Thyroid battles & Vegetarianism....

[v_tang]

Hi everyone

I'm new to the forum, so hello!

Apologies in advance for the thesis. I'll keep as brief as poss.

Background: diagnosed with Graves at 19, had radioidine treatment and now hypo. Struggled with weight issues/depression and poor joints/aches/pain ever since. Currently aged 30 and on 100mg of Levothyroxine.

So after a troubled 20s being the chubby one I decided enough was enough and joined Slimming World back in March. In total I've lost 11lbs. Soul destroying and gutted doesn't cover it. First started out with steady weight loss, but after adding in extra exercise (to my usual routine) my thyroid when back overactive so after several arguments with the GPs I was dropped to 100mg (June). Since the drop I've struggled and had no energy to keep up the classes, eaten healthily yet had minuscule or no weight losses. GP stated T3 & T4 are within normal range but TSH is very high and I have been increased to take 100mg + half a 25mg and get re-tested in 6 weeks.

I am a vegetarian so I am wondering whether this adds in further complicating to getting my levels correct, upon reading other forums I am wondering whether taking extra supplements alongside my thyroxine will help (extra vitamins, iodine supplement etc).

Really am getting fed up with this constant battle for happiness, it's eating away at my soul and I fear I am going a little bit bonkers!!

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, v_Tang.

It helps members advise if you post your recent thyroid results with the lab ref ranges (the figures in brackets after your results). You can ask your GP receptionist for a printout if you don't have them. If your TSH is high you are undermedicated. TSH just above or below 1.0 is generally comfortable but some needed it lower. FT4 and FT3 will ideally be in the top 75% of range.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/diagno...

Soy and raw goitrogenous vegetables should be avoided but lightly cooked veg are fine. Soy is very thyroid unfriendly and should be avoided completely.

Vegetarians need to supplement B12 as it can only be obtained from meat and fish and can't be obtained from plant foods. Low/deficient ferritin, vitamin D, B12 and folate are common in hyperthyroid and hypothyroid patients so ask your GP to test them.