Weight & hypothyroidism

[ReginaPhallange]

Hi, I’ve just started taking my first course if Levothyroxine to treat my Hypo. Im on a low dose as my thyroxine levels aren’t massively low. But i just wanted to know, even though im taking my medication, will my weight still fluctuate. If my levels are normal and stable while taking my meds will i still gain weight???

[fuchsia-pink]

It may do. In my experience it's very difficult to lose weight until my medication is optimal.

Many hypos put on weight (I know I did initially) and find it really difficult to lose weight - but some people lose weight easily and some find it fluctuates.

Remember that you need to avoid diet shakes (which contain soy) and to keep your nutrients optimal you need to eat a certain amount.

[ReginaPhallange in reply to fuchsia-pink]

Because i havent really had any symptoms and the doctor said they just saw it by chance as they were initially looking at my thyroxin levels im just worried about whats to come. I just need to push myself to be healthier and more active to maintain my weight

[greygoose in reply to ReginaPhallange]

Why were they looking at your thyroxine levels if they didn't suspect hypothyroidism? Thyroxine is a thyroid hormone.

I just need to push myself to be healthier and more active to maintain my weight

If you mean by that going on low-calorie diets, and doing strenuous exercise, it's not advisable. You could make yourself more hypo.

One word of advice: always, always get a print-out of your blood test results. You need to know exactly what they're testing, and exactly what the results are.

Im on a low dose as my thyroxine levels aren’t massively low.

Doctors have this false idea that taking thyroxine is a top-up to your existing hormone. It isn't. Taking it can stop your thyroid production of hormone, and needs to be replaced by the levo. So, just taking a low dose could make you much worse than you already are. Don't want to put you off taking it, but do you know what your levels actually were? How much levo are you taking?

[SKS1 in reply to greygoose]

I was tested not because of symptoms, but because I was diagnosed with lichen sclerosis and the two often come together.

A good tip to losing weight (when you are ready) is to increase your metabolism by having more muscle. Doing Pilates is a brilliant way to increase metabolism while not exhaustive.

Also look at having greens with every meal - even breakfast. Just a few leaves of spinach helps. It encourages healthy eating all day and helps digestion.

[mistydog in reply to SKS1]

Good luck with that. For many, the more they exercise, the worse they feel when hypo. Also raw spinach can be bad for you when hypo. Many of the things you think you know will need to change when hypo.

[SKS1 in reply to mistydog]

Sounds like I’m extremely lucky, then I feel my absolute best when I exercise 4-5 times a week and eat lots of greens including spinach (cooked and raw). I can’t do massively rigorous exercise every time, but then neither can most people with a healthy thyroid. Not my intention to spread wrong advice - have had hypo for six years and been on steady medication for the past 3,5 years.

[mistydog in reply to SKS1]

Well let's just hope that continues, however I suggest that you do lots of research if things aren't working out for you thyroid wise.

[SKS1 in reply to mistydog]

Of course. That sounds like you are expecting me to fail - let’s hope not.

[Trill in reply to SKS1]

That's interesting. I too have both conditions but didn't know they were often coo-existent.

[SKS1 in reply to Trill]

Gynaecologist sent me to gp to test for thyroid when I was diagnosed with LS - she said the pair was very common.

[Bumley]

I started on Levothyroxine some 6 years ago. After a couple of years I did put on weight due to the levels of Insulin I was taking and this was cured by a drug called Byetta. So I would not blame Levothyroxine at all. My Thyroid levels are checked regularly by the diabetic clinic and they have remained constant and I am still taking the same dose of 75 mg daily

[LADYARWEN]

I always had a struggle with my weight. It took me 18 years of going back and forth to lose 98 lbs. Unless you are cutting out PUFAs, all brassica vegetables, all vegetables high in phytoestrogens and cleanse your liver, there is a slim chance that you will lose weight quickly once you gain it. PUFAs are said to shut down your thyroid glands on 5 levels

[LADYARWEN]

When addressing your entire Thyroid Hormone Pathway, we need to evaluate if your poor thyroid function is the result of…

Your thyroid gland being blocked from releasing thyroid hormone.

Your liver not being able to convert your thyroid hormone into the active form.

Your carrier proteins not being able to transport your thyroid hormone to where it needs to go.

Your cells receptors being blocked from allowing thyroid hormone into your cells.

Your cells not being able to use what thyroid hormone you do have available.

Your hypothyroidism can be caused by any one of these problems with your Thyroid Hormone Pathway.

Most hypothyroid people are dealing with a number of these Thyroid Hormone Pathway problems.

Not just one. So if you don't want to gain weight, you'll have to be on a regimented plan. Not many people are motivated to do that.

[StitchFairy in reply to LADYARWEN]

'So if you don't want to gain weight, you'll have to be on a regimented plan. Not many people are motivated to do that.'

That seems to be saying that having hypothyroidism means you are forever doomed to just get fatter and fatter, unless you can somehow get to grips with all that mumbo jumbo stuff you've listed.

[Carriebaby]

I’ve read what you have just said and believe you are correct as I have been told that I have fatty liver disease which was diagnosed years ago whilst getting a scan. I’ve put weight on that I can’t shift and was blaming the menopause but I bet my fatty liver is part of the problem. I need to find out more about the vegetables to stay clear of coupled with wheat as I also believe it is another thing I should cut out my diet