of luck to you.
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My meds don't make me feel any better but when I get off, my TSH gets too high and my Dr. isn't happy about it lol.It's a constant battle but I am successfully (slowly) losing weight by eating healthy and working out. I was steadily gaining weight until I started working out six days a week. 1hr to 1.5hours. A mix of STRENGTH, which I think is the most important, hiit, cardio and yoga. I try to eat gluten free as much as possible and plant based. Thyroid meds did nothing for me so I have been off for a year and a half now.
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100poundsx wrote: »Hi guys and gals. I, like many others, have hypothyroidism and struggle with my weight. Those with a thyroid condition, other than sticking to your meds. what do you do to make weight loss easier?
I wear a Fitbit so I have a general idea of my TDEE. Due to inaccuracies and hypothyroidism I set my height in Fitbit and this site to 1 inch shorter. I eat more some days and less others and go by the weekly deficit in the nutrition tab (app). I plan meals I enjoy eating and pre log my week. I weigh 90% of what I eat in grams on a food scale. I exercise so that I can eat more and maintain muscle. Once I have meals I enjoy eating entered I save them in my foods/recipies "save meal" to make future logging easier. In order to prevent the dreaded water weight gain from carbs/sodium I eat less carbs and sodium on Fridays before getting on the scale Saturday morning. That's all I can think of at the moment.0 -
Getting off your thyroid meds without your doc's okay first is a bad idea. If the meds aren't helping you, perhaps it is time for a change in dosage or brand? Some folks do just fine on Synthroid or its generics. Others do better on Armor throid (NDT).
As for what has been helping me lose weight, I've been:
Exercising 5 days/wk, using TDEE -10% for my daily calorie "allowance", switching out processed foods for more fruits and veggies and I've been weaning myself off of both artificial sweeteners (they cause me joint pain) and refined sugars.4 -
tbh, my meds usually help me with foggy brain an the like, sticking to my calorie deficit is what has helped me lose weight. Losing/gaining weight it doesn't impact me at all, but some people it does. I weigh my food and log it so I know exactly what I'm getting myself into as I go along.
And agreed, thyroid meds shouldn't be something you go on/off of and just take yourself off, though I know an odd day does happen here and there. It can impact your overall health more to go on/off randomly.3 -
I lost approx 50lbs before I was on medication (after not being treated for 5+ years).
I lost the weight because I started tracking and logging all my food. I also have PCOS and honestly, if I actually stick to my calories, I lose weight. I haven't noticed any difficulty losing when I am accurately weighing and logging my food. I'm down 120lbs & I don't go to the gym or do much more exercise than walking.
I couldn't say if I would have issues or not if I wasn't on meds to normalize my levels though ^^0 -
I used to be not very consistant with the synthroid... I'd miss days here and there. Since the new year, I've been very consistant, not just with meds, but my eating as well. In regards to exercise, I do body weight exercises as well as I run. So far, I've seen great results.2
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I take my meds per instructions like it was a religion (first thing in the AM, drinking only water, waiting 30-60 minutes before eating), so my hypothyroidism is well controlled (TSH, T3/T4 where they should be).
I've lost weight pretty much the way anyone else does, calories in < calories out, weighing my food, logging meticulously, staying consistent with my calorie goals the majority of the time, and logging any over-goal days just like the on-target ones so I know where I stand. I've lost over a third of my body weight (around 65 pounds) since this time last year, and am now at goal weight (5'5", 120).
I'm pretty active, but eat back my exercise calories.
I'm also old (60) and (of course) menopausal, two other things that are often blamed for difficulty losing weight.8 -
I never miss a pill, and I have no issues losing weight with a calorie deficit. I exercise for general health and better fitness. I've lost about 66 lbs since Sept 1. Have been hypo for years and years. You need to be extremely mindful of your calories. Use a scale and weigh everything. Going off meds is not a good idea. You can have very serious consequences to your health. Take the medication, and eat at a deficit - really, really, that's all it takes.6
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Thanks for all the replies. I've not stopped taking my medicine but sometimes I do go more than a few days and forget it. My levels are okay, but I still feel not 100%. I have been logging like a mad lady and work out quite a bit. 11 pounds lost so far.3
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Heh...nothing.
Just keeping perspective! There are weeks when I only lose half a pound, weeks when I don't lose an ounce...weeks when I gain. This is with weighing everything, total accountability and working out daily but not eating back any of those calories, and my calculations set on sedentary.
But I am seeing a *general* downward trend. I mean what's the alternative? Even staying the same for a week or two/not losing is better than gaining, gaining, gaining. We have to do what we have to do.
