I e been taking digestive enzymes for approx 3 months hoping they’d help me absorb my medication and supplements.
They’ve done nothing to help the thyroid resistance as my weight keeps going on up
Intermittent fasting since last October. But no autogaphy ! Just gaining
What can I do to get this dammed Weight off ?
Anyone else like me ?
Digestive enzymes only work on the gut. They wouldn't have any effect at a cellular level, so are hardly likely to have any effect on thyroid hormone resistance. 
Have you any ideas what would ? X
As far as I know, the only solution to absorption problems at a cellular level, are high doses of T3 to try and get some into the cells, bombard the receptors.
But, you have to understand the difference between absorption in the gut and at the cellular level. I think the two things are getting muddled up here, and you have to know which one you're talking about.
Tell me more 😊
Or do you have a link for me x
I don't have a link, no. But, if you have an absorption problem in the gut, then your labs will show high-ish TSH, low/lowish FT3/4. If you have an absorption problem at a cellular level, your labs will show good levels of thyroid hormone in the blood, but you will still have hypo symptoms. There is no test that can tell you what gets into the cells, but you'll know by how you feel.
Talking about pro-biotics, liver and lemon juice suggests problems with the gut. None of those those things are going to help what gets into the cells.
So, what are you talking about? The gut or the cells? If you have an absorption problem with either it will stop you losing weight. But, your labs will tell you better where the problem lies.
There are many layers to our thyroid resistance thyroid hormone optimization. One theory is that the liver is hugely involved. Digestive enzymes help us to fully digest foods since many of us with Hashimoto‘s also have digestive problems. Research has shown that fatty liver disease is the cause of much weight gain. The theory then is that, anything we can do to improve liver function helps with weight loss. We are constantly reminded that diet plays a great role in how we feel and perhaps increase or decrease thyroid resistance / antibodies to destroy a thyroid hormone. (Re: gluten, dairy, alcohol, preserved meats) “Eat clean” is the constant diet mantra - and very easy to say but hard to implement and follow.
So again there are many layers and no one single magic solution to this complex thing we call thyroid resistance and Hashimoto’s.
I’m a great fan of digestive enzymes. I also like to eat! Ha! The occasional alcoholic drink (wine - beer) is on my table and I can’t resist sausage from time to time.
Back to the layers, and Isabella Wentz is a great reference as to the complexity and layers that both cause and cure when it comes to Hashimotos’s, warm lemon juice first thing in the morning about a quart if you can drink that much before you eat or drink anything else is a huge addition to helping the liver. In my busy life it’s difficult to afford myself the time it takes to drink this much lemon-Water. Thinking about helping the liver again which helps with weight loss and flattens the tummy so says the theory - because it is like adding dish soap to greasy dish water. ( you can get the dishes clean with water only - but it’s so much faster with detergent). The lemon helps the liver in the bile process somehow. My experience is regardless of the science as to how it happens is that I eat less, I’m not hungry and I do lose a pound or two. Energy seems to increase as well.
Another thing, another layer when it comes to the gut and the liver is the balance in the flora and the fauna of the gut. Probiotics, Blackseed oil , olive leaf extract, turmeric, all of these things can help right the gut when we find ourselves for whatever reason in an unbalanced state, re: weight gain. ( these do not have to be taken forever just until balance in the gut is achieved)
I’ve gathered this from various places including Isabella Wentz. I think she has a lot going on and I receive her newsletter. Her critics will say that she swaps the information so you will buy her products - which is no doubt true. You don’t have to buy her products you can take the information and it does work and you can buy the products anywhere and they also work.
Dr. Oz was the source of the lemon water and fatty liver tip. There may be others here that have links and I admire them and thank them.
Hang in there. I just came from a visit with a new Doctor - very kind and when I complained about my weight and how stubborn it was to come off, He very gently and kindly advised me to eat less. Hmmmmm..... so many layers!
Thanks for your reply
I do get my liver function tested regularly because I take DMARDs. So I expect my liver is ok .
I also do Intermittent fasting which has changed my tastebuds dramatically. Do t eat sugar because I can’t stand sweet taste anymore it’s also controlled my appetite my husband expresses concern on how much I do eat . It’s not a lot .
I’ve gone off so much including food tho I’m not complaining .
