Hypothyroidism

mojo2702
mojo2702 Posts: 1 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Been gluten free for just over a year. Seemed to be coping. Now Struggling as Weight on the way up. No motivation as shattered all the time

Replies

  • sjd421
    sjd421 Posts: 54 Member
    As long as you are on the correct meds there should be no issues losing weight. I have hypo and I have lost 32lbs since I had my baby last Dec. Make sure you are logging both food and exercise correctly and it shouldn't be an issue.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,133 Member
    Thyroid blood test lately? Tested T3/T4 as well as TSH (some people have trouble with T3/T4 conversion)?

    If hypothyroidism is properly controlled with meds, we hypothyroid people should lose weight exactly the way that normal-thyroid people do . . . which is not to say that it'll be easy. Simple, yes: Easy, not necessarily.

    I lost 50+ pounds in just under a year at age 59-60 while severely hypothyroid, but properly medicated, and have stayed at a healthy weight for 2 years since . . . thyroid tests every 6 months, meds taken exactly as per instructions (empty stomach, wait before eating, etc.)

    Good luck getting to the root of the problem!
  • ccahls
    ccahls Posts: 2 Member
    I may have the same problem. I take the medication but I can’t seem to lose the weight. This time, just started being strict with myself, I am not eating at night ( if so, only carrot sticks) and so far cardio 3 times a week, free weights for upper body every morning for toning, and yoga twice a week for flexibility. I seem to eat healthy, but this time no cheating, not at all. December Christmas cookies are history and have been tossed. We will see if anything happens. Very frustrating.
  • ccsernica
    ccsernica Posts: 1,040 Member
    Weight loss isn't about what or when you eat, it's about how much. I'm very hypo, and have had no trouble losing as long as I ate no more than my daily calorie goal.
  • markwhufc82
    markwhufc82 Posts: 3 Member
    So, just to throw a cat among the pigeons so to speak.

    I have an under active thyroid. I'm on 200mg of Levo a day, I stick by the 'rules' on taking meds first thing in a morning before food.

    I very rarely even reach my daily kcal goal, let alone exceed it.

    My exercise routine is pretty good to say the least (I'm an Exercise Therapist)

    My issue is I now haven't seen a decent spell of weight loss for over 2 years. I've completely plateaued. After diagnosis I lost 2.5st, and that's where I've remained. Still could do with losing another stone ideally.

    Any one overcome this kind of situation?

    Thanks!

    Mark
  • cheryldumais
    cheryldumais Posts: 1,907 Member
    I am hypothyroid and have lost 105 pounds. I did not lose any weight when I was first put on meds. Going on Synthroid however did resolve my exhaustion, constipation and various other health issues. It took me another 25 years or so to diet and exercise to lose the weight.

    Just for some interesting reading and to debunk the common idea that thyroid meds will cure all weight issues:

    From American Thyroid Association: Since much of the weight gain in hypothyroidism is accumulation in salt and water, when the hypothyroidism is treated one can expect a small (usually less than 10% of body weight) weight loss. As in the treatment with hyperthyroidism, treatment of the abnormal state of hypothyroidism with thyroid hormone should result in a return of body weight to what it was before the hypothyroidism developed. However, since hypothyroidism usually develops over a long period of time, it is fairly common to find that there is no significant weight loss after successful treatment of hypothyroidism. Again, if all of the other symptoms of hypothyroidism, with the exception of weight gain, are resolved with treatment with thyroid hormone, it is less likely that the weight gain is solely due to the thyroid. Once hypothyroidism has been treated and thyroid hormone levels have returned to the normal range of thyroid hormone, the ability to gain or lose weight is the same as in individuals who do not have thyroid problems.

    https://www.thyroid.org/does-treatment-of-hypothyroidism-lead-to-weight-loss/
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,133 Member
    markwhufc82 wrote: »
    So, just to throw a cat among the pigeons so to speak.

    I have an under active thyroid. I'm on 200mg of Levo a day, I stick by the 'rules' on taking meds first thing in a morning before food.

    I very rarely even reach my daily kcal goal, let alone exceed it.

    My exercise routine is pretty good to say the least (I'm an Exercise Therapist)

    My issue is I now haven't seen a decent spell of weight loss for over 2 years. I've completely plateaued. After diagnosis I lost 2.5st, and that's where I've remained. Still could do with losing another stone ideally.

