Hashimotos

I have Hashimotos - I take medication for it and eat a whole food diet. When first diagnosed I took Synthroid, but it didn't help so switched to a naturally dissected thyroid hormone called "Nature Thyroid" which is also a prescription med. This works much better for me-but everyone's different. Can't say fatigue and brain fog are totally gone but is definitely much better than it was several years ago. I also keep my carbs at about 100mg a day which also seems to help. In terms of weight loss, I had a very hard time losing weight until I got thyroid hormones regulated with medication. Now I'm losing about a pound a week which I'm happy with.

I have Hashimoto's and control it with levothyroxine. I eat low carb, which is very helpful for BG management (I have type 1 diabetes); but I would guess that a decrease in 'brain fog' in my case is related to better BG's rather than anything thyroid related.

Why doesn't your dr. just order some blood tests?

The main way to treat hashi's is with T4 and/or T3. Most just use T4 but others, like me, find we need some T3 too. I have found that natural desiccated thyroid was a huge improvement over just T4.

I have heard that going gluten-free can help many with hashi's even without celiac disease, although celiac disease is twice as common in those with hashi's. Low carb helps me too.

midwesterner85 wrote: »

I have Hashimoto's and control it with levothyroxine. I eat low carb, which is very helpful for BG management (I have type 1 diabetes); but I would guess that a decrease in 'brain fog' in my case is related to better BG's rather than anything thyroid related.

Why doesn't your dr. just order some blood tests?

@midwesterner85
I appreciate that input, I deal with brain fog at times and wasn't always sure why.. wondered if it wasn't BG. Thanks

Did he not have you go to the lab and give blood that is the easiest way. Is this a real doctor or one of the Holistic ones?

I would have your Vitamin D tested. I was just recently diagnosed and the first thing my doctor has me doing is get my Vitamin D levels up by supplementing with 5,000 IU a day and also gluten free. Other carbs are fine, but gluten needs to be avoided. After two months, she will re-evaluate to see if I need to take medication.

I was diagnosed 15 years ago. I've been able to keep things steady with levothyroxine over the years. After both of my boys were born my numbers went a little haywire, but then got back in control as my body adjusted to not being pregnant anymore. Now it's looking like the disease is progressing to a total thyroid shutdown. It's been 9 months of increasing meds, waiting 3 months, retesting and then increasing meds again. We'll see where I end up in 3 more months.

I agree there is no real science behind a diet to help with hypothyroid. I have been hypothyroid for years now and what helps with my fatigue is medication (levothyroxine) and more of a plant based (vegan) diet which is higher in carbs so it is different for everybody. I definitely recommend a blood test as well, that is the best way to diagnose. Just some tips I have collected over the years for losing weight being hypothyroid are
1) Don't fall into the "victim" mentality. This means that there are several people (including some here on MFP) that will tell you it is next to impossible to lose weight while being hypothyroid; don't listen to this. It is possible. I lost the majority of my weight before I was even diagnosed and started medication.
2) Up your water intake. One of the oh so lovely side effects of hypothyroidism is GI issues (mainly constipation). Drinking more water can help reduce constipation which is uncomfortable and can cause temporary increases on the scale which can be frustrating. Also if you find yourself constipated often don't be afraid to add miralax or some other laxative into your daily routine. Just make sure the laxative is gentle and approved for daily use (no dulcolax unless things get really bad and even then only once in a while).
3) Make time to get extra sleep. When my thyroid is out of whack the usual 8 hours of sleep does not cut it for me, I sometimes need more like 9 or even 10. If you get enough sleep you will have more energy to stick to your diet and exercise.

You can and probably should mess around with different diets and see which one helps with your symptoms best. If you want extra support feel free to add me as a friend, I love being a promoter of weight loss while hypothyroid!

Fitnessgirl0913 wrote: »

MoveitlikeManda wrote: »

can I just high jack this post for a second with a question?

Im on Levothyroxine for hypo as several lots of bloods been taken.
the last bloods that were done the doctor requested an antibody screen which came back positive for an antibody which along with my other blood results and my symptoms is why he started treatment.

anyone got any idea what that antibody is? and what it means as he didnt say and tbh didnt explain much at all.
I had a little info as mum has been on thyroxine for years as she is hypo too and was telling me all aboyt T4 T3 etc
but what is the antibody about?

Antibody tests are usually to check for Hashimotos which is an autoimmune disease where your body attacks your healthy thyroid causing you to be hypo.

@MoveitlikeManda This! The existence of Hashimoto's antibodies proves your immune system is attacking your thyroid. That doesn't tell you how effective your immune system has been or how far along it is in killing off your thyroid; but it at least confirms that your immune system is attacking your thyroid.

Auto-immune diseases are genetic (HLA genes on chromosome 6), but not everyone who has the genes gets every auto-immune disease. One still must have a 'trigger' for the auto-immune response. In my case, I've had triggers for both type 1 diabetes and Hashimoto's. Perhaps it is possible that your mom had a trigger for Hashimoto's as well. The trigger seems somewhat random. I know with type 1 diabetes, statistics show that about 1 out of every 20 people who have the genes actually ends up with a trigger and the disease. I'm not sure if I could identify 20 individuals within that genetic line in my case and confirm this, but I know there are cases where 2 out of 2 siblings have T1D and other cases (like mine) where it is not known to exist in other families. I'm not sure what the odds of a trigger for Hashi's is among those who carry those genes... but regardless of the odds, it is certainly possible that both you and your mom both have the genes for it (duh, right?) and a trigger for the auto-immune response.

Yes, although I would confirm with your doctor. I am surprised he did not explain this to you better (I would harass him for a better explanation lol). In most cases hashimotos does not change how your hypo is treated, it just provides an explanation and usually means you will be on medication for the long term and possibly may need your thyroid removed.