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MyFitnessPal Community

Friendship & Intro Thread

debbylee22

Hi & welcome!

I thought it might be nice to have a "community chat" thread here. We all seem to rub elbows here quite a bit, but not enough to really get to know each other.

I live in British Columbia, Canada. Just found out that I had hypothyroidism in April, and found this forum extremely helpful to answer the questions I had, and point me in the right direction to getting proper treatment, and understanding what was happening to my body.

I hope that all newcomers (& old-timers) experience the same support & encouragement that I have & do from all of you. :happy:

Replies

cherylann747474

Hi everyone! My name is Cheryl. I'm 41 years old and live in Michigan. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto (underactive thyroidism) about 20 years ago. Since the diagnosis my weight has been going up and I'm fed up with it. I know that I can lose the weight if I really try hard. That's my goal for 2016, to be able to feel & look good. I look forward to getting to know everyone and making new friends.

donutbears

Hi everyone! First post ever on MFP as I just signed up yesterday. I was first diagnosed with hyperthyroidism a decade ago. I was one of those unfortunate ones who ended up gaining weight instead of losing. I've recently had a relapse in thyroiditis and hyper again. Per my endocrinologist, she says I'll have a difficult time losing weight (gained a bunch). Which truly is unfortunate timing as I'm getting married in a few months and started working out 3-5x a week last July 2015 thinking that was ample time. This is the heaviest I have ever been in my life. Unfortunately, I haven't lost any weight at all and so now I'm using MFP to strictly monitor my calories.

lisacarraway

Hey would love to get your diet sheet. I just found out my thyroid is not working last in December. Trying to lose a about 50 pounds .

tyt11202004 wrote: »

Hi everyone! I am 32, mother of 2. I stay at home and homeschool my oldest. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 4 years ago. I switched my medicine from synthroid to Armour last year and have had a much improved symptom set. I have gained weight after each of my children, and need to lose it. In January, I asked my dr for a diet plan that would help me get rid of the extra 50+/- pounds I had. I started that diet Jan 12, and lost 20 pounds in 7 1/2 weeks. I am stoked!! I also recently had a deficiency in potassium that sent me to the ER with heart palpitations. I need all the help I can get to have a nutrient-rich diet that will not mess up my thyroid and still help me lose weight. I average a 10 pound weight loss each month. I would like to at least maintain that if not increase it. I still have about 40 pounds to lose.

lisacarraway

Hey new to group just found out my thyroids is not working. They found this by ex Ray only everything else looked good. I am on synthroid 75 right now .

friendlygirl316

Hi everyone. I have hypothyroidism which is genetic. I also have lot of other health issues. Sometimes I wonder off they're all related somehow. Currently take 150 mcg Synthroid.

PHS7

Hey all. Been on MFP for a few years and have had some good success. But, like a lot of us, I've backslid over the last few months. Time to get back at it and lose some more weight. On the thyroid front, I was diagnosed with Graves several years ago. After playing around with a bad endocrinologist who wasted a year playing with meds, I went the iodine route and shut off the thyroid (I didn't want a scar). I'm currently taking 175mcg synthroid daily. Once I'm back at the gym my normal routine is @2000 calories/day, weight training 3 times per week and cardio 3-4 times per week.

LauraCoth

Hashi patient here. Used to live in Vancouver, B.C. but retired to Campbell River to a house on the ocean.

mefatpat2

Good morning all. Did anyone else have a problem with the holidays? I have found that my problem (other than everything else) seems to lie in the amount of sodium I eat so if I keep that really low apparently everything else works well. I do have under-active thyroid and take meds but I wonder if there is anything else that could be affecting how sodium affects my body. The holiday (July 4 here in the US) - really undermined my low sodium diet but then it was maybe worth it. Back to the starting point - I gained three pounds in three days.

mefatpat2

Happy day for me. Lost 2 lbs (water I am sure) since yesterday. Tuesday is one of my big exercise days - league bowling. Always helps me lose weight. Hope everyone is doing well here. Not too many people seem to be posting but that is the nature of life.

