First Post

[Leci]

Hello everybody. Very new on this site. I'm worried because I think I might not be able to lose weight because I have an under active thyroid. Am I right? I hope not. I'm part of the Slimming World group in West of Ireland and am putting weight since my diagnosis two years ago. Thank you for your reading and responding to my post. X

[digitaldebz]

I put on a pound a week before I was diagnosed. I went to the doctor because I was eating so little and yet still gaining. I had a test which showed I had hypothyroidism. You can definitely lose weight but don’t expect it to be quick. I cut out all bread and changed to a small plate to help with portions. I lost about 2 pounds a month! My husband was eating twice as much and lost a stone.

Perseverance is key. I still have the odd Indian takeaway but have tikka instead of sauces. I still don’t eat bread but have swapped to crisp breads. You will have to accept that you can’t eat as much as someone who doesn’t have your condition. If you eat the same amount you will put weight on.

It’s tough but keep at it and it will get easier.

[Leci in reply to digitaldebz]

Thank you very much. It makes so much sense when I see it written down like that. I need persevere and cut down on the bread. Thank you again. Xx

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Can you add your most recent blood test results and ranges for TSH, FT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common especially if your hypothyroidism is due to autoimmune thyroid disease diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

How much Levothyroxine are you currently taking?

What vitamin supplements do you take, if any?

[Leci in reply to SlowDragon]

I must check all those - waiting on test results due on Monday. Thank you xx

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Leci]

Extremely common if you have autoimmune thyroid disease to find gluten is a problem

So very important to test both thyroid antibodies

[shaws Administrator]

Can you get a blood test and I'd suggest TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies.

All tests have to be at the very earliest, fasting, and allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose of levo and the test and take afterwards. This method keeps the TSH at its highest and may prevent the doctor adjusting dose unnecessarily.

This method keeps our TSH at its highest as that seems to be all doctors look at.

Unexplained weight gain before or after our diagnosis is a clinical symptom of hyptothyroidism.

This can be due to levothyroxine not being at an optimum level due to the doctor believing that a TSH somewhere in the range is fine and doesn't increase dose. We need a TSH of 1 or lower with FT4 and FT3 should be in the upper part of the ranges. The latter two are rarely tested. Many doctors stop increasing dose once TSH is in the upper part of the range.

If GP wont test all of the above you can get a home blood test through one of our Private Labs who do home pin-prick tests. If you decide to do so make sure you are well-hydrated a couple of days before test.

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

Medichecks does a special offer on a Thursday of some sort. Blue Horizon and Thriva are also recommended.

Both FT4 and FT3 should be nearer the top of the ranges.

Unexplained weight gain is one of the commonest question on the forum.

[Leci in reply to shaws]

Thank you. I am waiting on test results to come back. Due back on Monday. Xx

[Marz in reply to Leci]

OK so when you have your results with ranges - do start a new Post/Thread so more members see it and can advise and support 😊

[Leci in reply to Marz]

Thank you. I'll have those next week and I will post them. Thank you all so much. Getting my head around it all - at last. X