Hypothyroid Club

Hi!

  I'm new here and was diagnosed with Hashimoto's a year ago.   I know it makes it harder to lose weight, but that it's not impossible.    I also know there's a lot of debate (even among physicians) as to how much extra weight can be attributed to a hypothyroid.

  Just want to see if anyone else has faced this challenge and has some tips, encouragement, articles, etc for us.

 Thanks!

Sierra

Hi Ladies, I just found this thread & wondered if I could join in (even though it looks like you've all abandoned it lately?!)

I've just been diagnosed with Hypo . My TSH levels were 10.7 and went to 10.9 in 4wks so I've been put on Levothyroxine 100mg and have to get re-checked in 5-6wks. I was really hoping that once my levels have stabalised that I'd start losing like a normal person would eating a healthy low-cal/fat diet? My Doc told me I should?

What does the 4-wks to weight loss involve- is it another 'diet' or is it tips/advice for hypo sufferers?

Hi there,

I am 19 and was diagnosed with autimmune hypothyroidism last year. I would love to join to get some help & support... anyone who is interested can add me as a friend :o)

 

Vonni_

hey everyone! I found out I had low thyroid function a few months ago and would love to learn more about what this actually means. The odd thing was that I lost weight, a lot that I couldn't really afford to lose.

My aunt was also diagnosed with hashimotos and she also lost weight. so thyroid problems can be really confusing.

The doctor said it was originally my low hormones that affected my thyroid and I think the problem was that it interacted with my birth control. I really have no idea how it all works exactly, I just know I ended up really tired, cold, no energy, and then it led to tons of GI problems. So then I found info online about my kind of birth control being linked to gallbladder disease so I stopped taking it immediately. It's gotten better VERY slowly since then (that was back in september) but it stopped getting worse when I stopped the bc. Does anyone know how this would happen or what sort of interactions can happen with thyroid problems and taking hormones?

I'm on thyroid armour now, my stomach issues have been clearing up slowly since december and I started the meds in january. I have a lot more energy now!

Hi Gibbit -

   Welcome - I've been very flakey about keeping up with this thread because I keep falling off the wagon with my diet.   My weight goes up and down and currently is up.     It's really difficult to be consistent with my diet when my energy and mood are continually fluctuating.    I was dx'd about 2/12 yrs ago and still haven't gotten my medications optimized yet.   

  Hormones definitely effect thyroid medications.   I started on an estrogen patch - post menopause - and had to increase the Synthroid.   I added some Cytomel to the Synthroid recently and it's helped.   

 Have you been on About.com's Thyroid site yet?   It's really the best on the web - tons of info and a very active forum. 

Sierra

Hi Vonnie,

   You're fortunate to have gotten a diagnosis and started treatment at your age.    So many of us go for decades feeling lousy before we finally find a doctor who figures it out.

   Have you looked at About.com's Thyroid site?   It's really the best place to go for information and also for forums regarding our condition.    It's a very active one and if you post a question you'll get answers right away.

   Good luck!!!

Sierra

Hi there irishmum,

   I see your post is over a month old - welcome!   Yes, I've really abandoned this thread because my diet has been in the toilet!    I was dx'd about 2 1/2 yrs ago and still haven't gotten my meds up to par.  

  Your TSH is high - What symptoms do you have?      I wish I had good news for you about being able to just melt the weight off after our thyroid meds are adjusted.    Unfortunately, that is not the case with most of us, although it does happen with some.

    That's not to say that it is impossible though.    You've probably figured out by now that the 4 wks to weight loss is not a diet, but rather a series of informative sessions that can help us to understand how people with hypothyroidism can be successful with weight loss.     For us, it's harder to lose and to maintain weight loss than it is for healthy people.    There are a number of reasons for that, which About.com's Thryoid site explains.   That is a very active site and the articles and forums on there are excellent.

  I've gained and lost weight so many times over the years I can't even count them.   It's been hard to be consistent because of lack of energy, mood fluctuations, and a lifestyle that is always in flux (self employed and traveling frequently for long periods).    I will lose 10-30 lbs and then gain it all back when my thyroid symptoms flare.     I once lost 72 lbs, and then I found it.

  But we will keep pressing on until we reach the goal!

Good luck!

Sierra

 

 

 

 

 

the 4 weeks to weight loss

there is something like that on About.com?

Has anyone thought about puting a video on youtube showing your weight loss. I had a look there, thoes are brave people. I'm making my own private weight loos video, started it today and will update it every Monday.

Why do you all want to loose weight?????????????

I do cuz' I've got thyroid AND heart problems, so I know I'd live better lighter. I want to see my kids grow up and have kids of their own.

I want to feel sexy again, and put on a dress just cuz'.

