Hi, new to the group. Had an under active thyroid for over 10yrs now. My dosage was pretty stable but the last few years it has to-yo’d. I’m now taking 150mcg Levothyroxine.
My problem is I am just struggling to lose weight. I’m classed as obese now and my blood pressure is higher than its ever been. I do Hiit sessions 3-4 times a week and generally eat lean chicken and veg.
I lost weight before I was diagnosed, with WW. I’ve recently done the body coach and I lost weight but it’s very hard to sustain.
I am also going through the menopause and I suffer from arthritic knees so have found it difficult to keep up with running/jogging
I’m after advice, who’s found SW or WW the most realistic?? Also exercise? I’m not a natural but I’m
Willing to try most things
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Emily911
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Extremely common for conversion of FT4 to FT3 to get off balance the longer we are on Levothyroxine, or especially around menopause
Low vitamin levels are extremely common and can make conversion worse
First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies. You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.
UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.
In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet
Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.
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 or if under medicated
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins
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
Medichecks currently have an offer on until end of May - 20% off
If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).
About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's.
Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .
Well it's an extrodinary jump in TSH after 10 years on steady levels
Have you had bloods retested since dose increase?
Levels should be retested 6-8 weeks after any dose (or brand) change
Aim of Levothyroxine is to increase dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2 (many need TSH under one) most important to test FT3 and FT4. Just testing TSH is completely inadequate
But such high TSH suggests you have needed dose increase for some time
Dose should have been increased after both Dec 2017 and Jan 2019 results. Did that happen?
Very important to test vitamin levels and thyroid antibodies
High thyroid antibodies confirms cause as autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) and malabsorption and gluten intolerance are common with Hashimoto's
Recommend getting full Thyroid and vitamin testing after you have been on constant 150mcg dose, taking it at bedtime/middle of night
NHS guidelines on Levothyroxine including that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine.
Also what foods to avoid (note recommended to avoid calcium rich foods at least four hours away from Levo. No soya. Tea and coffee at least 30 mins away (better to leave at least an hour)
Yes, taking meds with water is better. I always do.
Also absorption in the gut can be impaired if meds are taken with calcium, iron and some foods so it’s best to leave at least 30 minutes before eating.
Quite a few members take Levothyroxine in middle of night when get up for the loo
Keeping a weekly pill dispenser by the bed makes that easier and your much less likely to forget to take them
Other medication at least 2 hours away, some like HRT, iron, calcium, vitamin D or magnesium at least four hours away from Levothyroxine
Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.
Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription. Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or at repeat prescription.
Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine. Though it is the only one for lactose intolerant patients
Sounds like you're on a low-fat diet. You do know that eating fat doesn't make you fat, don't you? The body needs fat, that's why it tastes so nice, and gives food flavour.
SW is based on low/no-fat, so I wouldn't recommend that.
But, is your weight-gain actually fat? Or is it water? If it's water, no amount of dieting and exercise will get rid of it. What you need is a decent level of FT3. Have you had that tested?
The subject has been studied exhaustively in the US and the conclusion is that the brain remembers the higher body mass (which represents security against famine), and it cunningly adjusts metabolism to keep at the body mass you are trying to escape.
Two and a half years ago I sustained a brain injury that apparently broke this feature. It was stunningly easy to lose 20% of my body mass and I’ve maintained this post-menopause shape that’s reminiscent of being 20.
You’d need a carefully aimed blow, but even the neurologist doesn’t know where the magic spot is.
I also started to struggle more with weight - also tiredness - after being on Levo for 10 years and being menopausal. So I joined this forum and I found the advice on here has been very helpful, including going on a gluten free diet. This is to help the auto immune thyroid condition. If you put this in the search bar above, you might be able to find out more about this and what is recommended and why. There is also an auto immune diet, of which you can find details online, which is also recommended for arthritis. For exercise I can only manage walking and swimming, as physically and energy wise I cannot do any more. Would like to do cycling but a little wary of it in London.
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