Thyroid issues

I have hypothyroidism and I just switched medication from generic to synthroid.  I have been putting on weight since my thyroid was removed 3 years ago. It has been difficult for me to lose weight.  Is anyone else dealing with thyrod problems? Or is their anyone who has lost weight with hypothyroidism?

i had my thyroid killed off w/ a radioactive iodine treatment due to hyperthyroidism (although it didnt cause me to lose weight unfortunately) about 2 years ago. I have had an insanely difficult time losing weight and have consistently gained weight even though I eat significantly better than i did two years ago. But I am also in college, and was on depo (which i just quit) so all of these things have contributed to my problem as well. It sucks, but we jsut have to try a lot harder to lose weight because our bodies really are working against us. Even with being on levothroid, it's just not the same as if we had normal functioning thyroids. I have only been using the site for about a week but already feel like this is the time I will be able to successfully lose the weight. I'm 5'5" and about 230 and am on a 1500 cal a day diet which I haven't found to be very difficult at all. Just keep working on it and slowly but surely it will come off. Also talk to your doctor if it is becoming a significant concern.

I take levothroid too, have for several years, and I don't know whether to blame my weight on my thyroid or just plain laziness. I think part of it must be due to my thyroid, because I'm basically vegan and yet still hover in the overweight range (okay, I eat chocolate!). I think we must struggle more with losing weight; it only makes sense.

I have borderline hypothyroid and take armour thyroid to supplement my low levels.  I tend to gain when docs tell me it's a potential side effect, so I'm not sure if I just have a psychological response or physical one.  When I do actually try to lose weight, I can.  It's work, and I have to walk or exercise, but I do lose weight.

Also, I have a cousin who's a vegan who's overweight.  But, I think that boy just consumes A LOT of calories.  He eats bread like it's going out of style. 

The more I stick to this, the more I believe that taking in less calories than we use in a day is the key.  (I know there are metabolic issues to consider too.) For me, my thyroid medicine has boosted my labs back into the normal range, and I can lose weight if I pay attention.  Hope that helps.  :)  Kelly

Hi there......I have had hypothyroid for 3 years now.  I'm on eltroxin.  This is my first time trying to lose weight with a thyroid condition.  Before I had a problem with it I had lost 60lbs.  SInce then I have put on just about 40 lbs.   I don't know if I gained because of the thryoid, or I just over ate.  Deciding to try to lose weight really stressed me out cuz I'm scared it isn't going to work.  So I am eating right and exercising, and if I don't lose weight I'm determined to just try to be healthier.  If I lose some weight then thats a bonus. 

Hi,  Like ktcort I had my thyroid killed off w/ rai.  it's been about 2 1/2 yrs.  I'm on Synthroid - 175 mcg/day.  I never found anything that worked until now.  I started in April 06 at 275lbs and am happy to say that I've dropped 54lbs.  It can be done.  It's been agonizingly slow at times and some weeks there's just nothing, but it is coming off.  I've had to adjust my meds a few times up and down and I think my levels are off right now - got to go to the doc - but it's been great.  So YES! it can be done!!!  Learn to use the tools and be patient through the slow times.  Really learn your body and how it's feeling - you may need to have your levels checked more often. 

Same here! I have no thyroid left. I take ArmorThyroid. This treats the T4 and the T3 levels. I was on Synthroid for years and not able to lose weight until I asked my Dr. to try the ArmorThyroid. I have lost 26 pounds so far, although difficult to say the least BUT...at least it's FINALLY COMING OFF!! Good luck to you!

Thanks for all the input and support. Congrats on the weight loss!

For those of you who switched from synthroid to a T3 and T4 med, did you notice any differences?  I've just recently heard about Armor and haven't had the chance to do much research.  So any info would be greatly appreciated.

I'm glad to hear it's possible,  I've been on meds for hypothroidism since i was 15, but I seemed to still gain, I know some of it is from my bad habits, and lack of activity.  I need to lok into the ArmorThyroid  and see if switching might help me. I've ben on synthroid or a generic form of it just with different levels over the years.

I've only ever taken the Armour thyroid.  My doctor prefered it because it does give you T3 and T4.  I can't remember which is which, but one breaks down into the other (I think T3 goes to T4, and T4 is what the body uses) over time. I kind of think of it as extended release.

Kelly

Hi! I just started doing this website today! I'm glad there are others out there with Thyroid issues too!, I had my thyroid removed two and a half years ago, prior to that I had lost 42lbs on Weight Watchers, the first week after my surgery I gained 10 lbs. once they figured out my levels (I currently take Levoxyl and Cytomel, I think they can control T3 better with the Cytomel than they can with Armor, from what my doctor conveyed, the T3 is the major contributor to your metabolism) I dropped the 10 pounds pretty quickly, since then I have quit smoking and have gained 20 pounds over a 6 month period. I'm pretty sure the weight gain is from my love of food and not the quitting smoking, now I need to get over it too! LOL!  

That's interesting about the Cytomel.  I'll have to ask my doc about it at my next check-up.

