gaining weight not sure why need advice

[Sealsharp1952]

i have Hashimotos am in my 70s and my tests are fine but even though i am vegan and trying hard to eat right i am gaining weight and especially in my stomach and hios has anyone had this issue and if so what have you done to help lose. I am a female. Can stress keep weight on? Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator]

what thyroid hormones are you currently taking

Please add

TSH, FT4 and FT3 results and ranges

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

What vitamin supplements are you taking

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease

And especially as we get older

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

If On T3 - day before test split T3 as 2 or 3 smaller doses spread through the day with last dose 8-12 hours before test

[greygoose]

How would being vegan make you lose weight? It's not meat that makes you fat. And if you're hypo it's not even food that makes you put on weight. It's low metabolism and water-retention.

Most hypos put on weight, it's part of the disease. Being adequately replaced with thyroid hormone replacement goes a long way to help you lose that weight. But even so, it can be a struggle. Who said your blood tests were 'fine'? Sounds like a doctor's opinion. But, depends what they tested. Do you have copies of your blood test results?

[marlyn123]

Find a carbohydrate calculator online to see if you are having too many carbs. It was a wake-up call for me and helped when I lowered them and started eating more whole foods.

[thyr01d]

Hi Sealsharp, I'm vegan too and gain weight when not properly medicated. Since you mention stomach and hips, although this may be uncommon, I find oestrogen puts fat on stomach and hips which for me responds to exercise in the morning - a Michael Moseley tip for stomachs. I walk my darling but rather naughty for at least 2 hours every morning however I couldn't have done anything like this when undermedicated. If this doesn't help I hope you find the answer.