A lot of life isn't fair. This one, we have to suck up. 0 -
Oh, and yes, I'm medicated and in fact go for my 6-month testing this week (go every 6 months, IOW) - I just have to pick a day!0
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100poundsx wrote: »Thanks for all the replies. I've not stopped taking my medicine but sometimes I do go more than a few days and forget it. My levels are okay, but I still feel not 100%. I have been logging like a mad lady and work out quite a bit. 11 pounds lost so far.
Not taking your pills daily in the morning without food or beverages means you are taking a random low dose. Not taking properly your pills for more than a couple of days in a row means it might take a few weeks for your levels to get back to completely normal. Put your pills next to your bed, or bathroom or wherever else you will see them as soon as you wake up.5 -
tiffkittyw wrote: »Due to inaccuracies and hypothyroidism I set my height in Fitbit and this site to 1 inch shorter.
That is an excellent idea!0 -
I take my meds every morning with my coffee, and eat breakfast about an hour later. I log everything, and exercise daily (walk >5 miles, run, or weightlifting). I've lost over 28 pounds since December 21st. Being hypothyroid for the past 28 years is a non-issue as long as I take my medication as directed.3
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My meds are still being adjusted.....I see the doc today and anticipate he will raise my meds for the 2nd time.
In the meantime, I have lost weight. It's not impossible.
I log everything, after using a food scale to weigh most things. I stick to my daily calorie allowance, and I only eat back a portion of my exercise calories (no more than half). I try to choose quality calories (fish, veggies, beans, as opposed to cheese slices and frozen pizza.
I wear a Fitbit, I walk almost daily 4-5k. I go to AquaFit a few times a week, I go to Bikram yoga 3-4 times a week. Today, I'm adding a daily 'beach body' work out. (I have NO illusions of having a beach body in 30 days, but the daily exercise can't be bad)
It's a slow go.....but what else am I doing? It's not like it would be ok for me to throw my hands in the air and say "I've got Hashimotos.....so it's toooooo haaaaaard to lose weight".
I'm just plugging along, trying not to worry about 'time'3 -
As others have said, you need to prioritize taking your medicine daily. Preferably very close to the same time each day. And take it correctly -- which is with water and at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking anything else. Also, there are some supplements you're supposed to avoid taking within a few hours of taking your medicine. One of those is calcium but I don't remember the others.
Other than taking my medication I just do the usual stuff -- weigh and log all my food and exercise as much as possible. I can truthfully say, though, that I did those things before my diagnosis. After medication kicked in I started losing one to two pounds a week on the same calorie intake/exercise program I'd been on for months while I'd been slowly gaining. So I can attest to the fact that at least for me medication makes all the difference in the world.1 -
Having hypothyroidism and feeling tired, sluggish and in a fog all the time makes it had to do what is needed for long term weight loss. Most importantly take your meds on time, all the time! It will make you feel better and once you do Calories In > Calories Out is the way to go. After 10 years of struggling with the hypo/weight issue I am finally on a weight loss plan that works. MFP has been amazing for me. Good luck!1
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There are foods that can interfere with your medicine and it's absorption. Check your drug facts. Common ones for thyroid meds are soy products and canola oil. I lose faster when I avoid the items listed in my drug facts. Other than that exercise is really hard when you feel like wet cement all the time but it really helps the energy level rise after a couple weeks. Good luck.0
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I had a complete thyroid removal almost 5 years ago and lost my parathyroid glands too, I am on levothyroxine, liothyronine, D3 and calcichew tablets, - Even though I have no thyroid my levels still fluctuate madly a complete head banger for the doctor because there is no reason for it at.
I put on almost 5 stone when I first had it removed due to taking so long to get a high enough dose of thyroxine to keep me awake.
I'm still struggling to lose weight but I wont give up trying. I'm currently redoing Shaun T's T25 plus i walk at least 2.5 miles a day with the dogs.
Good Luck.0 -
I have been on synthroid for low thyroid for several years and never have had difficulty in losing weight. That's what the medication is for. When taken properly it performs properly. I never miss a day and I have blood work done the moment I feel slightly off to ensure I am on the normal range. I know a lot of women are not going to like this but my late husband was an obstetrician gynecologist who treated thousands of women during his career and He was convinced that many women used their low thyroid as an excuse for not losing weight.1
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I had no changes with synthroid. My lab values were technically within a normal range, but I was still fatigued, unable to lose weight, always cold, etc. I found a doctor who was reputed to specialize in thyroid disorders (among other things) even though he was a PCP. He told me just staying within the lab ranges aren't going to make me feel optimal, and paid more attention to free t3 and t4 than tsh. After increasing my synthroid dose by 50%, he saw by my labs that I wasn't converting the synthetic t4 to usable t3 very well and switched me to armour. I suspect I'm still not optimal and may need a dose adjustment, but I already feel so much better and am losing weight without having made any other changes.