I’m at a loss as why my weight is such a problem 🥺
Although my GP has said that peri menopausal causes weight gain. Didn’t offer anything for it
dtate2016 - I agree with you about Ms Wentz - I have just spent an hour reading some of her articles and her advice is good - and yes she is probably hoping you will buy her supps, but equally you can click on the ingredient list of her supps and usually customise your own cocktail cheaper elsewhere. But her advice is still good. I am in the situation where I have all the symptoms of a thyroid problem - and it seems most likely to me that it is an absorption problem at a cellular level [also have gut absorption problems too but if you read Chris Kesser he says that the 2 are linked - chicken and egg - and you won't get anywhere with the gut absorption problem until you take T3] - but my labs are being read by my GP and endo as sub-clinical hypo and they aren't prepared to do anything about it until my TSH gets over 10. Meanwhile I am just dragging myself around and getting nowhere. Are you self treating with T3?
No I have a functional doctor here in the US that is prescribing me the glandular‘s or NatureThroid - I went through the years where they said I was borderline or sub clinical. I’m a big fan of Chris Kesser as well. I’m on 1 grain of T3 / T4 combo prescription. You must get some T3 somewhere. I pray that it does not take years (for you) to find a Dr. / the T3 that you need. It’s also very dangerous for the heart to be low on T3 for long periods of time. I am so glad that we’re starting to figure out the mini layers and yes the gut problems in the gut solutions and how the liver figures in. I kind of give up that I’m going to find a natural solution I think I will always have to take the T3 / T4 supplement. Mainly because my busy lifestyle just does not afford consistent diet protocols. I make hit and miss efforts at taking the things that are good for me and that will help balance the gut. Then I travel somewhere or invited out somewhere and have a glass of wine and I start all over again. Such a 21st Century disease right?
dtate2016 - don't beat yourself up to much about managing to enjoy life when you get the chance!! It's short so if you get the chance to go out and enjoy yourself don't tie yourself up in knots trying to adhere to some protocol or other. I reckon your body will cope just fine if you get back on the horse the following day. You are lucky that you are finally getting treatment under the care of someone who knows what they are doing. I am still staring down the barrel of possibly having to start treating myself. I saw a guy today - a naturopath who came very well recommended - I tried to outline my thyroid problems and he didn't even let me finish, just dismissively told me to take iodine. And I'm thinking but can't that be dangerous for some people. There are people who rave about this guy so why am I sceptical ?? Is there something wrong at my end?? Chris Kesser's point is you can work at your gut till the cows come home but it is the absence of T3 which is at the root of the digestive problems so unless you address that you will get nowhere. Here's hoping that if I go down the private route I might find someone to help me. So sick of trundling myself around to this guy and that guy and continually getting nowhere!!
I just talked to someone who pushes the iodine the other day he himself has Hashimotos. And he raves on and on about the iodine and how to take the iodine test. (basically painting a circle on your thigh the size of a half dollar or a Silverdollar and if it disappears in less than an hour you’re iodine deficient). But here’s the thing - he himself takes T3! He takes NatureThroid - he too is a naturopath.
And he also said you have to have T3 from somewhere and he’s willing to prescribe it but see he feels our pain he too has to deal with the monster! but he talks about a special form of iodine because I mentioned Lugols and he says yes but Lugos isn’t the right formulation or something or another like that.
Thank you for the encouragement I pray that you find T3 soon.
Hi. I have not been brave enough to drink the lemon water because of my levo first thing in the morning. I have my probiotics at night. I would love to do it but I do not know how. Any help, I would appreciate it. Thank you.
Well I have not had any problems with the lemon water and taking the nature thyroid or NDT at the same time. I don’t know that the lemon in the water will interfere with the levothyroxine. Someone else here may disagree but I don’t see it.
I’ve recently had some surprising results with the Blackseed oil somehow I have started to produce my own digestive enzymes I don’t have indigestion like I used to have and I can tell as soon as I eat that things are different things are better! I’m giving the Blackseed oil the credit because that’s the only new thing I’ve done recently. It’s a really nice thing and I’m not even taking that much a couple Blackseed oil capsules in the middle of the day and sometimes every other day.
How are you doing otherwise has any improvement come about?
They can do, yes. But, it can also be a genetic defect. Eating soy can also affect absorption at the cellular level. Probably other things, too.
I've taken digestive enzymes for several years. In combination with a few other things (Apple cider vinegar with every meal and slippery elm if I need a boost), my acid reflux is almost completely gone.
I take one a day with a snack in the evening. If they were cheaper I'd have them with every meal!
I only took Digestive aid to improve my absorption of vitamins and T3 .
I dont have acid reflux I have IBS Once in a while which can last for days if it flairs up raw onions and some quorn products can set it off
The digestive aids I thought could help absorb T3 and vitamins
Which Digestive Enzymes?
HCL & Pepsin / Digestive Enzymes reaction
Digestive aid...
Digestive enzymes/betaine pepsin in the morning
