Hey, I was only diagnosed with hypothyroidism in May and I go back for my first bloods re test in about 4 weeks.
But I feel at a loss with trying to loose weight, I go to the gym roughly 4 times per week, I eat around 1700-1900 calories per day not always the best foods but I try to stay in those calories
I’ve been weight lifting because I love it and it also helps to increase your metabolism the more muscle mass you have, but I’m just gaining fat and finding mor and more of my clothes are not fitting from last year. I don’t want to cut my calories any lower as that will slow my metabolic rate
Has anyone found anything to help them or am I likely to keep gaining fat until I am on the correct dose of medication?
Thanks guys
Written by
Chloecaff
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I have found cutting out bread and sugar helps to keep my weight stable. I don't lose weight, but I don't seem to put it on either. Might be worth a try for a week or two, nothing to lose.
Cut back on the exercise until you are optimally medicated. Exercise uses up T3, if you were diagnosed and only been on Levo since May then you are a long way from being optimally medicated. Gentle exercise only for the moment, walking, swimming, yoga, etc.
When booking thyroid tests, always book the very first appointment of the morning and fast overnight (water allowed) . This gives the highest possible TSH which is needed when looking for a diagnosis, an increase in dose or to avoid a reduction. TSH is highest early morning and lowers throughout the day. It also lowers after eating. Also, take your Levo after the blood draw because if you take it before then your FT4 will reflect this and show higher than what is normally circulating. We usually advise 24 hours between last dose of Levo and blood draw so if you take your Levo in the morning then delay until after the test, or if you take it at night then delay that dose until after the test.These are patient to patient tips which we don't discuss with doctors or phlebotomists.
Retesting should be carried out every 6 weeks, with 25mcg increase when results are through, until your levels are where they need to be for you to feel well. The aim of a treated hypo patient generally is for TSH to be 1 or below or wherever it needs to be for FT4 and FT3 to be in the upper part of their respective reference ranges when on Levo if that is where you feel well. Your GP may be satisfied with your TSH anywhere within the range so always ask for a print out of your results (you are legally entitled to them free of charge) so you can follow your progress. Do the tests under the same conditions each time so that you can compare results accurately.
Take your Levo on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after food, with a glass of water only, and water only for 1 hour each side, eating and drinking anything else will affect absorption. Keep Levo 2 hours away from any other medication or supplements (some need 4 hours).
Ideally when having thyroid tests we need TSH, FT4 and FT3 for the full picture. You may not get them all done by your GP so you may eventually want to to get them tested privately which you can do with a home fingerprick (or venous) test with one of our recommended labs.
It does actually say adjustment every 3-4 weeks but actually 6 weeks is better as it takes that long for the full effects of dose adjustments to be felt.
Hi, we're not supposed to do strenuous exercise . I read on here that it depletes T3.
About diet , I understand that to reduce healthily we should keep to 1000 to 1200 calories daily and gradually increase exercise to 30 mins a day at least 3 times a week. Gentle exercise such as walking or swimming.
It can take a while once starting on Levothyroxine before feeling better. Hopefully after next couple of retests (and you are on full correct dose) you should start feeling better - if not make sure you tell your doctor . I was discharged by Endocrinologist's registrar prematurely.
Have you had any nutrients levels tested especially -
Vitamin D, Calcium, B12, Folate and Ferritin?
If not then ask your GP to do them as you may have deficiencies that need presribed supplements. Never take multivitamins or multiminerals.
Do you know if you have Hashimoto's Autoimmune Thyroiditis? Did you have Thyroid Antibodies blood tests.
What helps me is keeping to the healthy reducing diet (3 pieces of fruit, lots of root vegetables apart from potatoes which are restricted to 1 medium or 2 small, well cooked greens, restricted meat , fish, bread; no fats apart from half ounce butter & 3/4 pt semi skimmed milk; no pastries, sugar, cakes etc.
I'm not keeping to it just now , not well , but just glad I'm not increasing. I put on 5st over the decades of undiagnosed and untreated Hypothyroidism - still got a few to loose!
Have a look on the Thyroid UK website & check out what to eat /take and what not to.
Multivitamin and mineral supplements are generally a waste of money. They contain too little of anything to help, generally contain the cheapest and least absorbable and wrong forms of active ingredients, and absorption can be affected by taking certain vitamins/minerals together. If iron is included then it affects the absorption of everything else as it needs to be taken 2 hours away from any other supplements, and if calcium is included then that would affect the absorption of iron. If Iodine is included then that is a bad idea for us Hypos, particularly where Hashi's is present as it can exacerbate antibody attacks. Iodine and calcium should be tested and only supplemented if found to be deficient.