Definitely prioritize your meds. Take them consistently and properly (waiting to eat or take any other supplements), and monitor your labs until they're optimal. Avoid calcium and iron for at least an hour after taking your meds. Make sure you get enough vitamin D, B vitamins, zinc, selenium, and iodine. I take prescription PoDiaPN and average 7500 IUs of vitamin D per day at the recommendation of my doctor based on my labs. I'm technically (barely) within range for vitamin D but he thinks optimal is at the very upper end of the range. I personally found that frequent exercise (doesn't have to be strenuous) helps my symptoms, and of course helps create that calorie deficit needed to lose weight. I have hashimoto's, and also feel better when I limit gluten, refined sugar, and certain food additives.
The stop the thyroid madness website has been so helpful for me in navigating all this. And honestly, MOST people who say hypothyroidism is just an excuse, don't have it and have never felt the effects. I never realized how bad I felt until I was properly treated. I blew off the weight gain as being completely my fault because I'm NOT the type to make excuses. I assumed it was related to changes in metabolism when I became an adult, or poor eating habits in college, or stress, or not prioritizing exercise. Or whatever. I didn't mention this stuff to doctors for a long time because I thought, well what are they going to tell me that I don't already know? Diet and exercise. But when I started taking meds and supplements like I should, I noticed my impulse control problems disappear so I wasn't binge eating anymore. Sugar cravings were mostly gone. My depression (which I assumed was my fault too) is gone. I have the energy and motivation to exercise daily. I'm getting quality sleep. And I know my metabolism has changed hugely.
Sorry this is so long. I've just felt pathetic and out of control for so long that I don't want anyone else to feel like that when there are things you can do to take back control.6 -
Changing your diet to a healthy one should definitely help. The day I changed my diet and started working out I felt great. Any day that I eat u healthy I feel super sick. The dieting has changed my life.1
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Recently, for a few months now I wasn't feeling well and my weight was creeping up, although I have always been the same weight for most of my life. I went to get my TSH done and sure enough it was high, at 6. The only way I can keep my weight in check now is to make sure I'm on the right dose of synthroid. I don't know how anyone with hypothyroid can go off their meds?? I would be asleep 24 hrs. a day and in severe depression!0
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Noelani1503 wrote: »I had no changes with synthroid. My lab values were technically within a normal range, but I was still fatigued, unable to lose weight, always cold, etc. I found a doctor who was reputed to specialize in thyroid disorders (among other things) even though he was a PCP. He told me just staying within the lab ranges aren't going to make me feel optimal, and paid more attention to free t3 and t4 than tsh. After increasing my synthroid dose by 50%, he saw by my labs that I wasn't converting the synthetic t4 to usable t3 very well and switched me to armour. I suspect I'm still not optimal and may need a dose adjustment, but I already feel so much better and am losing weight without having made any other changes.
Definitely prioritize your meds. Take them consistently and properly (waiting to eat or take any other supplements), and monitor your labs until they're optimal. Avoid calcium and iron for at least an hour after taking your meds. Make sure you get enough vitamin D, B vitamins, zinc, selenium, and iodine. I take prescription PoDiaPN and average 7500 IUs of vitamin D per day at the recommendation of my doctor based on my labs. I'm technically (barely) within range for vitamin D but he thinks optimal is at the very upper end of the range. I personally found that frequent exercise (doesn't have to be strenuous) helps my symptoms, and of course helps create that calorie deficit needed to lose weight. I have hashimoto's, and also feel better when I limit gluten, refined sugar, and certain food additives.
The stop the thyroid madness website has been so helpful for me in navigating all this. And honestly, MOST people who say hypothyroidism is just an excuse, don't have it and have never felt the effects. I never realized how bad I felt until I was properly treated. I blew off the weight gain as being completely my fault because I'm NOT the type to make excuses. I assumed it was related to changes in metabolism when I became an adult, or poor eating habits in college, or stress, or not prioritizing exercise. Or whatever. I didn't mention this stuff to doctors for a long time because I thought, well what are they going to tell me that I don't already know? Diet and exercise. But when I started taking meds and supplements like I should, I noticed my impulse control problems disappear so I wasn't binge eating anymore. Sugar cravings were mostly gone. My depression (which I assumed was my fault too) is gone. I have the energy and motivation to exercise daily. I'm getting quality sleep. And I know my metabolism has changed hugely.
