Hypothyroidism
Replies
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Hi,
I looked at the community section of mfp in the hope of finding inspiration. I used to use this app with my best friend until she got diagnosed with leukaemia. Then, obviously, weight loss was no longer a priority. Since she left us in the summer I lost my way health wise and have gained weight due to making bad choices. I didn't feel I had any support to give, I thought I would be just taking until I saw this feed:
I was an undiagnosed hypothyroidism sufferer. I was exercising like mad:hiit, running (up to 12 miles), T25 and step- 6 days a week. I craved carbs and wasn't getting enough sleep with two young rugrats and a business to run.
Shortness of breath and exhaustion led me to a nurse practitioner and a blood test after being told by my GP I couldn't possibly be anaemic so was diagnosed mild asthmatic(!). My Hb was 8 and my thyroid bloods flagged a problem. I'd just undertaken a 12k obstacle course the previous week and was cross with myself as I knew I should have been faster.
I was told to halt all exercise at that point. All I could do was wonder how much faster my parkrun could get if I wasn't anaemic!
Later I was to realise I had 'brain fog' (very technical), I was getting more unwell and ignoring all my symptoms without realising, putting everything down to my hectic lifestyle. I had put pressure on my heart and cardiology were concerned I was in the first stage of heart failure at 40.
Getting on top of my thyroid levels didn't right things immediately. I think it took a while for my body to catch up. After nearly a year of being on thyroxine and what felt like a trillion web searches I stumbled upon an author who stated that eating a gluten free diet can reduce hypothyroid symptoms, explaining that the blood-brain barrier was influenced by gluten in the same way the blood-gut barrier was. Within three days of going gluten free I was less exhausted (my eyes would normally be trying to shut during basic tasks and some days I couldn't drive because of it), I felt less 'heavy' and I started to feel somewhat normal again.
Now I know that maybe I have a wheat intolerance alongside a thyroid problem but from what I've read there are links, some suggesting that gluten can be a causal factor of autoimmune problems in the first place, (Just putting it out there, not needing to be challenged, as it's only from what I've read).
My weight loss became easier and up until this spring I've stayed on top of things with minimal exercise due to my cardiac issues being still under investigation.
The line that eating less calories than you burn is the simple answer to weight loss is something I would have sworn to be an obvious truth but I am now of the opinion that not all calories are equal. If I'm eating healthily I can eat more calories and not gain weight than if I eat unhealthy foods. A couple of unhealthy days can bloat me and shift the scales by 6lbs easily which may not sound believable but I do believe that a thyroid problem can leave you more susceptible to erratic weight surges dependent on the type of foods you are eating.
So, my suggestions would be: check all the things the other guys are advising, correct logging etc but if you find no obvious issue with how you're managing things, get you Hb checked as my carb intake lowered once I increased my Hb to within normal limits. (It is written that the chemical reaction caused if gluten intolerant gives your body a kind of 'high' so your body unwittingly craves that high and you find yourself eating the foods that are actually causing the problem).
Try a gluten free diet, needs a bit of research and can be a pain at times but the results were definitely worth it for me and I've stuck to it for 15 months now.
And consider what 'type'of calories you are consuming, as with the condition you have, you may be scuppering your hard work through just a couple of negative choices, e.g. Sugar has been linked to exacerbating thyroid issues.
I also used a supplement called Glucobalance which helped me kick start my healthy eating. It helps balance glucose levels so leaves you able to eat carbs without it triggering a craving for more.(you'd need to check that you are a suitable candidate for taking them, not everyone is, especially if diabetic).
Sorry if too much typing but I know how it can feel when you're struggling with no obvious reason why. I've gained 8lbs since spring but through terrible food choices, seeing it as comfort eating but ironically getting very little comfort from it. I know that if I make healthy choices and watch my sugar intake, being gluten free has changed how my body manages weight loss.
