Is it normal to lose weight with hypothyroidism

[kingyl]

I'm not on levo at the moment and waiting my new blood results. Since end of November I've lost 7lb in weight. I'm only slight and it's really noticeable. I'm down to 8 stone.

[humanbean]

It is unusual to lose weight with hypothyroidism, but definitely not unheard of. I've read quite a few posts on here where people have lost weight and yet turned out to be hypothyroid.

People in this situation often have a hard time with doctors because they are told "You're too slim to be hypothyroid" and the doctor may refuse to test, or believes that the problem isn't a serious one even if it is discovered just because the patient is slim.

Sorry, I can't explain why some people lose weight with hypothyroidism.

[Bioluminence]

hello, i was diagnosed with hypothyrodism over a year ago and I've dropped a dress size and lost probably about a stone in weight....(ok if you were a little on the large side to begin with ..so yes...i also went gluten free which MAY be part of the reason for the weight loss....

are you hyper or hypo? look at your results when they come through... there are some people here well versed in interpreting them if you are unsure...good luck xx

[Angel_of_the_North]

It's ususual, but more common if you also have low cortisol. Do you feel hungry or not?

[kingyl]

I don't have much of an appetite really. I feel a bit on edge it's such a strange feeling.

[Singoutloud]

The only times I've ever lost weight were periods of high stress (it's happened a few times over the years) not sure if it was antibodies having a munch ony thyroid or something to do with my adrenals. Last Christmas I was diagnosed with Pernicious anaemia and lost a stone in the six months prior to diagnosis without trying. Half of it went back on after b12 injections started though.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

You need to be careful to appreciate where the loss is occurring.

It is not unusual to lose at least some muscle mass while hypothyroid. Your body is not digesting, absorbing, circulating proteins/amino acids and rebuilding muscle cells properly so your absolute amount of muscle reduces. This is so very important because, for example, your heart is largely muscle.

I suspect (but have no evidence at all) that quite a lot of hypothyroid people lose some muscle mass but that is largely hidden by other factors like gain of fatty tissue.

[Hidden in reply to helvella]

I have had concerns from GP's about weight and I have lost muscle mass from face and torso, alas not belly!

[Katka]

Hi

I'm hypothyroid and have always been very slim. Unable to to gain. No1 ever understand as they say in lucky and bla Bla and these comments anger me. My aunty is hypo and super skinny too.

For years I had no appetite. When I started NDT I lost even more weight rapidly so had to really increase slowly and my body got used to it. For year looking at food made me feel nauseous. It was very frustrating. I force fed myself as couldn't develop natural "I really fancy food" feeling. Also had tremor, anxiety...

9 months on since starting NDT and I feel like a normal person regarding food. What did I do? I think the main thing was

Slowly increased NDT

Had tests for hormones progesterone, testosterone and they were low ao started on bioidentical l hrt with those and made huge difference as usually a whole 1 weeks after my period I didn't even h as e to eat what it felt like

Taking b complex and extra 1000Mg of pantothenic acids to help my adrenals as have hight cortisol

Trying to control my insulin spikes that it very difficult sometimes as I can get hungry slightly but feeling sick faint almost immediately so always have a fat/protein snack on the go.

I avoid gluten, dairy...

Take betaine hcl with pepsin for protein digestion

Vitamin C, amino acids.... Just literally all the supplements and importantly 400 to 500 magnesium at night.

B12 1000Mg day but some take 5000. Sublingual. It Increases appetite besides other.

This is a complex issues but what you're going through is due to hormones. Only since I started on bioidentical progesterone my appetite is normal. Thia helps the most. It it a hormone that helps you I've healthy appetite.

I'm still very slim. I thuno I have had some muscle wastage through fatigue /adrenals... But you have to get into working out with weights. Tge only way to put some muslce on. It also important in old age as we can end up like those old frail ladies one day. As we lose muscle naturally with age on top of our illness. I also drink 2-3 protein drinks a day sometimes with almond butter. Eat lots of red meat.... I also go up and down with mucin retention. So can appear bigger it smaller...

Good luck with it . Its a journey and not an easy one as usually No1 around you understands. "I'd love to have your problem" I heard. They have no idea obviously what they're talking about :-). good luck you'll get there.

[Katka]

I have hashimoto's BTW

[kingyl in reply to Katka]

Thanks katka. I feel like I'm falling apart at the moment. I'm currently not taking medication as I only recently found out my tsh was slightly elevated to 4.54. My anti bodies were of a tiny amount so have not been diagnosed with hashi as of yet.

I went to the Dr on Friday be cos of the tremor and she said I should have never been prescribed levo as I'm only slightly over. She said the Other Dr gave me a dis service lol so I don't think I'm go a get far with her at my next appointment. I also tested negative for celiac and gluten intolerance. Visit were in range but some were on the low side.

I got an appointment with a functional medicine Dr on the 31st and I'm having a full metabolic blood test along with full thyroid panel so hopefully I will get a better insight as to what's going on with me.

[kingyl in reply to kingyl]

Forgot to say I tried levo for 5 weeks but it made me feel worse

[Katka in reply to kingyl]

I felt awful when my TSH was that high. Now in 0.22 and feeling 80% better and still increased. Your doctor, both of them are talking rubbish sorry. But they are. You need the medication. Find the right medication Let's. See what the function med doctor will say. Good luck. You have antibodies, so u are likely to have hashimoto's. Celiac is gluten intolerances but most of us are negative for that while we have gluten sensitivity. In hashimoto's being gluten free is so important. Good luck with everything. You'll get there