Hypothyroidism and Sleep Apea

[Amanda_80]

I’ve had hypothyroidism for 12 years and recently found out I have sleep apnea.I was told that once I started using my cpap machine I would find it a lot easier losing weight but that has not been the case.even before I knew I had sleep apnea I always struggled.constant yo-yo.does anyone suffer from the same things and if so,what types of diets have worked for you so far?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Do you have any recent blood test results and ranges on Thyroid and vitamins you can add

Presumably you have Hashimoto's also called autoimmune thyroid disease diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies?

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

How much Levothyroxine are you currently taking?

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw). This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

[Heloise]

Do you feel better using the c pap? I hope so but see no reason why you would lose weight with it but it should stop you from gaining. The best way to lose weight is to stop burning sugar and carbs and start burning fat as fuel. A keto diet would help as a start.

[Treepie]

Sleep apnoe may be caused by being hypo as it was for me and vanished when on right amount of levo.So SlowDragons points are important.

There are other causes though.

[asidist in reply to Treepie]

wow, interesting. treepie, would you mind expanding on that please? was levo able to help by giving your muscles involved in breathing more power / something else? thanks!

[Treepie in reply to asidist]

All I can say was that not long after starting levo I no longer had sleep apnoea .It is known to be a hypo symptom but as I said can have other causes including obesity. .Also,for me within 12months of becoming hypo I was Type 2 diabetic .I am controlling that with a low carb diet ( not no carb) .Always check the level of sugars in the carbs on the ingredient list.

[Ell17]

Though hormone balance, along with consistent, restful sleep, does help with weight loss, because it allows rest, repair, and tamping down inflammation which can keep the weight hanging on; I agree with Heloise that it must also be addressed through dietary changes. And the keto diet works. I personally like (Gynecologist) Dr. Anna Cabeca's explanation of all things hormone, alkaline, and ketogenic. She has also developed some really good products. (But, they are not required.) The good info she offers is free @ drannacabeca.com.

Also, if you manage to lose enough weight and keep it off, the apnea sometimes disappears. I certainly hope it works out that way for you.

All the best.😊

[Heloise in reply to Ell17]

So many functional doctors point to balancing hormones as almost first line of therapy. I've listened to Anna's interview and wondered about maca. Have you used that or other of her products?

[Ell17 in reply to Heloise]

Yes, I use her hormone creams, which are excellent. My favorite is the Julva (DHEA) cream (the formulation and the texture are primo) ; but, it is pricey for the amount you get. I have used her keto green drink mix (Mighty Maca Plus). It is excellent, as well. But, personally I have to be careful with greens and maca because they trigger adrenal crashes. My adrenal problems are severe and longstanding, though. I really wish I could use it more regularly. It has excellent ingredients. I recommend her products, as they are high quality. I also like that sample sizes are available to try first. And once you become a customer, there are frequent special pricing events.

That said, there are other good hormone creams available, that aren't as cost prohibitive, that I use as well. That goes for maca and green drinks, too. But, in my opinion, they are not comparable to her formulations. As long as the budget allows, I will continue to use her products.

[Heloise in reply to Ell17]

Thanks so much for that, Ell. I think DHEA and Progesterone have both been very helpful but it's a quandary to figure dosing without professional input if you are going to try therapeutic dosing. I've been looking for a green drink, too. Really appreciate your comments.

[Ell17 in reply to Heloise]

You're quite welcome.😊

DHEA and Progesterone have helped me tremendously. But, you are right about the dosing issue. It can be a slippery slope.

[Whiterose]

Hi Amanda, I eat Keto. This has been the only way of eating that has helped me lose the weight. I'm currently on 100mg Levothyroxine. I was on 125mg but reduced as I I felt the side was too much so I am convinced weight gain and weight loss affects the dosage of need required.

[nifuarain-63]

I used to weigh 253 lbs. and had moderate to severe apnea. I had been treated for hypothyroidism for about 10 years. I was also at the threshold of Type 2 diabetes. Frightened by that prospect, I began to lose weight slowly but fairly steadily, losing about 50 pounds. My endrocrinologist told me I'd saved myself from diabetes by doing so. I was also able to switch from a CPAP machine to an oral appliance. I've since lost another 45 pounds.

I found CPAP use to do two very noticeable things: no longer woke up with a headache and brain fog nor did I fall asleep reading or watching TV or need to nap every day; the other was I had the energy to exercise a bit. Nothing strenuous, just stationary cycling and long walks. Of course, I improved my sleep!

Mind, that 80+ lbs. weight loss took about 5 years. However, I've also kept it off. Keto wasn't as well known then, but recently I did it for about 90 days to take off the last 15.

Be patient with yourself, and if you are using a diet plan, remember in case of a lapse, start again at the next meal.

Best of luck.