Don't give up! Hope this helps x
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Thx. I have to say I pretty much am gluten free, my son is celiac ( I was tested too and don't have it) do we eat gluten free in our house 100%! My food choices are healthy ones. Eggs, cheese, tuna, rice crackers if I eat any, chicken, sometimes potatoes or rice. Tomatoes, avacadoes, celery, carrots, etc. once or twice month I'll make homemade granola bar or a oatmeal bake. I do like oatmeal, cream of wheat or red river cereal. Go through phases with eating those. I drink a shake every morning and that's the most of my food choices that I can think of. I treat myself once a week to pizza! That's the most for take out fast food, half the time I make the pizza at home! I make homemade soups especially in the winter and eat that at lunch.Hi,
I looked at the community section of mfp in the hope of finding inspiration. I used to use this app with my best friend until she got diagnosed with leukaemia. Then, obviously, weight loss was no longer a priority. Since she left us in the summer I lost my way health wise and have gained weight due to making bad choices. I didn't feel I had any support to give, I thought I would be just taking until I saw this feed:
I was an undiagnosed hypothyroidism sufferer. I was exercising like mad:hiit, running (up to 12 miles), T25 and step- 6 days a week. I craved carbs and wasn't getting enough sleep with two young rugrats and a business to run.
Shortness of breath and exhaustion led me to a nurse practitioner and a blood test after being told by my GP I couldn't possibly be anaemic so was diagnosed mild asthmatic(!). My Hb was 8 and my thyroid bloods flagged a problem. I'd just undertaken a 12k obstacle course the previous week and was cross with myself as I knew I should have been faster.
I was told to halt all exercise at that point. All I could do was wonder how much faster my parkrun could get if I wasn't anaemic!
Later I was to realise I had 'brain fog' (very technical), I was getting more unwell and ignoring all my symptoms without realising, putting everything down to my hectic lifestyle. I had put pressure on my heart and cardiology were concerned I was in the first stage of heart failure at 40.
Getting on top of my thyroid levels didn't right things immediately. I think it took a while for my body to catch up. After nearly a year of being on thyroxine and what felt like a trillion web searches I stumbled upon an author who stated that eating a gluten free diet can reduce hypothyroid symptoms, explaining that the blood-brain barrier was influenced by gluten in the same way the blood-gut barrier was. Within three days of going gluten free I was less exhausted (my eyes would normally be trying to shut during basic tasks and some days I couldn't drive because of it), I felt less 'heavy' and I started to feel somewhat normal again.
Now I know that maybe I have a wheat intolerance alongside a thyroid problem but from what I've read there are links, some suggesting that gluten can be a causal factor of autoimmune problems in the first place, (Just putting it out there, not needing to be challenged, as it's only from what I've read).
My weight loss became easier and up until this spring I've stayed on top of things with minimal exercise due to my cardiac issues being still under investigation.
The line that eating less calories than you burn is the simple answer to weight loss is something I would have sworn to be an obvious truth but I am now of the opinion that not all calories are equal. If I'm eating healthily I can eat more calories and not gain weight than if I eat unhealthy foods. A couple of unhealthy days can bloat me and shift the scales by 6lbs easily which may not sound believable but I do believe that a thyroid problem can leave you more susceptible to erratic weight surges dependent on the type of foods you are eating.
So, my suggestions would be: check all the things the other guys are advising, correct logging etc but if you find no obvious issue with how you're managing things, get you Hb checked as my carb intake lowered once I increased my Hb to within normal limits. (It is written that the chemical reaction caused if gluten intolerant gives your body a kind of 'high' so your body unwittingly craves that high and you find yourself eating the foods that are actually causing the problem).
Try a gluten free diet, needs a bit of research and can be a pain at times but the results were definitely worth it for me and I've stuck to it for 15 months now.
And consider what 'type'of calories you are consuming, as with the condition you have, you may be scuppering your hard work through just a couple of negative choices, e.g. Sugar has been linked to exacerbating thyroid issues.
I also used a supplement called Glucobalance which helped me kick start my healthy eating. It helps balance glucose levels so leaves you able to eat carbs without it triggering a craving for more.(you'd need to check that you are a suitable candidate for taking them, not everyone is, especially if diabetic).
Sorry if too much typing but I know how it can feel when you're struggling with no obvious reason why. I've gained 8lbs since spring but through terrible food choices, seeing it as comfort eating but ironically getting very little comfort from it. I know that if I make healthy choices and watch my sugar intake, being gluten free has changed how my body manages weight loss.
