Thyroid Problems - Getting My Body Back

laraashtonleik
laraashtonleik Posts: 3 Member
edited November 24 in Motivation and Support
So a couple years ago I was only 5 lbs shy of my goal and losing was practically impossible and I started to slowly gain. So I went for my yearly and they discovered a lump on my thyroid (which later turned to a lump on both). We decided to monitor and despite maintaining for a while I started to gain quicker. They checked my levels and long story short - I went from 135 in 2015 (this photo) to 145-150 in 2016. Had surgery (thyroidectomy) in 2017 and was told everything should go back to normal because my levels would be stable. Since October I’ve gained another 15lbs! I’ve been working out daily and they’ve adjusted my medicine once. Did anyone have to make a certain change to get back? I see some progress but it does take a while to go down (expected) and then I shoot up to a new high weight. It’s so discouraging to be so close then and now to be here. Anyone been through this before or have some advice?

Replies

  • VioletRojo
    VioletRojo Posts: 597 Member
    I had a thyroidectomy in 2015 and it's been my experience that, as long as I'm properly medicated, I lose weight at the same rate and eating the same foods as anyone else. The trick is to get properly medicated and that can mean taking something other than Synthroid or generic levothyroxine.
  • ccsernica
    ccsernica Posts: 1,040 Member
    I have Hashimoto's and my thyroid pretty much stopped working entirely about 10 years ago. (Come to think of it, it been just about exactly 10 years. How time flies.) After that, my biggest problem was motivating myself to start exercising again and taking my fitness and weight seriously, not my hormone levels, which are well-maintained with Synthroid.
  • laraashtonleik
    laraashtonleik Posts: 3 Member
    VioletRojo wrote: »
    I had a thyroidectomy in 2015 and it's been my experience that, as long as I'm properly medicated, I lose weight at the same rate and eating the same foods as anyone else. The trick is to get properly medicated and that can mean taking something other than Synthroid or generic levothyroxine.

    The only thing I’ve ever heard of using is one of the two. What else is there? I will note that a few days after posting this I did go to the doctor for routine check and my levels are getting closer to wear they need to be but they did up me to 112mg.
  • VioletRojo
    VioletRojo Posts: 597 Member
    laraashtonleik wrote: »
    The only thing I’ve ever heard of using is one of the two. What else is there? I will note that a few days after posting this I did go to the doctor for routine check and my levels are getting closer to wear they need to be but they did up me to 112mg.

    Your thyroid produces five different hormones. Levothyroxine (Synthroid is the name brand) only provides one of those hormones, T4. Our bodies are supposed to convert T4 into T3, the active hormone our body actually uses, but not everyone's body converts well. Liothyronine is T3 and many people need this hormone to feel well. Desiccated natural hormone provides all the hormones our bodies would produce if it could. But, if you lost your thyroid to cancer, your doctor may be unwilling to prescribe natural desiccated hormone until you've been cancer free for a few years. Talk to your endocrinologist to discuss your options.

    Also, Synthroid isn't the only name brand levothyroxine, there are other formulations, but they can be very expensive. I'm allergic to one of the fillers in Synthroid, so I have to take one of the more expensive formulations.
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    edited February 2018
    It's important to understand what thyroid does and does not do. Thyroid has minimal impact on your metabolism ~5% from clinical observation to your Resting Energy Expenditure. That's 80 kcals/day out of a 1600 kcal/day calorie budget.

    It can have a tremendous impact on your appetite (not hunger) and satiety levels/triggers. This is where most people end up gaining weight and they believe their eating has not changed, but an extra 100 kcals/day adds up to extra weight over time.

    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 started MFP in 2014 and lost 60 lbs the first year gradually decreasing my intake and increasing my activity. I'm currently on 175/200 mcg Synthroid alternating daily.

    Success for me started with building a routine. I get up at 5 am take my Synthroid with 16 oz water. I do calisthenics, get the kids up, do calisthenics with them and get the day started. I eat a light breakfast, light lunch. I do as much walking as possible in my sit down job and run in the lunch hour and lift a bit at the gym at work. I leave and hit the gym and do another session - swim/bike/run/lift. Spend time with the family and eat more at dinner and get ~6 hrs of sleep. My diary is open if you want to check out what works for me.
  • ktoth1492
    ktoth1492 Posts: 1 Member
    So after discovering I have Hashimoto Thyroiditis and hypothyroidism at my doctors late last year I have been taking medicine. Most of my symptoms are gone and I have a lot more motivation now. Over time, before I was diagnosed, I gained a lot of weight and struggled losing it. I really want to get on track and lose at least 30lbs and it would bring me down to 170lbs. I am quite tall at 5’9” but my normal weight is around 165-170.
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