Please help I need some advise on weight problems

[Louiserosie]

Hello all I’m struggling so bad with my weight since being diagnosed with an under active thyroid I have been on my meds for a year75mg levothyroxide I’m trying everything to shift this weight but it’s not moving I’m so down about and just can’t get no help from no where has anyone else suffered and found a solution that work I feel like I’m going mad

[Rosie2m]

Hi, what have you tried so far? I’ve tried lots in the past but the only way I managed to control/lose weight is tracking my calorie intake on MyFitnessPal and keeping as active as I can, walking and generally keeping on the go. I didn’t realise how good of a job I was doing until I got poorly 3months ago and exercise and diet went to pot... I’ve gained 1 and a half stone since then!! Now I also have the job to try and lose it. I know from researching that a lot of cardio is not ideal for us thyroid suffers especially if your not optimally treated. Weight training is fantastic and whilst it’s hard it brings great results. Good luck in your journey and I hope you find something that works for you. X

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

The only way to loose weight with thyroid problems is to be on correct dose of Levothyroxine

75mcg is only one step up from starter dose, so you are likely to need dose increase in Levothyroxine

How long have you been on 75mcg?

Do you always get same brand of Levothyroxine?

First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results?

If yes, please add results and ranges

if not got any blood test results, you will need to get hold of copies.

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone 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 you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Have you had thyroid antibodies tested?

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

You may need to get full Thyroid testing privately as NHS refuses to test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are negative

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood 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

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

For thyroid including antibodies and 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

Cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 £29 (via NHS private service )

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2 (many need TSH significantly under one) and most important is that FT4 in top third of range and FT3 at least half way in range

NHS guidelines on Levothyroxine including that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine.

nhs.uk/medicines/levothyrox...

Also what foods to avoid (eg recommended to avoid calcium rich foods at least four hours from taking Levo)

All four vitamins need to be regularly tested and frequently need supplementing to maintain optimal levels

New NICE guidelines on dose of Levothyroxine by weight .....may help persuade GP to increase dose

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng145/...

1.3.6

Consider starting levothyroxine at a dosage of 1.6 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day (rounded to the nearest 25 micrograms) for adults under 65 with primary hypothyroidism and no history of cardiovascular disease.

Only increase dose in 25mcg steps. Retesting bloods 6-8 weeks after each dose increase

Always try to stick to same brand of Levothyroxine

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Louiserosie

If we are optimally medicated then weight loss should be possible.

75mcg Levo is generally the first increment after a starter dose of 50mcg, so I'm wondering if you're undermedicated and need a dose increase.

What are your current results, including reference ranges, for:

TSH

FT4

FT3

and if they've also been done:

Thyroid antibodies

For thyroid hormone to work properly we need optimal nutrient levels, so it's also important to test:

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

Can you post these results/ranges so we can help further.

In the UK we are legally entitled to our test results so if you live in the UK then just pop along to your surgery and ask the receptionist for a print out, don't accept verbal or hand written results, make sure it's a print out. You don't have to give a reason for wanting your results, if you are asked and feel it's necessary then just say they're for your own records.

If you haven't had all those tests done with your GP and can't get them done at your surgery, we have recommended private labs who offer fingerprick tests to do at home, or venous blood draw at extra cost.

[Louiserosie]

Hello thank you for your reply I do take my medication every morning at 6 I drink nothing but water no tea,juice,coffee etc just water I don’t eat til 5 that evening I take b vitamins and a d vitamins at lunch time and after my dinner I take selenium and zinc could this affect it my doctor don’t seem to care I went to see him early last year after a blood test and he said to me that for the year my levels were low and they should have been put up ( why did it take them a year to tell me) I had to have a blood test a few weeks ago for something else I did ask her to check my thyroid and her reply was no as I’d had one a year ago but they up to 75mg and not been tested since I just feel so alone in this all.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Louiserosie]

You should have thyroid levels retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase

NICE guidelines actually say every 3-4 weeks....but patients find that is too quick

cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...

The initial recommended dose is:

For most people: 50–100 micrograms once daily, preferably taken at least 30 minutes before breakfast, caffeine-containing liquids (such as coffee or tea), or other drugs.

This should be adjusted in increments of 25–50 micrograms every 3–4 weeks according to response. The usual maintenance dose is 100–200 micrograms once daily.

See a a difference GP and request Thyroid blood test and vitamins tested too. Plus thyroid antibodies if not been done yet

Can you take a supportive friend or family member along to consultation.....members often find there's a more positive outcome with an independent witness

if you still can't get tested ....like thousands on here get full Thyroid and vitamin testing privately

Come back with new post once you get results....

[penny]

Until I was optimally medicated I was unable to lose weight (it isn’t worth trying as it stresses the body). When I had my medication at the right level for me I managed to lose 24lbs on the 5:2 diet. If I need to I can do a day of restricted calorie intake and lose 2lbs each time.

[Louiserosie in reply to penny]

Hello thank you for your reply I spoke to my doctor today but all I basically got was no I’m not testing your blood your levels are fine go away that how it was so come out of there feeling lost but anyway 😀what’s the 2:5 diet I’m doing the have been doing the 23 hour fasting only eating a small dinner and an apple in the hour

[penny in reply to Louiserosie]

If your medication for hypothyroidism is not right you are on a hiding to nothing. For me it was critical for losing weight. I had an under-strength batch and could not lose weight; as soon as I had a full-strength batch of thyroid meds. I started to lose weight again. If you starve yourself of food and starve your cells of food by not having the right level of thyroid hormones you are really punishing your body.

The 5:2 is eating normally for 5 days and having calorie restriction for the other 2. It might have gone up now but I was on 500 calories for the 2 days. I found it easy to follow and lost 2lbs every single week. As I said, when my medication was not high enough I did not lose any weight. (Before I was diagnosed hypothyroid I joined Slimming World and did to lose any weight at all; the organiser accused me of telling lies about what I was eating.)

[Louiserosie]

Thank you noway they accused you of telling lies how bad I was like that with my friends we would all do the same thing but my weight wouldn’t budge I went to see the doctor twice asking for help and she told me it’s all in my head I was gutted I walked out of there feeling awful