Too heavy, feeling depressed.

[MaSet]

Hi & happy, healthy new year 🎉

Prev spoke with Slow Dragon 💝 was so grateful for the good advice back then.

My Levothyroxine dose increased to 200 i had hoped it would help me loose some weight.

No such luck and after recent blood test, I was told to reduce dose to 175. I feel fine, tbh no different but I’ve been getting horrible mood swings this last yr or so. I get irritated, I moan a lot then get upset with myself and get very down and obsess about small things. Of course my family all give me a wife birth now. I dont sleep well. Awake most of the night and end up sleeping late in the mornings.

My heart break is my weight, it crept up to 15 st at one time. I was always around 10.5 st pre hypo. Now Im stuck around 14.9 st and so depressed about it, I don't socialise anymore. A family wedding is hell for me and I get so stressed out. I Would like to try Wegovy to help weight loss but gp sd I would need to be diabetic or pre diabetic.

I had 2 hip replacements during covid. One is excellent, second not, unable to walk far, feels like its come loose, Im waiting to go for MRI (not too worried pos trapped Iliopsoas tendon, think its fixable). I swim twice a week to try to keep a bit fit.

Last blood results before refucing Levo to 175. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

TSH. 0.007 mIU/L Low (0.27 - 4.2)

Free Thyroxine 25.8 pmol/L High (11.9 - 21.6)

Free T3 5.8 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8)

Also tested my 25 Hydroxy Vitamin D 127.0 (no range shown) Lab discipline BLS

Other tests all within range except..,

RBC 5.06 x 10 ‘ 12/L High. (Range 3.80-4.80)

Tks for listening!!!

[Buddy195 Administrator]

MaSet, please can you add ranges to your thyroid blood tests & vitamin D (in brackets after results) as these can vary between laboratories.

Have you tested other key thyroid vitamins: ferritin, folate, B12 recently? Having these optimal supports thyroid health.

Have you ever trialled a gluten free diet? I followed forum advice to do this & have never looked back; it improved so many of my symptoms.

[MaSet in reply to Buddy195]

Hi.

No I never tried gluten free but I will and tk you for that. I have added the ranges on my orig post. I don't think I have been tested for ferritin, folate or B12 recently. I will ask fir those to tested next time i have my bloods taken. Tks a mil for your reply!!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

These results suggest you do need to reduce levothyroxine

But you will then likely see Ft3 drop too

Please add folate, B12 and ferritin results and ranges

Once all four vitamins are at good levels

I would agree with Buddy195

Gluten Free is always worth trying and a few months later consider dairy free too

Then look at getting T3 prescribed alongside levothyroxine if Ft3 is low

[MaSet in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi again.

I have just added the ranges to my orig post.

From these tests my gp reduced my dose to 175 daily. So I am four weeks on this lower dose and I think I feel better (mood wise) although, I’m feeling more tired (i was putting that down to the cold weather).

I must to go back for bloods again in a couple of weeks. I will also ask for folate, B12 & ferritin to be checked as not done for a while now. Added screen shot of other test that were done along with above. 🙋🏻‍♀️

Blood test results

[SlowDragon Administrator]

I dont sleep well. Awake most of the night and end up sleeping late in the mornings.

This is because your FT4 (levothyroxine) is too high …..gives hyper type issues

Reduce dose initially to 175mcg and 200mcg alternate days

Retest 6-8 weeks later

Which brand of levothyroxine are you using

Do you always get same brand

[MaSet in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes always Eltroxin. I’m due back for bloods again in a couple of weeks as my dose was reduce. & Tk you so much!!

You prev advised B complex so I take that 3 times a week and B12 once a week.

[humanbean]

I can sympathise and empathise about your weight issues. I discovered a couple of days ago that my weight is now at its highest level ever. I did overindulge over Christmas though, so I'm not surprised.

I've decided I have to do something about it, but I don't know exactly what yet. I'll have to give it some deep thought! I'm really not good at diets.

[Noelnoel in reply to humanbean]

Why is humanbean that even when we’re optimally dosed and all our thyroid and nutrient labs are good, we exercise and eat well but healthily, weight continues to creep up or is nigh on impossible to lose

Exasperating

[humanbean in reply to Noelnoel]

I wish I knew the answers to the weight problems in thyroid disease. If I could discover them I could make a fortune - or at least I might lose some flab.

[Noelnoel in reply to humanbean]

Ha. You and me both!

[Batty1 in reply to Noelnoel]

In my opinion it’s because at the end of the day no pill will ever give you what your thyroid did but that hasn’t kept us from chopping and changing our doses.. it's like chasing a ghost !

[SimbaT in reply to Noelnoel]

So so true and then the judgement from other people about being overweight 😞

[MaSet in reply to SimbaT]

Absolutely and esp family 😔 I def stay home more its easier.

[Bhavm in reply to SimbaT]

Definately or remarks like why don't you go on diet.I think people don't understand how thyroid affects one.

[MaSet in reply to humanbean]

I know the feeling. I was looking at Wegovy or Semaglutide. . I’m brutal at diets too 😫

[Bhavm]

Hi maset

Sorry to hear about what you are going through. I have many off the symptoms you have advised.

I have gone from 64 kilos to 70.

I have found that going gluten free helps.

I've cut out any refind sugar or sweet confectionary and drinks and have resulted in eating more lighter meals in evenings.

I noticed eating processed ready meals made me feel worse so have limited these. If you eat any soya related products then that affects our hormones along side any ready boxed meals.

I have started mindfulnesseditation because when I am stressed my thyroid symptoms are increased.

I am pure vegeterian so resulting havi g chia seed over night in morning, keeps you full longer, mid lunch have salads, soups or jacket potatoes with coleslaw and small proportion of cheese as dairy aparantly affects us.

I recently had my bloods done tsh was 0.16 too low not sure what range it should be in and ft4 came back as 21.9 range it needs to be is 22

My thyroid med has been changed again so can share if it helps.

Hope the above helps.

[MaSet in reply to Bhavm]

Hi Bhavm and tk you for the your reply 💔

I must try a gluten free diet. I have a sweet tooth but try hard to keep it under control by eating fruit as much as pos I avoid bringing it into the house so only on the odd occasion when I’m out I may indulge 😋 Not always easy to stick to but I think i succeed most of the time

[Bhavm]

I totally understand. I struggle with it especially when eating out but certain alterations can help. My challenge is I love snacking crisps, nuts. But these are all not good. So definately understand where you are coming from.

Suggestions like have a treat day every other week or maybe treat yourself with small treat when you do feel like having something sweet.

Almond milk for cereals, I drink herbal teas caffeine free.

Maybe try sourdough bread, maybe 1 time a week,

Mainly salads, lentils. If you eat non veg maybe incooperate grilled or steamed chivken/fish with coloured veg,(certain veg I've read triggers our hormones, check with nutritionist) maybe mediterranean diet. It's all trial and error but definately worth seeing a dietician or nutritionist as they are professionals.

I was getting gut problem and joint pain, found going gluten free helps. Not to say there are odd days when I have it then will suffer and for daily I tend to have almond milk.

I have had to really cut down on cheese, bread, chapati, take aways.

I had recently dropped from 70kg to 67.5kg but has gone back up since as I haven't stuck to my diet recently.

Hope this helps