Don't give up! Hope this helps x
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Sorry to hear about your struggles. There is a lot of research going on regarding the relationship between thyroid issues and gluten. My personal experience was very similar to verity 434. Until I eliminated gluten from my diet I was unable to loose any weight and the weight swings were brutal. It is also important to point out that dairy and gluten intolerance also have a connection and that dairy should not be ingested 3 hours after taking synthroid. It is hopeful that once they adjust your t3 levels that you may find the success you are hoping for. I have heard that dessicated thyroid meds work better for many and synthroid often needs a t3 supplement. As a fellow Canadian those are really the only choices and most drs hate dessicated thyroid meds. I wish you success and hopefully this doctor will be able to get your numbers to where they need to be.0
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Wow - this forum can be toxic.
Unless you're an endocrinologist looking at a specific person's holistic health and wellbeing, including but not limited to their biochemistry you are really WAY out of your depth in regards to commenting on whether thyroid disfunction is contributing to a slowed metabolism and subsequent weight gain.
OP - I'm so sorry you have had so many rude replies.
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I have mild hypothyroidism secondary to lithium use. Both have contributed to me gaining weight and made it far more difficult to lose.
Feel free to add me.
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thx u. It's frustrating no doubt when others don't listen. I know my body and have delt with thyroid issues for 18 years! Only those that struggle will ever understand!Wow - this forum can be toxic.
Unless you're an endocrinologist looking at a specific person's holistic health and wellbeing, including but not limited to their biochemistry you are really WAY out of your depth in regards to commenting on whether thyroid disfunction is contributing to a slowed metabolism and subsequent weight gain.
OP - I'm so sorry you have had so many rude replies.
.......
I have mild hypothyroidism secondary to lithium use. Both have contributed to me gaining weight and made it far more difficult to lose.
Feel free to add me.
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Thx u . I cant find a dr that will switch my meds to anything else.... here in mb it's extremely hard! My dr never returned my call last week so I guess I'll call back on Monday. Diet wise I am pretty much gf, my son is celiac so the house is gf! Dairy on the other hand I do eat as I'm not much of a meat eater and use daily for my protein needs. I guess if the 3 hr rule does apply for dairy, which I've never been informed of!!!! I'm breaking it as I drink my shake a hour later. I've been told not to eat. 1 hr after meds. Stay away from gluten and soy,Sorry to hear about your struggles. There is a lot of research going on regarding the relationship between thyroid issues and gluten. My personal experience was very similar to verity 434. Until I eliminated gluten from my diet I was unable to loose any weight and the weight swings were brutal. It is also important to point out that dairy and gluten intolerance also have a connection and that dairy should not be ingested 3 hours after taking synthroid. It is hopeful that once they adjust your t3 levels that you may find the success you are hoping for. I have heard that dessicated thyroid meds work better for many and synthroid often needs a t3 supplement. As a fellow Canadian those are really the only choices and most drs hate dessicated thyroid meds. I wish you success and hopefully this doctor will be able to get your numbers to where they need to be.
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I've been on meds for hypo since around the age of 12-14. During that time I've lost 60+ lbs, and in the past few months I am down 30 lbs again. I have found that diligent calorie tracking (and weighing my food) to be key to successful weight loss, which is generally how it goes for everyone - thyroid condition or not. If I take one day off from accurate logging and "eat whatever" I CAN screw up my entire week and cancel out any weight I would have lost. Right now I'm at 100+ days of consistent logging. Weighing everything, logging everything, and being honest with myself about my intake. The weight is coming off, and I've found it takes streaks like this to really see start seeing progress. I am also consistent in exercising 4-5 days a week, which factors in to what my intake can be as well. (Plus makes me feel better all around to be active.)
I see you said you have a "treat yourself to pizza" day once a week. Are you logging that?
