Weight!!

[Jessycat]

Hi all.

Does anybody have any tips for losing weight with an underactive thyroid?

My levels are everywhere at the moment.

Even if I eat healthy and go to the gym I don’t lose weight.

Really getting me down!

Thank you

[Rita-D]

Been struggling with this for years! Have tried every diet going. Became pre-diabetic and asked GP for help he shrugged his shoulders and said “it’s your thyroid” I told him that I know that but I was worried about the pre-diabetes and possible heart problems caused by being overweight. He referred me to the overweight diabetes nurse! In the meantime I had ordered Dr Jason Fung’s book the Diabetes Code. I read it cover to cover in a day and it made perfect sense to me. It’s a keto diet coupled with intermittent fasting. I have completed 1 month and have lost 1 stone. I found it easy to do. I started off with fasting for 17 hours and having an eating window of 6 hours. Stop eating at 7pm and don’t eat again until 1pm next day. Low carb, medium protein and high fat! Good fat like avocados! Carbs spike insulin which creates fat. Fat doesn’t so the body uses it’s fat stores. You can play with the window to suit your circumstances and you can reduce your eating window too! Eating fat and protein satiates you so that you dob’t Crave carbs. It’s the fasting part that worked for me as I was already eating really healthily.

If you’re not pre-diabetic he has another book the Obesity Code which is very similar. He also has YouTube videos. Dr Eric Berg is another doctor who advocates keto diet and intermittent fasting. This will be my way of life from now on. I’ve recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. I told the specialist nurse what I was doing. She said “fat is good and fasting helps the body to repair”.

Give it a go. You’ve nothing to lose other than the weight! You’ll feel great! I do even with this diagnosis!!

Hope this helps. X

[Jessycat]

I’m not pre diabetic as far as I know but I will definitely buy the other book! Brilliant. Thank you so much. My sister is a big believer in fasting. They always just fob you off. My doctor told me the weight should drop off once I’m on meds. Really not the case as it never seems to even settle! I suppose I could always read the diabetes code book. Will still be helpful.

Good luck with fighting the breast cancer. I’m sending you healing thoughts xx

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Jessycat

Being optimally medicated is the first step. So you need to test TSH, FT4 and FT3. It's important to include FT3 - so even if your GP wont do the full panel then do a private panel with one of our recommended labs. Low T3 causes symptoms and makes weight loss difficult.

Also, for thyroid hormone to work properly, optimal nutrient levels are needed so testing Vit D, B12, folate and ferritin are important.

If GP can't or wont do all these tests, look at Medichecks Thyroid Check ULTRAVIT or Medichecks Thyroid Check PLUS ELEVEN.

[Jessycat in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi! I’ve just sent an advanced thyroid blood work to Thriva. Waiting for the results. I’ve also got a referral to endo! Thank you!

[ILR2019]

I have been struggling too and (atm) I am not optimally medicated, but I was border type 2 diabetes (l was told this was probably as a result of being hypo as my diet has always been pretty good) however, about 6 weeks ago I cut out refined sugar and processed foods from my diet for about two weeks (basically until your body stops the cravings which may be longer for some people).

After that I limited both having the odd 'sweet treat' once or twice a week and limited amounts of processed foods combined with daily exercise. I managed during that time to loose 3kg.

There is no easy fix, especially if medication is not optimal and its a drag just to get going and maintain a level above groggy each day. From my own experience its also trial and error of when to eat as much as what. I found 3 squares a day left me feeling shaky between meals. Now I have regular (healthy) snacks. My only golden rule is I always eat a small bowl of either fruit or salad about 30 mins before a meal. It stops me over eating and is a good way to get your five a day without having to think too much.

[Jessycat]

Thank you! I’m so worried about diabetes now. I didn’t realise they were so connected.

I’ve lost all motivation at the moment because I feel so so tired. It was also my birthday yesterday so cake seems to be everywhere I look haha. I definitely need to cut sugar out. I did last year but the more down I’ve been about putting weight on. The more I comfort eat. I don’t tend to eat processed food. It’s mainly my sweet tooth that’s an issue! Thank you!

[Angel_of_the_North]

You need to be optimally mediated as your thyroid runs your whole metabolism. Eating healthy is often actually the opposite - too many carbs and not enough fat for good health, leading to pre-diabetes. Many people do well on a low-carb or even keto diet, but you need to get meds right (TSH under 1, free T4 and - esp- free T3 in top third of their ranges)

[Jessycat in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Thank you. I’m currently awaiting my results!

[thyroidquest]

With regard to fasting..I leave a gap of 16-17 hours between dinner and breakfast. I have breakfast at 10 and my last meal at 5. I don't have huge meals and don't snack. I've been doing this for a few weeks and have seen some results. It's no hardship and I'm going to keep it up. It's worth a try. Good luck!