A success story? No. This story is an on-going battle. At present - me3;thyroid4.

The great news; I get over the last flare up and start feeling good again. At last, I have the energy left to plan a programme to tackle the increasing weight/BMI issue and I want to strenghten my body. I begin my programme. First, lots of mobility and gentle walking, then back on the cross-trainer and later, adding some running into the walks... I'm really happy. I'm getting back into my old routines - thyroid issues - bah, not going to hold me back for long! This is me, set for summer...

Then... the bad news; a head cold followed by a knee which goes 'click' then becomes painful. I have never had a knee injury before, ever. Now anti-inflammatories, support bandage and no more running. I can hardly walk (again) never mind run. Last summer it was plantar fasciatis, I'd never had that before either.

Ok, the thyroid didn't cause these injuries, but the thyroid did cause the weight excess and the muscle weakness and the prolonged periods of extreme fatigue. I won't run again. In future, I'll stick to walking, and count myself fortunate that I can do this.

I never see my thyroid issues as a success story as there's always some new challenge around the corner. I'm sure in time the knee injury will recover, and I can look again at the weight/BMI issue. This is so frustrating. Now nearly four stone and gaining.

Today, I can't exercise and will be sensible and rest my knee, which to be fair, is slowly getting better. So since I can't exercise, I'm going to throw away my too-small clothes and go sunbathe instead.

[marram]

You can always tell someone who has thyroid problems. They have clothes in at least four sizes in their cupboard (unless, like my daughter, they de-clutter every six months or so. In my case, I de-clutter every decade or so - if I feel up to it. lol.

I agree that walking is a good alternative. It is weight-bearing, low-impact and at the same time not too demanding. I am at least 5 stone more than I was when younger and hyperthyroid (I expected to regain some, but 5 stone!!!? I would like to do more exercise but at the moment it is almost out of the question because I keep getting palpitations, due to a heart enlargement caused by under-treated thyroid.

Dr Lowe was convinced that no-one who is on T4 alone will ever lose the weight they have gained. Trials with T4 and T3 combinations, while not producing a better 'clinical' result (for 'Clinical' read TSH test), DID actually lead to weight loss in those taking T3, even though their TSH was the same. He (Dr Lowe) was of the opinion that T4 was a waste of time. He was on T3 only most of his adult life.

I have been trying to self-medicate - or, as I put it, self-help - and tried T3 for a while. I stopped because of a previous heart condition, but in the first week I lost 3lbs. I plan to re-introduce the T3 very, very cautiously 1/4 tablet at a time to see how things go. I am determined to regain my health somehow, as I cannot even walk at the moment.

What medication are you on?

[Hidden in reply to marram]

Hi - thank you for replying.

I have been wondering about T3. I'm on T4 only and while it has made massive improvements to my well-being, the weight just will not even begin to shift and I'm active. I had my heart checked out - both resting and exercising. I had some odd aches in this area - but I think that is due to being unfit. My blood pressure is just into 'high' (or could that be the result of visiting the doc?!!!) and I've always had low BP pre-hypo.

I know that since T4 has made so many improvements that weight gain is rather trivial to complain about, but this has made such an impact on so many things I took for granted, some less trivial, such as BMI and keeping strong, fit and independent.

I think it unlikely that the NHS will give me T3. I would like to try this though.

xx

[marram in reply to Hidden]

Please do let me know if you decide to give it a go, I am sure with all the evidence available it is probably the only way forward, because like you I 'put up' with the weight because of the improvement overall, but let me just ask one question - why SHOULD we put up with it? Our lives would be more comfortable, our medication more effective, our risk factors for other problems reduced - aren't these reasons enough? I know it IS possible to be healthy and strong again. I want it. And so do you. And we have the right to expect it. Go, girl!

[Hidden in reply to marram]

Thank you! I feel a bit better having these 'conversations'! And I've dumped the teeny weeny size 14/16/18 clothes which has also helped. I now have a reduced wardrobe of elasticated waist clothes which will see me through summer.

I completely agree with you - why should we put up with it? But it's my GP I have to convince since he's the one with the T3. This is not going to be easy.

When I mentioned my weight gain a year ago, his attitude, predicatably, was 'nothing to do with hypo'. 'Exercise more, eat less.'

He didn't know I have all sorts of qualifications and years of experience in exercise, nutrition, sports injury etc etc. He just assumed I knew nothing and he wanted an easy answer and me to go away.

I'll get over this knee injury and then give weight loss another go using the cross-trainer for a couple of months. If there' still no weight loss I'll use this and a food log as evidence for asking for T3.

Are you going the T3 route?

[Hidden in reply to marram]

Just re-read your earlier post - you've already answered the Q; T3 route!

[lesleywagg in reply to Hidden]

Hi, I have started self medicating with T3 a couple of months ago, I have halved my thyroxine and now take 50mcg of T3.

I have lost about 4 lbs in total, I don't know whether it is due to the T3 but my weight is definitely not increasing. Before the T3 my weight was constantly going up and I felt i had no control over it.

I know exactly how you feel about your weight gain it just gets you down when you're constantly trying but can't seem to lose any.

I'm now 4 stone overweight and before I had my thyroid removed I weighed 9.5 stone after having 4 children. Nobody can tell me that my weight has got nothing to do with my thyroid.

x

[Hidden in reply to lesleywagg]

Hmmm - I'm definitely moving in this direction. It's demoralising. I've always taken care to keep my BMI within the recommended levels, and I hate this lack of control.

I'll try the GP first, and if I get no support then I'll look into and research a more independent approach.

Thank you for your input. x

[Hidden]

Hi LizaSarah,

Being Hypo attacks your tendons too. If my dose is too low I find my knees giving way, but from behind. This happens to my daughter too who is hypo.

Plantar Faciitis is more common in people with Hypo. I have severely painful feet, it's called Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome. I really believe all the mucin I have in my body is causing this. They are painful and swollen with awful nerve pain.

My last chance is T3 to try and get rid of this. I used to walk long distances but now it just hurts too much. I really worry about my lack of exercise as I still have high cholesterol, but eat healthily. I walk best when I'm with my grandchildren, they take my mind off the pain, and of course you HAVE to get them outdoors! XX

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Helcaster

I did wonder if hypo had this effect on tendons. Either that or the 1/3rd body weight increase is now too much strain on my joints.

I count myself very fortunate in that I walk well now, apart from times of injury. I must just remember in future that my body HAS changed and I cannot do some things I used to take for granted.

I'm usually quite positive, but I'm finding accepting these changes a bit challenging at times.

Thank you for your input - it's re-assuring to read the experiences of others who understand.

xx

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi again, What I've found very hard is all the things you have to give up. I love live music, it lifted my low mood for days after, now I can't stand at gigs.

I'm 5 stones more than I should be gained over 20 years of untreated Hypo, of course it's going to wear joints out. I was offered knee replacements at the age of 49. I'm on borrowed time with that. How much damage could have been avoided if I was diagnosed early on? It's all too easy to beat yourself up.

Now when I go to a gig I order a chair, I get up have a bit of a dance and then sit again. You have no idea how hard it is for me to ask for anything, lol! XX