Need advice/info/help? newbie at being a hypothyroid gal

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Silver_Star
Silver_Star Posts: 1,351 Member
This is the first time im posting here.

I am a bit concerned about my situation. I was diagnosed with mild hypothyroidism by my gyne and my TSH was 1.9 to begin with and so she put me on Levothyroxine 25mg. 6 months ago. The next test showed me at 1.7 and then the recent one was 1.1
She says i am within the recommended range.

I went to see her yesterday and told her how i have been working out for almost 3 months and keeping check on my calories...but after all that i lost just 4 lbs. I lost 1 lb prior to joining MFP.

after reading a lot of the post on this group, i think its strange that i am losing just one lb a month....i am really frustrated and even though im not going to give up, i really need advice.

I know my meds are working to change the thyroid levels....but after an hour of treadmill each day for 6 days/week i have NO energy for the rest of the day. I have a desk job so im on my butt all day.

Im trying to keep my carbs to 100g a day and eating more protein and fiber.

What else do i need to do? Are there any supplements i should take to help my metabolism? I spoke to the doc about taking Alpha Lipoic Acid and she said i could if i took it at least 5 hours after my thyroid meds....so. im going to start that Monday.. Have anyone taken ALA before?

oh and they took blood yesterday to check i have PCOS ( she checked me in 2009 but said i was clear) because my period cycles were increasing and now they are 45 days long!! i seem to be very irregular and also not ovulating before 25-30 days into my cycle..

i am so concerned about this. Does anyone have any advice? or has anyone been in this situation and have some answers?
thanks in advance..
I am 33yrs 162 lbs and 5ft 1inch

Replies

  • x4mygirlsx
    x4mygirlsx Posts: 129 Member
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    Im confused???? ive always been told hypothyroid is when your TSH is above 4? and hyperthyroid is a TSH below 0.5?

    But apart from that looking at your food diary i would say you need to increase your calories. most of this week your NET calories havent reached 1200. Try eating 1200 calories plus your exercise calories. I know a lot of people who raised their calories and started losing weight.
    Hope this helps.
    x

    P.s i also take vitamin b complex and vitamin d as well as my levothyroxine.
  • lmelangley
    lmelangley Posts: 1,039 Member
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    I'm 48 and and 5'4" and started out at 175. I found that if I netted less than around 1300 - 1350 per day, I couldn't lose weight. Going down to 1200 threw me into plateaus twice. Eating around 1300 - 1350, I averaged just under a pound a week, but the loss was consistent. So, I too think you should eat more.
  • moejo3
    moejo3 Posts: 224 Member
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    I'm 48 and and 5'4" and started out at 175. I found that if I netted less than around 1300 - 1350 per day, I couldn't lose weight. Going down to 1200 threw me into plateaus twice. Eating around 1300 - 1350, I averaged just under a pound a week, but the loss was consistent. So, I too think you should eat more.

    It was suggested to me to start using coconut oil. Google Coconut oil and Thyroid and there are some interesting articles. I just bought mine today we will see how it goes. Also, you might try to see if you have low body temperature too. Take your temp every morning before doing anything. If it isn't close to 98.6 you need to get your temp up. Supposedly Virgin Coconut Oil can help to do this. My ND told me it will be very difficult to lose weight with a low temp. Mine is 96.2-96.7 during the day

    I have had Hashimotos for 4 years taking Armour, Vitamin D3, Isocort (for adrenal support) and Cortisol Manager, Fish oil and Multi
  • hsrunningmom
    hsrunningmom Posts: 130 Member
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    I would second the coconut oil. My weight finally started to come down after I started using it.
  • Silver_Star
    Silver_Star Posts: 1,351 Member
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    Thanks ladies, i will look into the virgin coconut oil . How should i take it? what time ?

    My waking temp is usually 96.4 or 96.7....its been that way for a long time now....
  • tecallahan
    tecallahan Posts: 732 Member
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    Wow -- there's so many things that could be preventing you from losing weight.. hard to know, but many of us can't. Your diary looks pretty healthy and maybe it's true that upping your net calories a little would help. I know stress can keep the weight on you as well... my Naturopath actually asked me to meditate and try to calm myself -- I was so intense about losing weight and so mad at myself when I couldn't.

    If you do increase your calories, I would say do it with fresh foods - like veggies or an apple or maybe a handful of almonds.

    Your doctor is going by your TSH only -- so you may want to read my post about MISTAKES WE MAKE..... lots of info about thyroid tests. TSH doesn't begin to tell the story of what's going on with you.
  • hsrunningmom
    hsrunningmom Posts: 130 Member
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    I take 3 Tablespoons a day. When you start using the virgin coconut oil, you will want to start out slowly if you have never used it or else you may experience intestinal distress (diareah). Start with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon for a few days then up it to an additional 1/2 tsp. until you are up to the 3 Tablespoons. You do not need to take it all at one time either. I split mine up throughout the day. I would us one that is organic. Spectrum Organic Virgin Coconut Oil can be found in a lot of grocery stores and doesn't have a coconut flavor to it. There are others out there that will have a coconut flavor. You can also use it to cook with as well.
  • BWinsto1
    BWinsto1 Posts: 46 Member
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    Go see a thyroid specialist. Also, have you considered a gluten free, soy free, dairy free diet? Going to a thyroid specialist and changing the way I eat has helped me tremendously.
  • JessCPN
    JessCPN Posts: 7
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    I would see an endocrinologist. A TSH of 1.9 does not indicate hypothyroidism, that is within normal range. My endocrinologist keeps mine between 1 and 2. I was diagnosed in 1996. Mine was managed for years by a family doctor, but my cholesterol and weight kept climbing no matter that, and I got fed up and decided to see someone else about 2 years ago. I was surprised what a difference seeing a specialist made. My family doctor thought that a TSH of 6.6 was ok because 6.9 is the "high normal" according to the lab printout he would get. I was so angry when I found out that it should be so much lower! The new doctor kept adjusting my levoxyl dose until he was happy, and cholesterol came down on it's own without medications, and I am finally able to lose weight. A specialist will know what other labs to check along with the TSH. Best of luck!
  • dalmiechick45
    dalmiechick45 Posts: 164 Member
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    Bump for later ladies .. Sorry off to work write more soon
  • ginnylee74
    ginnylee74 Posts: 398 Member
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    BUmp
  • heinrichs21
    heinrichs21 Posts: 34 Member
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    When I was diagnosed my TSH was off the chart. The dr. looked at me and told me that I should be dead... that was in 2001.

    My family Dr. has been looking after mine. I had to alter my meds when I started puberty. I have been looking after my weight loss, no help from the Dr. I gainned so much in 2 years... that I lost 32 lbs before joinning MFP. Now I am off to work off the last 15 lbs! I will be under 125 when I am done!

    Everybody goes through bumps. The trick is, is to no let it stop you or hold you back. Just eat fewer cal., be active, don't eat more then 1 plate at any given meal.

    As suggestion take to a Dietitian, or someone who specializes with the Thyroid. (Keep in mind that I have stayed with my family Dr.)