Sorry this is so long. I've just felt pathetic and out of control for so long that I don't want anyone else to feel like that when there are things you can do to take back control.Noelani1503 wrote: »I had no changes with synthroid. My lab values were technically within a normal range, but I was still fatigued, unable to lose weight, always cold, etc. I found a doctor who was reputed to specialize in thyroid disorders (among other things) even though he was a PCP. He told me just staying within the lab ranges aren't going to make me feel optimal, and paid more attention to free t3 and t4 than tsh. After increasing my synthroid dose by 50%, he saw by my labs that I wasn't converting the synthetic t4 to usable t3 very well and switched me to armour. I suspect I'm still not optimal and may need a dose adjustment, but I already feel so much better and am losing weight without having made any other changes.
Definitely prioritize your meds. Take them consistently and properly (waiting to eat or take any other supplements), and monitor your labs until they're optimal. Avoid calcium and iron for at least an hour after taking your meds. Make sure you get enough vitamin D, B vitamins, zinc, selenium, and iodine. I take prescription PoDiaPN and average 7500 IUs of vitamin D per day at the recommendation of my doctor based on my labs. I'm technically (barely) within range for vitamin D but he thinks optimal is at the very upper end of the range. I personally found that frequent exercise (doesn't have to be strenuous) helps my symptoms, and of course helps create that calorie deficit needed to lose weight. I have hashimoto's, and also feel better when I limit gluten, refined sugar, and certain food additives.
The stop the thyroid madness website has been so helpful for me in navigating all this. And honestly, MOST people who say hypothyroidism is just an excuse, don't have it and have never felt the effects. I never realized how bad I felt until I was properly treated. I blew off the weight gain as being completely my fault because I'm NOT the type to make excuses. I assumed it was related to changes in metabolism when I became an adult, or poor eating habits in college, or stress, or not prioritizing exercise. Or whatever. I didn't mention this stuff to doctors for a long time because I thought, well what are they going to tell me that I don't already know? Diet and exercise. But when I started taking meds and supplements like I should, I noticed my impulse control problems disappear so I wasn't binge eating anymore. Sugar cravings were mostly gone. My depression (which I assumed was my fault too) is gone. I have the energy and motivation to exercise daily. I'm getting quality sleep. And I know my metabolism has changed hugely.
Sorry this is so long. I've just felt pathetic and out of control for so long that I don't want anyone else to feel like that when there are things you can do to take back control.
I am 100% on the same boat. My TSH is "normal" but I still don't feel as if my medication has changed anything. I'm still struggling with the brain fog, the tiredness, the depression. And my doctor is convinced that it can't be my thyroid becausel my levels are normal. I need to look into a specialist of sorts. I was seeing an endocrinologist but lost insurance and am now getting it reestablished. I am so glad to hear you're doing better though!
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If you're still symptomatic, I would go to your doctor and INSIST that your t3 and t4 levels be measured as well! Some people can't convert one T to the other T very well and may require taking a t3 medication (cytomel, I think) in addiction to their t4 meds (synthroid, etc).2
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RoseTheWarrior wrote: »I never miss a pill, and I have no issues losing weight with a calorie deficit. I exercise for general health and better fitness. I've lost about 66 lbs since Sept 1. Have been hypo for years and years. You need to be extremely mindful of your calories. Use a scale and weigh everything. Going off meds is not a good idea. You can have very serious consequences to your health. Take the medication, and eat at a deficit - really, really, that's all it takes.As others have said, you need to prioritize taking your medicine daily. Preferably very close to the same time each day. And take it correctly -- which is with water and at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking anything else. Also, there are some supplements you're supposed to avoid taking within a few hours of taking your medicine. One of those is calcium but I don't remember the others.
Other than taking my medication I just do the usual stuff -- weigh and log all my food and exercise as much as possible. I can truthfully say, though, that I did those things before my diagnosis. After medication kicked in I started losing one to two pounds a week on the same calorie intake/exercise program I'd been on for months while I'd been slowly gaining. So I can attest to the fact that at least for me medication makes all the difference in the world.
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I am a little confused as to the people that say they have stopped their meds and their hypo has been cured? From what I understand you can not cure it... It is a disease ... It's not something like the flu. I have been trying to regulate my thyroid since 2008 I get it regulated perfect for 8 months and then either my tpo goes through the roof or my T4 is off the chart. I take Naturthroid after Armour went sky high thanks to the manufacturer1
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