How much does Thyroid matter?

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brooke800
brooke800 Posts: 94 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm wondering how much of my inability to lose can be attributed to my slightly low T3/T4? I started Levothyroxine a few weeks ago with fatigue and unexplained weight gain. I have been tracking my calories daily, staying around 1700 (I'm 5'10" and extremely active). I "should" be losing. But nope. Not a bit. I don't want to blame my thyroid if that isn't the reason, anyone have any experience with this?

Replies

  • tlc12078
    tlc12078 Posts: 334 Member
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    your thyroid could be the cause of it. Talk to your doctor about it. You dont think your at a plateau do you? Maybe? I would def talk to the doc.
  • Jess5825
    Jess5825 Posts: 228
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    I've never had a thyroid problem so I'm not sure, but my weight is stuck. I've been in the 170's for the past 6 months and I work out 6 days a week and am on my feet 10 hours a day at my job. I'm beyond frustrated. I finally made a doctors appointment, so I can get bloodwork done. I'm kind of hoping for a medical explanation (not that I truly want a medical condition)
  • BigDaddyBRC
    BigDaddyBRC Posts: 2,395 Member
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    It's extremely important.
    The thyroid gland or simply, the thyroid (pronounced /ˈθaɪrɔɪd .../), in vertebrate anatomy, is one of the largest endocrine glands. The thyroid gland is found in the neck, below the thyroid cartilage (which forms the laryngeal prominence, or "Adam's apple"). The isthmus (the bridge between the two lobes of the thyroid) is located inferior to the cricoid cartilage.

    The thyroid gland controls how quickly the body uses energy, makes proteins, and controls how sensitive the body is to other hormones. It participates in these processes by producing thyroid hormones, the principal ones being triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine which can sometimes be referred to as tetraiodothyronine (T4). These hormones regulate the rate of metabolism and affect the growth and rate of function of many other systems in the body. T3 and T4 are synthesized from both iodine and tyrosine. The thyroid also produces calcitonin, which plays a role in calcium homeostasis.

    Hormonal output from the thyroid is regulated by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) produced by the anterior pituitary, which itself is regulated by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) produced by the hypothalamus.

    The thyroid gets its name from the Greek word for "shield", due to the shape of the related thyroid cartilage. The most common problems of the thyroid gland consist of an overactive thyroid gland, referred to as hyperthyroidism, and an underactive thyroid gland, referred to as hypothyroidism.

    Correct me if Im wrong, but Levothyroxine requires a prescription. Which means you have seen your doctor already for this issue. If it truly has been longer than 3 weeks since starting it, and say your energy levels have not improved, go back to your doctor.

    EDIT: I did take a look at your diary....It is Very Carb/sugar heavy, as you are exceeding goals daily and Protein light. Try switching up your macros. It's not just caloric intake...its nutritional intake.
  • jmespinosa
    jmespinosa Posts: 5
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    Your thyroid controls your hormones, liver, blood, memory, adrenals, and digestive system. That is why it's called the butterfly effect disease. If your thyroid drops low just slightly your whole body can be off. I have a low thyroid and that is why I lose so slow. I have to eat more protein than most because I am protein defecient due to my thyroid. I take a glandular pack and kelp and it helps me a TON. I will be so exhausted I won't even be able to get out of bed if I don't.
  • thedurttybride
    thedurttybride Posts: 10
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    I have Hashimotos and was diagnosed about 9 years ago. Through my experience I can tell you this: the thyroid absolutely affects your ability to lose weight and it's important to find a doctor who prescribes your meds not only based on your blood work, but also on your symptoms. I've found that many endocrinologists go solely off of lab results. The thyroid is tricky and can be a roller coaster. I've been where you are and my biggest recommendation is to keep tracking like you are and then take those results to your doctor so you can discuss the weight loss problem.
  • mbajrami
    mbajrami Posts: 636 Member
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    It made a HUGE difference for me.

    That said, one thing I have been told by EVERYONE (other thyroid patients, nurses, doctors, pharmacists) is that while 99.9% of the time it is fine to get generics of your prescription meds for everything else, DO NOT use the generic thyroid meds. They don't work as well.

    I started with Synthroid and had 60 lbs MELT off in just 5 months, then used the generic for a 3 month period and plateaued. Then my thyroid had to be re-regulated after I gained about 28 lbs back and I got back on Synthroid and I'm back to losing.

    p.s. They also say to not switch back and forth between name brand/generic. But if I was you, I would switch to Synthroid and stay on it. See if that makes a difference.
  • brooke800
    brooke800 Posts: 94 Member
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    Thank you all so much! Yes, I am taking the generic and was wondering about that. How long did it take of taking meds before you starated to see improvements?
    I'm definitely not at a plateau. I haven't lost anything!
    BigDaddy: Yes, my dr. diagnosed me and I started meds 3 weeks ago, but she said it might take 6 weeks to see any improvement in symptoms. I agree my diet is carb heavy. That is recent as I started to see an RD who said i need to increase carbs because I am a distance runner and my times were getting worse and worse. Not sure if it was diet/thyroid/weight gain or all!
  • shamr0ck
    shamr0ck Posts: 296 Member
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    Ditch the generic, it can make a huge difference. My endo always writes my script to be "brand only".

    I lost my thyroid to cancer three years ago. Getting the dosage straight and your body to where it feels good and is functioning properly can take a while. It's possible that your doctor has you on a minimal amount of hormone, as they generally like to increase it gradually to avoid shocking the body. It can make a difference in as little as 2 weeks, or take as long as 2 months before you begin to feel better.

    If you are not going to a specialist (an endocrinologist), consider switching. At least verify that your doctor is checking more than your TSH levels; T3 and T4, free T3 and free T4 are important.

    Do watch your diet - boost your protein, and watch your sugar levels. I feel like absolute crap when my carbs creep up. And don't expect the weight to drop off - it might happen for some folks, but for the majority of us with thyroid issues, it is a struggle.

    Good luck!
  • iwantahealthierme13
    iwantahealthierme13 Posts: 337 Member
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    I would think 1700 cals is a bit too much for someone with thyroid issues if you're not very active.

    Try around 1600 that's what was recommended by the site to me and I'm slowly losing!
  • brooke800
    brooke800 Posts: 94 Member
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    So even with medication I might find it difficult to lose? I thought I would be back to "normal", but maybe I was just hopeful :)
  • iwantahealthierme13
    iwantahealthierme13 Posts: 337 Member
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    I've been losing and gaining the same 2 pounds for a couple of weeks but today they came off again and I hope they stay off

    SLOWLY, we'll get there.
  • 75Juniper
    75Juniper Posts: 376
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    I have Hashimotos and was diagnosed about 9 years ago. Through my experience I can tell you this: the thyroid absolutely affects your ability to lose weight and it's important to find a doctor who prescribes your meds not only based on your blood work, but also on your symptoms. I've found that many endocrinologists go solely off of lab results. The thyroid is tricky and can be a roller coaster. I've been where you are and my biggest recommendation is to keep tracking like you are and then take those results to your doctor so you can discuss the weight loss problem.

    Absolutely agree - my husband has thyroid issues and his endocrinologist was useless. Finally his family doctor listened to him when he said, "I don't care what the labs say, this is how I'm feeling." The doctor got his medicine tweaked properly and he is stabilized and symptom-free. Don't be afraid to keep pestering the doctor or to find a new doctor - you can feel good and live a normal life with a quacky thyroid.
  • ColtyHan
    ColtyHan Posts: 59 Member
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    It took me 6-8 months to get my medication adjusted to the right level for me. You will need to be very patient, it takes a while for your body to get used to the new way of working.

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