hi, I’m a 51 year old woman, I was diagnosed with an under active thyroid 4 years ago. I was a very happy & healthy size 10/12 & within a few months I shot up to a size 16! Nothing I do seems to help to loose the weight, I’ve tried exercising to within an inch of my life & still nothing. I’ve invested in a treadmill & I have been doing 10 miles a day for 7 weeks so far & still nothing! My duet is healthy, plenty of fruit & veg etc, no dr every gives me help or advice instead gives me the number for weight watchers. It’s very soul destroying seeing as i was always a good weight & size all my life until I was 47. Can anyone offer any help.
thanks xx
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Welcome to the forum. To be able to help, we need more information. What thyroid medication are you currently taking? And what were your most recent thyroid test results?
Its very common that GPs just give us the minimal amount of Levothyroxine as they are afraid of us having too much. The result is that we can't lose weight and have no energy + a host of other symptoms.
GPs get little training in hypothyroidism and certainly don't know how to make us feel well. It's really now up to you to learn a little and educate your GP and to push for increases.
The other thing that GP's are not aware of is the low stomach acid that hypo people get. We cannot absorb vitamins well from our food, regardless of a great diet. For thyroid hormone to work well we need OPTIMAL levels of vitamins. Have you recently or could you ask your GP to test levels of ferritin, folate, B12 & D3? Private tests are available, see link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost. thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...
There is also a new company offering walk in & mail order blood tests in Crawley, Hove and Reigate areas. No charge for blood draw in clinic. Check to see if there is a blood test company near you. onedaytests.com/products/ul...
Only do private postal testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.
Do you have a copy of your latest blood results that you can share with us? You are legally entitled to a printed copy of your results, ask at GP reception. In England you can get the NHS app and ask for permission to see your blood results on that by asking at GP’s reception.
It's ideal if you can always get the same brand of levo at every prescription. You can do this by getting GP to write the brand you prefer in the first line of the prescription. Many people find that different brands are not interchangeable.
Do you know if you had positive thyroid antibodies? Many with autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's benefit from a gluten free diet. A smaller percentage of those also need to remove dairy from their diet to feel well. These are intolerances and will not show up on any blood test. It’s worth trialling a strictly gluten free diet to see if it helps symptoms.
Recommended blood test protocol: Test at 9am (or as close as possible), fasting, last levo dose 24hrs before the blood draw, last T3 dose 8-12 hours before blood draw & no biotin containing supplements for 3-7 days (Biotin can interfere with thyroid blood results as it is used in the testing process)? Testing like this gives consistency in your results and will show stable blood levels of hormone and highest TSH which varies throughout the day. Taking Levo/T3 just prior to blood draw can show a falsly elevated result and your GP/Endo might change your dose incorrectly as a result.
So that's why I was instructed not to take my supplements or vitamins three days prior to having a blood panel done. I also was not aware to stop dairy. There I have a problem as our household mainly eats dairy and bread and meat. I can hardly chew raw or steamed vegetables due to my old dentures. I can't get new ones until 2025. That is the state's stand on that. So now what do I do? I just have to eat what I can or starve. Those are my only two options, at this point.
Not everybody needs to give up dairy, it's just that some people feel better if they do. Same goes for gluten. It's worth a try to see if it helps, but it's not obligatory. I tried all sorts to try and feel better: gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, sugar-free... The only one that helps is being soy-free. We're all different in the ways we react to things.
We certainly are all different. Dairy is a mainstay of my life - double cream in coffee, cheeses, yogurt - no problem! No issue with weight ONCE I discovered HOW to lose and maintain... NO doctor ever been able to advise. I think my 'Eating Plan' is on my list of posts.
I am sorry to hear about the problems you are having with your old dentures. Sounds frustrating and disheartening. Just a quick thought regarding raw vegetables... I am wondering, maybe I am way out to lunch, but might a food processor (one of those mixer type electric appliances with blades to cut food up) chop vegatables up to the point that allows you to eat them? For example, when you see salads with strings of carrots, I think those carrots are cut to that state with food processors. Again, just a thought; sorry if I am missing something and it's a bad idea.
Actually, there are packages of chopped up vegetables that I tried. I ended up being sick from that. Your idea isn't a bad one. It just didn't work for me. Thanks for trying to help. Although, maybe if I put it with juice so it is liquid? Something to think about. But I've seen where folks don't have problems with dairy or gluten. I think I'm in that category as it's a lot of my diet.
Factory-processed veg can often be subject to food safety recalls (I think I remember due to salmonella?) - lots of cases in the US I believe - so don't rule out a DIY approach if it's feasible!
