Can't lose weight

[Dona31]

Hi, am really struggling to lose weight, thyroid levels is normal, on 150mcg for a few months now, was on folic acid for 3 months too, any tips please, feeling very low about it

[greygoose]

'Normal' just means 'in-range'. But, the ranges are so wide, you're going to feel completely different if your result is at the bottom to the way you'll feel if you're at the top.

I would advise you to post all your lab results, with the ranges, on here and let's have a look. Odds are, you're under-medicated.

[Micasey in reply to greygoose]

I was considered “in range” but on the low side😔

[greygoose in reply to Micasey]

Yes, but that's not good enough, is it. And what was tested, anyway? Probably not the right things. But, we can't know without seeing your results.

[Micasey]

I’m right there with you!! I have no energy, chronic pain from back and neck energy and am now trying Keto. 10-15 lbs doesn’t sound like much to lose se but at 5’1” it shows(138 & 75 yrs and I dress to “hide”, plus horrible thin ridges split nails and thinning hair)...I’m not ready for these to hammer my quality of life...can’t eat normally, and don’t want to leave my house cause I never look like I want to look!!...not vanity (maybe some)... but I hoped I would never appear matronly!!😳😞😞😞

[fuchsia-pink]

In my experience it's pretty well impossible to lose weight until our free T4 and free T3 are nice and high in range - "normal" or "in range" won't get you there - has to be HIGH [ie top quartile]

Do you have your latest results (and ranges)?

[LivingWithHT in reply to fuchsia-pink]

The problem with that for me and some other hypothyroidism sufferers is that higher doses of T4 and T3 tend to cause or increase hair loss. My hair starts falling out like crazy when I increase my dosage (even though it may actually be what I need) but I don’t actually end up digesting food better or losing water weight and fat 😄😩.

I know that the hair loss side effect is usually temporary when increasing dosage and can last up to several months but it never really goes away for me. Even taking vitamins, minerals and supplements have only decreased my hair loss by a bit (and I take a lot every day to make sure my levels stay in the upper quarter ranges.)

Personally, I have very little faith in the brands of thyroid medications available in the market right now because none of the ones I have recently tried have worked well for me.

[Dona31]

Don't have results, just told they are normal and don't need to up medication, will try and speak to doctor

[penny in reply to Dona31]

You need those results for comment.

[silverfox7]

Ask receptionist for a copy of your results-much easier!

[endomad]

I gained 6 stone in 2 years after my thyroid was removed, i became really depressed about it, i had previously been very slim, fit & healthy all my life. I felt hideous. I could no longer run 8 miles a day, horse riding, judo or walk my dogs. Nothing worked. A friend recommended keto and that was the only thing that worked, keeping to between 20-30gms of carbs a day, i lost 5 stone in 2 years. I often fall off the wagon and the weight goes on 4-5kg in a week! so a life of no bread, pasta, rice, potatoes etc for me. I miss bread to the point of addiction. When i am in pain or dont feel well due to thyroid all i want is toast and butter.

I wont say its easy, i cant accept friends invitations for dinner any more, we rarely eat out since, I have to eat before going out or i will grab a sandwich, keeping tight control is not easy but works for me if i keep to it.

I dont drink alcohol so that bit is easy, if you want to lose it you can this way.

I realised years ago most my choices were high carb fruit (pineapple, mango, papaya, bananas) veg (potatoes, parsnips, carrots, peas, sweet corn)

I was never a sweet person (cakes, biscuits, chocolate) but since being low carb if i had one biscuit i would eat the whole packet. I lost the weight low carb without the need for a lot of exercise, weight is 90% what you put in your mouth, nothing to do with exercise or calories in, calories out.

[Batty1 in reply to endomad]

What was the reason for your thyroidectomy? You described me exactly I was fit and healthy prior to thyroidectomy (cancer) and suffered for year with hyper/ hypo swings never was diagnosed with graves or hashis after the thyroidectomy the weight just piled on.