AvrilC1971

Hi All. I'm Avril. 45 from Ontario Canada and today is day one of my life with Graves Disease. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it all so I'm looking forward to reading stories and getting advice from all of you...
Kisses

mefatpat2

With the new grandson it is very hard to keep track of eating. Will do the best I can but at least again today I have not gained!!

najones87

Hi everyone. I just joined. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Hypothyroidism a month ago and am still getting used to my meds. I have had symptoms for years but finally a doctor listened to me. But now I need to get off all the weight I put on because of it. I am hoping for motivation to do it!

btmumma

Hi everybody! I just found this group. So excited. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism way back in 1994. In 2008 I finally learned I has Hashimoto's. End of last year we found that I was also dealing with hyperparathyroidism due to a vitamin D deficiency. Oh let us not forget the severe cervical stenosis, herniated lumbar disc, osteoarthritis of the spine and fibromyalgia. Weight is so hard for me now.

The hyperparathyroidism is under control now. Now my last TSH was only 0.2. So doc has ⬇️ the levo to 100mcg and added citomel. The rheumy has added d-ribose 2x/day for the fibro and my psychiatrist has changed all my other meds too. Ugh.

Aruba08

Hi everyone. Graves disease here, never lost an ounce. I struggle with hunger and palpitations but all is suddenly getting under control with meds. Back to MFP to log and take ownership of consumption. Heart is struggling so it will be all diet based rather than exercise until things have safely leveled out.

LauraCoth

I have Hashimoto's.

I was symptomatic for over 3 decades before finally being diagnosed; during that time I was treated to the "mental illness" model of thyroid treatment, which as many of us know involves antidepressants and lots of counseling revolving around one's alleged lazy, negative attitude towards life.

I was then treated to 20 years of Synthroid, which did little to alleviate my symptoms -- but again, I was told that these must necessarily be in my head because my TSH was"in the normal range."

Finally I went to a licensed N.D. who suggested that I insist that my doctor run a full thyroid panel instead of the TSH-only testing he had been doing. He had to grudgingly acknowledge that I don't convert T4 into T3, and put me on desiccated thyroid.

It still isn't easy street because I have horrible insomnia, but it seems that as time goes by and I play with my dosage, my health is improving slowly -- but I can't lose weight. I suspect a lot of it is water retention because I seem to swell up and down, but I definitely can't lose weight, either.

svranch

Hi everyone...I am turning 50 this year and have a lot of weight to lose but I have not been officially diagnosed with hypo thyroidism....A holistic dr. thinks I may have Hashimotos but I don't have the money to a dr yet. Several years ago my thyroid count was at a 3 but my then dr said that it had to be at a 5 to get meds. Weight gain, tired, loss of thought, and a very low body temp among other symptoms tell me that I need to have something done. I am looking forward to learning from each of you. I would love to have some friends that can advise me.

OhDD65

I have had hypothyroid issues since I was a child. Periods of time where I was on meds and then taken off and lived with lots of symptoms for yrs. Finally had a dr that an took interest in me. In time I was put on Armour with an adjusted prescription. Fine until he retired and now we are regulating the prescription again. What I have learned is that when I was walking about 2 miles a day 5 to 6 days a wk I lost about .25 of a lb a week. I also kept a running diary on MFP coupled with my Fitbit. I ended up losing 15 lbs though I still have another 15 to go. Life is on hold again since I have been told to stay off my feet (plantar fiscitis) thus seeing my wt going back up 3 lbs. I am really having to watch my salt and bread (glutin) intake because that tends to really put my wt on. Also have to watch my sugar intake too because that tends to make a difference. Its all about exercise and eating no processed foods, plus watching the food portions. Good luck with this ladies...

LauraCoth

svranch wrote: »

Hi everyone...I am turning 50 this year and have a lot of weight to lose but I have not been officially diagnosed with hypo thyroidism....A holistic dr. thinks I may have Hashimotos but I don't have the money to a dr yet. Several years ago my thyroid count was at a 3 but my then dr said that it had to be at a 5 to get meds. Weight gain, tired, loss of thought, and a very low body temp among other symptoms tell me that I need to have something done. I am looking forward to learning from each of you. I would love to have some friends that can advise me.

