Hypothyroidism

I am a 33 year old female who has been overweight most of my life. I found out around 3 years ago that I had Graves disease and went through radiation. Of course now my metabolism is shot and I have to take Synthoid daily for the rest of my life. I'm looking for a female with hyprothyroidism who has had success losing weight around my age.

Sun. May 13, 5:58pm

I also have Graves disease but I never did any western medicine. Although I went to 4 different doctors and they all said the same thing, that I needed to get on meds right away. I did a lot of research about the meds and decided that the side effects from the meds were worse then what I was feeling with the disease. So I went and looked into alternative treatments. I started doing acupuncture and different treatments of chinese medicine. Within 3 months my symptoms were completely gone, within 8 months my TSH levels, t-3 and t-4 were almost normal. After year and 3 months my Graves was inactive and still is that was back in 2001. I am curious as to what your symptoms were and how you were feeling and whether or not you got several opinions? My own symptoms were a lot, I was lucky if I slept 2 hours a night and when I did manage to sleep I always woke feeling totally awake, I was constantly hot to the point of sweating although it was 34 degrees, I always felt like I was in fast forward on the inside, like I was on massive amounts of speed, I lost weight, lost my appetite, I was thirsty all the time. I didn't have the bulging eyes or any goiters.

Sunday, May 13, 2007, 6:50 PM

I also had the radiation in my early 20's and am hypo. I'm taking the meds since I have no thyroid function. I'm now in my later 40's and having trouble moving beyond 10 pounds of weight loss. Even though I step up the exercise and continue eating healthy, small portions, I just don't lose pounds. Can the thyroid situation work against weight loss if your lab numbers are in range?

It's interesting to hear about the acupuncture and alternative treatments. It sounds like your symptoms were hyper rather than hypo. I never thought about alternative treatments and I'm going to do some checking to see what I can find in that area. Thanks!

Monday, May 14, 2007, 12:30 PM

I'm 30 and was diagnosed hypo when I was 14. At 16 I had the radioactive isotope and have been on levoxyl (or another synthetic hormone) for over 10 years. I just started seeing an endo again as I was feeling stalled in my weight loss efforts and wondered how much my condition might be effecting my metabolism, etc. I now take 200mg daily levoxyl, and 400 on Sunday.

Over the last two years I have lost about 20 lbs. I had always been fairly averaged sized, not too overweight...about a size 10 (5'7"). However a few years ago I found myself at 187 and knew that I had to take control of my weight. I started PT, picked up running, and counted cals. This worked slowly but steadily. This past January I started strength training and have found that this has really been the key to my weight loss. I have seen more immediate results and I'm very happy with the way my body has changed. I also eat whole foods, no soda, RARELY candy or junk food, but I do drink and have ice cream. I'm a foodie and eat well, but do monitor my eating.

I am now at 164, which feels MUCH better. I still have about 15 more lbs to go before I feel 'all set,' but at that point I'll be in better condition than when I was in college. The key for me, with respect to my thyroid, has been to find contentment with the slow loss. I think they go hand in hand, but I don't really have medical evidence of this.

Losing weight for me has been about actively embracing an active lifestyle, exercising several days a week, walking or biking everywhere, and eating well. Be mindful always of the size you want to be and always do things to get you there...e.g. I go out of my way to take the stairs. Now that I have educated myself more about hypothroidism, Graves Disease, and health, fitness, and weightloss, I am not sure that I could say that my medical condition has hindered my weight loss. Perhaps I have to work harder or longer at it than other people, but I'm still meeting my goals in the end.

Please feel free to keep up with me through my open log.

dawfit

Monday, May 14, 2007, 12:53 PM

Hypothyroidism

I recently started medication for my thyroid. I haven't really noticed much of a change since I started it about a month ago. The doctors seem to feel that I probably have had this condition (Hashimotos auto immune) for a long time because I have a history of gaining and losing weight, joint problems, depression and fatigue. I was really disappointed that I started the medication and the weight didn't just start falling off. As a matter of fact I have even gained more since I started! I go back to the doctor in a week or so for blood tests so maybe I need an increase of medication. However, I have come to the brilliant conclusion that even with medication it is going to be a constant in my life to manage this disease! There is no way medication alone is going to work and therefore I will have to work hard at management and not only work hard but also work harder than most people at keeping my metabolism working. I really need support to do this and really hope there are others with the same up hill battle that can help me and that I can help. I look forward to hearing from others with the same problem.