If you think you may need vitamins and minerals then get them tested and supplement appropriately where you have low levels. The most important ones for us Hypos are
I feel like 1200 calories in an unhealthy amount to be eating so I really don’t want to cut my calories down. From reading into more about fat loss in a healthy way I’m not sure what’s best to do, maybe my GP would suggest more diet options?
Folate levels 4.3 (normal range >5.4)
Ferritin levels 32 (normal range 10-291)
Vitamin B12 301 (normal range 181-910)
I have no idea if I have hash I otie or not and I’ve not have an antibodies test either
Thankyou so much for that information I’ll have a look on the website
The 1000 to 1200 calories a day diet was a NHS one. Loss is only a small amount gradually but even 1 to 2 lb each week or fortnight still means losing a stone in 6 months. There are restricted and prohibited foods but you can fill up on the "eat freely" foods which include all vegetables (apart from potatoes) and some fruits including strawberries, raspberries and melons.
Whatever you decide It's a case of burning off more calories than you are taking in , as you know. However, it's not easy (impossible maybe) to loose weight whilst Hypo so might it be best to wait until optimally medicated and take things from there?
I would concentrate on getting well first - optimally medicated and stable - before starting any reducing diet. Exercise must always be gentle exercise though.
Your Folate is below range. What did GP say about it? Your B12 is low but GP will probably say it's OK.
NHS don't have a clue about nutrition or diet - that's why we are so fat as a nation. Recent conference on nutrition agreed. It's not the amount of calories, it's what the calories are. And you need to have a life, not spend your time calorie counting. Many people find a ketogenic diet helpful (opposite of NHS guidelines, pretty much). Even the most conservative of modern experts are saying 30-40% fat in diet and about the same carbs.
I only touched on the diet, didn't go into detail could have if asked to. There was no calorie counting on the diet I'm referring to. It is a healthy balanced diet of a variety of foods of the indiviuals choice (eg 3 portions of fruit daily plus any vegetables eaten freely, apart from potatoes which are limited. 2 portions each day from : fish, meat, eggs, portion beans, cheese. 2 portions each day from bread, rice, pasta or potato. Milk of the indiviuals choice ie 1pt skimmed or 3/4 semi-skimmed or 1/2 pint whole ). Portion of Cereal. 1/2 oz butter or margarine daily. NO added sugar. Exercise should start with 3 to 5 minutes sessions each day for 3 days , gradually increasing by a few minutes up to 30 minutes each sessions at least 3 days a week up to every day if desired. Get weighed on the same scales , once a fortnight and first thing in the morning.
This diet works and it's healthy.
However I wouldn't suggest that anyone who has just been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism should start a reducing diet. Best to get well first eating a healthy balanced diet. And only think about reducing when well enough to cope with it.
A simple way to lose weight (when well) is to take an honest look at what we're eating, eat less and exercise more. Again, only when well and sleeping well.
"A simple way to lose weight (when well) is to take an honest look at what we're eating, eat less and exercise more. Again, only when well and sleeping well." if it worked for most people, it would be - but it doesn't. And what you call balanced above sounds like too many carbs and not enough healthy fats for many people, although I've never understood what a "portion" is - what wrong with weighing stuff? (but that's just my rant about most guidelines like 5 a day).
You're right. Don't cut your calories any further. It will negatively impact your conversion and make you more hypo. You need calories to convert. And, that's another reason you should cut back on your exercise, it uses up your calories. What you need to lose weight is optimal T3, but you won't get optimal T3 if you use up your calories exercising, and don't eat enough.
There’s definitely room for improvement in my diet. So in terms of exercise where I am currently doing a heavy weight lifting session, maybe lower the weights for a less strenuous workout? I want to keep the muscle I have gained as it does mean my body wil burn more hopefully whenever it may be that I i on the correct dose of thyroxin
i doubt it does mean that. You're hypo. All the rules change when you're hypo. I would say no weights at all until your FT3 is optimised and you've started losing weight. It's very doubtful that you weight gain is actual fat. With hypos it's usually water weight, held just under the skin in mucin. Heavy lifting isn't going to shift that because it won't burn!
I understood what you meant. But it still doesn't apply in the early stages of a thyroid journey. Your metabolic rate is decided by your thyroid, not your muscle mass.
That is interesting and how I look too, bloated with water! Can anything else help once taking T3 as I am now? It has certainly lessened just by looking at my face but still there..
I would just do much shorter workouts, less often. If you enjoy it, don't stop, but be aware that it could make you feel worse. Light weights are just cardio - which isn't helpful. You can't build muscle until your thyroid is right. And you might need some adrenal support too.