    Any one overcome this kind of situation?

    Thanks!

    Mark

    For some people, the following is insight producing (it was for me), but it has nothing to do with hypothyroidism explicitly:

    https://examine.com/nutrition/does-metabolism-vary-between-two-people/

    If there's been significant/rapid past weight loss, or repeated rounds of yo-yo dieting, adaptive thermogenesis may be a factor. Since you're an exercise therapist, I'll assume body composition isn't a problem, though it could be a factor for some. Another possibility for some is down-regulation of daily activity during the not-fully-controlled hypo stage, that has become habitual, but that may not express itself in steps (or other easily measurable changes).

    Nothing grand in there, but just some off-the-cuff thoughts based on my experience, or what I've observed among others here on MFP, FWIW.
  • parrishhenryjr
    parrishhenryjr Posts: 9 Member
    cheryldumais wrote: »
    I am hypothyroid and have lost 105 pounds. I did not lose any weight when I was first put on meds. Going on Synthroid however did resolve my exhaustion, constipation and various other health issues. It took me another 25 years or so to diet and exercise to lose the weight.

    Just for some interesting reading and to debunk the common idea that thyroid meds will cure all weight issues:

    From American Thyroid Association: Since much of the weight gain in hypothyroidism is accumulation in salt and water, when the hypothyroidism is treated one can expect a small (usually less than 10% of body weight) weight loss. As in the treatment with hyperthyroidism, treatment of the abnormal state of hypothyroidism with thyroid hormone should result in a return of body weight to what it was before the hypothyroidism developed. However, since hypothyroidism usually develops over a long period of time, it is fairly common to find that there is no significant weight loss after successful treatment of hypothyroidism. Again, if all of the other symptoms of hypothyroidism, with the exception of weight gain, are resolved with treatment with thyroid hormone, it is less likely that the weight gain is solely due to the thyroid. Once hypothyroidism has been treated and thyroid hormone levels have returned to the normal range of thyroid hormone, the ability to gain or lose weight is the same as in individuals who do not have thyroid problems.

    https://www.thyroid.org/does-treatment-of-hypothyroidism-lead-to-weight-loss/

    Then why did I not get back down to 245 where I was before they removed the cancer and my thyroid? And I have had so many problems with gaining weight and retaining fluids even when I watch what i eat down to the last calorie. I was even walking 5 miles a day for several months and was still gaining weight---- which resulted in the weight that I am now. And when they change my medicine I always see an increase of a few pounds in my weight. I have been on synthroid as high as 300mcg each day but one day at 450mcg. Then I was dropped back down to 300. Then to 325, Then back to 300, then back to 275mcg.
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    parrishhenryjr wrote: »
    cheryldumais wrote: »
    I am hypothyroid and have lost 105 pounds. I did not lose any weight when I was first put on meds. Going on Synthroid however did resolve my exhaustion, constipation and various other health issues. It took me another 25 years or so to diet and exercise to lose the weight.

    Just for some interesting reading and to debunk the common idea that thyroid meds will cure all weight issues:

    From American Thyroid Association: Since much of the weight gain in hypothyroidism is accumulation in salt and water, when the hypothyroidism is treated one can expect a small (usually less than 10% of body weight) weight loss. As in the treatment with hyperthyroidism, treatment of the abnormal state of hypothyroidism with thyroid hormone should result in a return of body weight to what it was before the hypothyroidism developed. However, since hypothyroidism usually develops over a long period of time, it is fairly common to find that there is no significant weight loss after successful treatment of hypothyroidism. Again, if all of the other symptoms of hypothyroidism, with the exception of weight gain, are resolved with treatment with thyroid hormone, it is less likely that the weight gain is solely due to the thyroid. Once hypothyroidism has been treated and thyroid hormone levels have returned to the normal range of thyroid hormone, the ability to gain or lose weight is the same as in individuals who do not have thyroid problems.

    https://www.thyroid.org/does-treatment-of-hypothyroidism-lead-to-weight-loss/

    Then why did I not get back down to 245 where I was before they removed the cancer and my thyroid? And I have had so many problems with gaining weight and retaining fluids even when I watch what i eat down to the last calorie. I was even walking 5 miles a day for several months and was still gaining weight---- which resulted in the weight that I am now. And when they change my medicine I always see an increase of a few pounds in my weight. I have been on synthroid as high as 300mcg each day but one day at 450mcg. Then I was dropped back down to 300. Then to 325, Then back to 300, then back to 275mcg.