I only had one dr. test mine years ago. This was before I was diagnosed. She found out I had Scurvy and put me on a Vitamin C drink. She also found out I had Vitamin B12, B6 and D deficiency. I was also anemic. She told me I was the most emaciated 64 year old woman she had ever seen. She was also the one, who discovered I had gall bladder problems when I gained weight super fast, even though I hardly had any symptoms of it. She was that good. We patients knew to plan on spending 45 minutes with her. The only thing I didn't like about her was her insistence on me taking a Pneumonia shot and she wouldn't let me leave.
Wouldn't you know, two years later, the clinic asked her to leave. She went somewhere where they don't take my insurance. I found an Endocrinoligist, who prescribes my Armour. My first doctor started me on it because I couldn't take the synthetic meds. They, literally, made me sick.
I thought my weight gain was all about thyroid and that when I got the medication right, it would somehow melt away. Wrong. What I have since learned is that hypothyroidism affects glucose and lipid metabolism as does being fat in the abdominals. Even though I think my medication is now as right as it will ever be, I am still fat because I’ve developed glucose problems. I was hovering in the prediabetic range and having hypoglycaemic crashes, which means too much insulin. Insulin makes you fat. Fat makes you process glucose badly. A vicious circle
Low thyroid function impacts all processes and we have to be alert to other related endocrine problems
So I am doing intermittent fasting and low carb and eating tons of veggies and food sequencing to reduce glucose spikes and insulin. Food sequencing means you eat veggies first, then proteins and only after that carbs. This reduces the glucose spike. I recommend ‘Jessie inchaussie, ‘glucose revolution’ and Jason Fung, on obesity or diabetes, either book
I’ve lost 5k in five weeks. I doubt I will sustain that rate but it’s a start and I’m optimistic. I’m also doing a lot of exercise, when not plagued by insomnia. I’ve started hill walking again. Went up great gable last weekend. That would have been Impossible a year ago.
It is very common for people with thyroid disease to have low iron and/or ferritin (iron stores). If this applies to you, then you might like this thread :
Well you will certainly get straight answers from this forum - once we have the relevant information - namely a full thyroid blood test - results and ranges - to include TSH, Free T3, Free T4, inflammation, antibodies and ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D .
There are private blood test companies listed on the Thyroid UK website - who are the charity who support this amazing forum. thyroiduk.org
Once with the results you simply start a new question with the readings and ranges and you will then be given considered opinion on your next best steps back to better health.
The thyroid is a major gland responsible for full body synchronisation including your physical, mental, emotional, psychological and spiritual well being, your inner central heating system and your metabolism.
Dieting and exercise are all very well and good in moderation -
when your thyroid works well -
but can negatively impact and down regulate further your ability to convert T4 into T3 when you are hypothyroid.
No thyroid hormone replacement works well until ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D are up and maintained at optimal levels and any physiological stress ( emotional or physical ) inflammation, depression, ageing or dieting will down regulate your thyroid further.
I see you have already been advised on the protocol for taking bloods so I look forward to your next step and know you will get the right answers, as have many before you. including me.
”The thyroid is a major gland responsible for full body synchronisation including your physical, mental, emotional, psychological and spiritual well being, your inner central heating system and your metabolism.”
I would just like to applaud you pennyannie for that truly brilliant description. If only our medics could understand the ‘wholeness’ of that description rather than antidepressants for ……. etc etc. A succinct reminder of what we deal with every day.
I put on over 4st and there was no way I could shift it. I was in a mess eventually. After a long period of illness with my Hashimotos I found I was a very poor converter of T4 levothyroxine to the most important T3 hormone. With low T3 your metabolism sinks and there’s no way you’ll lose weight as your thyroid is struggling. Get you T4, T3 and TSH tested. Check by posting results on here as to how much you are converting to T3 or not converting. There’s a calculation that can be quickly done. If you’re T3 is low you may need T3 medication. I was thinking privately prescribed T3. Oh boy what a huge change to just about everything in my body. I lost over 4st without even trying. All I did was walk briskly each day now that I had the energy to do so. My metabolic rate was now functioning also. The weight has stayed off expect for half a stone. I do feel so energised now and don’t want to snack as I’ve always got energy. My issue was down to too low T3. I also had my vitamins checked, low b12 and low ferritin. I’m now on regular medication for them.
The only time I have put on weight was after my thyroidectomy back in 2015. I was put on 100mcg Levo for 8 months and put on 10 lbs. The 100 Levo was to low for me. As soon as I was on the correct amount of medication I lost the 10 lbs, that was seven years ago. If my FT3 is high enough I never put on weight or lose it. I am 140lbs. and 5ft 8 inches tall. Size 12.