Kelly

I have Hashimoto's Disease which is an auto-immune disease.  Basically my immune system is attacking my thyroid and slowly killing it.  Unlike regular hypothyroidism, my levels teeter-totter, so I go from hypothyroid to hyperthyroid.  It really does a number on my weight loss efforts!  Right now I'm in a hypo phase so they have me on levothyroxine, but I've been on it for a while so I'm figuring anytime now my bloodwork will comeback out of whack and I'll have to start all over again.  I just started trying to lose weight again and this time it seems to be working, I'm down 8.5 lbs since the new year so here's hoping!

i also am hypothyroid due to hashimoto's thyroiditis.  i've been on levoxyl for years, altho the longest i've stayed at the same dosage is 3 years, i think.  my doc just changed my dose again - it's very frustrating, and i read somewhere recently that is can be more difficult for those who are hypothyroid to lose weight.  it can be done, but it seems to go much, much slower.

for years i have been seeking information as to whether or not i even have hypothyroidism.  i have difficulty losing weight, although as mentioned before, it is possible, just very difficult.  what makes me think i might have it is my goiter: i have one, and have had one on my neck for most of my life (i'm 21, i've had it since early childhood).  however, i didn't start gaining weight until i was about 7 years old.  every time i visit my doctor, they say my bloodwork is normal, but i kind of suspect they're lying to me.  whenever i go to the doctor i get the distinct impression that they want to trick me into admitting what a lazy fat slob i am.  no amount of proof will convince them otherwise, it seems.  anyway, my question to you guys is whether you also suffer from goiters like i do, so i can get perspective on whether i should bother fighting with my doc over more accurate blood tests etc. 

by the way, your words are very informative and somewhat comforting.  thanks for saying what you've said!

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism after my first child was born in February 2004. Since then I have been taking Synthroid and haven't had any weight gain, but also haven't had any weight loss, unless I am dieting and exercising. I asked my doctor if the medication would make me lose weight and she said that it will help me not to gain any more unexplained weight is all...

My doctor said that your thyroid level is supposed to be between .5 and 5.5. They checked my levels after I had had 8 months of irregular mentsral cycles after my baby was born and it was at 28.2. I however do not have a goiter sooo... I think everyone is different. I do notice that when I forget my medication once in a while I tend to get really tired and forgetful my husband says I get grumpy too but who knows.

A goiter is simply an enlarged thyroid gland, it is not an indicator of a malfunctioning thyroid.  Goiters can be found in people with hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism or perfectly normallly functioning thyroid.  The best indicators of a thyroid condition are TSH, T3, and T4 levels. 
    If you think you're doctor is not diagnosing you correctly then maybe you should seek a second opinion, and make sure that they test all three levels.  Many doctors only test the T3 and T4 levels, but they can appear even when there is an issue.  I went through 4 doctors in 5 years before I was finally diagnosed.  The other doctors weren't lying or incompetant, thyroid disease is just sometimes hard to diagnose.  I actually went to the doctors complaining of joint pain and it turns out that that can also be a symptom of thyroid problems. 
    Regardless you should seriously look into this problem.  Under or overactive thyroid can wreak havoc with your body in ways that are far more serious than weight fluctuations.  Thyroid problems in a pregnant woman can even cause miscarriage or birth defects.     
    However, if you are diagnosed with a problem don't expect that the weight will come off easily.  It is still hard work.  As was said before, correcting the thyroid levels will only help to stop any further weight gain it won't help reverse the damage that has already been done.
    I hope this info is helpful!

I HAVE HYPOTHYROIDISM, AND HAVE HAD IT FOR 16 YEARS. MY DR. HAD TO DOUBLE MY SYNTHROID A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. I HAVE TO GO BACK NEXT WEEK TO HAVE MORE TESTS RUN ON IT. I HAD GASTRIC BY-PASS SURGERY IN 2002 AND HAVEN'T STRETCHED OUT MY STOMACH. I DON'T EAT SWEETS. I DON'T EAT A LOT OF BREAD, I EAT MOSTLY VEGGIES AND MEAT, SEAFOOD, ETC. FOODS HIGH IN PROTIEN. I HAVE A REALLY BAD BACK AND FOOT AND HAVEN'T FOUND AN EXERCISE I CAN DO. I CLEAN HOUSE AND SHOP. NORMAL DAILY THINGS.  I WEIGHED 260 WHEN I HAD THE SURGERY AND WENT DOWN TO 118, I LOOKED LIKED SOMETHING FROM A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY. HAD A TOTAL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION AND STARVATION IN 2004 HAD EMERGANCY SURGERY.  THEY PUT ME ON FOOD SUPPLIMENTS. I HAVE BEEN GAINING WEIGHT, GOT UP TO 190 AGAIN AND REFUSE TO GET BACK TO 200 AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN LIVING ON AN AVERAGE OF 600 CAL. A DAY SINCE DEC. 1 AND HAVE ONLY LOST 14 LBS. THAT SUCKS.  I AM GETTING REALLY UPSET. I THINK THE THYROID IS MESSING ME UP. ACCORDING TO THE CAL. COUNTER, I AM USING THREE TO FOUR TIMES MORE CALS. THAN I AM TAKING IN.  ANY SUGGESTIONS?

Nokidding, do you ask for your lab results?  the actual numbers? or do they just expect you to accept the "you're normal" routine.  I will tell you that there is new research about borderline hypothyroidism, which I have.  Doctors are of different mindsets about it.  Some say a TSH of over 2 should be treated, but clear up to 5 is considered normal by older physicians.  I actually had an allergist that put me on a trial of armour thyroid originally, and it did help a lot of my symptoms - tiredness, cold all the time, brittle hair and nails, etc.  I kind of weaned myself off of it for a few years (I'm not always the greatest patient,) but then hubby and I were ttc our third child.  I had two miscarriages over a few years and a lot of problems. We ended up going to a special fertility clinis in Chicago, and that doctor said I HAD to take thyroid, even though my TSH was 2.22 at the time.  I happened to have some other immune issues, and am thankful for the two kids we have.  Anyway, don't let them tell you you're normal and not give you the numbers!!! It's your lab results, you paid for them, you deserve to have the information.  Good luck.  Kelly

I was noting the info on this forum about Armour thyroid, and planning to get my new prescription tomorrow. I was going to ask that my Dr. switch me to that from Synthroid which doesn't do much for me.

Then by a great coincidence, I came across a book on natural healing that actually recommends Armour as the only prescribed med. that works for most. So I will see how it works and post results!