Hi Strawberry I have lots of trouble trying to lose weight. Thyroid doesn't work right for me either. I take 120 Mg Armour Thyroid a day 1/2 tab in morning and at 2. I have been doing the South beach diet have lost 6 # Thank you Lord, in a week. I have tried many diets this seems to be the only one I can lose on. Keep trying you will find something that will work for you.

I think its STTM which has something about 16% of hypo persons being unable to convert because of a genetic variant its worse for persons with two parent who have the same genetic problem. Then as you hint, there are people who are unable to get adequate amounts of t3 into their cells, there's no test for this and when your t3 and rt3 level information is denied you its more than frustrating. Some people live well on synthetic support but others really need the NDT. We are also in a loose loose situation when it comes to our metabolism, first eating at a deficit reduces it and second or primarily so does being hypo. There is no one easy answer to all things hypo possibly with antibodies (hashi) because there is a pool of 300 possible symptoms our systems take their pick off, too many variables. Discovering what triggers your antibodies and avoiding it/them, may be helpful but intolerance testing is expensive.

The UK food program two episodes broadcast at the end of June start of July 16, are saying the science is indicating our digestive tracts are loosing many of the microbes we need partly because of the modern diet and our dependence on antibiotics which wipe out beneficial microbes as well as those causing the health issue it is being prescribed for. Thinking is turning towards the lack of helpful microbes contributing to if not causing autoimmunity. I find this mind-blowing.

If you had NDT in the past and are able to have it again this could be your best way to go. I doubt you would be able to get away with a diet full of the more "usual" carbohydrate presence expected these days. Carbs from fruit and veg are usually fine its the foods which come along with added sugar to watch. I'm doing better avoiding my personal triggers as well as foods with added sugar.

When, if ever will the western style standard medical system see being more patient appropriate supportive of the internationally spread hypothyroid probably hashi, population will improve the hospital and care budgets. They would not accept the synthetics supplements they provide as a basic script, hypo allergenic is not available to me here in the UK were actually adding to my health issues.

I have heard that the UK is in the Dark Ages when it comes to thyroid treatment.

Many of us need additional T3 because our bodies do not convert T4 into T3. I use NDT myself and have found it to be vastly superior to the T4-ony synthetics in terms of symptom control.

You could try selenomethianone, which is a form of selenium that helps with the conversion of T4 into T3.

I am on 200mcg/175mcg Synthroid alternating daily and have been on this dose for close to 10 years. I was determined to get back into shape about 2 years ago after discovering this site and did so estimating my caloric intake and output. I've been in maintenance mode for about a year now. I did not cut our anything, just eat in moderation and changed my eating and workout habits.

Is there some way you can bypass the physicians and get a full thyroid panel test? Sounds like your doc is missing out on about 16 years of medical information.