Hypothyroidism and Weight Loss

IAmABetterMe wrote: »

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 manufacturer

You're correct that it can't be cured.

My guess (and it really is a guess) is this --

The overwhelming majority of people who are hypothyroid have Hashimoto's. On the low end I've read that 80 percent of hypothyroidism is due to Hashimoto's, and on the high end it's 90 percent. Most sources say 90. So . . . almost everybody. With Hashimoto's the thyroid function fluctuates up and down before it finally conks out completely. The fluctuations can last for years, and my understanding is that one can go for months with the thyroid functioning too high, too low or normally. My guess is that those who (mistakenly) believe they're "cured" are just in a phase where their thyroid is doing well enough to keep them asymptomatic, or keep their symptoms at a low enough level that they're easily dismissed. Does that mean they're "cured?" Absolutely not.

I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in 2003 after two miserable years of being misdiagnosed and treated for depression. I gained 60 lbs in 6 months and nothing would take the weight off. Finally a GP ran a simple thyroid screen & started me on synthroid. After about a year I started seeing an endo who over a period of 8 years decreased the dose from 200mcg/day to 100 until my labs were in line. But I never felt quite right and still carried 15-20lbs of that added weight. I never asked what my labs were bc I really didn't have the mental strength to deal with it due to brain fog. When we moved out of state, my new gynecologist said he could handle my thyroid. He started me on T3 (cytomel) in addition to my synthroid and I felt immediately better! A co-worker told me about NDT & the STTM website, I started researching & found a functional medicine doc. She confirmed I had Hashimoto's & a MTHFR gene mutation & we switched to Armour (which I didn't like) & then to WP Thyroid, which I love plus the T3. Now that I was "awake" I kept researching & learning. I now see an awesome doc, take the WP, T3, magnesium chelate, PodiaPn, D, turmeric, and there are others that I will begin as soon as labs come back & money allows like curcumin & iodine. One of the BEST things I did was go on an AIP (autoimmune paleo) diet! My pain is minimized and I've effortlessly lost the last 15 lbs. I'm 46 now, workout regularly, can think straight(er), and feel better than ever! I hope this helps someone bc I now know this CAN be managed well and it's not my fault.