GI diet

[Deni1080]

Does anyone follow the GI diet apparently it helps people with under active thyroid loose weight is it true that cucumbers , parsnips and watermelons can be harmful to my metabolism and slow it down ?

I would be very grateful for any advice

[greygoose]

I very much doubt it. I cannot see what they would have in common.

The thing that is going to help you lose weight when you're hypo, is optimising your T3 level, not eating fad diets. It wasn't what you ate that made you put the weight on, so why would eating other things make you lose it? Doesn't make sense.

[Deni1080 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you greygoose

I guess I'm desperate to loose the weight as I have gone from.a size 14 dress to a size 18 since may 2016 and going on holiday in Oct , my levothyroxine level is good and I'm taking vitamins to support it , not sure what to do next

Thanks again for your advice

[Deni1080 in reply to Deni1080]

Might just cut out suggested foods just to see if it helps

[greygoose in reply to Deni1080]

That sounds very haphazard! What vitamins are you taking? Have you had your vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin tested? How do you know your... levothyroxine level? You mean your dose or your FT4? Do you know what your FT3 is? Sounds to me you need a decent set of labs done.

[Deni1080 in reply to greygoose]

OK you said earlier my level was good I'm taking the right dose of levothyroxine my vitamin D level was low so my doctor told me to take vitamin D tablets which I have been doing every day for about 8 weeks , I have a doctors appointment I will ask to check B12 foliate and ferritin , which is all very confusing I might add

[greygoose in reply to Deni1080]

Sorry, I answer a dozen or more questions in a day, I don't remember all the names - I, too, have hypo brain.

But, I've just checked, and i did not say that at all. I said the labs that were done were fine, but it wasn't the whole story, because you don't know if you are converting, because you haven't had your FT3 tested. Meaning, that there's no way to know if you're on the right dose without that.

So, what is confusing you? That you need to have other labs done? It's the same for everybody.

[Deni1080 in reply to greygoose]

Oh ok sorry I thought when you said my test was good it meant I was taken the right amount of thyroxine , I'm new to this site and only had very limited information before hand so grateful to the advice so far .

[greygoose in reply to Deni1080]

Ummm... no, I did say that those tests were good, BUT that wasn't the whole story. You need to know what your FT3 is. Doctors don't test it because they have little understanding of thyroid. But, it is THE most important number. Your FT4 and TSH could be brilliant, but you could still be hypo. And, it sounds to me like you are.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

I don't think that have you had thyroid antibodies checked. There are two sorts TPO Ab and TG Ab. (Thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin) Both need checking, if either, or both are high this means autoimmune thyroid - called Hashimoto's, the most common UK cause of being hypo.

NHS rarely checks TPO and almost never checks TG. NHS believes it is impossible to have negative TPO and raised TG. It's rare, but not impossible, there are a few members on here that have this.

If you have Hashimoto's then you may find adopting 100% gluten free diet can help reduce symptoms, and lower antibodies too.

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

When you get results suggest you make a new post on here and members can offer advice on any vitamin supplements needed

If you can not get GP to do these tests, then like many of us, you can get them done privately

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Blue Horizon - Thyroid plus eleven tests all these.

This is an easy to do fingerprick test you do at home, post back and they email results to you couple of days later.

Usual advice on ALL thyroid tests, (home one or on NHS) is to do early in morning, ideally before 9am. No food or drink beforehand (other than water) If you are taking Levo, then don't take it in 24 hours before (take straight after). This way your tests are always consistent, and it will show highest TSH, and as this is mainly all the medics decide dose on, best idea is to keep result as high as possible

Make sure you get the actual figures from tests (including ranges - figures in brackets).

[Deni1080 in reply to SlowDragon]

Blue Horizon charge £69 for the test.

[ahousefull]

Have you tried to cut out all the sugar (and alcohol if you drink), go easy on the carbs and have plenty of veg and some fruit in your diet? There aren't particular veg that could change your metabolism as far as I know.

Get a brisk walk in daily to keep your metabolism going - start with 10 mins if you aren't used to it and add a couple of minutes to each walk weekly until you can do half an hour at least.

Weight loss with hypothyroid issues can be difficult (but not impossible).

Make sure you have good levels of iron, B12, Vitamin D (walking outside in summer might help that bit) and selenium (I take a supplement of selenium). Good luck!

[Deni1080 in reply to ahousefull]

I eat healthy foods as I prefer to eat that way never been keen on fatty or sweet foods love my fruit and veg and low carbs and high protein foods , I do like a glass of wine or two but then I always have and never put on weight as I do a physical job and an on my feet for 12hours shifts the weight is due to either my thyroid trouble or menopause I think and not over eating or drinking.

I am taking vitamins D and multi vitamins daily my iron level is good and I take evening primrose casuals

What does B12 do how does it help ?

Thank you for your advice

[ahousefull]

To loose weight you have to eat less than your body is currently using up. The issue with thyroid is that your metabolism can be running a little slower than standard - so you may need less calories than an average person just to stay the same weight.

Your diet sounds fine - to loose weight though you'll have to take in less, and or do more. Maybe go to a weight-loss group for support?

B12 benefits your metabolism. Good luck!