Increased appetite and overeating with thyroid issues

[jenny876]

Ive been experiencing a huge increase in appetite both while hypothyroid and hyperthyroid and really struggle to stop eating when full and not to eat rubbish! Has anyone else experienced this? Any tips for how to cope? I cant exercise because of pain conditions and am putting weight on and struggling to fit into clothes.

[Anthea55]

I've read about this. Described as "the hungries" by Dr Kenneth Blanchard in his book 'The Functional Approach to Hypothyroidism'. Here are quotes from Chapter 2, pages 11 and 12.

'We were all taught to "take thyroid hormones on an empty stomach first thing in the morning and wait one hour before taking any other pills or food." A simple fact clear to any physician is that the majority of patients started on thyroid actually gain weight rather than lose, as is the popular perception. These patients often report food cravings. It occurred to me that these cravings may be related to T4 coming into direct contact with the walls of the stomach. I had such patients take their T4 with food, and most of them have reported that "the hungries are gone". ....

A few such patients require more T4 because of the reduced T4 absorption due to mixing with food, but this effect is surprisingly uncommon.

'A common report from such a patient looking back over a year or so has been "at least I stopped gaining on your regimen."

So can I suggest that you try taking your levo with food and see how you get on.

I have taken levo with food since seeing Dr Peatfield who suggested it to me several years ago. Many others do so as well.

[Mlinde]

Getting overweight is a recognised symptom of hypothroidism (for many anyway) but what's the cause? Could it be lack of energy because of poor conversion of T4 to T3 and lack of energy resulting in hunger and subsequent overeating (of the wrong stuff ie carbohydrates)?

[jenny876 in reply to Mlinde]

Yes, and also low mood/depression associated with thyroid issues certainly makes me want to eat more and sugary/fatty foods too.

[Brightness14]

It's a weird thing but the only time I have put on weight was after my Thyroidectomy I was on Levo for 6 months and put on 10 lbs. I then switched to NDT and my weight went back to normal. I have never been overweight in my 77 years. I can remember always feeling hungry and snacking. I always make notes regarding my BP medication etc.etc. I don't know the reason perhaps someone will come along with the answer for you.

[Mlinde in reply to Brightness14]

Yeah, try and get NDT on the NHS!!!

[Brightness14 in reply to Mlinde]

I don't I buy Thyroid s from Thailand, anyway I live in France. The price works out at around £20 per month so not to expensive.

[Mlinde in reply to Brightness14]

The real problem, aside from cost, is calculating dosage, as for me, it looks like a mix of T4 and NDT would be best as I can't go to my GP and ask.

[Brightness14 in reply to Mlinde]

If you took 1 NDT and didn't convert it would give you t4 - 39 and T3 - 9. You would have to try it first and see. Your FT3 is too low that's why you feel unwell. Mine has to be 6 plus to feel good. The mix is hard to workout. You would have to start on 1/2 and after 10 days try 1/2 first thing and 1/2 early afternoon. Maybe take your Levo at night. Can't you get T3 on the NHS and add it in.

[Mlinde in reply to Brightness14]

I've kinda given up on this I'm afraid, you can't get blood out of a stone.

[Brightness14]

How is your FT3 level it's best at it's highest in range that helps. Even when my FT3 is above the top level I feel good. It could be the solution, only a thought.

[Brightness14]

I checked you profile and saw your results for FT3 were only 4 something. This needs to be over 6 to feel well and improve. Solution, well I tried?

[Hidden]

This sounds familiar to me. In my case, I think it’s just greed particularly when I feel severely anxious.

It’s said that Leptin resistance or insulin resistance can cause unsatiated hunger but research in this is mixed.

Being hyperthyroid increases the metabolism and causes increased hunger but this is usually offset by weight loss

Hypothyroidism causes me to eat more because my body is seeking additional energy.

[arTistapple in reply to Hidden]

“Hypothyroidism causes me to eat more because my body is seeking additional energy”. That is exactly what I discovered going on levo. My appetite immediately reduced. However no change to weight to speak of. Damn.

[CernCrystal]

Hi Jenny - your low mood and hunger plus lack of excercise resonate with my experience. I had a break through by avoiding as many carbs as I can and replacing with fattier foods. I rarely crave food now or feel over hungry and to my surprise the weight is dripping off, which I didn't expect given how little exercise I take and how much I eat. The carbs made me tired and irritable and definitely fed my low mood. Last September I was 86K and now I'm 77. Brain fog has gone too. I have supplemented vitamins and helped my stomach acid but recently did a test as spent time with relatives - ate the carbs - and was shocked at the change. I miss certain meals but really prefer the new me. Also - it has drastically reduced the emissions from the other end and IBS so I'm far more pleasant to have around! Hope this helps. Sarah Happy to share some of the diet changes etc if it could help.

[Regenallotment in reply to CernCrystal]

I was going to suggest the same, pile on the good fats, it’s astonishing how well it works, avocado with sardines, hemp seed and olive oils etc. nuts for snacks.

I think it can be a blood sugar thing, I’m a few days into the Zoe nutrition program and was amazed how hungry i became in the high sugar test muffins they give you, massive spike in blood sugar, massive dip and grumbling tummy.

I found Izabella Wentz 90 day Autoimmune diet a nice starting point, I didn’t follow all of it as it’s a bit pricey and the portions lead to some waste but the general idea is easy to pick up. 🌱

[CernCrystal in reply to Regenallotment]

Love Avocado, it is my go to - packed full of great minerals and vitamins. Make my own kimchi now and have a small amount each day. My favourite no carb meal at mo is scrambled egg (butter and cream) with smoked salmon. Keeps me full for hours and is sooo tasty, but the next day I have to have coleslaw (lots of roughage - various cabbages, carrot, onion) with nuts/seeds/grated cheese and bacon/onion bits to compensate for the effect of the eggs. First thing in the morning after my first tea, I have a strong latte made with a little double cream. This really helps with my lack of appetite in the morning and keeps me going to lunch time.

[Regenallotment in reply to CernCrystal]

This sounds delicious! We are all on our way round to yours 🤣

[CernCrystal]

PS forgot to add that I had wonderful support from women on here and all my changes were based on suggestions given. It is a journey, a personal one and different for each person, and some suggestions work better than others. Diet was the last one I wanted to address but actually had the most impact.