I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism 4 weeks ago after having an abnormal reading of tsh a year prior (5.63) when I thought I was anemic, my repeats can back normal (3.62) so when I continue to feel rubbish a year later I told my doctor what I thought it was and they send me for more blood tests. Low and behold I was right my TSH was (8.04) and I’m now taking 50mcg until the end of July when I go for more bloods.
I regularly go to the gym 3/5 times per week and do a lot of weight training, I do need to up my cardio, and I’ve been slowly gaining weight over the past 1/2 years no matter what I do, I currently eat 1800 calories drink lots of water
I don’t want to use my thyroid as an excuse for not being able to loose weight so I’m looking for any additional tips if anyone has any
Thankyou
Chloe
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TSH over 1 is not correct for someone on levo - guidelines say it is best between 0.2 and 1. However TSH isn't really that important, it;'s your free t4 and free t3 that matter. They need ot be in the top quarters of their ranges for you to feel well. Free t3 is the important tone as T3 is the active hormone and exercise - esp cardio or heavy exercise uses it up very fast. I suspect you are undermedicated and making it worse through too much exercise. You should have bloods every 6-8 weeks after a dose increase (and then another dose increase of 25mcg and more bloods continuing until until symptoms have gone and TSH under 1). You also need ferritin, B12, folate and vit D tested as less than optimal levels (not just "normal") of those can cause the same symptoms and prevent levo from being used and converted to T3. You also need TPO and TG antibodies tested so you can see if it is autoimmune (Hashimotos) Your metabolism won;t work correctly until you are optimally medicated and over exercising and/or under eating will make it worse. Many people find a ketogenic diet helpful.
Thankyou, this is my first lot of medication and I only go for bloods after 12 weeks to see how my starting dose is going, I had my free T4 checked and that was low but not under in the 2 test I’ve had done it’s been 11.8 and 13.3 most recently. I’ve not had any free T3 tests.
I had my vid D Ferrartin and B12 checked they were normal and my folate was low. But also I’ve not been tested for TPO or TG antibodies ?
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.
Medichecks has offer on today. You can buy and keep test for use later in month/year
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)
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. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get antibodies tested.
Vigorous exercise will likely be using up your FT3
Ferritin needs to be at least 70. Eating liver or liver pate once a week should help improve
Folate, GP could/ should have prescribed folic acid. But you may be better off taking daily a good vitamin B complex with folate in (not cheaper folic acid) This would also improve your low B12 which should be at least above 500
If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 3-5 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results
I had no idea about any of that, I just assumed I was in the normal range so they where fine I feel like my gp said we’ll see what my folate is like when I have my next bloods but I could be wrong
I'm new to all this. I have just had blood results back as TSH 5.87. Doc says to redo bloods in three months. No treatnent, just observation but I feel totally energyless. So I don't know whether it is my thyroid or not. However, I can tell you that I have been on a Ketogenic diet for 10 weeks and have so far lost 27lbs. I also, loosely incorporate intermittent fasting by only eating in a 'window' between 2pm and 8pm. No counting calories needed. It suits me well, but people are horrified by it and blame my symptoms on the diet. Also, as I have read on the internet that it can be as a result of PPI's I've stopped them after being on them for 6-7 years and am trying to repopulate my gut by incirpirating Kefir in my keto diet.
That's really good to know slowdragon, thankyou! However, the symptoms I have seem to fit. My ferratin level was 269 wheras most of those on the forum appear to be low. My t4 was normal at 1.3. So hoping it's a false flag then, thank you.
I’ve begun to lose weight at last on a ketogenic diet. Just over half a stone in the last fortnight. And I feel very well on it. No cravings for bread or other starchy stuff. And no cravings for chocolate either.
Good for you. It's fascinating, high fat, moderate protein and low carbs and we lose weight. What I like about the keto diet is I'm never hungry. Before, I chased every meal! Are you intermittent fasting?
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