(This is the third time I've tried to post this - sorry if all three get through but it looks not.)
I've managed to lose weight several times with hypo (sensibly, but once with a dietitian and therefore low fat; once with moderate carbs; once with just old fashioned calorie counting). Each time it has gone back on and some more.
It's a very long story including (probably) undertreated hypo for many years, an antidepressant (which I'm tapering off but will be another 2 years), a very low resting metabolic rate (measured), some probable nutrient absorption issues...
Has anyone been able to permanently lose weight? I'm torn between being prepared to do anything to lose weight and the worry that if I do it will all go back on again and then I'll be even worse off. I *have* to lose weight, I'm miserable. I've tried to be accepting, but the reality is that being this heavy is not healthy.
I'm afraid I can never understand stones. Sorry! We went metric here in Australia in the 60s and I can just about work out pounds, but nothing fancier than that.
It's hard to keep up healthy eating when you feel ill and when it doesn't seem to help. You're right, of course, it's good for other things.
It could be due to you not being on a sufficient dose of thyroid hormones - especially T3 if you are a poor converter of T4 into T3.
I will give you a link which I think will surprise you as I doubt any doctor/endocrinologist has any idea but will blame us for eating the 'wrong' food when, in fact, it may be the wrong 'thyroid hormone' or insufficient dose to increase our metabolism.
I am not medically qualified and have hypothyroidism too.
I have been on NDT for years, but I suspect I was underdosed for some time. My TSH was in range. My frees were too, but only just. I seem to make a lot of RT3 which I've been told points to a conversion issue.
Last test, TSH was suppressed, T3 was close to optimal (ie, below optimal, but test was 17 hours after meds, so maybe it was higher at the 12 hour mark?), T4 scraped in to range (as usual). The test prior to that, RT3 was out of range high. I think my NDT could go up half a grain or so.
Blood tests for thyroid hormones were introduced along with levothyroxine. This is an extract from the second link:
"Dr. Lowe: With most patients, I use thyroid function tests (TSH, free T3, and free T4) and thyroid antibodies only for a patient’s initial diagnosis. Afterward, I follow the practice, in principal, of Dr. Broda Barnes—that is, measuring tissue effects of particular dosages of thyroid hormone rather than remeasuring TSH, free T3, and free T4 levels."
Therefore if we take NDT or add T3 to T4, the blood tests probably don't correlate, so if on NDT it is about how we 'feel' (i.e. relief of symptoms) which is what used to be the way doctors treated hypo patients. The first NDT was introduced (not in the form it is today) in 1892 and eventually became tablet form.
This link is archived and Dr Lowe was an Adviser to Thyroiduk and only took one blood test for diagnosis and thereafter he took none but concentrated on patient's 'symptoms' and if you go to the date September 7, 2000 to read what he states.
I keep reading how T3 should be top of range, and T4 mid range. My T4 is never more than scraping in. T3 - hard to tell but was probably optimal ish 12 hours after the test (though I did the test 17 hours later so it is a bit of a guess.
I would like to push it up a bit, I'll see my doctor and see if he is amenable. I'm mildly worried that it will push the FT3 out too much. I'm sure he will agree to a trial at least and new bloods later down the track.
It is not 'top' of the range for T3 but within the upper part. As stated above before blood tests along with levo were introduced we had no blood tests at all. The only thyroid hormone replacement was with NDT.
Yes. I'm slightly concerned though - I don't want to be overtreated, just as treated as one can. I have read "top of the range, or even higher" for T3 but the "higher" bit worries me.
I am not medically qualified but if we took 'too much' of any thyroid hormone replacements, i.e. T4/T3, T3 only or NDT I think we'd not feel very well and reduce our dose. Also, as stated, Dr Lowe only took one blood test for a diagnosis and none thereafter. Also remember that levothyroxine (T4 alone) was introduced along with blood tests. You take NDT which is T4, T3, T2, T1 and calcitonin.
Hard to tell. Some things make us feel good - at least temporarily - but aren't good for us. Still I do think I can stand a bit more of an updose without getting to that stage, so I'll arrange it.
I think that your meds need to be adjusted, I am taking 88mcg of Levoxyl and I am loosing weight(not that I need to). I gained 10 lbs before surgery and now I am 6 lbs down without even trying. I had my thyroid removed last September. I think you should talk to your Doctor about adjusting your meds.
You will probably get many answers I can only say that I have never been overweight even without a thyroid. I have never been on a diet either and weigh about 8 lbs more than 30 years ago. I eat carbs, and fat too. I think it must be something else.
I eat around 2000 calories a day. 9 st 10 lbs and 5ft 8 inches tall. The only time I put some weight on was after my thyroid was removed and I was on Levo for 8 months 10 lbs in total.
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As a younger woman (until I had my first child) I was effortlessly slim. I ate a healthy diet not dissimilar to my current diet, except that if I felt like a treat, I had it, and sometimes two! I was active in a different way in my youth.
Something has caused my resting metabolic rate to about 2/3 of normal (measured by a health professional). I do better on low carb - high carbs make me hungrier (and gassier, erk), low carb at least lets me not be miserable. Always a bonus! High fat is best for my mood. Low carb makes it easier to fit my nutrition into my reduced calorie allowance - by and large high carb food just doesn't have enough nutrition for the calories.
There are a few possibilities for the slowed metabolic rate. I have hypothyroidism, of course, and I think have been underdosed for many years. I did lose weight, reasonably easily, the first time I tried with a dietitian so it was low fat (with postpartum hypo, and unmedicated). I lost weight twice more, with lower carbs and more fat, both times on levo. I lost weight in the first trimester of each pregnancy (7-11 pounds) due to morning sickness. I was on an antidepressant, which I have been tapering for years (they're brutal to stop and I have to function, hence I have been tapering for years - but I'm now on a very low dose). I lost similar amounts of weight (more probably) with each serious depression.
So although I've only dieted three times, my body likely thinks I've yoyo dieted for 15 years or so. That is known to slow the metabolism. Hypo is known to slow the metabolism and also apparently to cause insulin resistance (oh joy). Antidepressants are known to stack weight on. So I've got a few factors against me.
There are also, possibly, some absorption issues as I have to eat much more meat than recommended - although due to that I now have optimal ferritin stores, so perhaps the recommended amount is too low.
My real worry is that if I diet again (successfully) I'll end up with a resting metabolic rate more like 1/2 of normal and it will all be worse.
Gosh that turned into a novel. Sorry!
Don't worry it's good to talk. My problems have only started in my mid sixties i.e. gallbladder and in 2015 my thyroid.
I have never had any problems with my stomach of anything else only sinus operations.
I know that when I raised my NDT to three grains I dropped down to 9 stone 5 lbs which at my age is too low. I am now back taking 2.5 grains per day and my weight is back to normal now.
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I'm on a bit under 2.5 grains (long story!). I'll see if I can up it to 3.
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Sorry! We went metric here in Australia in the 60s and I can just about work out pounds, but nothing fancier than that. 
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