Metabolic Rate and loosing weight.

[Gillykins]

Can you have your metabolic rate tested, only I don't think many is functioning hardly at all. I have been on 100micrograms. Levothyroxine for about 5 years. I was last tested in January after overdosing on 125mg. it was reduced to 100mg I have always had to watch what I eat but I am now approaching 70 and weighing 15st8ibs.even if I manage to get my weight down which is really hard going as soon as I don't exersize so much or maybe have a celebration drink the weight goes right back on. I don't normally drink because it aggravates my Arthritus. I have also been put on Losartan Potassium 100mg for high blood pressure but as it didn't come down enough they increased it by adding Bendroflumethiazide 2.5mg, I noticed my weight started to increase and the leaflet with the tablets said if there is a rapid weight gain report it to your Doctor. which I did I thought 5ibs in a month was rapid.Doctor said "no tablet could do this it's basically its what you put in your mouth" I protested that I don't eat biscuits,puddings or drink . so he has recommended I go to the Gym. i have had lots of blood tests recently because of these tablets affecting my bladder. I have a bad problem of getting up and down to pee at night sometimes and hour at a time. Blood results have come back clear. In every other way I am good and my Arthritus is causing me no problems.

[shaws Administrator]

Gillykins, I note you've been a member for at least 4 years if not more.

If you haven't had a recent blood test I would suggest you get a new one.

It should be the earliest possible, fasting and allow 24 hours gap between your dose of levo and the test and take it afterwards. Ask for TSH, T3, T4, Free T4 and free T3. If doctor wont do all of these you can get a private for those he wont do, if you can afford it. Hopefully he will ask for these.

High blood pressure and hypo can be interconnected and you may not be on sufficient levo considering you have also gained weight. Weight gain and levothyroxine can be interconnected.

stopthethyroidmadness.com/b...

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

[Gillykins in reply to shaws]

Thank you, but I had my Blood tests for Thyroid done in January.they test it each year. I can ask again after 6 months and they probably will agree but as I said, they just reduced the amount I take as I was overdosing on 125 micrograms.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Gillykins]

Did you feel you were overdosed? Were you have palpitations etc. pulse too fast, or too hot? What symptoms were you showing that you were hypothyroid?

[Gillykins]

I had been feeling unwell,joints aching, bad cramps, anxious, not sleeping (although there were other reasons for that) feverishly hot at times,bit breathless, dull headache. I thought maybe i needed to up the dose. i was surprised when told to stop taking 25mgs but must admit felt better when I did.

[bluebug in reply to Gillykins]

Have you been tested for iron (ferritin and haemoglobin), vitamin D and vitamin B12? Whether your thyroid hormone levels are ok or not - and I doubt it - due to your age and lifestyle - you can argue that you are housebound - you should be able to get those tested on the NHS.

Also the GP is an idiot. There is no point advising someone who has breathing difficulties to go to the gym. The gym instructors won't be impressed to be sent a 70 year old who has breathing difficulties as well as long term medical conditions. The latter they can deal with but the former they will refuse to as they see it as a medical issue.

Oh and the best exercise is to walk and/or cycle around as much as possible e.g. to the shops and with a friend especially if they have a dog. You do need to do resistance exercises at least twice a week but you can do that at home or take a class which is more fun than going to the gym. That way you will continue with the exercise long term as you aren't bored and won't have difficulties paying for it.

Finally you cannot exercise until you have had your thyroid hormones plus vitamin and iron levels checked.

[Gillykins in reply to bluebug]

Thank you for your suggestions. I do take vitamin D and Calcium on a daily basis and have recently started taking Vitamin B complex tablets. I remain an active 69 year old in the sense that you would not think I was that age. I could do more exercise than I do and I agree walking is the best way. I do between 30 and 40 minutes a day on the wee Fit which includes 15 minutes step aerobics and a 10 minute run. I look after grandchildren aged 2 and 5 a couple of days a week and usual have a long walk at least once a week. Obviously it's the weight I'm so worried about if my BMI continues to rise I am shortening the chances of keeping healthy and seeing 90.

[greygoose]

I think you're grossly under-medicated, and your high blood pressure is a symptom of your hypo. Of course it won't come down with tablets! Weight gain is also a symptom of low thyroid, and your doctor wants his mouth washed out with soap!

I would suggest that you ask for copies of your lab test results, and post them here. Something is not quite right, but your doctor is obviously not even going to look for it, let alone rectify it. It's time to take charge of your own health!