March 16th, 2012
This group is dedicated to exchanging ideas, tips, motivation and information about losing or maintaining weight with low-Thyroid levels.
Hello! New to hypothryoidism, and new to the website. A little
about me: I am inching ever so close to 40 (at the time of this entry I am 37, 38 in
March). I am a single Mother ot two children, (ages at the moment 8 and 13). Currently
I have the following diagosis: ADHD, Chronic daily Headache/Migranes, IBS, and
Hypothyroism. Which means I am popping 5 pills a day. I am commited to changing my
diet, exercise, and getting off of one of these meds at least. I am a firm believer that
I can through diet and exercise. Espically the IBS portion. It is linked to the
thyroid, and if I can get that in check, I am sure the IBS will become a distant memory.
At least that is my hope. I have started my education about hypothyroidism.
I joined Molly's group on About, and Facebook. I am nearly
finished with Jillian Michaels "Master Your Metabolism" and have another book of hers
called "Making the Cut".
Since finances are tight,I just finished school, and I am looking for
work. I have a workout video at home. It is Richard Simmons" Dance Your Pants Off".
Yes you can collectively groan now... Once I am hired somewhere, I plan to join the YMCA
that is (30 min away) and get into Zumba and Kettlebells. I love Zumba. I was in a class
a year ago, just to try it out. Loved it!
After talking with my endocinologist, and family med doctor they both
are in agreement that following Jillian's plan laid out in the Master book, is a healhly
diet for me, and one to get my thyroid back to where it belongs. My level was at a 8.15!
Yikes (just a side note: I live in Minnesota, 45 min drive from the Mayo
Clinic)
So be patient with me, if I make some classic newbie moves, and have a
question or two.. Thank you for the support, encouragment, and I look forward to
learning a lot!
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/groups/group/hypothyroid-support/#ixzz1ltfjyCPb
Hello everyone!
I'm new to this group but not to Livestrong. I have used the forums and MyPlate on and off
for several years now. I have been struggling since childhood with my thryoid disorder,
sleep issues and weight gain. As I get closer to my goal weight (5lbs left!) I promised
myself that I would share my experience and what I learned along the way with other people
with thyroid disorders. It has taken me over 5yrs to loose 30lbs but I feel amazing! I
look forward to hearing other people's stories.
Take care,
Marisol
Marisol....Congratulations and thank you for sharing:-)
'm struggling with my new diagnosis. I'm 19 years old and was told by my doctor I have to
be on meds my whole life.
I hear so much about how hard it is to lose weight, it frigthens me! Is there any hope?
Ive been trying to lose more weight for two years until I was diagnosed...finding out my
TSH level is 5.94
If my TSH level went down to 2ish would it be a ton easier for me to lose weight then it
has been in the past????????
In the past I excersized 90mins 5 or 6 days a week and ate very healthy without a single
pound.
Please help me I'm very depressed and scared.
Hi Chelsea19--
Don't be scared:-) I have been hypothyroid for 15+ years...slowly needing an increase in thyroid hormone over that time. Once you have your thyroid hormone levels stabilized, you should be whatever is "normal" for you. I have gained and lost weight over the years. It would be easy to use the thyroid issue as an excuse but it's just not true. Calories in and calories out have to be in balance. When I pig out and don't exercise 30 minutes 5 days a week, I gain weight. When I track my food on my plate and exercise those 30 minutes on a regular basis, then I lose weight. The only time I have problems is when I need to adjust my thyroid hormone. I start to feel tired, my nails get brittle, and I don't want to get out of bed in the morning to exercise. Once I realize what is going on, I get my medication adjusted and everything works. You do have to track your food and exercise, but My Plate works great for that. If you have problems dieting, talk to your doctor. I've found that the "normal" range for the blood tests is just that, a range. If I'm still having symptoms, my doc will adjust my meds a bit more to get me feeling better as long as it doesn't kick me out of the "normal range". Too much thyroid hormone is just as bad as too little:-) Also, many of the weight loss groups on Livestrong are really great for support. I like the biggest loser group because I love the show. Good luck:-)
Haven't seen any posts to this group in a while.....Just wanted to see if anyone is still active. If you are looking to lose weight, a more active group is the Biggest Loser livestrong group. Lot's of posts and support.
