I am so glad to have found this group and while my doctor feels I do not have thyroidism, I know I am "thyroid challenged'

I first had problems with my thyroid in my early 30's and was excruciatingly exhausted. My TSH was 4.3 mG/l but I did not know back then to have my Free T3 & Free T4 checked, although it likely would not have helped as in Canada it is all about the TSH Even though there is a history of hypothroidism in my immediate family, the doctors said I was was just getting old (at 30, seriously?) and that the only thing that would help for thryoid problems is medication and all the searches I found online (2003) said the same

Luckily getting pregnant gave my thryoid a kick in the butt and all has been good up until the past year and I have gotten progressively exhausted with pretty much all the thyroid symptoms (brain fog, cold all the time even in warm rooms, constipation, steady weight gain, depression, low iron, digestive issues...I think that is all of them )

So I decided in January to get my health in order through fitness and diet and if I was still feeling absolutely horrible, start the fight with my doctor to get my thryoid in check. I worked out for 30-60 min 5-6 days per week (TurboFire and Chalene Extreme (weights) hybrid which is a super high intensity workout) and tracked everything I ate on MFP. I lost 10lbs in 5 months, pretty sad results weight wise although I did feel better.

I ended up with a hernia and was thoroughly depressed with the whole weight issue but kept pluggin along on the elliptic trainer 60min 5-6 days per week and found this board. I cut out the odd drink on the weekends which I was having within my calorie goals so thought it was fine, cut out all refined sugar, breads other than 2 slices rye toast in the morning and cut out foods that challenge the thyroid (below).

I had my thryoid tested in December and my TSH was 3.3 (range of .3-5.5mg/L) they did not test my Free T4 and Free T3

After making serious changes to my diet (& drinking 60oz min water/day) and exercising program I had thryoid tested again in May 2012 and my results are below:

TSH 2.68 mG/L
T4 Free 16 11 - 22 pmol/L
T3 Free 4.1 4.0 - 7.8 pmol/L

I believe my numbers still suck and I am still "thryoid challenged" but what a difference in TSH and what a difference in how I feel! My brain fog is almost completely gone and I still get tired but not that exhaustion that I had 95% of the time before making these changes. I hope that with continued efforts my thryoid will continue to improve and am sharing this in the hopes that other will benefit as well whether on medication or not as it seems like medication is not a cure for most, just a tool in the tool box so to speak.

So I listed the changes I made below and hope that a stick can by made by the moderator with others suggestions on here as well (which is where I got much of the info) so that new members can easily find the tips to try.

Changes Made
- exercise 5-6 days per week for 45-60 minutes (was doing High Intensity Training & Weights - but now only 60 min cardio 6 days/week due to injury )
- cut out all white sugar, processed foods and white breads/rice etc (recently cut out even the odd beer/wine and seeing big improvent)
- supplements: vit D3, selenium, iron (in the form of Chia Seeds), zinc, digestive enzymes
- 2T virgin coconut oil per day
- eating small meals every 2.5-3 hours
- minimum 60oz filtered water per day
- stopped eating cabbage, cauliflour & brocolli (unless cooked)
- cut out peanut butter (sob)

This is the most extreme I have ever been with watching what I eat and it seems a little fanatical to even myself at times but wow what a difference in my energy levels and clarity of thinking. I honestly feel like I have gained back 15 years of youth from these changes. I may add some of the foods I cut out back in moderation after I reach my weight goal...but then again, I may not as the less I have them the less I miss them