The idea that treatment is not given until TSH is 5 is nothing short of patient abuse. Most thyroid patients feel their best when their TSH is within the 0.5 to 1.5 range. Waiting until someone is very ill cannot even remotely be considered good health care.

Where do you live? Are naturopaths licensed in your area/country/state/province? A licensed naturopath (i.e. one who has been to medical school) can prescribe thyroid medication.

Otherwise, you could try to find a more enlightened doctor who knows how to diagnose and treat thyroid disease.

If not, and you can't get a doctor to budge on treating you, you could at least take L-tyrosine and selenium, both of which can give your thyroid some support.

DaizyBell

Hi Everyone,

I am Rona, and I am 37 years old, married and living in Ireland. I was diagnosed with Hpothyroidism back in 2006, and am on 75 mcg of Eltroxin.
I am also on Vitamin D, and Iron. Plus I suffer from depression and am on meds for that. I am also attending the hospital and getting tests done to see if I have PCOS.

Anyway, just wanted to say Hi to you all, please feel free to add me. I could do with a buddy or two that is going through the same thing. I am desperate to lose weight, and finding it a struggle at times. I started on Slimming World about a week ago and am going to get weighed in a few days to see if I lost anything, fingers crossed that I have.

Looking forward to getting to know you all!

Rona

darrost88

Hi I just joined I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism over 10 yrs ago I am an obese lady who is determined to change my life I don't like my body anymore LOL I was on weight watchers the first time I decided i didn't like what I seen in the mirror and was doing really good but then my thyroid decided to go under active and I started gaining weight a little here and there and then I stopped weight watchers because I was so frustrated Here I was trying so hard and not getting anywhere. I was also working to jobs 1 full time one part time so when i was exhausted all the time and could fall asleep anywhere I just chalked it up to working to much There were other symptoms that I ignored or simply didn't pay attention to until I was diagnosed like my hair thinning I still have a spot on each side of my head that is extremely thin,,, OK I have 2 bald spots at my temples. My feet hurt I explained that off as I worked 2 jobs and was on my feel a lot. My Dr missed my symptoms too as I do have a family history when my uterus swelled and I couldn't stop crying she decided to test my thyroid. I had some more health problems and am not on disability I walk with a cane and suffer from chronic pain. I don't let that stop me I just do what i can and I still even on the worst days get out and walk because I have a little dog, She is the best thing that has ever came into my life. I would like to find a on line buddy so stop by and say HI
I live in the lower main land/ Vancouver BC
Darlene

KathleenSweetie

I have a nonfunctioning pituitary and hence thyroid. So I'm on hydrocortisone and levothyroxine. Both worked well for me until my insurance would cover generic. Fortunately my endocrinologist connected recent weight gain of 40 labs in 6 mos with the generic brands not working for me. I also had other symptoms, extreme tired and so on. Now that my brands are right for me, I stuck with trying to get off this weight. Like others on this forum, weight went to my stomach which is really abnormal for me. I know I can loose the weight but I'd really appreciate support during this tough journey back. I'm concerned this journey back is going to be rough because I'm now in my modn50s.. I live in Minneapolis area. Thanks

Lenascrivente

16 August 2017

Dear all
I have been toying with MFP since last year but found out it reactivated an old eating disorder.
One year after, I decided to start again from mindset and I'm here for the long haul.
As most people with a past of eating disorders, I did manage to lose weight effectively in the past, and got it all back with some more .
The last time in 2012 I lost 20 kgs in 6 months, just through self-regulated eating, exercise and a lot of self-compassion and love for myself.
So how did it all creep up again , with a plus of 9 kgs?
Increased stress and emotionally traumatic events in my life, poor stress management and a lack of support systems to keep it up. From 2013 to 2017, I put on 29 kgs again.
So I am here to lose 45 kgs over 2 years, at a pace of about 2 kgs per month on average.
As by now I know that weight loss is not a linear process, I think I will use less stressful months to lose 4 kgs, and more stressful months to lose a minimum of 2. This will minimise stressing about plateaus and having to deal with difficult life moments that I foresee will be there, given my family situation with 2 members struggling against cancer.
Also my thyroid stopped working properly last winter and I am still adjusting medication so this should be taken into account.
This is how it would look like ideally:
100 lbs (45 kgs) = 20 lbs x 5 (9 kgs x 5)
Each goal is 9 kgs in five months.

