Weight issues...

[Sammie263]

I've not been diagnosed as having an under-active thyroid, but my doctors have been looking into it for the past year and a half, I was told that it's 'borderline', so it can be normal for a period of time, then go under-active etc..

My issue is, I put on ALOT of weight last year down to my thyroid (about 4 1/2 stone) and I've not been able to shift it. Over the last few months I've taken to swimming. I swim about 5 times a week, I eat relatively well, and I've not lost a pound, in fact I've gained it! I swim a mile and a half every time and i always put so much effort into it, so I really don't understand why I've but weight on! I'm beyond gutted and demotivated, I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on the issue, or if anyone has managed to lose some of the weight that they've out on, due to a stupid thyroid issue.

Many thanks

Sammie

[Thisgirl1973]

I cant comment except to say I know how you feel. I've gain a stone and a half in last 18 months and have worked so hard to try and get it off but nothing works, I even tried a meal replacement and stuck to it religiously for 3 weeks and lost just 1 pound 1... I'm seeing my doctor later and I'm going to beg for a trial. My results are borderline too x

[Marz]

Please post your results with ranges and perhaps someone can see what is going on - TSH FT4 FT3 and Thyroid Anti-bodies Anti-TPO and Anti-Tg are the tests you need.

Also how are the Famous five - Iron - Folate - B12 - Ferritin - VitD. All these need to be OPTIMAL for your thyroid to work efficiently. If you had just the TSH tested then I am afraid that is just one piece of the jig-saw....

[Hidden]

I have put on a load of weight also which wont shift and my thyroid tests (TSH only) I am told are always normal! I eat healthily and go to acqa (I have RD, fibro and osteo in both knees with mobility problems so swimming is all I can do). All I seem to get from health officials is the suggestion of a gastric band to lose weight. If I have a food issue then I would consider this but I dont feel I have a food issue apart from I may not eat enough. Strange I am offered an operation which costs thousands of pounds but they cant do a proper thyroid test at a small percentage of the cost of a gastric band! They also refuse to give me new knees which I desperately need to be mobile again refused because of my weight and the issues around anesthetic. Seems we cant win. Gentle hugs Joolz.x

[Lionyx2006 in reply to Hidden]

I got the same suggestion for a gastric bypass or the gastric band. I don't have food issues such as overeating and can't imagine it would help me.

In 2005/6 when I was under medicated for hypoT, I committed to a complete lifestyle change. I lost 5 dress sizes in just under two years. I cycled (indoors) six days a week for twenty minutes at 20 - 22 mph (racing speeds) and lifted weights three days a week. I stopped my program because I developed perimyocarditis. The perimyocarditis was caused by being under medicated for hypoT. And the perimyocarditis in turn caused narrow angle glaucoma.

It took me 8 years to fully recover from everything. And then I learned I was deficient in B12 and Vitamin D. Ugh! I started the treatment for those and now I'm back to my exercise program. Though now I don't go 20 - 22 mph any more because I learned that wasn't good for hypoT. It stresses the thyroid. I'm satisfied with 14 - 16 mph and cycling for longer. I started lifting weights again too. Love those pork and bean cans. : )

[mstp]

I put on weight as soon as I started taking thyroxin. I thought it was my age and never related it to the thyroid at all until, 20 years later, I've stopped the thyroxin and started taking t3. Now its dropping off me - I've gone down a dress size. I'm eating well, certainly not trying to diet, I'm not exercising much (being lazy) and people keep telling me how well I look so I think it must be that my thyroid issues are finally being properly addressed.

[Hidden]

Just a comment about gaining weight, as you have been doing so much swimming you will have undoubtedly improved your muscle tone and increased muscle mass - and muscle weighs more than fat. The good thing is that fat is inert whereas muscle consumes calories - hence why weight lifters and the like can consume massive amounts.

[Lionyx2006 in reply to Hidden]

Muscle does not weigh more than fat. I used to think so too. After extensive research before starting an exercise program, I learned they weigh the same. Another false assumption is that muscle replaces fat. Doesn't happen. Muscle burns more calories than fat. That's why men lose weight easier than women. Their metabolism is higher due to a higher muscle mass.

I learned that if I don't consume enough of the right kind of calories and attempt to exercise too much, I actually gained weight. My body thought it was starving. The fine balance used to frustrate me until I learned to eat differently.

A good example is after exercise today I ate a four egg omelette which consisted of three egg whites and one whole egg. I added a handful of grated cheese and 1/2 an avocado. Also I try to eat every three hours.