I have been on this site since July of '09. I haven't done a very good job of keeping track . Maybe if I try group participation, the support might help. These last few days I have been so unbelievably tired. I have tried those 5 hour energy drinks and they help keep me awake but there really is no burst of energy. My mother is also hypothyroid and she is very active...I dont understand where she gets all her energy from...
It runs in my family too. My mother has been able to lose 25 pounds since the start of this year, by cutting wheat out of her diet and going to spin class. She is hypo too. I have just been diagnosed. In a way I wish she didn't have it because it is too easy to make comparisons. I just remind myself that even if we are related, we are different people living in different bodies. What works for her isn't the only way to manage this condition.
I can't eat wheat either.
hi im new to the site. im 22 years old and 5'2 208 lbs, i was diagnosed at 11years old with not only hypothryiodism but also depression. i was told when i was like 14 that if i took my meds regularly my thyriod would evenually work on its own and i would need them. having two kids 19 months apart hasnt helped with the weight. i eat right and excerse and have gained 7 lbs in the past week i just got back from vacation where i was eating tons of fastfood and sitting on my butt and i lost weight so i would love some advice and movtivation
I am sooooo fatigued today. Feel like I'm doing everything in slow motion. I'm
waiting for my latest tests to come back....I think they need to adjust my thryoid hormone
again! Gave blood yesterday at work and it just about wiped me out. All I want
to do is sleep! Certainly don't have the energy to work out. Ugh! Thanks
for listening. Just needed to whine to someone who would understand.
Good Day to all.
Dr. Oz had the thyroid show which was good, he did not say
what the best foods for us to eat? Any suggestions, I know that
capsian is good for metabolism? Any more fuel burning foods?
I am glad you made that decision. I would suggest you not to give up anytime in your life. I am a hypothyroid patient and i am doing it. Its a notion to think that a person suffering from hypothyroid can't lose weight(though that were my initial thoughts too!) But as long as you are on your medication and keeping those lab readings in range you are like any other non hypothyroid person.
I was 155lbs I am 131 lbs now and i am heading for a 115-120lbs soon and I know i will reach it. Keep at it and you will do it.
All the Best!
Another thing to consider is whether you are taking your medication correctly. Neither my doctor or pharmacist went over the instructions for taking synthroid or levothyroxine. Read the directions that come with your medication and you may be surprised. Maybe your thyroid hormone levels aren't as good as you think, or fluctuate because you aren't taking the meds consistently or correctly. I was on synthroid for almost 10 years before I found out that I'm supposed to wait a half hour after taking it before I eat to make sure it absorbs correctly. There are restrictions on taking vitamins and antacids within 4 hours too. I was doing everything wrong It made a difference when I started taking it correctly. It is still hard to lose weight, but it is possible if I track what I eat and exercise consistently.
I've had some of the same problems. I'm 28 and am going in tomorrow to have my thyroid tested as I display all the typical signs of hypothyroidism. I am going to insist on a few test... tsh, ft3,tt4,fta also a adrenal test and a rt3. I will let you know my progress. About me since moving in with my boyfriend i have gained 60 pounds (one year) btw he has lost about 30. Ain't love a . Anyway, I am sure some of the problem is diet and exercise and the remainder maybe hypothyroidism. Will keep you posted as to my results. Good Luck!!
HI! it sounds like we have the same goals. I initially lost thirty pounds and now im about the same weight as you and I have a goal to reach about 118 pounds.
And I havent been able to lose anymore weight since then. I was JUST diagnosed with hypothyrooidism and it's intimidating because I always hear how its "impossible"
I'm scared , if I get my TSH down, will it make this alot easier??
Hey all,
I'm new to this group and website. I just turned 29 and I have been struggling with
my weight for as long as I can remember. I was diagnosed with hypothyroid about 10
years ago and it has been an uphill battle the whole time. I am on synthyroid,
but I don't feel that it works that well. I still have many of the symptoms of
hypothyroid, but my blood levels are "normal." Currently, I weigh 195 lbs.
When I started trying to lose weight 2 yrs ago I weighed 230lbs. I worked
really hard for two years and I only lost 35 lbs. I relapsed for a few months due to
discouragement, but started working out again and got to 195. I am now at a major
plateau and have been for several months. I work out 4-5 times per week and I eat
healthy, but I don't seem to make any progress. Two weeks ago I stopped working out
to see if it would make any difference, and it did. I gained a few pounds and
felt terrible about myself. I'm back to working out, but I am still discouraged
about not losing weight. I feel that it has something to do with my thyroid, but the
doctors keep saying that it is "normal" and I shouldn't worry.