Sorry to jump this post... curious

[endomad in reply to Batty1]

I had a sudden fast growing lump/goitre, they wanted it out immediately, I never asked why or what 😮 tbh I didn't want to know if it was cancer. Obviously I believed that would be it, massive wound 14 blanket stitches, I looked like Frankenstein. No one warned me that was just the beginning of my thyroid problems.

The weight didn't creep on either, I remember gaining a stone in 10 days, no change to diet, Dr said it wasn't possible.

If I knew then what I know now!

[Batty1 in reply to endomad]

Exactly, I was gaining weight after my thyroidectomy like it was my part-time job and at that time I was still exercising alot but still gaining weight and no idea why and no medical help.

I did developed Psoriatic Arthritis shortly after my thyroidectomy this took almost 2 yrs to get diagnoised and treated and because of this I'm unable to walk or stand for any length of time as you can imagine really destroys your self esteem and your health...doctors don't care.

I have read quite a bit of peoples stories on the net about who were told they were hyper prior to losing thyroid and started gaining weight soon after and then I noticed that people who were diagnoised hypo prior to thyroidectomy (some people on meds and some on NO meds)didn't gain any weight or just a small amount. Women of menopausal age seem to be more affected by this ....I'm just basing all this off of many thyroidectomy horror stories I have read over past 4 yrs.

I believe I was swinging between hyper and hypo prior to cancer diagnoises and thyroidectomy.

[endomad in reply to Batty1]

My friend has P arthritis and she says it is particularly painful. I have my first rheumatologist appt in few weeks. No one has ever been able to explain the pain I get in my legs, I can't stand for long, odd as walking I'm ok but standing hurts.

I was 49 when mine was removed and went straight into menopause, it was like all my hormonal Christmas's came at once! So for me no thyroid, adrenal insufficient and estrogen dominant and not a single Dr private or nhs that knew where to start. Thank goodness for support groups. X

[Batty1 in reply to endomad]

What type of pain in your legs do you have? My PSA attacks any tendons from my feet to my hips ...this is my reason for having trouble standing and walking ....I regret the thyroidectomy everyday.

[endomad in reply to Batty1]

OOOO that doesnt sound good for me then. It started with pain and stiffness in my ankles/achilles, followed by pain in my hips & knees. My feet were so painful i could hardly stand. I get pain in joints, muscles and bones, it ranges from dull nagging ache, burning, sharp and severe. The bone pain scared me as can be a sign of cancer but im clear.

This year has been severe tendon pain, iv had to take strong pain killers every day. Its amazing how much pain you get use to but the tendon pain is nasty. My physio chap says if ordinary tendon or muscle damage it would be healed by now (6 months) i was starting to have a sneaking suspicion that this may be thyroid related as there was no injury before the tendon pain. Iv just had blood tests done for a rheumatology appt in few weeks, hoping that will shed some light on it.

Its always something when your thyroids missing

[Batty1 in reply to endomad]

Sadly it's 100% thyroid related but convincing Endo or GP....well you know the drill.

Good luck make a post with update after your appt.

[Indygo in reply to endomad]

It was the same for me, keto the only thing that worked!

[LivingWithHT in reply to endomad]

I hate going low carb. I’ve done it several times in my life and would always end up being more constipated, frustrated, depressed and annoyed that my weight loss would always hit a plateau very early and I’d still have at least 10 kg of fat and water left to lose.

I know it’s necessary for some people but I don’t at all find it a healthy and sustainable way to live. I’ve recently cut out 80 to 90 percent of gluten from my diet and while I have not lost any weight, I do have less digestive issues. I don’t have celiac disease but I have always had some degree of gluten intolerance.

Honestly, going low carb isn’t really a permanent solution and it never made me stop craving for bread, potato, rice, noodles, etc... Whenever a nutritionist or doctor suggests a low carb lifestyle, it’s because they either don’t really know how to get to the root of the issue or they don’t have the means to prescribe you the right medication(s). An optimally functioning thyroid, metabolism and digestive tract should not have issues digesting carbs. If it does then there’s some underlying reason(s) that needs to be resolved.

