Hypothyroidism but weight loss and high cholesterol

[ChoH]

Anyone else suffering from hypothyroidism but hasn’t gained any weight ? In my case I have hypothyroidism but I struggle to gain weight, I’ve always generally been a small built person but one of the typical symptoms of hypothyroidism is weight gain and I haven’t put on any weight. My symptoms have been hair loss, brittle nails, issues with my menstrual cycle and now recently my cholesterol levels have been going up. My dr told me to eat more but also it’s stressful to eat more of certain foods because I’m concerned that my cholesterol levels will rise. Any advice ?

[greygoose]

Two things here:

First of all, this is a typical doctor-misunderstanding that everyone with hypothyroidism has to have the same symptoms. They don't. There are over 350 known symptoms of hypothyroidism, and everyone has their own personal symptom list. No way do all hypos put on weight. Some lose weight, some stay as they are. But, either way, it probably has nothing to do with what you eat - which is another misunderstanding!

Secondly, cholesterol levels have nothing to do with what you eat, either. Cholesterol is made in the liver. The liver tries to keep cholesterol levels on an even keel, so the more you consume, the less it makes. The less you consume, the more it makes. But, when the thyroid hormone T3 is too low, the body cannot process and eliminate cholesterol correctly. So, the cholesterol tends to build up in the blood. Raise the FT3 levels and the cholesterol levels will go down.

So, don't worry about what you eat. Eat what you can, when you can. But, best to keep an eye on nutrient levels. Ask your doctor to test your vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin, and if they are sub-optimal, supplement accordingly - just pop the results and ranges on here and you'll get lots of help with that. Nutrients need to be optimal for your body to get the most out of the thyroid hormone you're taking.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

We are all different ChoH.I have Hashimotos and my symptoms have been quite varied; I experienced tremor, weight loss & palpitations, which reduced when thyroid meds & key vitamins became more optimal. I also have thyroid eye disease with an under active thyroid, whereas most (but not all) with this condition have Graves. Some of us seem to get a variety of symptoms on our thyroid journey!

Very best wishes to you.

[ChoH]

I did have some blood tests done recently on the 2nd June 2021.

My results are as follows :

- vitamin B12 : 762 pmol/L (145 - 569)

-serum folate : 30.5 mmol/L (8.8 - 60.3)

- Vitamin D : 34ng/mL (sufficiency = >20ng/mL

- MCHC : 32.2L (32.7 - 34.9

-MPV : 12.1 H (7.3 - 11.3)

-triglycerides: 0.95mmol/L (optimal = <1.7 mmol/L)

-HDL : 2.02 mmol/L (optimal = >1.2 mmol/L)

-LDL : 2.70mmol/L (optimal = <3.0 mmol/L)

- Total cholesterol : 5.5 mmol/L (<5.0 mmol/L)

- TSH : 0.78 mIU/L (0.27 - 4.20)

- free T4 : 20.0 pmol/L (12.0 - 22.0)

-thyroglobulin : 18.7 ug/L (3.5 - 77.0)

- Anti-thyroglobulin Ab : 214 H U/mL (<115)

Initially when I was diagnosed with a thyroid problem which was in October 2018 my results were :

-TSH : 8.27 uIU/mL (0.35 - 4.94)

-FT4 : 9.5 pmol/L (9.0 - 19.0)

-S-Iron : 21.4 umol/L (9.0 - 30.4)

-S-Ferritin : 34 ng/mL (15 - 160)

-triglycerides: 0.7 mmol/L (<1.7)

-HDL: 1.8mmol/L (>1.2)

-LDL: 2.6mmol/L (<3.0)

-total cholesterol: 4.7mmol/L (<5.0)

I was started on Euthyrox 0.05mg and 1.0mg on alternative days. I was on this treatment for one year (2019 - 2020) my TSH levels then became too low (0.02 mIU/L (0.27 - 4.20)) and free T4 became high (free T4: 26.8 pmol/L (12.0 - 22.0). I was then changed to Euthyrox 0.025mg from January to April and on 7th April I went for bloods again. My TSH became too high (11.97 mIU/L (0.27 - 4.20)) and free T4 was within normal range (free T4 : 14.3 pmol/L (12.0 -22.0)). I was then switched to Euthyrox 0.05mg which I have been taking since April till now in June.

My TSH and free are within the normal range as shown above in my first paragraph. My thyroid antibodies are high, my total cholesterol level is high. My vitamins are within normal range. My symptoms of my thyroid issues are :

-hair loss

-brittle nails

-feeling cold

-menstrual issues (absence of period or light bleeding)

-feeling cold

-loss of weight

-high cholesterol

-occasionally muscle pains

-stomach sensitivity : pain and bloating (sensitivity to milk, cream and spicy food)

My current medications that I take are :

- Euthyrox : 0.05mg

- Minesse (oral contraceptive)

- gastrochoice probiotic

-multivitamin

-Omegq 3,6,9 (flaxseed brand)

I have tried to give a full picture of my thyroid issues and health. I need help to try to get things under control especially all the symptoms and the high cholesterol.

The dr has told me to continue with 0.05mg Euthyrox and to go for bloods again in July.

At the moment I am not sure if the Euthyrox dose that I am on is the best dose for me. And also not sure how to deal with the other problems. I’ve been trying to do some research on what health changes I can makes or what natural products I can use to help my cholesterol and thyroid issues and for my hair loss, but I am also afraid to mix natural products with my current medication, any advice on that as well ?