I was originally on Levothyroxine via the NHS, but it was a living hell on it, so I decided to stop.
By some miracle I’ve been able to keep my weight off since losing 2 and a half stone many 2003, but, it’s been hard and since being a teenager I’ve struggled with my weight.
My weight does fluctuate and for about 5 years it’s a battle, it’s come to light that my thyroid was struggling hence the battle.
However, I’m now taking NDT, and I’m still on a low dosage, 2 1/2 grains, due an increase next Friday, but, I’m noticed my body is changing for the worse, the tops of my legs feel and look fatter, and my middle, (waist) well I’m starting to loose the curve, I’m starting to look square. I have lost some muscle definition in my tummy area as well, but I’m weighing the same?
I’m doing the same routine as well, nothing changed. I definitely looked different on Levothyroxine.
Is it water retention? Never had this before could it be the NDT? Or I’m not in enough yet.
I sleep like a baby, and I’m not stressed either, well apart from this issue.
I’ve still got symptoms, freezing cold, massive dark circles and no zest for life. It’s not helping with my body changing.
Best Wishes
Peanut31
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Peanut31
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Peanut31 - I’m sorry to hear that and it sounds like you’ll need a dose increase anyway with ongoing symptoms. I totally sympathise with the frustrating change in body shape. I added in T3 last May and have put on a significant amount of weight since doing so. As you described, a lot of it looks like water retention (mucin?) on my inner thighs and appeared almost overnight. It’s like very wobbly cellulite. I’ve also become stockier around my middle and have gone up a dress size. I am optimally medicated with T3 at the top of the range and feel great apart from the weight issue. I love food and noticed that my portion sizes are much larger than friends’ so I’m going to try to cut back a bit and exercise more but I’m doubtful that the mucin will disappear. I shall follow your post with interest.
I do exercise and watch what I eat, but there’s definitely a change in my body and Ive done nothing different.
I just quickly researched and some say it’s to do with cortisol levels, when I did a cortisol test, it was only raised slightly in the morning and afternoon, but nothing major.
It’s a shock when you see yourself in the mirror, my leggings feel tight around my waist and around the tops of my legs.
Yes I totally understand. Like you, I don’t feel that I’ve done anything different yet it’s appeared from nowhere. I shall have a look at Marz’s reply but it’s so frustrating that there’s another thing to sort out! Interesting point from MissGrace about insulin resistance...when I was first diagnosed, I was tried to eat Paleo to help heal my gut. I had almost no grains and must admit that I no longer follow such a restrictive regime so maybe I need to cut out the carbs?
I don’t know how old you ladies are, but weight and body shape changes are normal with the onset of peri menopause and menopause itself. The shifting hormone levels play havoc.
In the last 3 years I’ve been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, then underactive Thyroid (looking back I’ve had this for many years undetected) and recently discovered I’ve got Chiari Malformation which explains my stiff neck, headaches, pins and needles, hearing loss and headaches.
So you are the right age to experience the start of perimenopause symptoms. I suspect we get it earlier than others who are not hypo. Lots of very informative and accurate up to date information on the web site menopausedoctor.co.uk. Go and have a read and see if you see yourself there and work out what you want to do.
I blamed it all on my thyroid at one point. I was wrong. Menopause was making a mess of things as well.
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( That's me ! ) It seems to be an adrenal issue ... I read the book some time ago.
My body responds differently to different brands of thyroid hormone.
First test results since starting NDT
so confused with different doctors and their differing advice 
Is everyone the same?
When to take different medications 
