Underactive thyroid and thin

[Lauraloumay83]

I'm a 31 year old female and was diagnosed when I was only 14 years old. My grandmother noticed a large lump sticking out my neck. (Goitre) I take 150 micrograms a day. Iv always been thin and never overweight. Am I the only one like this? A lot of people say I should be overweight

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, Lauraloumay83.

A few hypothyroid patients are underweight. It may be that you were diagnosed and treated before the weight had a chance to pile on. Weight gain is a typical hypothyroid symptom, especially in people who have waited years for a diagnosis and treatment and it can be very difficult to shift then. Hypothyroidism is also more often diagnosed in women of menopausal age and menopause can cause weight gain too.

I've always been low weight but gained around 13kg in 18 months. In hindsight this may have been the onset of Hashimoto's but I felt well and the weight gain suited me so I was pleased. A couple of years later I began to feel very unwell and lost 13kg in 10 months. Suspected Graves but it was Hashimoto's although TSH wasn't high enough for treatment. I lost another 4kg when I started Levothyroxine after thyroidectomy and struggle to maintain weight now. I had to stop Levothyroxine a couple of times and each time gained 2.5kg in 4 weeks, which dropped off as soon as I resumed Levothyroxine.

Eat well and healthily to maintain your weight.

[Jessiepup]

I have been Hypo for 20 years and have always been slim

[tweed]

Hi I have the same problem and it's getting worse I'm now 51 and should definitely not  be losing weight like this! My gps and endo haven't got a clue what to do so I've chosen to keep my dose right down and be mildly hypothyroid in order to stop the hyperthyroid feelings ' nobody has a clue what's going on as you are right every one else gains weight or finds it hard to lose it so because of that, we just get ignored.. I've tried everything and paid so much money privately, I feel like giving up as no one has answers. Just doesn't make any sense to me but there has to be a reason for it.

[Skyebeardie in reply to tweed]

Hi tweed, I found your post as I too have always been slim but my weight is dropping and now I am just skinny. It's awful at 58. I drink alot of full fat milk, have a healthy diet. Lots of bananas, coconut oil etc. I am back on levo as NDT didn't make any difference. Did you ever find an answer. My GP and bloods are okay, I have hashimotos but I am very thin, muscle loss. It's horrible, I have never really hated my body but these days it frightens me. I detest people telling me I am so thin, you would never say that to a fat person! I am 58, 5 foot 5 inches and 7.5 stone under 50 kilos. Have you managed to gain weight or find an answer? I would be grateful for any advice. Thanks Louise

[tweed in reply to Skyebeardie]

Hi skyebeardie great to hear from you. I don't want to alarm you but my problem ended up being type 1 diabetes yet another autoimmune disease. These doctors watched me getting thinner and thinner and I lost all my muscle was so weak in the end I went to a chemist to get a fasting blood glucose test. It was through the roof and ended up in hospital. Was put straight on to 5 insulin injections a day. That was last August and my life is upside down. Its a vile condition which is so tricky to get right. Have you been tested for this? It's so over looked as the doctors seem to think it only happens to young people and children. Any age can get it. I was 54. My weight however is still low and they have put my levothyroxine up again as I was so underactive on 125 mgs. Let me know how you are doing it's just horrendous. I do think the thyroid is to blame but no one can answer my questions and no one cares that's just how I feel. Thyroid is so important but these doctors seem to think it's trivial. I've never in 16 years met a doctor interested. Hope you think about a blood sugar fasting test and urine test. None of that was done on me and it may have not ended well due to their neglect xx

[Skyebeardie in reply to tweed]

Thanks for responding so fast, I am ringing Lloyds tomorrow to find out the nearest one for a test. I am so fed up with it, I am just not putting weight on. At least 2 pints of full fat milk, neat olive oil plus on meals, supplements you bloody name it. Hopeless, GP hopeless. I feel rotten every morning and getting worse, take my levo and supplements. You probably get where I am coming from! I will try anything and your post is really helpful if I can rule diabetes in or out! I am very grateful. Will let you know and I do wish you well in your journey. The next person who calls me 'so thin' would get a punch if only I had the energy. Hugs Louise

[tweed in reply to tweed]

That's how I was at my wits end also went private and cut my levo down. No its not right. It was Lloyds where I got the test and it was fasting. Definitely do it nothing to lose and free. Keep in touch good luck I feel your pain xxx

[Inna]

Hi, have you been looking into your possible food sensitivities? Dr. Khazarrian in his video explained that having one, especially to gluten, results in undernurishment and being underweight. It is one of the most typical reasons for that.

[Angel_of_the_North]

I'm hypo but not fat (although fatter than I was when I was younger). I get too tired to eat and I also have low cortisol, which causes loss of appetite and nausea. So swings and roundabouts, perhaps.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Few people, especially not medics, appreciate that loss of muscle mass is a cause of weight loss. This can more than out-balance increase of mass by fluid retention and, in those who eat fairly frugally, they simply do not put on fat. Like everything else, people vary considerably.

This loss of muscle mass is serious as it impacts on all muscle including, for example, the heart.

Rod

[B0dders]

I discovered a goitre at age 16, have always been thin. Was hyperthyroid. Then had the thyroid removed so now hypothyroid. I still remain v slim and have to eat regularly and plenty to maintain my weight.

[faith63]

I would love to be slim again. I gained 30 lbs in 3 months, while lying in bed ill with no appetite..it is fluid retention and myxedema. I think also having all this inflammation causes me to be heavier. Like someone else said, it seems the extremely thin are losing muscle and may have nutritional deficiencies caused by malabsorption. I met a lady with celiacs, who is very thin because of malabsorption.