Sorry for asking something that has probably been asked many times before but I’m struggling to find any information on how to loose weight when hypothyroid.
I’m getting married in June next year and since buying my dress have piled on another 10kg following the first 10kg that has crept on since January last year. I’m feeling disgusted with myself and a little helpless as I don’t know how to stop this weight gain. Granted my diet in the last two months hasn’t been great as I was studying for a really important exam which I have since passed and didn’t have the time or energy to cook properly for myself.
My latest TSH result taken on 2/11/18 was 2.30 (0.27-4.20) and my GP refused to test my T4/T3. They have come back with comment of normal no action. My ferritin level was 58 (13-150).
I last saw the endo 3 months ago who upped my Levo to 50mcg daily and said she’d see me in 6 months. When I said it was quite a long time and could I ask the gp to up my meds she said that I needed to give my body time to settle. What she doesn’t realise is that I have a medical in March where I need to be a healthy weight and have this under control or I won’t pass and I won’t be able to work!
So after my rant what I’m really looking for is how to loose weight! Any tips anyone?
Thanks in advance
Sarah
Written by
bubblesmcgee
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You need to be optimally medicated before weight loss will happen. Your endo should have told you to get retested 6 weeks after your increase to 50mcg Levo. I would discuss this with your GP, it is normal protocol.
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.
If, after new test, you are symptomatic and your levels aren't where they need to be for you to feel well, then you should ask your GP for an increase. It's not really something that needs to be referred back to your endo, and you don't need 6 months for your "body to settle". It takes 6 weeks for the full effect of an increase in dose of Levo, 8 weeks for some people.
If your GP wont help with testing, then I'd get my own done with one of our recommended labs, post results on here, and members will guide you on the next step. If you've not had vitamins and minerals tested then I'd go for the full vitamin and mineral package
If you already know your nutrient levels and are dealing with any deficiencies then choose a test that covers TSH, FT4, FT3 - Blue Horizon Thyroid plus Three or Medichecks Thyroid Monitoring. No point in retesting antibodies as you already know you have Hashi's.
Thanks for your reply. I’ll book an appointment with my GP for when I get home from work in 2 weeks and will look into getting a private blood test when I get paid at the end of the month.
Always get actual results and ranges. Post results when you have them, members can advise
As you have B12 injections you may benefit from a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in not folic acid.....but get folate tested FIRST
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
Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working
Are you alredy on strictly gluten free? If not, many of us with Hashimoto's find it helps or is essential
Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten.
According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes 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 and help with weight
so see GP, ask for 25mcg dose increase in Levothyroxine, vitamin D, folate testing and coeliac blood test too
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase in Levothyroxine
All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. When on Levothyroxine, take last dose 24 hours prior to test, and take next dose straight after test. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)
Is this how you did the last test?
NICE guidelines saying how to initiate and increase. Note that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine
Thanks for your response, I am away for work for the next two weeks so I will book an appointment with the GP for when I get home. I still don’t feel great and the weight gain is driving me mad! I already take iron supplements and the B12 shots. I also take vitamin D 10yg daily which I up to 20yg when I’m working nights and folic acid burn I’ll look into getting a private test again for an update on levels and then post on here.
I am already on a strictly gluten free diet (except when I get glutened at work and much to my fiancé’s frustration!) and am thinking about going sugar free too to try and shift some of this weight.
It’s just very frustrating that the endo and GP seem to take everything I say with a pinch of salt and don’t really seem to care! I’m thinking about changing GP surgeries but need to find a good one in Gravesend with a GP that actually gets thyroid problems!
Sugar free is a great way to help your body. For inspiration, read Pure, White and Deadly by Yudkin (sorry forgot his first name). Book was published in early 1970s originally and the big food corporations made his life hell because of it. Book rereleased in recent years after concerns about high fructose corn syrup.
I’m currently on 50mcg levothyroxine and have been eating gluten free since May although I do seem to get glutened at least once a week at work (I work on a ship and the food is prepared for the crew in a large galley without much care for me being gluten free).
All thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Do not take Levothyroxine dose in the 24hours prior to test, delay and take immediately after blood draw. This gives highest TSH and lowest FT4. (Patient to patient tip, not to be mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
Getting vitamins optimal is essential too. Vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Hi Bubbles, just in case you don't know this, weight gain i sometimes caused by too high levels of iron so I wondered if you are taking iron supplements under supervision or if this could be the cause of the weight.
Excellent recommendations from Seaside Susie & Slow Dragon. Hope your meds are raised & soon. In the meantime, lower carbs. Most people have no idea how many carbs they eat daily. Don't starve yourself. That doesn't work & is unhealthy. Check out online low carb sites. Two of my favorites are gnom-gnom.com/ & alldayidreamaboutfood.com/. There are wonderful LC recipe sites. LC is moderate protein & high fat & healthy. You won't feel hungry.
With the exception of potatoes, winter squashes, carrots & peas, veggies are generally low carb. Avoid fruit juices, anything low fat (low fat has more carbs), soda (Including diet sodas), grains, beans & gluten. Gluten-free breads/crackers are high carb. Eat low carb fruits in moderation--green apples, berries & melons. Stay away from tropical fruit.
Hi bubblesmcgee, Besides all the wonderful advise folks gave you - I'd like to add how I lost 26 lbs & lower my thyroid antibodies following the recommendations of Dr.Sara Gottfried- her speciality is hormones .
G2G2 says lower carbs.You need some carbs but if you check all the packaged food you eat you will see a figure for the carbs and then for the sugars in the carbs .That is why you need to lower carbs.Some similar products have less sugar in the carbs.
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Advice Needed please - Test Results
GP visit and conversation on T3 advice needed.
advice please
sweating and tired 