Anyone else have a similar experience or advice to share? Thanks! :)
Are you tracking your foods? Tracking what I eat has been the greatest help to figuring out when and why I can lose weight.
I know that I've had some "down" times when I'm not incorporating my synthroid correctly. Sometimes, the cause is easy-- I was forgetting to take it some mornings, or just taking it inconsistently. And it only took a week for me to notice the problems, but then when I knew I was going in for blood tests, I'd make sure I never missed a morning, and my levels would be normal.
But I know that my sythroid also doesn't get fully metabolized if I eat high fiber or certain foods close to when I take the meds. I had gone on a kick of eating oatmeal every morning, normally thirty to forty-five minutes after taking synthroid. I noticed that I was getting tired and depreseed. So I quit the oatmeal and started eating fruit in the morning. A week later I was feeling great.
Hi All, I'm new here.
Although I was diagnosed with hypothyroid 5 years ago, no one seemed to care why until
recently. My new endo decided to test for Hashimoto's and that's the cause. On
top of that, this year I was also diagnosed with Celiac disease. Guess what I also
just found out from my endo? 15% of Hashimoto's patients also have the
gluten-protein antibodies! So, if you have Hashimoto's I recommend getting test for
the gluten-protein antibodies and if that's postiive, go for a colon bioposy to be
sure.
So, learning to be gluten-free is half my battle. The other half is loosing the 9
lbs I gained since November when I stopped running because of a knee injury. I
started biking again in June and have built up to 100 miles a week. But I have
to admit, that I feel "cheated" out of all the fun foods like cakes and cookies
that were readily available. To "over" compensate, I've been baking
gluten-free and then over eating gluten-free. I think I'm over that part now.
So, the next step is to manage my energy, my food (since 10 extra pounds certainly doesn't
help the knee) and get back to running.
Since I'm all over the board with this stuff, I'll shoot off into another direction. I had
my medication dosages all changed this week. I went from 56 mcg of levoxyl and 25
mcg of cytomel to 88mcg of synthroid and 5 mcg of cytomel twice a day.
I do think the new dosage fits the numbers of my tests better. My T4 was low, T3 was
high and TSH was .064. The dosage had to be lowered over all since I am now
absorbing the medication better as my intestinal tract heals (gluten-free for 3 months
now). But the quick shift has left me a little wrung out after feeling over heated
and sweaty for weeks. If there was ever proof that higher levels of thyroid hormones
don't really contribute to weight loss, I'm it.
Ok, done whining. I have to lots to do this afternoon. Have a great day!
About ten years ago I had half my thyroid removed (cold nodule, non-cancerous) and
I was lucky enough to have my remaining gland produce enough hormones so
I didn't require thyroid meds. I would go back from time to time for an annual
blood test to check and it remained the same. I stopped getting the blood checked a
few years back so I don't know exactly when my remaining thyroid started
struggling.
I am on a weight loss program through my new doctor and I had to have blood
drawn for that and low and behold, I'm now hypothyroid. I preferred the more natural
method which has been around for many years - Armour Thyriod - over the Synthroid.
I know many people that switched from Synthroid to the Armour and experienced a
very positive reaction. Thankfully my doctor isn't against writing the script for that
(I hear many down right REFUSE to) and she actually said that she's heard
similar stories.
As it is, I'm being put on three new meds (including the Armour) - two of which I will be
able to let go of once the weight drops off - the Blood Pressure/Water Pill med and
Cholesterol med. Here's looking for a positive shift in how I feel :)
I am not tracking this week..or the next,I think that I am obsessive enough about food that some how the tracking part makes it worse. I know how many calories are in just about everything I eat. I am going to eat 3 meals a day at about 300 calories each and have a glass or two of wine in the evening I feel like it. Done. I will continue to exercise daily at the rec center and weigh weekly. Done. The last time I did this was during the hurricane and I lost weight..I hope it works again.
Hello guys,
I am a new kid on this block
and here to share my goals, achievements and disappointments with all you wonderful people
out here supporting each other.
