Hypothyroid, frustrating metabolism

Just wondering about other's thoughts and experiences on this. Here's a journal entry I posted last week. Would love your input! Thanks, g

trying another tool to deal with frustrating metabolism
May 21 2009 14:06

Well, I've been overweight all my life. Over the last ten years I averageda 10 pound weight gain per year, despite becoming more active and implementing better nutrition each year. The past 2 1/2 years I reallyl stepped up my exercise, working on consistency. Over 2007-2008 I lost 30 pounds. Not a huge loss, but I'll take it! I'd rather a slow steady decrease anyway. I definitely have a season cycle of weight gain/loss over the year, tending to put on some weight in the colder/indoor months and then take off weight in the warmer/outdoor months. So for those two years, the end result is that I came out ahead on the weight loss end of things. Phew!

But

I am getting older and shifts are happening in my body. I am turning 42 this year, which is fine, I'm very young spirited and young looking and dont' mind the age at all. At the end of last year between Oct-through the holidays, I gained all that 30 pounds back in a 6 week period. This was very disturbing to me. I did eat a bit more, like most of us do around the holidays, and I could see that extra intake turning into a 10 pound gain, not 30! I started with a new doctor in January ( I had been using a clinic with rotating residents and got tired of that). We checked my thryoid, and yes I'm a bit hypothyroid, just below the newly adjusted levels. So I began taking the smallest dose of L-thyroxine. This has seemed to initially help with my energy level, but not much with my weitght loss efforts. I started Curves at the end of December, and have been farily regular with that, and I am getting in a few walks a week. I also do an occassionaly yoga class or dance aerobic class, and I go dancing a few times a month at a night club (and break a sweat for 2 hours!) Apparently this is not enough, because I'm still at square one, the scale says the same as it did at the end of Dec. I've seen a few pound come off, but they hop right back on.

This is indeed, extremely frustrating. I feel like I'm eating better than ever and exercising more frequently and consistently than ever. But I havent' seen any change in my weight and very little inches loss. My waist has shrunk a little, but my "lower belly" is as bulbous and cumbersome as ever, preventing me from getting good stretches and working my flexibility. My clothes are tight again and I'm struggling to be happy with my body and not less this affect my self image.

So, I thought I should try really monitoring my caloric intake and output diligently for a while. I put myself down as "sedentary" since I have an office job, but I do exercise several times a week, at least for 30 minutes at a time. But since my metabolism seems to be so slow despite medication, I thought that should be better. I'm eatting about 300 calories over the suggested amount, so I'm going to try and shave that down a bit, and consulting mypyramid.gov for how to break up the portions of the food groups appropriately for a 1800-2000 calorie diet.

I just had blood drawn to check my thryoid levels after being medicated for 3 months and I'm anxious to see what the result is and if my doc suggests a higher dose of synthetic hormone. I'm not too keen on replacing something my body should be making on its own, but this condition does seem to be genetic in my family, and you can't change your DNA. I am going to start investigating alternative therapies and nutritional techniques for boosting hormone activity however.

Anyone in the same boat as me? Do all the right things and getting nowhere? Andy suggestions?

Thanks

~grace

My thyroid levels just came back borderline low as well. There is a family history in my family with this as well, though not associated with major weight issues surprisingly.

My iron and vitamin d levels were low so the doctor is having me correct those first, then look at the thyroid again in a few months. Did you have any other blood tests like minerals and vitamins? Maybe that is a good idea too.

I guess it all depends on your results and levels though.

I cant say that I have been working very hard with this issue but, I am in your boat! I am going to try to continue to watch what I eat - exercise regularly, and see where that gets me.

Yes, I had low Vit D and Iron levels, too which I am addressing with supplements and nutrition (and sunshine when available!) Seems these things are also linked. I'm doing some research and just go Jillian Michaels book, "Boost Your Metabolism".  Apparently if one hormone level is out of whack, the rest are none too happy to jump on board and create chaos in your system.

graceaware - OMG!  This almost sounds like me.  I too gained weight around October - December. Thought it was the holidays (started with the Halloween candy and continued).  I really didn't think much of it because I exercise A LOT so I figured no big deal.  I actually gained about 10 pounds.  I figured I'd start counting calories to lose the weight and see where I was going wrong.  I cut back on calories and would lose 5 pounds but I would eventually gain it back.  I continue to lose and gain the same 5 pounds.  I told my doctor that I gained weight and couldn't lose it.  The doctor did a full hormone panel and my TSH was normal as well as my T3 & T4 normal but on the low end.  But, my progesterone was low which could also cause weight gain.  I started taking a low dose of progesterone hoping that this would do the trick. 

About 6 weeks later, did another full hormone panel and now my T3 & T4 were low, and progesterone still low.  So now I am taking Armour low dose (and had to take more progesterone).  I started a little less than a month ago, doctor says hormones take about a month to change, so I guess I have to just wait a bit more.  Not feeling any different.  Still can't lose weight.  Thought maybe I wasn't eating enough since I exercise so much so I am starting to eat more. I have gained a pound, although it could be water gain.

I used to have low vitamin D, my doctor checks my levels all the time, now it's at a normal level.  But I have to take a lot of vitamin D to keep it at a normal level.

I'm not sure what to do.  I guess just wait and see.  It's very frustrating.