Possible cause of weight gain

[Fifteen]

Best wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Sudden weight gain. I am on Levothyroxine 125mcg (Eltroxin) and Thybon Henning 15mcg. My weight gradually increased by about 3 kilos over 3 years but has suddenly increased by 3 kilos in the last two months.

I had increased my levothyroxine to 150 mcg as my result was just under midpoint. Could that have caused the increase?

My diet has not changed. I have been gluten and dairy free for about 30 years.

My cardiologist told me to lose 4 kilos by the end of January - I saw him mid December.

Second question. Does anyone who is over 65 take NDT?

My latest results are from 29/07: TSH <0.01, FT3 4.4 (2.4 - 6.0), FT4 14.2 (9 - 23).

[fuchsia-pink]

Hi Fifteen

I don't think I could lose weight with such a low free T3 ... free T3 is only 55% through range (and free T4 even lower at only 37%). I need my hormones higher than this to lose weight. Are your vitamin levels good?

Beyond this, (a) don't try diet shakes - these contain soy which you should avoid if you are hypo; (b) don't try and extreme low-calories diet - apart from the fact that these never work longer-term, you need a certain number of calories to convert T4 to T3 (c) various people here have fond the 5:2 or IF (intermittent fasting) works well.

I lost an easy stone on 5:2 - then nothing. I don't tend to lose on IF but it keeps my weight stable, pretty well regardless of what I eat, which is half the battle. On my version, I just have hot water until mid-day and try not to eat after 7pm. I find it easy to do, and have done it for more than 3 years, so it's a permanent way of life. And cut out fizzy drinks, late-night snacking and too many treats (so that your body get used to them and they're not "special" any more) - they don't add anything nutritionally and you can really load up on "bad calories" without properly noticing.

Good luck x

[Fifteen in reply to fuchsia-pink]

Thanks for your reply and understanding. As I was listing fuller details in a response to Slow Dragon I realised my levels have dropped in the last year and I have very low levels of folate. Perhaps that is causing the weight problem.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

results are from 29/07:

TSH <0.01,

FT3 4.4 (2.4 - 6.0),

FT4 14.2 (9 - 23).

How do you typically take your T3 ….as 3 x 5mcg spread through the day?

Always test as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Day before test always split T3 into 3 smaller doses and take last 5mcg dose approx 8-12 hours before test

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested

[Fifteen in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for your reply.

I take my T3 in 3 x 5mcg doses morning, afternoon and night and follow the guidelines for spacing from food and drink.

I have looked through my results and now list all that I have for the last 12 months approx:

9th December 2020:

TSH <0.01; FT3 5.3 (2.5 - 5.7); FT4 15.5 (9.0 - 23.0);

Vit D 117 (70.0-150.0); Ferritin 113 (20.0 - 300.0)

NHS results 29 July 2021:

TSH <0.01; FT 3 4.4 (2.4 - 6.0); FT4 14.2 (9.0 - 23.0)

Blue Horizon Results [Same blood draw as NHS above] 29 July 2021:

TSH <0.005; FT3 4.85 (3.1 - 6.8); FT4 21.3 (12.0 - 22.0) an inexplicable difference?

Vit D 143 (76 - 200); Ferritin 116.0 (13.0 -150.0); Magnesium 0.96 (0.66 - 0.99);

Cortisol 382.0 (166 - 507); Vit B12 488 (145 - 569); Serum Folate 13.6 (8.83 - 60.8)

As I look at this, I can see that my FT3 has fallen, as has my FT4 - but is this enough to make a difference?

How important is the low Serum Folate?

I cannot understand the different FT4 readings from the same blood draw. Blue Horizon's response? The FT4 reading is unreliable when one is taking T3. And the TSH is what is important - with the usual warnings about a low TSH.

Advice and recommendations will be most welcome

[Fifteen in reply to Fifteen]

Do you see anything in these results that I should have checked? I assume I need to do something about my folate levels.

[Fifteen in reply to SlowDragon]

One other question. I have been cutting a 100 mcg tablet up to get my dose. Is this a problem?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Fifteen]

Should be absolutely fine ….provided you pick up any crumbs with damp finger

[Fifteen in reply to SlowDragon]

By the way, since I first received this advice about testing procedures I have always followed it.

