hypothyroidism

tracijo50
tracijo50 Posts: 32 Member
edited September 19 in Health and Weight Loss
I have hypothyroidism (just recently diagnosed). The dr said it would help with my energy and motivation once i started meds. Well it hasn't. I have been struggling to lose weight and stay motivated. I have gain 10 lbs in the past yr and getting less and less motivated. I have been trying to get back on track. (Eating better and working out 5 days a week.) Recently I have been thinking about taking some OTC diet pills. Just to help give me a boost and get back to working out regularly and eating better. However I am nervous because of hypothryoidism. Any tips/advice?

Replies

  • MTGirl
    MTGirl Posts: 1,490 Member
    It will take some time to get your med levels adjusted appropriately. If you are still tired and struggling, keep in touch with your Doc. They should be testing your TSH levels every 2 - 3 months right now to get you on the appropriate dose. If they are not and don't think they need to you should consider switching doctors. Also, they should get your dose to the point that your TSH is less than 5, some docs say less than 2. Some think 10 - 20 is o.k., but that still is way to high! I would not recommend taking any diet pills. Once your dose of medicine is straightened out and your body is functioning better, you will be able to lose weight. Be patient!!

    BTW - it took 2 years and 3 doctors to get my doses correct for me. I've lost 50 lbs since they got me on the correct dose of med. Good luck and I wish you well on getting your thyroid problems straightened around!!
  • tracijo50
    tracijo50 Posts: 32 Member
    I went back a couple of months ago and he said the dosage was fine. I was like well im still tired not motivated etc...He said are you depressed? I was like no, which I seriously dont think that I am. I just dont know what to do...if the dosage is correct and still at the same point..
  • ivykivy
    ivykivy Posts: 2,970 Member
    Apparently the dosage is not right for YOU. Take the recent research with you which says number should be between 3 or 0.3. http://thyroid.about.com/od/gettestedanddiagnosed/a/optimaltsh.htm

    My doctor had me at 1.8 and I started losing weight. I was at 2 in January and noticed weight loss had slowed some. I have decreased my deficit since then and am losing weight steadily.
  • zebras
    zebras Posts: 600
    The dosage may still not be right for you. Find out what your TSH number is rather than accepting the Dr's word, and if you aren't close to 1, you should think about changing doctors with one that is willing to work with you get your symptoms under control. That's what I had to do, it took me several years to get sorted out. If you read any of those diet pills boxes, they will tell you not to take them if you have an underactive thyroid.
  • MTGirl
    MTGirl Posts: 1,490 Member
    I went back a couple of months ago and he said the dosage was fine. I was like well im still tired not motivated etc...He said are you depressed? I was like no, which I seriously dont think that I am. I just dont know what to do...if the dosage is correct and still at the same point..

    What dosage are you on and what were your TSH results??

    edited to add: I also had a doctor that insisted that my dose was o.k. - 175 mcg Levothyroxin. My TSH was 16 point something - that is not good enough!
  • debnu1
    debnu1 Posts: 1,568 Member
    Do you know your TSH and T3/4 levels? Some people don't respond to Synthroid very well as it still needs to be converted by your body to be usable. You may need a different medication to feel a complete difference. Check out www.about.thyroid.com there are some great tips in there. Find something that motivates you--sports, new fitness routine, set measurable goals that you reward yourself for. (I will eat according to plan and exercise at least 200 min a week for a month) I would really avoid diet pills as they are only a quick fix and the side effects are not worth it.

    Good luck
  • meggieb
    meggieb Posts: 3
    It has a lot to do with having an understanding and knowledgeable doc. I went untreated and undiagnosed for years and felt terrible. I was really tired, depressed, gained weight, etc. All classic symptoms, but also common complaints for anyone with children, hard jobs, etc. Anyway, I found I had to be my own advocate when it came to meds, tests and dosages. I did my homework and found a specialist that would LISTEN to me and would treat ME and how I felt and not just glance at a lab test.
    We worked together and found that 1. the generic meds do not work for me. 2. My best dosage/I feel my best when my TSH is 1!!! Many docs aren't current on acceptable TSH levels and just "go with what they know" from 10 years ago. Sometimes, t3/t4 levels are off as well.

    A few more things, and then I'll stop :). Depression is often associated with hypothyroidism. Treat the hypo and see if your depression fades. Honestly, with the weight and thyroid thing, I did not lose weight even when my dosage was correct. I had to do that through the usual way (that's why I'm here) and was very, very disappointed :)!

    Don't add diet pills on top of the thyroid meds. Talk to your doc or find one that will listen to you. Can you see a specialist? Endocrinologist?

    Hugs to you, honey. The thyroid thing almost trashed my life. When you get your dosages right, it gets better...
  • MTGirl
    MTGirl Posts: 1,490 Member


    A few more things, and then I'll stop :). Depression is often associated with hypothyroidism. Treat the hypo and see if your depression fades. Honestly, with the weight and thyroid thing, I did not lose weight even when my dosage was correct. I had to do that through the usual way (that's why I'm here) and was very, very disappointed :)!

    Don't add diet pills on top of the thyroid meds. Talk to your doc or find one that will listen to you. Can you see a specialist? Endocrinologist?

    Hugs to you, honey. The thyroid thing almost trashed my life. When you get your dosages right, it gets better...

    She is correct - I thought, and my first doc said, that the weight would fall off. BS!! I still have to count calories and exercise and actually have to work a little harder than I used to have to. But, it goes if I follow what I know I need to do. And depression is associated for various reasons.

    A couple of resources I found invaluable - "Living Well with Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You . . . That You Need To Know" by Mary Shomon and "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Hypothyroidism" byt Ken Blanchard with Marietta Abrams Bell. Looks like there are some newer books out also that may be really good - if you go onto Barnes & Noble site and search Hypothyroidism you will find good resourses, including the above mentioned.
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