26 yr old standing 5 feet
tall (well great things come in small packages) weighing 154 lbs diagnosed with
hypothyroidism for just about a year ago…weight hasn’t been a big deal until
just couple of years ago when I seized to be active (work was the only exercise that I
had) eating all that came my way (I am a vegetarian). 4 years now and I wonder how did I
let this happen me???
15 days ago I saw my
endocrinologist who also happens to be an expert in metabolic diseases and weight
management said my weight gain is not just a thyroid problem; yes it does contribute but
not the only reason. I got to change my lifestyle includes exercise and eating habits. We
had about 2 hours of chat and guys it was real eye-opener! “A new
me”
I have since then exercised
every single day and keeping notes of what gets into my mouth(good or bad) believe me it
works guys! I haven’t lost weight yet but I feel so good.. like a whole lot of
stamina is infused into me and like this energy is flowing..
Will keep you posted about
my weight loss goals and exercise routines. Way to go guys!
Happy Life
Signing off
Your story sounds a lot like mine. Five foot tall, never had a real weight problem. Diagnoised eight months ago. I weigh 142 and I feel terrible inside and out. Best of luck to you.
Renee
hey renee,
thanks for replyin..so hws your day like? do u excercise?
Hey, I am really writing for my 11 yr old. She was recently diagnosed with hypothyroid, and I am looking any natural alternatives to Sythroid. I really want to help her, but I would like to know all the options before putting more man-made chemicals in my child. please let me know if anyone has any suggestions.
Well, as far as i know,(I have hypothyroidism also),I don't know of an alternative but I know that seaweed or kelp has been known to help due to the iodine in it. Iodine is one the main things that the thyroid isn't producing when it is underactive. I've done a lot of research on this because I have been taking medicine for almost two years. I would try going to a Homeopathic doctor before anything else. That would be my next suggestion. I hope this helps.
I am new too this site. I am 30 and I have struggled with a throid problem my whole life. I was first diagnosed at 14 but was told that all the throat and ear infections I had a child was my thyroid attacking itself. At 14 the Dr's discovered I no loger had a gland. I was always thin til I had my son 10 years ago. I lost the weight at first but now I weigh 30 more pounds then my pregnancy weight which was 50 more then I weighed before. about 2 years ago I learned I was no longer absorbing the synthroid in pill form. I am now currently taking 2 levotyhroxine injections at 250 mg a piece two times a week a total of 1000 mg a week and my levels are still not normal and my weight continues to climb. I am glad there is support and others who understand.
hi all! I'm just wondering if there are any posts to this group yet. I am struggling big time with various health\thyroid\parathyroid issues and as a marathoner I am frustrated! I need encouragment, help, and empathy. How is everyone else doing in the group?
What are your issues?
I was mildly hypothyroid for probably about 40 years before treatment with levothyroxine about 5 years ago. Since then the changes have been dramatic. Calories are up 150%; protein is 4 times what it used to be; fat is twice that of before; and I've just in the past year learned how to eat for my revved up metabolism, so a ravenous appetite has now abated. (cont.)
It is wonderful to no longer be troubled by heart rhythm anomalies, irritable bowel, continual tendon pain, sleep disruption, and a host of other difficulties. But it's clear to me that revving up metabolism is not the same as having a normal metabolism. (cont.)
Though I'm showing across the board improvements, the biggest lifetime struggles have been with slowed and disrupted learning, probably a side effect of disrupted diurnal rhythms including sleep cycle. This affected both athletic skills and intellectual skills. I suspect that even emotion development is affected because in the past year stronger, clearer, and new, emotions have appeared. (cont.)
My athletic goals are to learn to skate (inline and ice) and swim with a dolphin kick. My intellectual goals are to recover and advance my music, foreign language, and math skills. My fitness goals are coming to be almost without trying, except for one. I have 10-15 lbs of extra weight concentrated in a typical old-guy's belly. (cont.)
I don't know if it's more from years of hypothyroidism or from now being an old guy! As soon as I drop 5 lbs I get starved and regain the weight. I'm now leaning more to increased calorie output as the answer. Currently, my weight is stable at about 2000 calories a day.
What kind of medication are you on? I'm on a combo of synthyroid and cytomel. It's a tough condition to deal with for those of us that want to be active. hope you can work with your dr. to find a way to help you.
suz
by apple162 on Aug 20, 2011 at 1:17 pm
Edited by apple162, on August 21st, 2011 at 10:50 pm.