[Alejandrita17]

I think weight issues are multifactorial. Not just Thyroid related. See My case, for example: My t3 is just 2, 58 (2-4,2), I eat a LOT and stay completely thin. My height is 1,70 and my weight 52 Kg. Genetic issues, vitamin levels, age, Thyroid, life style, diet, gut issues, and so on can all have their influence.

In the end, it's just simple math: if You gain weight you are consuming more than your body needs to function.

[Fifteen in reply to Alejandrita17]

Sorry, I cannot agree. You are one of those fortunate people whose weight is stable. I have a friend with a weight history similar to yours - an ex-model. She does not believe the thyroid can cause weight and energy problems.

[Alejandrita17 in reply to Fifteen]

Fortunately, I have never had weight or energy problems, and i'm hypothyroid with low t3. That is the proof that everyone is different. My main symptoms are muscle and neuro related (such as pins and needles and paresthesias that come and go). Nevertheless, a LOT of fat people have normal Thyroids, and then there's people like me and many others, who have a stable weight with Thyroid problems.

I think that estrogens, microbiota, SIBO, genes, diet and lifestyle can play a role altogether. If t3 was the only one to blame, they would treat obese people with T3 and problem solved worldwide. Maybe they don't do it because weight problems are not that simple.

[Astridnova]

I take NDT and I will turn 70 next year. My mother took it in her 90s.

[Astridnova]

I lost over 2 stone by doing 15 minutes Hasfit 'weight training for seniors' on youtube, daily, walking for an hour, plus looking up calories for my height and lifestyle and how much I should consume to lose x amount per week. I was already doing low carb food, but stuffing in nuts and cheese. I also took photos of myself in a bathing suit - about a hundred of them - and despite taking them from every angle and in every light - none of them lied. That motivated me to stick to the diet and that was around November 2019, and I have kept it off so far, maintaining low carb, weights most days and walks most days. I am healthier and slimmer than I was at 45.

[Astridnova]

Oh, and one other thing that helped me lose weight - I stopped eating regular evening meals with my partner. I just don't need three full meals a day.

[Fifteen in reply to Astridnova]

Thank you for your replies. Would you private message me with information about where you buy your NDT, the cost, and whether or not you need a prescription.

[Fifteen in reply to Astridnova]

Yes, I learned this a few years ago. It used to work for me, but not in the last few months. I also try to walk for about an hour most days and have bought some weights (yet to be used). My present rapid weight gain is most unusual.I am wondering if I have been grossly undermedicating. To obtain 50mcg of levothyroxine I have been cutting a 100mcg tablet in half. Perhaps that affects its efficacy.

[Batty1]

Are you a female and menopausal or starting menopause? This definitely could be a reason for weight gain and quick especially when you hormones drop. I believe this is one reason for my weight gain after thyroidectomy I was already menopausal from hysterectomy and then to lose my thyroid it was a train wreck.

[Fifteen in reply to Batty1]

You have had a difficult time. My menopause occurred some years ago - I think I was already hypothyroid though doctors said I was borderline. I was overweight in those days but my weight dropped to be within recommended levels with medication, especially NDT.This sudden increase is a new experience. I only eat freshly cooked food, never prepared food. I enjoy vegetables and fruit every day, drink red wine but not all those sweet drinks others warn against. There has to be a solution.

[Batty1 in reply to Fifteen]

I also developed a horrible psoriatic arthritis soon after the thyroidectomy that has left me absolutely devastated and along with drugs to combat PSA, being thyroid-less and female horme-less it’s certainly hasn’t been and easy ride.

[Fifteen in reply to Batty1]

That sounds awful. I hope you are able to get some relief from these very difficult conditions.

[Soof007]

hello Fifteen, i just read your post as I was searching for help with weight loss. Did you find a solution for yours?

[Fifteen]

Hello Soof007, my weight has settled down again thankfully.

I have always eaten plenty of fresh vegetables and good quality protein. What I worked out that I was unknowingly eating a lot of carbohydrates - gluten free oat muesli and such products.

I found lists of carbohydrate measures on the internet and did the calculations. I cut right back to about 50gm daily for a few weeks. I was surprised at the carbohydrate content of foods, eg oatcakes. I am probably eating closer to 100mg now on occasion.

As someone else mentioned, I was eating too many nuts - I love pecans. Nuts are very heavy in calories.I still have them, but in very small amounts.

Hope this is helpful.