Politely insist that GP tests vitamin D and thyroid antibodies to see if you have Hashimoto's.
Looking at your other very low vitamins, it's pretty likely you do have it
Presumably you are only on starter dose of 50mcg. Dose will be increased in 25mcg steps retesting each time after 6-8 weeks until TSH is around one and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 At Least half way in range. For most patients that is somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg
Folate is below range and B12 under 500, so on low side. GP should be prescribing folic acid for low folate. Though you may be better self supplementing a good quality vitamin B complex that has folate in it.
Ferritin is too low, GP should be running full iron panel to test for Anaemia
Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working
Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.
According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
Thankyou, I think I will try to get an appointment with my doctor hopefully before my next blood test and ask about these things, Thankyou everyone for your help
I know exactly how you feel, it’s so frustrating. I’ve started 16:8 fasting and for the first time in 9 months of trying I’m seeing the scales move - slowly but they are moving!
Disclaimer - I read a lot into fasting and it shouldn’t be done if you have adrenal fatigue, if you do you need to make sure you heal the adrenal gland first before considering something like that.
I have heard a few things about IF, and I’ve considered trying it but with working night shifts I’m not sure I’d manage it, I guess I do it in a lighter way of that 9/10 I will go to the gym before breakfast to make sure I don’t eat after my tablets.
I will make an appointment hopefully with the doctors who diagnosed me and ask for an antibodies test and ask for his opinion on going gluten free as it seems highly recommended
It’s v confusing to know what’s best to do re weight loss as we are all
Individual. What that means is that you have to become your own little expert on yourself which takes time and a lot of research but you’re in the right place and people like seaside Susie and slowdragon are very knowledgeable, more so than most endocrinologists. What is generally accepted is that sugar is a real problem for most people. It completely wrecks insulin levels and creates sugar cravings. So completely eliminate added sugar and if you do eat something sweet for example an apple keep your sugar levels down by eating a small amount of protein eg cheese or plain yoghurt. And it’s not about the calories but the quality of the foods you eat that will determine how much you will put on weight. So fresh vegetables are your friend. I am really enjoying reading these blogs - the author is very knowledgeable but again it’s important you go on your own journey and work out what’s best for you though I know that might feel daunting. Good luck.
There are always way I can improve my diet, cutting sugar down is definitely one of them, I will make an appointment hopefully with the doctors who diagnosed me and ask for an antibodies test and ask for his opinion on going gluten free as it seems highly recommended
I’ve managed to keep my weight under control since diagnosis by being on a low carb diet which I’ve done for years. I’ve done Keto on and off which has helped with weight loss.
I went gluten and grain free in February and reintroduced rice and potato’s since May. I do feel better eating some more carbs but am only 62kg so feel my weight is right for me now.
Focus on getting your thyroid levels and dose right and watch the carbs, eat clean avoiding refined sugars and definitely no gluten and I’m sure it will help. But be patient and kind to yourself there is no quick fix but diet is key x
There are always way I can improve my diet, cutting sugar down is definitely one of them, I’ve been making some swaps in terms of carbs to lower but I find that most difficult to cut, I will make an appointment hopefully with the doctors who diagnosed me and ask for an antibodies test and ask for his opinion on going gluten free as it seems highly recommended
Aim to remove gluten and processed carbs that’ll help.
Most find their GP’s have very little knowledge on thyroid issues. They just think you should be in range for TSH and FT4. Neither my Endocrinologist or GP have acknowledged that being gluten free helps. But believe me it’s had a huge impact on my overall health and wish I’d listened to everyone on here 2 years ago.
Trust this forum as everyone will provide advice that does work. You’ll find you research everything, find what works for you and you’ll soon find you improve!
....hi. I desperately wanted to loose weight last year for daughters wedding and was only just diagnosed, after many bewildering years. (I was horrified to start slimmers world and only to loose just a pound in a month).!!!! I felt quite desperate and out in a limb as what I'd done all my life simply wasn't working. Above post well said
I hit lucky and found a plan that worked for me but very slow and sure, For me, I cut out all gluten, all sugar that I could, and 'ate plain'. basically, (porridge, berries. fresh protein, veggies also for me I cut out nightshade family for a while as I'd had a keniesiology testing) I've brought in some again as the yellows are good for the eyes etc
, I used good fats, advocado olive oil and some coconut oil (still unsure if this one is really good or it's hype ). I was told that two fruits a day were ample as high sugar and to make it up in the veggies , think it's the fruits that blossom that are high sugar
as you get well and things improve generally it goes in the right direction again. .........I did get two stones off last year btw with a huge sense of relief and I expect some adrenalin chipped in!