For smaller women it can take more time and tighter logging to see changes.0 -
Yes it gets counted in. I truly believe in all in moderation! I find in the beginning I went very strict and eliminated way too much and then it lead me to binge way more then I could handle! So for me working in these " treats" keeps me sane! I get where u r coming from with being consistent with strict logging. Last time I was trying to lose 20/30 lbs that is what I had to do to see any success. My numbers were off but I couldn't take any more weight gain. I weighted, measured and logged every morsel I put in my mouth and exercised 7 days a week! I have to say it was physically, mentally and emotionally exhausting! After 2 years I gave up! There is no way I want to live my life with that stress! It played huge mental games and I worried about everything I ate! That is no way to live! So this time around I'm not stressing as much about it do I can make it something I can live with for the rest of my life! Have to balance somewhere..... mental health is just as important! So I'm trying to eat more whole real food that are naturally low in cals but loaded with nutrition... I'm making tuna, eggs, fruit, veggies a huge staple in my diet where as before I just focused on cals on items I ate.
As for exercise I am also doing 4-5 days of exercise. Doing befit in 90 currently!0 -
Are you a vegetarian? I'm only asking because you said you eat dairy for protein. I eat mostly chicken and fish. Dairy doesn't let me loose weight easily either.,I've lost 40 pounds. Yes I'm hypo as well. I understand though if you are vegetarian it's harder to get protein. Keep exercising. I go 6 or 7 days a week. I truly hope you find what works for you.0
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Thx u! No not anything, but picky! Lol. I'm not much of a meat fan, if I do eat any it's for dinner with the family otherwise I stick to eggs, cheese and yogurt and my shakes daily to get protein. I'll do tuna once in a while, today had salmon sandwiches... as for exercise I'm aiming for 4/5 days if I can I'll do 6/7.0
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I just find it helps me. I have 10 more to loose, give or take. Also watch your salt intake. We tend to retain a lot of water.
Good luck! Sometimes it takes us awhile to figure our bodies out!0 -
Ya I hear ya. I figured it out a few years ago when I was losing it initially but now it's like I'm completely lost. Things changed and of course in older0
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What Meds are you on? Are you suppose to wait an hour before eating on them? Or are there any instructions maybe you over looked? Also have you talked to your doctor about diet? Maybe he or she over looked telling you to avoid something?0
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spiritbrat wrote: »What Meds are you on? Are you suppose to wait an hour before eating on them? Or are there any instructions maybe you over looked? Also have you talked to your doctor about diet? Maybe he or she over looked telling you to avoid something?
I'm on 112 mcg synthroid. Yes you are suppose to wait 1 hr before eating. My dr told me to just to take as soon as I wake, not to eat for 1 hr and wait another hr before taking any other supplements it meds. She also told me to stay away from soy. I hear many avoid gluten and I do for the most part but that's because my son is celiac and the house is gf as it's much easier to just avoid it in the house for him... I have asked before about diet and she said just moderation. Which I do. She never suggested to avoid anything besides soy
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I take synthroid too. I'm surprised your dr hasn't tried other medications or has he? Wish I could help more. You are correct about this medication though. Least from my understanding. I truly hope you feel better soon.0
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spiritbrat wrote: »I take synthroid too. I'm surprised your dr hasn't tried other medications or has he? Wish I could help more. You are correct about this medication though. Least from my understanding. I truly hope you feel better soon.
No none of the drs I've seen will switch me to anything . I've tried and never succeed. Not sure why but up here in Canada they pretty much only give u synthroid
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I'm in Canada too. Yes, that seems to be the drug of choice lol!1
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You're not eating a bunch of broccoli or other goitergens are you?
Eating things high in selenium (like raw Brazil nuts) can support thyroid function. Also ensuring your iodine intake is sufficient optimises thyroid function in hypothyroidism. Just switching to iodised table salt can help.
... just a thought about things that can interfere/help.
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You're not eating a bunch of broccoli or other goitergens are you?
Eating things high in selenium (like raw Brazil nuts) can support thyroid function. Also ensuring your iodine intake is sufficient optimises thyroid function in hypothyroidism. Just switching to iodised table salt can help.
... just a thought about things that can interfere/help.
No I don't. I do eat broccoli but not often and never a lot! I have no idea about my iodine is ? Never been tested from what I recall. I don't eat a lot of nuts in general as I have brittle teeth, lol so I stay away from anything hard or crunchie
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