Hi Sierra, I still check out the thread every now & then. Well, since that first post I've been re-checked and my levels had dropped to 0.02! So he dropped my dose to 75mcg to see if that brought them up into the 'normal' range? I get re-checked next Tuesday again so I'll se what they are then. To be honest, I didn't realise there was anything wrong with me. I went for an annual medical and all my bloods were done as part of it. Thats when my tsh levels were flagged. After a few weeks on the meds however I found I wasn't falling asleep in the evenings and had a lot more energy- in fact some nights I found it hard to sleep! But that could have been because my dose was too high? I've been losing steadily before and after the meds so it hasn't affected me much really- maybe a little slower than others but at least I'm not gaining! I ahve 6lbs to go til I have all my BABY weight off, then another 12lbs to my ultimate goal- so it doesn't seem un-doable?

Hello Again, (IrishMom)

Was checking the site and saw your post. I'm glad you were feeling better, at least until you got your meds changed. One thing about docs is that they go by the damn numbers and not how you are feeling. I would ask that he put you closer to your last dose because you are back to not sleeping again and really, really, emphasize that you felt great at that other dose. Some thyroid sufferers really need to have that TSH number low in order to feel good. What is fine for on is not for another.

As far as the diets, I did fine just counting calories and watching the sugar and bad carbs. I think I mentioned before that I lost 25-30 pounds doing that starting in '05. I still had about 10-15 more to go and just couldn't get it off so 5 weeks ago I joined the Jenny Craig 20#'s for $20 for 10 weeks.  I've taken off 9.6 pounds so far. I think another 5 will do me well. So now I'm up to having lost 35 pounds total.  I know I'll do fine off this diet, too. I've done it before. Just needed this little jump start to get me out of that zone where you just don't lose anymore. So I'm happy.

Just keep counting the cals. You really won't lose just because you are on thyroid meds. I was losing well in 01 working out 5 times a week and suddenly gained 15 pounds in 2 weeks! Kind of got the doc wondering, what the hey! Sure enough, Hashimotos! Ugh! But I just didn't get it off when I started my meds. I had to take control and the food counts once again and that got it down. My metabolism seems much better with my working out and that has a whole lot to do with it, too.

Keep in mind, too, that I'm 57 years old (also on bio-identical hormones) and they say it is always harder to lose weight the older you get. While this is very true, again, you just have to compromise between the food intake and the exercise to get your body to cooperate.

Let me know how things continue to go. Not on here much, but do check the boards every now and then. It's good to see your posting from time to time also!

Gail

Hi again gberreitter! I know the meds alone won't lose the weight, I'm counting calories religiously and have just ordered a fitness dvd to motivate me to get off my ass in the evenings once the kids are in bed. I live in the sticks in rural Ireland and the nearest gym is a 20 min drive away- plus I have no-one to watch the kids for me (mum does it during work & my hubby can't in the evenings as he's usually working!). Thanks to the Irish climate, walking is usually out of the question, and I still have the problem of no-one to watch the girls for me, so I figured this dvd lark is better than nothing? I hope so anyway! I have 16lbs to go to get to goal and I know if I motivate my ass I'll get there before my birthday (30th September)....

I'll wait & see what my levels are on this new dose then figure out what to do next?

Hi Again,

I think you are doing great, Irish. 16#'s is very doable and you certainly don't need a gym to do your workouts. They are way to expensive anyway. I found a few places online that also show you exercises in lifting weights. I do them a couple times a week.

I think you are definitely on the right track. Just have patience with yourself. Love yourself and your body and always, always tell yourself that your body and how you are looking every day. Keep affirmations a big part of your life. You'll see a major difference in how you view everything.

Keep up the great work on yourself.

Gail

Hello there!

wow, i spent some of my time reading your post. Im not really happy about my weight but im not on a depression or anything. I have some synonyms such as gaining weights and cant tolerate cold weathers.  Ive been  going to my  pediatrics doctor for check ups and things. My mom always  talk to my doctor about my weights. It always hurt my feelings when they talk about it because I dont want to be obessed about my weights or else I would get into depression. I suspend that ive had hypothyroidism since i was eight years old. Im fourteen years old right now. When i was younger than 8, I was really skinny and under weight. After 8 years old, I kept on gaining weights. Now im 164 which is obese for my age. The doctor, now recommended my mom to send me to specialists endocrinologists. Now, im getting really worried about going to the specialists. I would like to know what would they do when you show up for the appointment? Hope you have the time to reply me back explaining me what the endocrinlogists would do. Thank you for your time. Please add me as a friend if you would like to help me.