Good luck and you are in the right place
P.s. Did Heal my gut and balance gut flora as said, as the more I read it's vital for good health, the core of it really, folk that pile on weight around their middle it seems it's a bit of a give away especially,
for me, I had to also take some adrenal support, they had gotten very deflated with years of drip feed stress and they are certainly in the loop of everything to restore energy that once upon a time was on tap and took for granted xx
Thankyou, I think I will go to the doctor and ask for an antibodies test as many people have suggested and ask about a gluten free diet. I know I need to cut down on sugar so I’ll try to cut that down in the mean time while attempting to get a doctors appointment (hopefully with the same doctor)
Hi Chloecaff. I lift weights, too. Weight loss starts in the kitchen. Everything you put in your mouth counts, both bad foods and healthy foods. Any bad item that you consume negatively effects your body including your thyroid, your weight, metabolism and body composition.
It’s very important to know if your thyroid disease is caused by Hashimoto’s or not. There are two thyroid antibodies that need to be tested. They are called TPO/ab and TG/ab. Both must be tested, otherwise you won’t know your status.
If you have Hashi’s, AIP diet is recommended. For general health and weight loss, eat clean and whole foods. Don’t eat processed foods, sugar or too much unhealthy fat. Eat a anti inflammatory diet and limit inflammatory foods. Eat healthy fats like avocado, olive or avocado oils, high omega 3 but low omega 6 and 9. Go gluten free, which is what is recommended for thyroid disease. So is soy free, and no or low dairy.
I have Hashimoto’s. I’ve been lifting weights and into fitness for more than 30 years. When my thyroid was at it’s worst before starting meds, as I was going through the process of raising my levels out of the gutter and when I was very ill with autoimmune problems, I did not work out very much and for awhile not at all. I did not gain weight but I did have inflammation and a little water retention.
Lifting weights 4 times a week may or may not be too much for your thyroid right now. It all really depends how you feel during and after your workouts. What do your workouts consist of and how intense and how long is each session? It also depends on your current thyroid symptoms and current bloods. How you feel in the days following your workouts and your ability to recover normally is very important. Always listen to the feedback your body is giving you.
Without knowing more about all of these details, it’s impossible to say if 4 workout days per week is too much or not.
Hey Thankyou, my workouts are mainly compound movements, 2 upper and 2 lower workouts, it can vary from 30 minutes to over an hour depending on how I’m feeling, I find that going to the gym I feel great after, but occasionally I become very tired a few hours after so I then don’t go the following day if that happens, I let my body rest. Also the shifts I work done help with fatigue sometimes.
I will definitely ask my doctor about an antibodies test and going gluten free as that seems to be something everyone has recommended. Around 4 years ago I managed to loose weight pretty well on a low carb diet but I don’t think I could maintain that now. I do definitely need to cut sugar down, sweets and fruit by the sound of it as I can go through a low of fruit as I love the stuff.
Thankyou so much for your help I think a trip to speak to a doctor is needed
Hey Chloecaff! 🙋🏻♀️ You'rewelcome. Your workouts don’t sound too intensive or too long, and you already let your body dictate workout intensity and length. The days you don’t feel well post workout might have something to do with diet. What are you eating before and how soon before, and what are you eating after and how soon after? The right fuel before and after makes the world of difference in muscle recovery and the wrong things can effect you for hours or days.
Fruit will pack on the pounds. Same with sugar and sweets, or to many simple carbs, even too many complex carbs for that matter. Once you switch your fuel source away from those items and over to healthy fat, protein and complex carbs and get blood sugar under control and balanced, your body will eventually stop craving carbs for engergy.
Your doctor probably doesn’t understand gluten free if they didn’t even have the knowledge to test you for Hashimoto’s by now. Don’t he surprised if they are clueless on both subjects and try to dismiss the importance of either or both. Honestly, anything over basic medical advice is probably beyond their scope, let alone something intricate like thyroid, autoimmune disease, or diet for both. You will learn more here on this site than any one doctor can tell you. The antibodies tests can be ordered by any doctor or registered nurse. Don’t let them try to tell you there is only one, TPO/ab. There are two, the other is TG/ab, and both need to be tested.
If you are going to eat carbs - not processed ones, please - eat them after your workout when there is a chance that they'll be taken up into the muscles to replace used glycogen - through if that still works when you are hypo, I don't know. It's important to get enough fat (not most vegetable oils) as that's what you have ot be burning as fuel the rest of the time.If you don't, your body will burn protein (your muscles) instead.
years ago when I was younger and thought thyroxine was the cure I could only lose weight by keeping to under 1000 cals a day and running/jogging several miles thru the week.