    How many calories were set for your maintenance? How many calories were you ingesting? How many calories did you burn daily?

    These are the questions that matter to weight management.
  • cheryldumais
    cheryldumais Posts: 1,907 Member
    parrishhenryjr wrote: »
    cheryldumais wrote: »
    I am hypothyroid and have lost 105 pounds. I did not lose any weight when I was first put on meds. Going on Synthroid however did resolve my exhaustion, constipation and various other health issues. It took me another 25 years or so to diet and exercise to lose the weight.

    Just for some interesting reading and to debunk the common idea that thyroid meds will cure all weight issues:

    From American Thyroid Association: Since much of the weight gain in hypothyroidism is accumulation in salt and water, when the hypothyroidism is treated one can expect a small (usually less than 10% of body weight) weight loss. As in the treatment with hyperthyroidism, treatment of the abnormal state of hypothyroidism with thyroid hormone should result in a return of body weight to what it was before the hypothyroidism developed. However, since hypothyroidism usually develops over a long period of time, it is fairly common to find that there is no significant weight loss after successful treatment of hypothyroidism. Again, if all of the other symptoms of hypothyroidism, with the exception of weight gain, are resolved with treatment with thyroid hormone, it is less likely that the weight gain is solely due to the thyroid. Once hypothyroidism has been treated and thyroid hormone levels have returned to the normal range of thyroid hormone, the ability to gain or lose weight is the same as in individuals who do not have thyroid problems.

    https://www.thyroid.org/does-treatment-of-hypothyroidism-lead-to-weight-loss/

    Then why did I not get back down to 245 where I was before they removed the cancer and my thyroid? And I have had so many problems with gaining weight and retaining fluids even when I watch what i eat down to the last calorie. I was even walking 5 miles a day for several months and was still gaining weight---- which resulted in the weight that I am now. And when they change my medicine I always see an increase of a few pounds in my weight. I have been on synthroid as high as 300mcg each day but one day at 450mcg. Then I was dropped back down to 300. Then to 325, Then back to 300, then back to 275mcg.

    I have no idea. I'm just sharing the links to the information the American Thyroid association has given based on their testing. I can tell you that my sister who was always thin gained a great deal of weight from the chemo and prednesone (sp?) she was on because of her cancer and that was because the chemistry of her body changed. I don't know what all you have been through but perhaps it is something similar? Anyway she never lost the weight before her stroke but we were just happy to have her for that extra ten years. I'm very sorry for your struggles and hope that you remain cancer free and have better luck with your meds.
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    @mojo2702 First of all Welcome aboard!

    Success in this relies on you focusing on what matters - Calorie In / Calorie Out. 80% of your results are going to come from this.

    1. Why are you on a non-gluten diet? Was this medically directed? This has no correlation to thyroid issues.
    2. How many pounds do you have to lose?
    3. What were the results of your last thyroid panel? TSH (0.2-2.0), fT3, fT4, rT3

    You need to track what you eat to truly understand how many calories you are ingesting. You need to pick up a food scale and weigh everything, especially in the beginning of this process. I promise you are eating more than you think.

    As for the actual impact of hypothyroidism? This impact your Resting Energy Expenditure (REE) by ~5% in the most extreme circumstances. That amounts to 80 kcals/day out of a 1600 kcal/day calorie budget.

    What hypothyroidism may do is impact you appetite and satiety triggers, causing you to eat when you aren't hungry.

    I had a total thyroidectomy in 2000 due to thyroid cancer. I bought into much of the bad information out there and ended up putting on ~70 lbs over the next 14 years. None of this was due to my thyroid, but everything to do with my transitioning from a high active military career to a cushy life in academia. I found MFP in 2014 and lost 60 lbs the first year gradually decreasing my intake and increasing my activity.

    Focus on what matters and you'll be fine. Ignore all those who tell you otherwise or have no data to support their conclusions.

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