Under active thyroid and weight loss

I've found that taking L-tyrosine helps my thyroid, gives it a boost. And I feel the same way about exercise. If I make myself go do it I do feel better but somedays I would rather just sleep all day! This weekend is rough because I work 12 hour night shifts so getting in enough sleep AND spending time with my kids before work makes exercise difficult.

Yep my vitamin support tabs contain L-tyrosine too. What do you think to kelp tablets? I've heard good and bad things about taking those, so I haven't bothered as yet.

Please be VERY CAREFUL with natural supplements. If you have Hashimoto's and don't know it, taking Iodine or Kelp supplements could be very bad for you and make things way worse! I walked into a healthfood store yesterday and told her I had Hashimoto's and wanted something for Thyroid support and she tried to sell me both of those after looking it up in her "book". When I got home I did some online research and found a million articles about this. Here's one:
http://drknews.com/iodine-and-hashimotos/
Be your own advocate and do plenty of research before self-medicating. A great resource is www.stopthethyroidmadness.com.

If your thyroid level is high (meaning your TSH- thus indicating hypothryroidism) you should be on Synthroid or the generic version. The normal lab value is a bit different at different institutions, but is typically between 0.5 and 5. That being said, many people have a rather narrow range within that larger range where they feel good. Having a TSH on the high side is the only way you can be diagnosed with an "underactive" thyroid. If it is truly underactive then you should be on medication.

My TSH was hovering right around the 5 mark. I had lost about 15 pounds, but was REALLY struggling to lose anymore. Since my TSH was so close to the "normal" range, my md was hesitant to start me on Synthroid. However, he did agree to start me on a low dose and it has made ALL the difference! My level is now around 2.5 and I feel SO much better. I have more energy, my hair is less dry and "crispy" , and my weight is coming off in a more reasonable time.

Someone posted that every person has a different tolerance to thyroid levels and that is very true. I have a patient who feels best when her TSH is around 1. When her level increased to around 3 at her last appointment, I increased her Synthroid a bit and she feels normal again. For me, my 2.5 seems to be ok for me.

You may need to be your own health care advocate on this and make certain you don't need Synthroid. If your health care provider says you have an "underactive thyroid" but don't need medication, have him explain why. Not that he/she is wrong, but it is unusual.

I don't calorie count per se, but keep track of what I eat.

I eat five-six small, balanced meals every day (think protein, good carbs and healthy fat) and exercise (strength training and cardio) and drink lots of water.

I've lost 9.4 lbs in a month.

I have suffered from IBS for years and I am now wondering if it was actually down to thyroid. at the moment my most worrying symptom is short term memory problems

You mention a thyroid support vitamin supplement. Details please!

I was diagnosed with Grave's Disease (severe hyperthyroidism) about 14 years ago and the doctors told me I had to have my thyroid radiated. So, I did, and ever since then, I have been on gradually higher doses of synthroid. I seemed pretty much under control until I got pregnant in 2003. Then, after my son was born, it took nearly a year and a major dose increase to regulate my levels again. Of course, nearly as soon as it was under control, I got pregnant again and it took another 18 months after my daughhter was born to regulate me again. So, now that my daughther is 4 1/2, I feel like it's finally under control and I have started to lose the 15 pounds per child that I gained over the past 8 years! My advice - make sure you have a good doctor or go see a specialist - an endocrinologist - who understands your condition.

I feel so blessed to find this conversation thread. I have been trying to lose weight for a year and found out 6 mo ago that I was underactive. I havent lost any weight yet but I gym for 2 hrs 5 days a week and in 3 weeks I lost an inch and 4% body fat. Me too I try and lay off the carbs and no sugar but it definitely feels like a battle. All I know is that when I exercise and take the medication my life is better, its like a fog has been lifted and I generally feel well although I am still obese.

How many calories do you subtract from your tdee if you have hypothyroid problems?
Asking for a friend.

I also have an under-active thyroid, and the doctor said the same to me that i would have to work harder to lose weight.
That didn't stop me and i have now lost over 50lbs. I feel like i have to work harder then my partner but other then that i do the same as him, eat healthy and exercise.

Gaining weight unfortunately is a side affect of an under-active thyroid if not treated properly. I am on pills for it and i noticed that i lost more weight taking them then when I'm not taking them so they help a lot considering

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 1994. I always felt it would be hard to lose weight because of it. I'm on Synthroid 175 mcg. I thought after losing the weight my dosage would change. It didn't. The doctor is keeping it the same because of my blood work. I have a friend that lost 100 lbs and they lowered hers.

Anyway, I found that exercise worked for me. I tried working out off and on for years but always gave up. I never really got serious about it. When I finally did - the weight came off. And I discovered I love running.

I was diagnosed with Hashimotos Disease (under active thyroid)this past January. I gained over 30 lbs in one year. I am currently on levothyroxine 75mg and I am either at my right dose or the dose is too high. I have started a gluten free, soy free, dairy free diet which has helped me lose 7 lbs so far this week alone. I exercise at least 5 times a week. I plan on sticking to the gluten free, soy free, dairy free diet for the rest of my life.

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism a couple years ago. Being on medication (compounded at local pharmacy) and getting my levels into a "normal" range has made all the difference. Besides weight struggles, getting my levels in a normal range fixed my TOM problems.

I've lost close to 50 pounds over the past few years.

I gained weight because of thyroid issues but I also lost it because of thyroid issues, right before I was diagnosed. I topped out at 208-210 then I lost about 15 pounds (in 2010) because low thyroid made me sick for awhile (nauseous) then when I was all stable, I lost another 8 pounds to make it down to 187. Just this past February, I was 181-183 for a little while, went up to 188-190 again in March then started MFP on April 12 of this year. Since April 12th, I am now back down to 185.5 and still losing. It's a little more difficult with thyroid issues but it can be done.

I've had hypothyroidism for 12 years. It was under control with medication, diet and exercise... until early 2011. My levels have went erratic and my endocrinologist has been struggling to find a reason for it. Test after test, (not to mention 30 pounds in the first 3 months) but there is still no sign of balance. My diet has been restricted again to eliminate possible gluten allergens this time. As if, soy, dairy, cruciferous vegetables, and fresh fruits weren't enough? I have yet to lose any weight on the doctor's plan, but give it time she says. I'd be content to just feel better at this point, even if I wasn't losing.