GOAL 1
September 1st 2017 to January 30th 2018
From 106 kgs to 97 kgs - minus 9

reward: winter summer break somewhere sunny

Before September 1st I will post my plan for the first month and will keep logging in.
Please befriend me if you have success stories to share about losing 100 lbs, hypothyroidism and eating disorders.
Thanks!
Lena

mickiodwyer

Hi all! I think it is so awesome we are all working at being healthy. Especially with such chronic hurdle to overcome. I haven't read through all the posts so if I am repeating someone else's story my apologies.

I am almost 43 5'2" and 125 lbs and have in the last 3 years kinda figured out what has helped me drop and keep my weight off (15-20lbs). I know it sounds small but looked big on me and also those last buggers are the hardest to lose.

Anyways quick history: Hypothyroid diagnosis = levothyroxine but very marginal improvement in symptoms. 6 months later I asked and was test for celiac disease. Results positive. In case you don't know there is strong connection between the two diseases - they are also both autoimmune.

Long story short, I went on a gluten free diet THEN I went on a paleo type diet. I am not as strict as those nuts

, but I primarily eat lots of vegetables, healthy fat and meat protein. I avoid starches sugars etc as much as possible. I use them as a treat. IE I never eat potatoes/rice/corn(flour) foods with my meals. Occasionally I will have potato chips or rice crackers. Furthermore I feel way better too. There are lots of books out there for this kind of diet.

Finally I am pretty active and was struggling for years with exercise intolerance and with a last kick at the can I asked my endo if I could PUH-LEASE try dessicated thyroid and if it failed I would embrace my chronic fatigue like symptoms. I would say that I am 75% better. The reason I came on here actually was to see if ANY active people have had full recovery of normal energy etc with pharmaceutical treatment. Anyways hope this helps.

Good luck!!

LAT1963

Returning after long absence from mfp initiated by 'data logging fatigue'. Now weigh more than I ever have before after damaging the ligaments in my feet so I can't walk for exercise--252 lbs (my wrists are 7" circumference despite being female so an ideal weight for me (20% fat) is around 150). Been on levothyroxine about 5 years now.

No exercise (nearest lap pool is too far away) and need to lose weight. Wish me luck.

kacahill320

Hi, I am back on the wagon! I have done MFP before. I am really excited because I started on August 5th and have been on track, I have a note I keep on my PC so every time I open it I see it and it's the first thing I do!!! I have see sawed on my weight loss all month. I have discovered my ideal calories for the day. I have lost 8lbs. I have hypo/hyper thyroid every 3-6 months my dr. has to change my dosage!!! It's either up or down it just won't stay stable. I refuse to see an endocrinologist, the one time I went she diagnosed diabetes 2 and wanted me to check blood sugars a few times a day. well I was making myself crazy, my mom and sister are diabetic, neuropathy, blindness, amputation of a toe, my brother was also diagnosed and they wanted to put him on insulin, through diet and exercise he reversed it. I am going to do the same. I am on a med that increased blood sugar so I take metformin for it. my A1C is 5.5 yeah. I want my thyroid stable. is anyone really going to read all this?

bametels

kacahill320 wrote: »

...is anyone really going to read all this?

Hello, kachill320 - I read it! @LAT1963 - I read you post, too!

Unfortunately, this group has not been very active of late. It's too bad because there was a lot of good information shared in the past.

