I cannot lose weight. I managed fine for years on Adkins diet then suddenly, in 2000 or so I started gaining wight from 120lbs. to 185 lbs!

[leesmith]

For years I managed my weight fine with Adkins diet (low carb). Sometime around 2000 my general practitioner discovered I was hypothyroid & prescribed Levo (don't remember the amount). I was doing fine, but suddenly, in 2016 I began gaining weight for no reason at all!!! I am now up to 185 lbs.!! I moved & went to see an endocrinologist who raised my Levo to 175 mcg. I have never taken T3 but have read that without it, my hypothyroidism will continue. Also, I want to mention that my mom took thyroid meds (Levo I think) also. She has since passed from heart problems (blocked carotid artery). I am afraid this extra weight will wind up killing me!!! Help!! Do I need T3?

[Hidden]

Nobody can tell you if you need T3 without recent lab results with reference ranges.

Isn´t Atkins a low carb diet? Low carb diets are often not recommended for hypos as the body needs carbs to adequately convert T4 to T3.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Very low carb can reduce conversion of Ft4 to Ft3

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once

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

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

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

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

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)

[leesmith in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you SO much for the reply. I was tested a second time & that's when Levo was elevated from 100 mcg to 175 mcg. My weight hasn't gone down. I'm off Atkins diet for a couple of years when a doctor told me low carb was bad for hypos. Also, I take daily multivitamin. Thanks for all the info & will write those test you mentioned down to carry to doctor next time I'm tested.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to leesmith]

Multivitamins never recommended on here

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Improving nutrients improves conversion

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to leesmith]

Levo was elevated from 100 mcg to 175 mcg.

Increase should be done SLOWLY….up to 125mcg ….wait 6-8 weeks, then retest

Increase again to 150mcg if necessary etc

Come back with new post once you get results

Make sure to stop any supplements that contain biotin 5-7 days before any testc