How long did it take to lose weight after starting meds?
I’ve been on NT for a few months, just upped to 60 mg and I’ve yet to lose any weight. Gained a few in fact. I’ve gained 30 lbs (over 2 stones) in the last few years alone and it’s makinh me miserable.
According to the Thyroid UK poll a few years ago, two thirds of people replying put ON weight with levo. I did and found it impossible to shift. I managed to lose most of the levo-weight when put on T3 as well - but it was real effort. The 5:2 did nothing for me.
I'm now doing the 16/8 thing, where I only have water (usually hot) until mid-day, and then finish eating by 7pm - and my weight is stable. I eat sensible/ fresh/ home-cooked.
Best to avoid diet-shakes [most contain soy], snacking etc. Some people find keto effective. Good luck!
I’ve read that too re Levo. Yikes!!!
If you are optimally medicated then weight loss should be possible.
What are your current test results, with reference ranges, for TSH, FT4 and FT3?
Also, nutrient levels need to be optimal for thyroid hormone to work properly, so it's a good idea to test Vit D, B12, Folate and Ferritin.
My labs are too hard to post but they’ve always been in technically normal ranges, including antibodies and free t3. But I’ve stopped focusing on them bc Ive been highly symptomatic and I’ve never been tested properly- fasting etc.
The only things to note are low vitamin D and low normal ferritin.
Results being in normal range is pretty meaningless, it's where they are within range that counts. When on NDT it's pretty common to see a low, even suppressed TSH, a lowish in range FT4, and FT3 in the upper part of it's range. FT3 is the important result, T3 is the active hormone that every cell in our body needs and low T3 brings symptoms and makes weight loss difficult.
60mg NDT is 1 grain which is a very low dose and the equivalent of approx 38mcg T4 and 9mcg T3. If you've been on NDT for a few months and only just increased to 1 grain then I imagine you are undermedicated. Is your NDT prescribed or are you self medicating?
There is a protocol when starting NDT where you start at 1/4 of a grain for a week, if everything is OK then increase to 1/2 grain, then increase by 1/2 grain every 3 weeks or so until you reach 2 grains, then if further increases are necessary it's by 1/4 grain increments. It doesn't seem like you have followed this protocol. If your NDT is prescribed then sadly your doctor hasn't got much of a clue.
Why are your test results with reference ranges hard to post? For your thyroid tests all we need is TSH, FT4 and FT3 in the following format, eg
TSH: 2.5 (0.2-42)
etc
And if you have low Vit D and Ferritin, what's happening to address them? Ferritin is especially important to be a certain level for pthyroid hormone to work properly, and low Ferritin also has it's own symptoms and problems.
Have you had thyroid antibodies tested?
Ive never really had a free T3 unfortunately
I’ve posted my labs before so they’re here but I don’t have them in one form all together. And the only time I had free t3 done was after being on levo for a month and I wasn’t fasting so it’s sort of a waste. I’m going by symptoms not labs at this point. But all seemed normal even to those on here when I posted last. Just D and ferritin were off.
I’m not self medicating but I do now have a doctor who is also ignoring my labs and treating symptoms. She’s also said she can tell I have thyroid issues of my low voltage EKG results.
Good to know my meds are on the low side.
And oh yes, antibodies tested 3 times. All normal.
I’m taking vitamin d and trying to eat more iron rich foods
kikiweight
Good to know my meds are on the low side.
Why do you think that is a good thing? We need what we need to make us well, whatever dose that may be. Undermedicating isn't a good thing.
I’ve posted my labs before so they’re here
It always is helpful to responders to link to previous posts or give relevant information.
Now that you have mentioned you have posted before, I have looked at your previous post here:
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
and see that your results were eventually posted and a response given.
On 22nd December 2019 you said:
Yes, I am on Armour now. Just a few days in.
so you haven't actually been on NDT for a few months as you've said in your opening post above, you've been on Armour for possibly just 7 weeks now.
As I said above, when on NDT it's usual to see a low, even suppressed TSH, a lowish in range FT4, and FT3 in the upper part of it's range. If you are still symptomatic and not losing weight then you are not yet optimally medicated. After only 7 or so weeks on Armour, and on only 1 grain, you are very likely undermedicated.
I am now on my PC and have my saved document about the protocol. You should follow the protocol for increasing NDT:
Starting dose: 1/4 grain (15mgs) in the morning and quarter of a grain in the afternoon and stay on this for 7 days. If no adverse effects:
Week 2: increase your dose by another 1/2 grain (30mgs) a day. Take half a grain in the morning and half a grain in the afternoon (total 1 grain daily) and stay on this dose for at least 3 weeks. If no adverse effects:
Week 5-6: increase by another 1/2 grain and take 1 grain (60mgs) in the morning and 1/2 grain (30mg) in the afternoon (total 1 and 1/2 grains daily). Stay on this dose for 3 weeks and again, if no adverse effects:
Week 8-9: increase by another half grain and take one grain in the morning and one grain in the afternoon and stay on this for another 3 weeks (total 2 grains daily).
This may or may not be enough. If you are still symptomatic, increase by 1/4 grain (15mg) every 3 weeks. If you feel overmedicated then drop back to the previous dose.
From your last post your ferritin was absolutely dire so what is your doctor doing about that?
Your Vit D was low, what's happening about that - are you following the suggestions given?
Your B12 was too low, are you following the suggestions given about that?
So looking back at your last post and what you've said in this one, it would seem that you need to address your Ferritin as a matter of urgency, address your low Vit D and B12. It would also be a good idea to retest TSH, FT4 and FT3, following the advice to do your test no later than 9am, fast overnight, water only to drink before the test, last dose of Armour 8-12 hours before the blood draw even if it means changing time of dose and splitting it the day before. Also don't take B Complex or Biotin in the 7 days before testing. I think you will then realise that you need an increase in your Armour.
Hi, thanks for all the details. But I’m a little confused. My doctor didn’t say my ferritin was dire. Why do you think that?
And yes, I’m taking vitamin D at night now. And also following some eating protocols recommended by my new doctor. I’ve been on NT since December but only just upped to 60 recently.
But I’m a little confused. My doctor didn’t say my ferritin was dire. Why do you think that?
Your result posted in December:
Ferritin 19.1 ng/ml - Range (10.0-291.0)
Your ferritin level is 3.24% through it's range.
Ferritin is recommended to be half way through range but doctors seem to be happy with it anywhere within range.
If your doctor doesn't think there's a problem with ferritin being 3.24% through range and that it isn't dire then I would like to see him live with that level.
I mentioned in reply to your previous post that your iron panel was good and that it was just ferritin that was the problem.
Article about, and symptoms of, low ferritin:
drhedberg.com/ferritin-hypo...
Symptoms of low ferritin include:
◾Weakness
◾Fatigue
◾Difficulty concentrating
◾Poor work productivity
◾Cold hands and feet
◾Poor short-term memory
◾Difficulty remembering names
◾Dizziness
◾Pounding in the ears
◾Shortness of breath
◾Brittle nails
◾Headaches
◾Restless legs
Thanks this is helpful. And oh yes, my doctor wasnt very sympathetic! Although I have a new endo now and hopefully she will be better.
Weight loss or weight gain on ndt? 
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weight loss - is it possible?