Hi CoffeeLover!  Just want to say that YOU ARE SO RIGHT!  One of the signs of low thyroid is loosing the outer half of your eyebrow(s).  That your doctor didn't pick up on that is that he/she doesn't know enough about hypothyroidism (unless you wore makeup and/or eyebrow pencil/brush.  I never wear anything because if you do - and especially if you use a good brush and color, the doc won't even notice.  But it is one of the basic symptoms - bet your outer eyebrows went first?  BUT WHAT I WANTED TO SAY IS "THEY GROW BACK"!!!  Once you get on the correct dosage and get leveled out - THEY WILL GROW BACK.  I just had a total hysterectomy (the old fashioned way - robots were booked and it hurt like heck), less than a year ago.  Had lost my out left eyebrow and my eyebrows were thinning.  Got on Armour and when I got to the correct dosage - the filled out and so did the rest of my brows!  So don't worry - I have severely limited adrenal function (the adrenals are backup sex hormones along with adrenaline and they still came back! AND I wasn't on ANY THYROID MEDS prior to my hysterectomy!  Not one Endo TREATED ME - they just kept testing and testing.  Finally got my PCP to give my Synthroid (requewted Armour, she wouldn't give it to me).  Synthroid did NOTHING!  And I had almost every side effect you could have - made me feel worse!  So I found a Holstic THYROID M.D. and she immediately put me on Armour and in about 4 months I noticed that my brows were fullter.  That I didn't even have to use a brush and could go natural if I wanted to and I'm 50!  So have no fears - they WILL RE-APPEAR!  My very best to you and your health!

An old thread, but I am a fairly new member...I was diagnosed as being Hypo after my 2nd child was born, when he was 2 yrs old.  My ObGyn was alerted by my high cholesterol levels ( he didn't pay attention to my exhaustion claims) he eventually did blood work and sent me on  to specialists.   Previous to that time, I had been pregnant and my girl child was delivered and died at 22 weeks.  An unbelievably stressful time.  

I was with child again after her birth within a few months.  My second child was delivered, a boy and I devoted myself to him, yet I had strange thoughts.   I was very ill.  That sounds really strange and it's very hard to type but its the truth.  Nothing happened but the thoughts were there and I went back to the Dr's.  I didn't tell them the thoughts but I knew I couldn't sweep the floor without being exhausted (plus the thoughts).

I  knew I was sick. Fortunately, I was eventually diagnosed and treated.  The Dr  who did diagnosis me (a Heart Dr) telling me that I was lucky and in a few weeks I would have been in the local "nut house".  My diagnosis was Hypothyroidism.   I  began taking Synthroid.   That was 20 years ago. That Dr who diagnosed me suspected I had been Hypo for many years without treatment and hyper prior to that.  Who knows.

The first born son is now 22 yrs old healthy and happy.  I have 2 other children, both boys. I love them all but   I call that first son my miracle child.  I call him that because loving him saved me. 

Over the years (23) I have gone from 102 lb (at 5'2" ) to  214.  I hate being overweight.  I have become super sensitive to sunlight and household chemicals.  I can no longer color my hair.  I am in the process of going silver. I have High BP and High Cholesterol.

I'm trying so hard to lose the pounds.  I have Plantar Fasciitis and  it's very difficult for me to exercise.  The Plantar Fasciitis developed after I over used my Wii Fit (without shoes).  I didn't wear shoes and I used the step program over and over.  I have lumps the size of tangerines on the back of my heels.  And of course because I am so over weight the  problem is even worse.  I was walking on crutches for 3 weeks.   The current Dr prescribed ice, elevation and naproxen.  It is better now but I still can step down and get shooting pain in the bottom of my heels.

So, how do you exercise without putting pressure on your feet?  A pool !   but I have no pool and I'm not joining a gym to use theirs.   So what I did is this .. I'm now using the Wii  My Fitness Coach (for 17 workouts) I really am enjoying the program.  I am stepping lightly.   I still haven't lost any weight but.. I can do the workouts, because they are geared to each individual.  

I am just focusing on feeling better and being more flexible and hoping (OMG) hoping I lose some pounds.

 This can be a serious disease but with the proper treatment managed.  How are the rest of the Hypo's coping?

I would appreciate any help you might be able to give me.

Do you know anything about underactive thyroid?

Having changed medical practice I have an appointment with my new doctor
tonight.
I'm exploring the possibility that underactive thyroid could be the cause of my
depression and the possibility of misdiagnosis. A shot in the dark but I want to
get better. I have trawled the net and have several other symptoms that could
be attributed to a thyroid problem.

I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue in 2007
I had a thyroid (throat) scan in January I was told it was clear. I have been
told that scans show overactive thyroid only, do you know if this is true?
I have had blood tests last year and this year and have been told by my old GP
that my thyroid levels were `ok'.

Two friends last week seperately asked me if I had a thyroid problem.
I have looked at pictures of myself from 2005 and from 2007 can see a lump on my
lower neck on some but not all photos mainly those taken at night.

Do you know?
Is it possible to have a thyroid problem not shown in blood tests or scans?
Can I have a thyroid problem that does not present at all times?
I read on the net that people suffering from thyroid do not find their
depression medication effective and although I no longer take antidepressants
when I did my depression got worse. Do you anything about this?
Can you tell me anything else that could help me?

Thank you for reading this.
Have a great day

Hi Slimmanz,

I would highly recommend getting a copy of your lab work.  Once you do,  go over it throughly with your Dr.  until you understand the results.   Good luck.