On going struggles

[Gemstar83]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this site. To be honest I've never thought there was a support group for thyroid issues. I was diagnosed when I was 16 after depression got the better of me. I have struggled for 20 years and now I'm on a fight back. After a recent emergency op in December which involved my spine my life has changed and been turned upside. I now have a rare condition which limits me everyday to even walk. So weight pyling on, 🤔 I'm determined now to get it off and keep. It that way. Would love to know how others tried and tested diets for hypothyroidism? X

[Tginger]

Hi Gemstar83. I didn't try any special diets but I've been gluten free since October 2018 which instantly meant no bread, porridge, pancakes, cakes, biscuits, chocolates, etc. This didn't help me to lose weight but at least it stopped going up.

[Gemstar83 in reply to Tginger]

I have just been reading up on all foods to help. Due to my new condition its impossible to exercise but I need to try something. Thank you for your input x

[Tginger in reply to Gemstar83]

Have just come up with an idea, possibly a silly one. Could you get referred to a physiotherapist who could show some exercises that would suit you, e.g. static exercises or very light exercises to maintain your muscle strength? My husband always says to me, little exercise is better than nothing.

[SilverAvocado in reply to Tginger]

Tginger, oats are gluten free, so you can still have porridge The only reason a distinction is sometimes made is that they are likely processed on the same machines as other gluten containing grains. You can pay extra to get oats that have been kept away from gluten.

[Tginger in reply to SilverAvocado]

As far as I'm aware there are still debates about porridge because they say that oats contain proteins similar to gluten that may cause similar reaction. Anyway porridge is a healthier option than bread or biscuit

[SilverAvocado in reply to Tginger]

That's a good point. I guess everyone is different anyway, with different sensitivities. It's got to be trial and error for each person to be really sure.

A shame to have to give up porridge, I always think of it as very smoothing!

[SilverAvocado]

Unfortunately it can be especially difficult to lose weight when hypothyroid because reducing calories can reduce the ability to make use of thyroid hormone. Less hormone means reduction in metabolism which means fewer calories burned.

I agree with Tginger that if you have Hashimoto's gluten free is worth trying, as most Hashi sufferers benefit from that. A smaller percentage owned it from being dairy free, too.

Some hypo people get on well with low carb high fat diets, and don't need to reduce calories, but some very much don't do well on it. It seems to be very extreme, we either love or hate it.

[SilverAvocado in reply to SilverAvocado]

Forgot to say, it is worth double checking your thyroid status, as weight gain can by a hypo symptom.

Although thinking about it if lack of exercise is causing you to gain weight it may be that your previous diet was matched to the amount of activity you did, and you need to slightly down scale it and adapt to eating a bit less to match your current activity level.

Probably a difficult process, but you could start with just reducing portions a bit, or forget regular meals and purely just eat when you're hungry for a while. Practice some mindful eating to stop as soon as you don't feel you need it.

I've been quite disabled and until recently I tended to only eat 2 meals just out of the difficulty of getting around and making food. I did find it a comfort that I was reducing the amount of calories by skipping a meal. Something like that is perhaps an option.