Monday, May 14, 2007, 1:01 PM

to the 1:01 poster.

I think you are right, medication alone won't be the solution. And you may need to work harder than most to get your weight down and keep your metabolism working. That is how I feel too. But aren't you glad you figured this out now and not 5 years from now?

Keep up the good work!

Monday, May 14, 2007, 1:10 PM

Hypothyroidism

You bet!

I just wish there was more information out there on how to live and manage hypothyrodism. There are web sites that tell the symptoms and treatments but not much help on what to eat and how to exercise to get the most out of your metabolism without sending yourself into a "fatigue fog". If anyone has any advice on where and how to start please let me know!

Monday, May 14, 2007, 2:53 PM

hypothyriodism

i have hypo as well. ive never started a diet since ove had it which is going on 3 years now. after reading all this im kinda worried that i wont loose weight because of it. but i guess well see. -cf

Monday, May 14, 2007, 4:48 PM

hypothyriodism

My doctor tells me that after the medication starts working that it should be easier to lose weight than it has been. Like you, I am worried also that I won't. I have before though but I just did not keep up the life style changes and it came back (plus some!).

Monday, May 14, 2007, 6:29 PM

I was diagnosed a couple years with hashimotos, I'm fifty something. I had gained about 30 additional pounds quite rapidly before finding the problem. The doc put me on a relatively high dose which got my TSH back down, but it turned out too high. So they have reduced the dose until finally the numbers for TSH, T3, and T4 are normal. I have been struggling with losing weight ever since then, and after over a year, have managed to take off 30 lbs with a lot to go. I agree with the previous poster who started weight lifting. It seems to give me more energy which is spilling over to the other exercise modalities (walking and abs) and I find the more exercise I do, the better I feel. Course, I'm an old phart compared to a lot of you fellow posters, so I think I have the double whammy. But if I can feel better with exercise, I bet you can too. Get up and do it before you are awake enough to say no...

Monday, May 14, 2007, 10:13 PM

I am 32 and have been on thyroid medication since I was 16. I've gained and lost weight the entire 16 years since being on medication. In the last year I've lost 45lbs. I would have lost more in less time, but I've slacked off.

Taking the right level of synthroid simply means that your levels are normal, just like any other person. Being "normal" does not mean the weight will just automatically start coming off, no more than it does for any other person. You need to manage what you eat and exercise more, same as everyone else. As long as your hypothryroidism is properly managed by medication, it's not preventing a person from losing weight.

My recommendation for everyone who has hypothyroidism and thinks it's preventing them from losing weight is to first write down all your food intake and track the calories for 2 weeks, then see if there's a pattern of overeating there. Before I tracked calories, I did not realize how many extra calories over my recommended daily calorie intake I was eating. Start making some changes in your diet and keep up your food journal. Find out what your recommended daily caloric needs are and then reduce by 500 calories per day to lose 1lb/week (3500 calorie deficit=1lb). If you really are eating the appropriate amount of calories each day for an entire month and don't see any weight change, then show your doctor your food journal and then discuss if your thryroid is not in balance.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007, 12:25 AM

I too am 50 something and also agree that exercise helps. I know that I have had Hashimotos (undiganosed) for a very long time because I could go through periods of losing weight (not as much as was needed but none the less losing some) and exercise, which did make me feel much better but I would also go through period where it felt as though I hit a brick wall. I would start with severe joint pains in which I would have to get injections for and severe fatigue which would make me want to lay on the sofa like a beached whale. The latter of which seems to have taken over the past few years! Well at any rate I have now been diagnosed and started taking Levyxol within the last month. At first I was very happy that finally I could put a name to what was wrong with me and now I realize that I am just going to have to make that extra effort, even with medication! That realization was a bummer but it could be much worse. I just want to know from others who have the same problem how they manage it.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007, 11:01 AM