*Also, rice and potato are gluten free and yet they are always villainized as two of the main culprits of weight gain but there are people that literally grew up on mostly rice and potatoes and are very slim or stick-thin.

[endomad in reply to LivingWithHT]

I am with you there, I couldnt care less about rice and potatoes but bread i have missed the whole time. I went gluten free long before low carb so i was already abstaining, my tummy, ankles and hands swell with gluten. I am not a big meat eater, i have to have a steak or liver once a week to keep my iron up. I love eggs and mmmm salmon, mackerel, tuna etc realistically its easy for me, coffee with cream in morning, protein smoothy with berries or peanut butter for breakfast, big omelette with cheese and salad for lunch, salmon and veg for dinner, i drink water all day by choice. When hubby is away its easy but when he is home, he fills the cupboards with biscuits, bread, crisps, sweets, chocolate arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh lol

I still get pain and fatigue, the only 2 symptoms iv not yet got rid of, when im like that i want to eat rubbish, i am like a stroppy child, i know i wont feel better for eating crap but i want to.

Low carb is the only thing that worked for me, i cant eat carbs in moderation, its all or nothing for me. Having been super fit and eaten enough for 10 people pre thyroidectomy i feel hard done by. My digestion is so much better since giving up gluten, i make milk kefir 3 times a week for probiotics, before T3 i had hideous IBS I am on 75-100mcg T3 only so i am deff not under medicated. I think age also makes it harder, I am post menopause and nowhere near as active as i was before thyroid removed.

Some people can eat whatever they like and never gain an ounce, I am no longer one of those people

[LivingWithHT in reply to endomad]

I secretly kinda hate those people! (Joking 😄.) But in all seriousness, I do envy them and sometimes fantasize about how much less stressful life would have been with much better genes and having (closer to) optimal health and not having to think twice about what I eat or suffer from digestive issues or worry about how much fat and water retention I put on or need to lose, etc. I have never been the kind to get away with eating whatever I want, I have most of the bad genes that run in my family, including a slow metabolism, poor digestion, low insulin levels and hypothyroidism 😄.

Though, I’m certainly not deluding myself to think that life would be any easier in other departments if I did have much better genes. There will always be problems and issues...can’t beat ‘em all!

[endomad in reply to LivingWithHT]

Sport was another thing i couldnt do in moderation.

My dr actually said to me 'well all those years of extreme sports training and competition what did you expect. You have burnt your thyroid and body out, your joints, ligaments and stamina will never recover' so much for being fit & healthy being good for you! i thought 'cheers then' Of course now we know serious sports people are up to their gills with cortisone injections, ice baths, constant fractures, injuries and often heavy duty pain meds.

So yes i have probably worn my joints out, however on the plus side, my bone density is brilliant and my heart is as strong as an ox, so i can laugh if a dr suggests my huge daily t3 dose will give me frail weak bones.

[LivingWithHT in reply to endomad]

I don’t agree that intense exercise or sports can ruin your thyroid. It can definitely cause damage to joints, bones, muscles, etc but it should not have any direct negative effects on a healthy thyroid gland. It’s usually extreme dieting and starving oneself that eventually damages the thyroid gland and from what you’ve said, it didn’t sound like you were starving yourself back then.

Doctors look for any reason to blame the patient rather than admit they have no idea what brought on the thyroid illness or how to go about treating it.

[Marymary7 in reply to endomad]

Did you experiment with just going gluten free, so you could still enjoy toast if it was gluten free? Just curious. Well done though 😎

[endomad in reply to Marymary7]

I was scrupulously gluten free, it only works if 100% after my thyroid was removed and I got times when I was really miserable and unwell I would eat toast, my fingers, face, ankles tummy all swell up and I spend the whole day on toilet with tummy ache. I am not keen on gluten free products so I just avoid it best I can.