I'd suggest T3 is key to your problem....and medics are pretty hopeless at dealing with this.
Been there...
Why?
Every cell in the body needs to be flooded with T3....it is the active thyroid hormone and is required in a constant and adequate supply.
BUT...to become active it must reach the nuclei of the cells and attach to T3 receptors. Thankfully for most people the body copes with this.....mine didn't!!
Low cellular T3 = poor health/ numerous symptoms. These includes weight gain.
Thyroid weight gain is unlike other weight gain....diet and exercise have minimum impact.
Why?
The body's metabolism is negatively affected by low thyroid hormone levels/ T3.
It regulates the rate at which the body uses calories...the metabolic rate, If thyroid hormone level is low the metabolic rate will in turn be low and weight gain results because calories are not being adequately " burned off". The heart rate will most likely be slow.
I lost roughly 2 stone after raised cellular T3 increased my metabolic rate
Sadly my younger son is now coping with this problem too.
Why might T3 be low?
T4 is the " storage" hormone and is inactive...it is converted to T3 in various tissues in the body eg the liver,
It is measured in the blood as FreeT3 ( FT3) and for good health needs to be sitting at roughly 75% through the given reference range. Clearly we are all different but much less than this is inevitably insufficient
T4 to T3 conversion needs to be supported by optimal levels of vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin.
Some people have a faulty gene...Dio2...which can impair conversion. More so if the variant is inherited from both parents. In this case medicating with a combination of T4 and T3 helps.
Bottom line....first you need a full thyroid test to include....
TSH, FT4, FT3, vit D, vit B12, folate, ferritin and thyroid antibodies TPO and Tg which test for thyroid autoimmune disease/; Hashimoti's
Testing can be done privately, there are discounts for TUK members
thank you all so much for your comments, it is actually giving me some hope, I will be looking into all the advice asap. I did have my thyroid results on the patient access site but unfortunately the site is down at the moment so I will be contacting my GP surgery & go from there. Thank you again xx
Ask for a printed copy as mistakes can happen when having to hear, understand and write down what is being said - at both ends of the telephone conversation.
hi, I just wanted to add that given your age it’s likely that plummeting oestrogen levels are also contributing toweight gain - so HRT if you’re not already on it may also be part of the puzzle. I’m the same age and all my friends are gaining weight regardless of their thyroid status!
Low estrogen levels can reduce thyroglobulin which can reduce thyroid function, the consequent reduced thyroid hormone/T3 can reduce metabolism/ metabolic rate which can cause weight gain.
Back to low cellular T3!
Your original post showed low FT3....has this level increased?
thank you for your response, yes I gather the menopause is a contributing factor however all my weight gain happened 4 years ago & has stayed the same since then, I am now on HRT plus progesterone tablets which I’ve been on for nearly a year & my weight has stayed the same. Xx
There are ways to lose weight. I was in your position from 2003, first signs of hypothyroidism [long ignored, despite even their inadequate figures confirming], being palpitations. Long story short, Dr S with Armour and then Dr P, eventually T3 only got me on the right track. BUT nothing re weight loss, doing so much resistance training/fast walking-sprinting/ Pilates = you name it, I did it and with an exemplary diet. NOTHING CHANGED.
2015-16 - some success with weight loss - but, as for many, it all came back + more. Feb 2021 - I changed everything and it's still off. It should be on my posts, not far from the top. Best to you - I KNOW how it feels - with people refusing to accept that you're not doing the 'wrong' things.
hi Linda, I’ve now read a lot of your posts but can’t find your account in 2001 of your successful changes that led to good weight control. I’m guessing it’s doctor Fung related but would love to read your experience of it.
Hi there - goodness knows where it is I'll hunt it out and post it - it works, for sure. Just pasted it instead
EATING HABITS - this is NOT a diet = a way of life, so needs to be sustainable for the long haul.
From 6 Feb – 30 September+ 2021 – through to 2022 and beyond.
Every day – (obviously) water
9.30 Morning – ½ small lemon, squeezed in hot-cooled water
10.30 Large cup of not too weak coffee with cream + sprinkle of cinnamon
Daily: Pukka Herbal Teas – not strong, well-watered down – few drinkies at all now, only at celebrations!
Intermittent Fasting 19:5 (by the time I’ve eaten, it’s kind of 18:6 + I’ve slackened off a little) CHOOSE YOUR TIME??