I went to my Doctor today and she increased my medication and told me to stop concentrating on losing weight but rather to concentrate on losing inches through exercise. I just thought that was a good concept since trying to "lose weight" with an under active thyroid may be the wrong focus. Being healthy should be the focus. I just thought I would share her advice with everyone.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007, 11:14 AM

Thyroid Cancer

I'm a 39 yr old thyroid cancer survivor and am on complete hormone replacement therapy and have great success losing weight. You have to make a commitment to good food choices, aerobic acitivity and weight lifting. And I don't mean you have to do aerobics per se, even walking works. Light weights with higher repetitions work well for women. It builds muscle and increases your metabolism. You have to decide to do it for you and your health. Taking meds can definitely make you feel better but you have to take some steps on your own to get an extra boost. I like the book Living Well With Hypothyroidism: What your doctor doesn't tell you that you need to know.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007, 1:47 PM

Living Well With Hypothyroidism: What your doctor doesn't tell you that you need to know.

This book is by Mary Shomon.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007, 1:53 PM

On Synthroid - I have a question.

I am on Synthroid. My doctor said it was a little sluggish. I am overweight. I have been 200-240 for the past 2 years. Is Synthroid supposed to speed up you metabolism and does that help aid in lossing weight...because I haven't! Doe she need to increase the Synthroid?

Tuesday, May 29, 2007, 6:08 PM

tues 12:25

Thank you so much. I scrolled down to fast. You answered everything. I have been writing down everything, but I'm still not loosing. Currently, I' m 240 & 5'7". I have been over 200 for 2 years. - SLS

Tuesday, May 29, 2007, 6:13 PM

I'm pretty certain that your doctor won't increase your Synthroid because you aren't losing weight. As long as you're in the normal range with your thyroid hormone levels my experience is that they won't do that. If your levels are normal you'll just have to really focus on the weight loss and accept that it's going to be slow. Keep moving your body. If you were on a dosage of synthroid that made you lose weight, you'd probably be in the hyperthyroid range and that's not good either. You don't want heart palpatation and everything else that goes along with it. Hyperthyroid can make you just as tired as hypothyroid.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007, 8:51 PM

help me

iafter my son i started working out with in 3 months i lost 17 lbs and was @ 120lb i still had some weight to lose and wanted to tone i worked out for over a year and stayed @ the same weight. i gave up then i started gaining % lbs a month im up to 140lb ok i found out im allergic to what,gluten, diary and sugar! so i stopped eating those foods and working out and my hair has been falling out like crazy its really scary and my hair is dull and easily knotted im really sad and dont know whats wrong with me i was reading online about hypothyroidism and was wondering if i had it.was wondering if anyone else has it? ive seen a homeopathic doctor all this time but he said my thyroid looks fine.

Thursday, July 19, 2007, 5:46 PM

Check out this site....TONS of info you will not get from a doctor..

Link

Friday, July 20, 2007, 4:57 AM

5:46. Have you had a blood test that told what your TSH levels are? That's the only real diagnostic indicator of thyroid function. If your TSH levels are normal, you'll have to look elsewhere for the cause of your symptoms. But the hair you describe is often one of the first symptoms of an under active thyroid.

Friday, July 20, 2007, 8:02 AM

Hypo too.

I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism when I was 13. I was short... about 4'8 and about 170 pounds, I kept gaining weight was lethargic, depressed and I never got my period (my two younger sisters passed me up) so I knew something was wrong. They did some blood work and found that my thyroid (was in the low range of normal) was low, but not dramatically so... They decided to put me on thyroid and monitor me monthly. I grew taller over the years (13-18yrs of age) to the height I am now 5'6 and 3/4 and My fat distributed. My thyroid levels went "normal" and I was taken off the synthetic hormone. I continue to have normal regular (slightly heavy) periods.
I continued to gain/lose over the years... peaked at 210 in 99 and lost about 40 kept it off for about 10yrs, have lost an additional 28, and will hit my goal of 145. (Hopefully by the end of this month)

Friday, July 20, 2007, 11:09 AM

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