I've been a MFP user for just over 5-years now. I have a history of thyoid problems caused by a nasty bout of thyroiditis almost 20 years ago. MFP has changed my life. I lost a substantial amount of weight and have kept it off. Some bumps along the way, but I find MFP very helpful; both for logging food, for the group support, and for the information shared.

Good luck to both of you. You can do this!!

kacahill320

thanks bametels, I have a hard copy of my weight and calorie charts, I lost 8lbs in August and I will keep it off thanks to MFP. any ideas of why my thyroid levels change so often?

bametels

kacahill320 wrote: »

thanks bametels, I have a hard copy of my weight and calorie charts, I lost 8lbs in August and I will keep it off thanks to MFP. any ideas of why my thyroid levels change so often?

Do you have Hashimoto's disease? This disease can cause swings in thyroid levels. If you have not been tested for it, I would suggest that you get tested. I don't know if your regular doctor will order the test or not. You may have to see an endocrinologist. Also, changes in your weight can effect your thyroid hormones. If your weight has bounced around over time, the amount of thyroid replacement medication you need could vary accordingly.

FYI - I am not a medical professional, so this in not medical advice. The information that I am sharing is from my personal experience and the reading that I have done on thyroid problems.

Fuzzipeg

Hi kacahill, I agree with Bametels, this group is rather on the tired side yet its pages hold so very much good information.

Hashimoto's initially presents with periods of hyper and hypothyroid periods these are caused by increases and decreases in antibody levels. Its my opinion the international medical professions are all to keen to slot each and everyone of us into their predefined boxes and if we dare to have a body which fails to comply its us and not the system which is wrong. Levothyroxine does not suit everyone. I'm just someone else who has been through the mill before regaining my health.

If at all possible ask for an antibody test. This will tell you if you have Hashimoto' s which presents with fluctuating thyroid numbers as a result of antibodies. Graves is hyper which is also antibody driven. I've no experience of this. Also expect to have your tsh, t4, total t3 - reverse t3, taking the reverse from the total gives you the active portion for your body to use, there are also vitamin and mineral levels which could be tested and could be most helpful in regaining your health. You may find changing your doctor really helpful. There are a couple of sites which come to mind, Stop the Thyroid Madness, STTM, along with information relating to the cause of symptoms it also has a list of doctors who have helped people with thyroid issues in the past. There is also Hypothyroid mom, I think she too has a list of helpful doctors, some international ones. Most countries have thyroid support sites which have similar information on them, its well worth giving them a look.

I wish our information which give the date we first registered also gave the country we come from. I'm in the UK. I have needed to go outside of our health service in order to get my health back but its not without costs, from being untreated for so very long and now using a BANT Registered Nutritionist, UK only. They follow a more functional approach using the same blood tests as the medical profession have access to but defining why the body does what it is doing. The endocrine system is like a series of interlocking cogs and things, you could almost say it functions like a solar system - as long as each gland is working properly there are no issues, something then intervenes and things start to go wrong.

One site, I can't remember which gives a list of 300 possible symptoms related to thyroid issues. There is a relationship between the thyroid and insulin issues - its all in how the glands are working together. I'm sceptical that each and every endocrinologist really understands their subject. One I had the misfortune to meet considered he knew more than a Professor in Immunology, specialising in autoimmunity, at the Regional Centre! At this point I was dinghied the opportunity to go back to Region, so had to save my life, go private. I was fortunate to have had the Professors input laying all my health issues as being cumulative from Hashimoto's. Discovering what was driving my antibodies and eliminating them from my diet helped, being able to access alternative preparations has given me my life back.

I wish you the very best of fortune, that you can get on top of this with the best treatment out there because there is a world of difference between being hypo because your diet is deficient in vitamins and minerals and having an autoimmune condition. It is possible to have more than one autoimmune condition co existing, if you can find the drivers of the antibodies and rectify that, its more complicated and has individual representations, it can be done with the right help.

kacahill320

thanks ladies, I'm going to look into Hashimoto's and discuss with my doctor. I am so happy to find this group, I need the daily chit chats and advice! I am working the program MFP offers and it's working.
thanks