Couldnt keep to that! Now I have arthritis that is making walking pretty hard!
3) Drink tons of parsley tea. It helps to get rid of excess of water retention. If you don't like parsley, then just drink plenty of water during the day youtu.be/tMV9ONnj4JI (no suitable for pregnant women). I
4) Use NDT medication for thyriod + take adrenal support + Himalayan/celtic salt with lemon juice.
That's it.
In three months you will get rid of around 40 pounds.
Extra Note: take some mild walkings of 30 min and practice grounding/earthing during this time. If it is on the beach that would be ideal, if not just in the grass of your back/frontyard is ok. This will get rid of stress and tiredness and promote wellbeing and sleeping in general.
For insomnia take more potassium and magnesium, and find ASMR videos on youtube for relaxing.
May I ask in back of this I did well for a few days in Piggy diet, - literally lost a pound a day due to the grapefruit that was daily. Any no-nos with grapefruit short term, it just gave me terrific boost to get fab results, ......still was protein and veg daily although little fats, so didn't think it was so bad !?
Just found this site and loads of interesting stuff on there, might be worth a browse.
One thing it does say is that you shouldn't really try to lose weight until you are medically optimised. It says once you reach that stage, you should then be able to lose weight again using the ususal methods of healthy diet, exercise etc.
It's frustrating not being able to lose weight and there is no overnight solution when you have hypothyroidism. It takes months (years?) and patience to get better....but at least there is hope...as long as you can find an understanding and knowledgeable GP who listens to you.
Just hang on in there and make sure you get the treatment you need x
It's so sad to see how many of us struggle for lack of appropriate medical advice and treatment. I have Hashi and in an effort to lose some weight for summer, paid a personal trainer and went on a 1200 calorie a day diet for the past two weeks - I lost no weight and minimal fat.
I feel so deflated and hopeless sometimes, but not doing anything about the issue will mean a life spent blaming myself and hating my body.
I know the feeling, I’ve had a personal trainer for about 2 years now and for just over s year now I’ve not lost anything, if anything I’ve definitely gained even a lot of water weight
I hear you! This is not my first time with a personal trainer, I have done it for one year and lost only three kilos...better than nothing, but very frustrating!
In my opinion, keep up the weight lifting. Based on your own comments, you seem perfectly able to determine your ability to complete your workouts. If that changes, I'd urge you to see your doctor again for another blood test before you're due.
Since you've been gaining some weight, but your calorie intake has remained the same (maybe double check your method for error if you're not 100% sure here), would you say your activity level outside of focused exercise has decreased? Perhaps you've been off your feet more than your norm due to fatigue?
This study explains the role that non exercise activity thermogenesis plays in resisting weight gain at a caloric surplus or as a way of increasing a caloric deficit which will aid in weight loss.
I was also 'officially' diagnosed in May. I have put on nearly 4 stone over the past 12 months whilst trying to live on a reduced calorie intake of 800-1000 calories daily. Since starting on Levothyroxine my husband and I have changed our diet to a Low Carb, High Fat, Low Sugar diet (otherwise known as the Mediterranean Diet). I no longer count calories, no longer feel boated and full of 'air', the weight gain has slowed (almost stopped) and I feel much better. As an aside my husband has lost over a stone! I have difficulty exercising as much as I wish as I have Rheumatoid Arthritis in my knees, hips, pelvis and lower spine, but I try to walk for at least half an hour four times per week. I would recommend this way of eating to everyone.
Hi Chloecaff, 10 months on, did you have any success with weightloss? I am in the same boat as you were in 10 months ago and wondered if anything worked for you.
I am down 20lbs today.. but if I'm honest I don't think it is because of the medication, I have been on a high protiein calorie deficit diet and weight training
Well done! What sort of calorie levels have you been sticking to, know it differs for everyone but I keep reading people who say they can't lose weight unless they eat less than 1200 a day. Then I hear that you shouldn't drop that low as its the worse thing you can do if hypo. So much conflicting info.
I'm in no way trained in nutrition but I have learnt a lot from my trainer and others.. 1200 is the very bare minimum you should be at... My trainer started me at 2000kcals which was reduced by 200kcals each time my wait plataued.. I'm now at 1600kcal and have been for a few months and I'm still loosing easily... I would recommend asking a nutritionalist / trainer to work your calories out for you as each person is different depending on your lifestyle/job ect. But 1200 is a silly amount of calories to be consuming daily it's far too low
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Weight loss
Weight loss and hypothyroidism 
Trying everything but no weight loss!
Hashimoto and Weight Loss?
Weight loss and Ketogenic diets 
