under active thyroid diet tips

weejen1
weejen1 Posts: 3 Member
edited October 1 in Health and Weight Loss
i have an underactive thyroid and struggle to lose weight i no some of will suffer that to so thought maby we could share some tips of what kinds of foods we eat and what tips we have?

Replies

  • XiaoRuRu
    XiaoRuRu Posts: 83
    I'm hypo. But it's a recent diagnosis,and I have no clue except to avoid soy (because it somehow inhibits thyroid production).
    I look forward to seeing what others have to offer, too.
  • killagb
    killagb Posts: 3,280 Member
    The main tip would be to keep up with your endocrinologist appointments to ensure you are at the proper medicine/thyroid hormone levels.
  • TinaDay1114
    TinaDay1114 Posts: 1,328 Member
    I have an underactive one, too, and was put on medication almost a year ago -- best thing that every happened to me. I didn't start losing anything until the medication regulated my levels. And I exercised 6 days a week and ate pretty healthy then, too.
  • tambink
    tambink Posts: 349
    I have hypo tooo I have always had a hard time loosing weight but now Im loosing pretty good. I eat right and exercise alot so I seem to be doing very well. I eat fruits alot and veggies and heathly meats and NO JUNK FOOD
  • jenn2me
    jenn2me Posts: 5 Member
    I have hypo thyroid too. I got lots of good tips from Mary Shoman's Book the Thyroid Diet, but unfortunately I find that weight loss just isn't happening (lately!) I was down 15 pounds before m.f.p., but I am back up at my previous weight. I think I need to get my blood levels re-tested. At any rate, most of things that affect thyroid seem to be environmental ie/ plastics and also some additives to moisturizers and I had heard about soy. I have also heard that the plants that have alot of natural estrogens ie/ broccoli (eating too much!) can cause some difficulty. Unfortunately we just have to try harder and have a narrower margin for slip-ups...sigh!
  • dayzeerock
    dayzeerock Posts: 918 Member
    Raw cruciferous vegetables are bad. Do not eat them. Cooking or steaming them is fine, but eating them raw has negative effects on thyroid function.

    Do not eat soy within 3-4 hours of taking your medication. This will block the med from working. Soy after that is fine, but as with any soy product, avoid gmo soy.
  • houzkat
    houzkat Posts: 78
    I have Hypothyroidism and my doctor did not recommend anything other than taking my meds and making sure I get regular thyroid checks to make sure I'm taking the right dose. The medication makes all the difference :-)
  • portexploit
    portexploit Posts: 378 Member
    I know that people who do low carb for a long time or low calories for a long time can develop an underactive thyroid. Not saying that's how any one got theirs, just saying there are things you can do that can slow it down more.

    What I would do is do the complete opposite. I'd eat AT my AMR (active metabolic rate) with a balanced diet, and burn off my calories with exercise.
  • pammypk1
    pammypk1 Posts: 83 Member
    I have also been diagnosed with hypo for many years now, and I was at .125mcg. I noticed in the last weeks I had become quite sluggish and started gaining weight and returned back to the doctor to be tested. I had to have medication increased to .137mcg. I still feel sluggish and just started using to fitness plan to watch what I eat, so we will see in a week. Then I follow up again in six weeks.
  • CarolynB38
    CarolynB38 Posts: 553 Member
    Hi

    I have an underactive thyroid too and have really struggled losing weight until last week. A friend told me to try eating 6 small meals a day of around 300 calories each (whatever takes you up to your recommended calories). Try not to each much more than 300 in any one meal because your body will store any extra way more readily than someone without a thyroid problem.

    Try to reduce your carbs. Now, I'm not talking Atkins necessarily (although you may want to try it) because some people with underactive thyroid find very low carbs too difficult. But definitely try to aim for 40% carbs, 30% protein, 30% fat. Carbs enter your bloodstream more quickly than protein or fat so your blood sugar rises more quickly, your body produces extra insulin and it is then stored as fat (if this goes on for too long it can lead to insulin resistance and then type 2 diabetes - this goes for anyone but expecially for hypothyroid patients).

    Try to avoid simple carbs like refined sugary foods, white pasta, rice, bread etc and processed foods in general. Aim to get most of your carbs from fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds and wholegrain foods.

    Eating a 2 or 3 brazil nuts a day will give you enough selenium to help you convert thyroxine into T3 which is the active form of the hormone. If you don't like brazil nuts you could always take a supplement. some people also like to take iodine.

    Try to exercise everyday. If you can fit in a little walking (even 10 mins) 2 or 3 times a day this will help keep your metabolism up. Also try to do something a bit more vigorous a few times a week if you can.

    Some people say they don't have any trouble losing weight with treatment but others have a hell of a time (like me!) Everyone is different. Don't let it discourage you. You will get there in the end. I have lost two pounds in the last week after not losing any for ages just by following the simple tips above.

    I hope I haven't bombarded you with too much information. This is just what works for me :happy:
  • Susanxxxx
    Susanxxxx Posts: 53 Member
    a sea kelp supplement is supposed to be great in helping with underactive tyroid conditions. Plus you get lovely skin, hair and nails also :)
  • weejen1
    weejen1 Posts: 3 Member
    i was over active and had radioactive iodine treatment so i am now under as most of my thyroid has been destroyed. i am due back at the docs for another blood test
  • killagb
    killagb Posts: 3,280 Member
    i was over active and had radioactive iodine treatment so i am now under as most of my thyroid has been destroyed. i am due back at the docs for another blood test

    I'm over active myself and am doing the radioactive iodine treatment next Tuesday, hoping I don't go hypo, but I guess we'll see.
  • AlyAnt26
    AlyAnt26 Posts: 58
    I had an under active thyroid for about 10 years and took synthroid, different dosages, throughout those years. Now I don't have one at all. I had cancer spots on it and had to have it removed in March 2010. I had the radioactive iodine treatment to kill what remained, and now am on a steady dose of Synthroid with no changes.

    I can't say whether it was hard or easy to lose weight before, since I never really gave it my all. I do know that it was super easy to gain and puff up --- that was NOOOO Problem for me, unfortunately. Now, I'm steady with my levels, no signs of the big bad "C" word anymore, and thyroid free. It feels great not to worry about the spots and bumps anymore.

    I have been able to lose 30 pounds since July 4 with MFP, eating healthy and getting exercise. Keeping track of what I eat and being held accountable for it is what did it for me. Right now I am OFF of my synthroid for a 6 week span though, and am getting that puffy face/hands/ankles look. I have to become SUPER HYPO to go through one LAST test! After that, I should get right back on and hopefully drop all this cruddy puff that I have picked up.

    Just hang in there...it all works out! Keep yourself moving, and have someone to stay with you throughout! It helps to have a great support system!!
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