So tired....

[MRedpath]

Hi! I am a 37 year old mum of a 2.5 year old and have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism (secondary to Hashimoto's) as a 24 year old. I am currently on 175 mcg/day and my bloods are ok with a TSH that is slightly too suppressed. My GP actually tried to reduce my daily dose and got an angry response. I keep saying I am too tired all the time and struggling every day; I have been actively dieting and exercising and have not lost any weight (I am 2 stone overweight). This quickly makes me lose motivation and plunge into depression. My doc's response is 'That is life with a toddler (for the tiredness) or 'that is life after 30 and pregnancy' for the weight. Any advice greatly appreciated as I truly believe that that is NOT life after 30/pregnancy/with a toddler. I know I can make my life and self esteem better but I am struggling to figure out how as I seem to be failing miserably. ANy help greatly appreciated!

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

MRedpath And I expect your GP is a man! What an a**e!

With Hashi's, the right thing to do is keep TSH suppressed as that can help reduce the antibodies. Also, in case you don't already know, adopting a strict gluten free diet and supplementing with selenium L-selenomethionine 200mcg daily can also help reduce antibodies.

**

What sort of exercise are you doing? Hard exercise uses up T3 and unless we are optimally medicated with good conversion of T4 to T3 the T3 will remain low and we are symptomatic, hence your tiredness and inability to lose weight.

What are your current test results, please post them with reference ranges for members to comment.

Also, do you have any results for

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

All these need to be optimal, not just in ranges for thyroid hormone to work properly.

[MRedpath in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi SeasideSusie yes, a man! How did you guess?

I have never been tested for VitD,B12, folates and ferritin. I am on Wellwoman vitamin + omega 3 supplements (includes selenium 110 mcg) and not currently on a gluten free diet (just v low carb)

I go to the gym twice a week and do gentle cardio (crosstrainer for 20 mins) then weights to tone up bum, legs, tum; nothing too dramatic or too frequent as I can only go on my days off and have my toddler in tow (he stays at the gym creche for an hour while I work out)

I don't have my blood results w me but will post them soon - last done in Portugal when I went there on hols; now my GP advised to repeat only yearly (!) which is less frequent than I've ever done.

I have just bought

Hashimoto's Protocol: A 90-Day Plan for Reversing Thyroid Symptoms and Getting Your Life Back

Any idea if this book is any good?

If you're not familiar I will let you know after I read it!

THanks so much for your prompt input

Mariana

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to MRedpath]

I'm not Hashi's but many members are. I see mention of Isabella Wentz, Thyroid Pharmacist, a lot and she gets good reviews. I'm sure members will be happy to share their experiences of Hashi's if you start a thread with an aptly named title.

Multivitamins are generally a waste of time and money, they contain too little of anything to be of help and frequently include the wrong, least absorbable forms of ingredient. The Wellwoman range contains B12 as cyanocobalamin which is the wrong form it should be methylcobalamin, K1 instead of K2, Vit E from soya, magnesium oxide which is the cheapest and least absorbable form, folic acid instead of folate and a ton of fillers/colours and other unnecessary gunk. And the worse thing about it is that it contains 14mg of iron which will stop anything else working. Iron needs to be taken at least two hours away from other supplements (and four hours away from thyroid meds) admit affects their absorption.

Best thing you can do is to test and supplements where you need it. They are key and I'm betting you'll find some less than optimal levels there.

[MRedpath]

Thanks again! Mariana

[greygoose]

Possibly part of your problem is 'actively dieting' and 'v low carbs'. To be able to convert correctly, you need calories and carbs. Low-calorie diets impact negatively on conversion, meaning low T3, meaning you're making yourself more hypo, meaning you put on more weight.

I agree with Susie about the exercise. Exercising not only uses up your T3, but also your calories. So, dieting and exercising keeps you hypo, I'm afraid.