Rare but Extended Fasts of 24/36/42 hrs to maintain, when needed (only done 3!): I’m not for longer ones but health is paramount.
MEAL 1
14.00 Smoothie = celery/cucumber/pureed ginger + ½ lemon, ½ lime added to mix = made up in 3-day batches and kept in fridge.
14.30 Soup = used to be Chicken Slim-a-Soup [they’re preservative free] – stopped stocking, so a good compromise: (been back in stock but not always). So make own:
1/3 Knorr Chick/Veg/? Stock Cube + ½ tsp Thai Green Curry Paste + ½ tsp Pesto? + tiny squirt garlic puree + ½+ tspn coconut milk powder + pinch smoked/Italian herbs – good substitute to making soup.
PhD Smart Whey Protein, Choc Brownie or Salted Caramel, made in Ice Pops/(mini-lollies egg-bites) with water and Greek Fat Free Yog [used to have full fat!]
2. 80+% kebab [1 chicken + 1 lamb with added herbs + onion/green chilli/garlic/various spices Costco - stopped making now], each one wrapped in a Romaine lettuce leaf + slice Leerdammer lower fat cheese, halved for each wrap
3. Peppered smoked salmon or mackerel – x2 wrapped in a lettuce leaf with yog + walnuts/pecans
4. Chicken [breast] with ‘courgetti’ made in small amount of tomato sauce + mushrs/green peppers
5. ‘Good’ minced beef in tomato, mushroom, peppers, aubergine {all chopped, obviously), sauce with ‘cauliflower rice’ or potato skins [ONLY skins – done in air fryer]
6. Roasted Brussel Sprouts with garlic mushrooms/lemon rind + parmesan + either chicken/protein
7. Thai Green (or variation) Curry with chicken (or fish or a substitute) + lots of suitable veggies.
May seem mundane = it’s totally fine - no problem at all – way better than obesity [Fatty Liver] and T2D!
Give it a go - remember TIMING is the key. Best of xox
Sounds good - IF works - period. I love that smoothie = cucumber and celery + ginger + lemon and lime is so tasty. Good to hear you're getting along with it. Very best to you. xox
hi again, in response to all your recent replies to my post I have requested my most recent thyroid test results, this is what was printed out for me: serum TSH level (XaELV) result : 2 miu/L [0.27 -4.2] serum TSH level converted from 2 mu/L
I have no idea what any of this means & hope you can all help me again. I have made an appointment to see my GP but as usual have to wait 4 weeks 🙄 thank you all again in advance xx
TSH is 'Thyroid Stimulating Hormone' ..... when thyroid hormone levels (T4 /T3) are low, the TSH rises .
and when thyroid hormone levels are high , the TSH falls .
TSH of 2 suggests there is room to increase your dose of Levo if you still have symptoms of hypothyroidism ... this will raise your fT4 a bit , and as a result, lower your TSH a bit .
.... to get a full picture it is better to test TSH and fT4 (and preferably fT3 but you would have to test that privately , NHS won't usually do it)
This post will help you understand why TSH 2 may still be too high for you : healthunlocked.com/thyroidu... he-shoe-size-analogy.
if you think a dose increase would help your symptoms but GP says 'you don't need one because your TSH is within the reference range' , the recommendations on this post can be helpful , show them to your GP.... they all advise GP's to keep patients TSH towards the lower end of the range . not just 'anywhere within range' healthunlocked.com/thyroidu.... my-list-of-references-recommending-gps-keep-tsh-lower-in-range-
i will send an 'alert' some of the people who replied to you earlier so they can advise about testing for anything your doctor won't .. other wise they may not see your latest reply ... to alert someone that you have replied to them you need to use the reply box that is directly underneath their comment.
No worries - a new piece of information generally means you need to start a new question as this forum gets very busy and we try and answer as fully as possible all posts/questions within around a 24 hour window .
So, for any updates s you either need to write to someone specifically and see their name come up as you write to them, and then they are notified they have a message waiting - or for a wider pool of replies, just start a new post/question as we can all look back and see your previous post and where we are up to with helping you get straight answers.
If you want to find your previous information you simply press on the icon alongside your name and you are taken to your Profile Page - or you can press on the icon top right on this page saying More :
Similarly if you want to read about anybody who is replying to you - simply press on their icon alongside their reply to you and read everything they have ever written on this forum.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
I'll hunt it out and post it - it works, for sure. Just pasted it instead 
Levothyroxine - does a low dose contribute to weight gain 
Am I hypothyroid?
Unable to get out of hypothyroid state no matter what!
GP visit and conversation on T3 advice needed.
