I was just wondering if anyone has the same problems as myself.
I’m on a tapering dose of Pred , down to 6 mg a day . My question is having an under active thyroid, I take 150mg of Levothyroxine every morning , having the above medication my doctor just says with my condition it makes you gain weight.
I really wonder if I am ever going to shake the weight off , have joined a slimming group to try and see if it helps but although I’m really good and stick to my diet I feel like I’m swimming against the tide to tell you the truth .
Does any of your good selves have this kind of problem.
Would love to know your thoughts
Thank you
Marie
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MacNa
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Many of us here have had weight problems - with or without thyroid problems. The received wisdom from doctors is that weight gain is inevitable with pred ...
Many have avoided weight gain in the first place because they arrived here early in their journey - if you cut carbs drastically it really does make a big difference. It also works to allow you to lose weight once it has gone on with pred but it is probably a bit harder. Taking processed carbs and all added sugar out is enough for some, other have to work harder. I have to be REALLY low on carbs to lose, maintaining my weight isn't quite as hard. This website provided all the info you need about what foods to avoid and what to use:
By taking proccessed foods out you are also removing a lot of salt from your diet - and that is also helpful for many on pred as it helps with fluid retention which is another problem with pred - and water weighs on the scales too!
We say low carb - not keto, it is very difficult to get into ketosis when on pred because pred makes the liver release random spikes of glucose from the muscle stores of glycogen. That is what contributes to both steroid-induced diabetes and weight gain and you have no control over it - only on your dietary carbs. It isn't the only way to lose weight - some people have been successful on Slimming World - better with their less carby approach.
I've just used this link to reply to someone asking about the Fast800 approach - there is another post from the same member she put up as she started:
Hi , thank you so much for your advice, at almost 70 I just feel that I really need to get sorted , i will certainly try the things you advise and hopefully see some weight coming off . Many thanks xx
I also have an underactive thyroid, over 40 years on levothyroxine, and started pred in Oct. The feeling of being overweight in your early 20s has never left me and so as soon as I started pred I went on a strict diet, determined not to 'go back there 'I, like PMRPro has said, cut out all 'obvious ' carbs, bread, rice, pasta, and all refined sugar and added salt. I actually lost weight at the beginning, but that stopped after a few months.
You will get there, it just may be slower than others so don't be discouraged. It just takes a bit longer.
Really feel for you.
I make vegetable soup in my soup maker, 20 minutes, and so if I feel I want to eat and it's not the 'right time' I have some soup to appease my stomach. Also plan my food rather than feel hungry and wonder what to eat, which is usually disastrous for me. And often make sure I have pre oozed, and weighed, food in my freezer for times when I can't wait.
You'll get there, it just might take a little longer.
Hi , thank you so much for your advice, it really does make sense . I must admit this past week I have planned my food and have lost a few pounds which is encouraging. I will certainly try your soup idea.
I’m not grossly overweight but would really love to shed couple of stone.
Hi,I can also say that cutting back on carbs will help. I've been taking levothyroxine for over 25 years and luckily with exercise and a good diet I've always been able to keep a consistent weight. After starting on Prednisone for my PMR about 2.5 years ago I gained about 15 pounds even though I still was able to continue my regular fitness routine.
A few months ago my wife started the Keto diet. She's a great cook and I was able to participate in her diet without much effort... though I wasn't as strict as she was.
After about 2 months I've gotten back to my pre pred weight! I still try not to over indulge in carbs and even though it isn't easy I have been maintaining my weight. (My wife did amazingly well too!)
It's hard I know. I have always been quite strict with myself, but allow one or two days of 'naughtiness' - but not since I started pred. No bad food days at all now on pred sadly!I think planning the food has really worked for me, and not something I did before.
Good luck, you'll get there, it just might take a little bit longer. x
I too have an under active thyroid and take 125 mg of thyroxine daily. I am now down to 4mg of pred. I put on just under 2 stone over the last couple of years whilst I have been taking Pred. A few months ago I decided enough was enough and joined slimming world. Although to be honest I haven't been following their plan properly but I have been eating healthier and am now only half a pound off of loosing my pred weight. You can do it just plan and shop well x
Hi Jimi , thanks for your advice and encouragement. Well done you with your achievement , loosing your Pred weight. Tonight I went to the Slimming world group and have lost 4 lbs since last week, which I’m really pleased about . As you know yourself how hard it can be to loose , but as you say eating healthier and cutting some of the naughty things really helps.
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