50, Hypothyroid and Fed Up

[JulesJ67]

I turned 50 6mths ago and have just been diagnosed with Underactive Thyroid. I must admit to feeling pretty low about this as I feel the 2 stone I've gained over the last 3 years is now here to stay. Having believed that it was my change in lifestyle that had brought on the weight gain (too much dining out and not enough exercise) I have spent the last 6 months trying unsuccessfully to reverse the rot. But when 3 HIIT sessions a week and a low carb diet had little to no effect I visited my GP, only to receive the rather depressing diagnosis following blood tests. Can anyone tell me is there still weight loss after an Underactive Thyroid?

[shaws Administrator]

Welcome to our forum and YES weight loss can happen with hypothyroidism. Did the doctor test for thyroid antibodies? If not request next time your test is due which should be in six weeks from your first diagnosis and prescription.

Usually we start at 50mcg of levothyroxine which should be taken, usually first thing, with one full glass of water and wait an hour before eating. Food interferes with the uptake of levo. We have a blood test every six weeks with a 25mcg increase of levo until symptom-free. Unfortunately most doctors seem to think/believe that once the TSH reaches somewhere within the range that their job is done. No it isn't - the aim is a TSH of 1 or lower with a Free T4 and Free T3 which should be in the upper part of the range.

Ask GP to also test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate at your next test as everything has to be optimal.

Always get a print-out of your results with the ranges. Ranges are important for members to comment upon them. Labs differ in their ranges.

Weight gained is due to our metabolism gradually getting slower with the resultant weight gain. As dose is raised to an optimum sometimes weight reduces without diet but sometimes dieting is required. Don't try to diet until you are on an optimum dose of levothyroxine as it may be a waste of time and make you frustrated.

Always get a print-out of your results with the ranges. Ranges are important for members to comment upon the results as labs differ.

[Jcd16]

I have struggled with my weight gain for 20 years. I lose a few pounds then put it on again each winter. An Endocrinologist prescriber T3 along with Thyroxine. It helped but Natural Dessicated Throid tabs make me feel almost normal. Unfortunately it is not prescribed in the U.K.

ask to be tested for antibodies. Then you will know if Thyroxine is helping you or making the Hypothyroidism worse. Your GP may write a private prescription for NDT which is worth a try, sooner rather than later.

[RedApple Administrator in reply to Jcd16]

If you spend some time reading around this forum, you'll find that many people here do a lot better by adopting a very low carb, moderate fat diet. We are surrounded by bread, cake and sugar everywhere we go. Hard to resist but definitely worth a try if you haven't already.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

NICE guidelines saying how to initiate and increase. Note that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine

cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies. Plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.

Essential to test thyroid antibodies, FT3 and FT4 plus vitamins

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting.

If on Levothyroxine, don't take in the 24 hours prior to test, and if on T3 don't take in 12 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's. If you have Hashimoto's then low vitamins are more likely and food intolerances more likely, especially gluten. So it's important to test antibodies