Weight gain

[Loopyloo243]

Does anyone know of a good diet for Hashimotos, I have been counting calories for a few months now without much success, my weight has increased by about a stone in 18months and I just can't shift these extra pounds. I am on 125mcg of Levothyroxin and have been taking an Vit D3 supplement for 2 months as my level was very low,I'm due for more blood tests middle if March and I am feeling a little better, I would feel so much better if I could just shift this extra weight.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Recommend getting full thyroid and vitamin testing when you finish the loading dose of vitamin D

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested. Also EXTREMELY important to retest vitamin D, and test folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially as you have Hashimoto’s

Ask GP to test folate, B12 and ferritin levels

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

If you can get GP to test vitamins then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 £29 (via NHS private service )

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

About 90% of all primary 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 .

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Vitamin D

GP will only prescribe to bring levels to 50nmol.

ouh.nhs.uk/osteoporosis/use...

But improving to around 80nmol or 100nmol may be better

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/218...

vitamindsociety.org/pdf/Vit...

Once you Improve level, very likely you will need on going maintenance dose to keep it there.

Test twice yearly via vitamindtest.org.uk

Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is very effective as it avoids poor gut function. There’s a version made that also contains vitamin K2 Mk7

It’s trial and error what dose we need, with hashimoto’s we frequently need higher dose than average

Government recommends everyone supplement October to April

gov.uk/government/news/phe-...

Also read up on importance of magnesium and vitamin K2 Mk7 supplements when taking vitamins

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

livescience.com/61866-magne...

sciencedaily.com/releases/2...

Bone pain

easy-immune-health.com/pain...

naturalnews.com/038286_magn...

Vitamin K2 mk7

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

intechopen.com/books/cell-s...

If vitamin D is low, B vitamins may be too. As explained by Dr Gominack

drgominak.com/sleep/vitamin...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

As you have Hashimoto’s are you on strictly gluten free diet?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Loopyloo243

Weight loss will be difficult if not optimally medicated. Do you have a copy of your last tests so that you can post them, including reference ranges.

Obviiously also post new results when you have them.

[Loopyloo243 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Many thanks for a speedy reply when I have my tests back from March I will let you know

[fuchsia-pink]

Some people have found the intermittent fasting thing helpful - where you eat all your calories within a time-restricted window. I've been doing it for nearly 2 years [nothing before mid-day or after 8pm] - and whilst I haven't lost an ounce, I feel fit and well, which is half the battle!

Obviously you don't eat sweets, cakes and snacks in the "eating window" to make up

I did manage to lose some weight last summer on the "one meal a day" thing, which was protein and veg or salad, with just hot water and cold water and the very occasional green tea for 6 days a week, but couldn't manage that while it's cold ...

And I can't shift anything on levo-only, so I feel for you.

PS don't do the diet shakes - these contain soy

[BadHare]

Try counting nutrients rather than calories, & avoid anything processed. You could experiment to see if one of the forms of intermittent fasting suits you.

[E_lizab8]

Try a low or lower carb diet (dietdoctor.com), plus intermittent fasting (small low carb breakfast and skipping lunch once a week). I had some success with this while on Levothyroxine and its a very easy diet to keep to as after the first few days you will no longer feel hungry abd it will become a way of life. Im now on NDT and am getting even better results with it.

[Loopyloo243]

Many thanks I will give it a try

[humanbean]

This website has lots of good info :

dietdoctor.com/

They also have over 600 success stories :

dietdoctor.com/low-carb/suc...

This one is probably my favourite of all those I've read, although it involves fasting which frightens the life out of me :

dietdoctor.com/with-one-foo...

Whenever I've actively tried to lose weight throughout my life, for the vast majority of my efforts I cut down on fat and counted calories. I felt starved, weak, and depressed. Any successes (which were rare) were short-lived, and I usually regained weight very quickly.

I would never do that type of dieting or eating again. Now I try my best to reduce sugar and all high-carb foods, and I also include natural fats in my diet. I will admit that I'm not hugely successful because I am a carb and sugar addict who is very weak-willed. But at least I don't feel weak and miserable any more.