Hypothyroidism and Weight Loss

Hi, there. I've been on MFP for about two months now. Lost a couple pounds only to gain it back. I have been on WW several times as long as other calorie counting websites. I have extreme fatigue, insomnia, depressions, thinning hair, etc. Classic symptoms of a thyroid problem. I've had it tested twice. I just got my latest results in the mail and all levels are extremely low. Yet, my new doctor won't put me on meds. She wants me to have my metabolic rate tested now. It's so frustrating. I'm tired all the dang time. I don't know how much more of this I can handle. I'm interested in talking to some other people who have the same issues.

I've had hypothyroidism for at least 15 years. My weight has escalated over those 15 years. Yes, you have to work twice as hard to get that weight off and keep it off and I have thrown in the towel many times and vowed not to even care but there comes a point when you know you are just kidding yourself and something has to be done. So I began this program and this is my third week and I have lost 5 pounds so far but this is my ninth week of trying to diet and altogether I have lost 15 pounds. I use an exercise bike that shows calories burned and crank up the tension, do stretches and use 1 pound weights afterwards. I have had both knees replaced so high impact exercises or floor exercises are out. I am open to any suggestions about how to speed up my metabolism and lose those pounds.

I agree with sackit...go to a reputable endocrinologist. There is a reason they are specialists. I have been living without 1/2 my thyroid for over 20 years and take my meds regularly and also get my levels checked every 6 months now. I re-began my journey Dec 5th and have lost 35 lbs to date. It can be done....sometimes it's harder, but not so much if you are regulated.

You have to want to be healthy and if you are serious and tired of being tired get to the Dr's...time is ticking by. I'm proof that it can be done and I turn 50 this year so add that to the mix of slow metobolism.

Good Luck.

Go to Groups and search on this
hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism

you will get support there too

When looking at lab results make sure you know the good ranges. For some of the thyroid tests, low is good, when it goes above 5 is when they are getting bad.

@MrsEb79 I have been treated for hypothyroidism for years. Last year I had female troubles (just email me if you want details. Most people reading this really don't...) and the gyno suggested I get another blood test. Long story short, my doctor didn't want to up my medication because it was "only a little out of range". (That didn't stop him from wanting me to take cholesterol medication for a borderline reading...). Anyway, he wanted me to go for more tests for my female trouble. I stubbornly told him not until my thyroid was dealt with. Well, he upped the medication dose, and the female trouble went away. I feel much better in general now, too. I've lost 36 pounds since September. I don't credit the because I had to work for it. It didn't "melt off", but I know that the medication regulated my thyroid and that my thyroid regulation made is possible for me to do that. Really, it was an answer to prayer.

My advice is to argue with your doctor. Ask him or her what he or she IS willing to do about your low numbers. Point out that there IS a problem shown by your tests, and you need them to find a solution. If thyroid medicine isn't the solution, what is? Diet and exercise? Print out your diary and SHOW them that that advice hasn't helped and that you need an actual solution. Find another doctor if necessary. Another after that if necessary. No, I'm not suggesting that you find a doctor who agrees with you and writes a prescription. I'm suggesting that you find a doctor that takes your problem seriously and works to find a solution, and not just place blame on you and sends you off.

@MrsEb79 I have been treated for hypothyroidism for years. Last year I had female troubles (just email me if you want details. Most people reading this really don't...) and the gyno suggested I get another blood test. Long story short, my doctor didn't want to up my medication because it was "only a little out of range". (That didn't stop him from wanting me to take cholesterol medication for a borderline reading...). Anyway, he wanted me to go for more tests for my female trouble. I stubbornly told him not until my thyroid was dealt with. Well, he upped the medication dose, and the female trouble went away. I feel much better in general now, too. I've lost 36 pounds since September. I don't credit the because I had to work for it. It didn't "melt off", but I know that the medication regulated my thyroid and that my thyroid regulation made is possible for me to do that. Really, it was an answer to prayer.

My advice is to argue with your doctor. Ask him or her what he or she IS willing to do about your low numbers. Point out that there IS a problem shown by your tests, and you need them to find a solution. If thyroid medicine isn't the solution, what is? Diet and exercise? Print out your diary and SHOW them that that advice hasn't helped and that you need an actual solution. Find another doctor if necessary. Another after that if necessary. No, I'm not suggesting that you find a doctor who agrees with you and writes a prescription. I'm suggesting that you find a doctor that takes your problem seriously and works to find a solution, and not just place blame on you and sends you off.

Thanks so much for your reply! I've left a message for the doctor and am waiting a reply. I know that no matter what, it's gonna be hard work. I feel like the 18 months of hard work that I've put in have gotten me absolutely no where. I haven't lost weight, I've gained weight.

Do I eat more than I should some days? Yes. Do I eat things that I shouldn't eat on occasion? Yes. But, if you look at my tracking and my exercising, there is no excuse for the weight I've gained.

It's so terribly frustrating.

Yes. It IS frustrating. Print out your diary. If you think your doctor is a jerk and will say "I don't have time to look at that...", then look at reports and print out reports for net calories for the last 90 days (well, sixty some days) as well so he or she can just look at a bar graph and get the idea at a glance. DARE your doctor to claim you aren't trying. CHALLENGE your doctor to do more than just blame you. YOU are your number one advocate. If it were your husband, child, or parent, you would do all those things. YOU are worth the effort for you to do it for you.
(Thanks for accepting my friend request, Mrs.Eb. I'm not always so preachy. :bigsmile: Doctors who don't listen are a "hot button" issue for me.)

Go to a new doctor. You need meds. A natural med called armour has been helping me. Most doctors DONT know enough
about thyroids. You have all the symptoms. Good luck.

I can so relate to your situation. It took me a year to lose 10 lbs on weight watchers!! That was three years ago. slowly 7 of it has come back. I eat really really good, but do have sugar cravings!!! I work out really hard too (6 days a week!). Thanks for confirming my thoughts on having to work at this extra hard just to lose a few lbs. Jeez is it frustrating!! My husband always says, "as hard as you work out and eat well, you would think you would be smaller" (not that he doesn't like how I look, but you get what I mean)
Dont give up!!! I have been on armour and just upped my dosage so I am hoping to see some better results. Its only been 6months. My doctor seems totally clueless about thyroid.... thinks my constipation is just what happens to some people!!! Jeez....

Time to get a new Dr! Ridiculous that they have lab proof that your thyroid is not functioning and they are not doing anything for you. You may also want to have your Vitamin D and Iron levels checked. Good luck with your wt loss!