Trying to lose weight

[1123ayoung]

I have hashimoto . I’m on 100 levo 125 alternative days. I have been doing the slimming world diet but don’t feel I’m getting anywhere.

What’s the best diet? Any advice welcome as really down with my weight now

Thanks in advance

[greygoose]

My personal opinion is that the best diet is no diet. Just eat good clean food, cut out sugar and all processed food and all traces of soy. Do not limit calories because it will negatively impact your conversion. Do not cut out fat - à la Slimming World - because your body needs fat, and it stops you getting hungry.

If you are hypo, you haven't put on weight because you've over-eaten, but because you have low T3, causing low metabolism and water retention - no diet will rectify that! What you need to do is optimise your T3. On 100/125 mcg levo, it is possible that you are under-medicated, and/or have a conversion problem. But, only getting the right tests done will tell you that. Have you had your FT4 and FT3 tested? Is your doctor dosing by the TSH? Do you have any results to share with us?

[1123ayoung in reply to greygoose]

I don’t have any recent results. I’ve just been told my levels are normal.

I was also told that they don’t offer t3 (EDINBURGH royal infirmary)

I was thinking of buying t3 but not sure where to start. Do you know what dose, brand and shop?

[1123ayoung in reply to 1123ayoung]

Is this the test I’d need to do?

Thyroid check plus

TSH, TT4, FT4, FT3, thyroid antibodies

6 tests

£59

[greygoose in reply to 1123ayoung]

Before you could start self-treating with T3, you would need to know your FT3 level. So, the test below would be a good start. But a test that included your vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin would be even better. They are probably low and need supplementing. It's not just about hormones.

Doctors will rarely give you your exact results and ranges - most of them would prefer you don't know! But, you cannot just trust them to know what 'normal' is - in fact, 'normal' just means 'in-range', but that's not always good enough. It's where in the range they fall that counts. But doctors just don't understand that. However, if you live in the UK - and that includes Edinburgh - you are legally entitled to a print-out of your results, and should ask for one every time you have a blood test.

When you've got all your results, come back and post a question asking members to PM you their trusted sources of T3 so that you can start buying it. You won't have much choice of brands, we have to take what we can get! And there isn't a shop where you can buy it, because it's prescription only. You have to buy it on-line.

Dosing is easy. You follow the rules for dosing hormones : start low and increase slowly. For T3 that means start at 6.25 mcg - 1/4 pill - and increase by 1/4 pill every two weeks. But, we can talk more about that when you actually have the T3.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

As advised in previous post

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 FT3 and FT4, plus vitamins

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

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

As you have Hashimoto's are you on strictly gluten free diet?

[1123ayoung in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you. I will have a look into it.

No I am not on gluten free, should I be? I don’t find my gp very helpful if honest and I don’t see endo now my numbers are ok

[Aurealis]

I’ve had more success with weight watchers personally. It’s possible to do it now while including some fat, but if you must, do it in short bursts and return to a normal diet in between. Agree with greygoose, but Weightwatchers can help you to achieve a low sugar diet without feeling too deprived. Low thyroid hormones may prevent you losing weight ... or help if you lose appetite.

Good luck

[MissFG]

I’ve found the Keto diet great and cutting out gluten is a must for your overall health to improve.

Many find the Keto diet helps autoimmune diseases so might be worth considering is very easy to stick too as well.

[1123ayoung in reply to MissFG]

I’ve never heard of this diet. Will look into it now. Thank you xx