Weight problems and insensitive people

[Foxxyyh]

I've been so self conscious since gaining so much weight from my underactive thyroid that I'm basically a hermit in my own home, I barely go outdoors, for fear of being called up on my weight gain, or "looking well". Today I decided to go outdoors only to bump into an old acquaintance who couldn't resist telling me that I look PREGNANT. I'm desperate to get my slim figure back and I was devastated to be reminded of how I've gained so much weight. I feel like giving up eating altogether now.

[greygoose]

I know how you feel! Been there, done that. And people can be such incredibly insensitive AHs! Some of them actually think they're doing you a favour because they think you don't know what you look like. And unless it's happened to them, they cannot believe that it can be due to anything other than being a greedy pig! Even doctors have difficulty believing that, and they're the ones that should know. But, unless you spend your whole day stuffing your face - which I'm sure you don't! - it's not your fault.

So, it rather sounds like you're under-medicated - either your dose of levo is too low, or you're not converting that T4 to T3. But, whatever you do, don't go on a low-calorie diet because that can make things worse. In fact, I've known people start to eat more, and suddenly start losing weight because their conversion improved with increased calories.

Doubtful it's even fat. For most hypos it's water-retention and there's not a lot you can do about that.

There's not a lot you can do about insensitive people - as the French say: when you're stupid it's for life! But if you wanted to be equally rude, you could paraphrase the Winston Chirchhill's replique in some way, when a woman told him he was drunk, he said 'And you're ugly. But I'll be sober tomorrow.'

Big hugs OXOXO

[Rosebud1955]

I’m so sorry that you’re feeling so sad about your weight gain. Don’t let those insensitive, ignorant people stop you from going out and enjoying your life. As GG said, your situation is only temporary but those people who criticized you will be stupid for the rest of their lives. I get similar comments from my own relatives. I have now learned to ignore the insensitive comments and just focus on my health. Focus on getting the correct dose of thyroid hormone that suits your needs. You will get there some day, just remind yourself that this is just temporary. You’re not alone! This too shall pass! Try to enjoy your life and don’t focus on the weight gain. I’m also struggling with the weight gain and several other hypo symptoms. The weight gain is the least of my problem, I just want the fatigue and arthritic pains to disappear. Be strong and love yourself for who you are.👍

[McPammy]

I completely understand where you’re coming from. When I was grossly under medicated I piled on 4st. I took all mirrors down in my house as I couldn’t bare to look at myself I felt that low. I wasn’t over eating if anything I was under eating to try to stop he weight gain. Eventually I went to see a private only endocrinologist who immediately diagnosed me as a very poor converter of t4 levo to the most important hormone T3. I was given a 3 month trial on both medications together. That has been a huge success for me. Suddenly I felt energised and positive. I had energy, lots of it. I started brisk walking during lockdown and within 6-9 months I’d lost all the weight I’d put on. Just about everything in my body was functioning as it should. I felt and still do feel years younger. T3 controls your metabolic rate amongst many other important aspects in your body. I even eat more now and still the wait keeps off. I think it’s a combination of increased metabolism and that I have the energy to exercise now by brisk walks and cardio exercise at my local gym. I eat more but I eat healthy as much as I can. So…. Get your bloods checked TSH, T4 and T3. Improve your vitamins b12, folate, ferritin and D which will help your conversion of T4 to T3 and make your feel healthier also. Once you’ve checked your bloods see if you’re a poor converter- if T4 is high and T3 is low then that’ll probably indicate you’re a poor converter. I was only converting 8%.

[Garbo61 in reply to McPammy]

Hi McPammy, can I ask what two medications you were given? I'm fed up of being told my THS results, require no further action so I've just ordered a private testing kit. I've eaten a healthy diet and always exercised 5-6 times a week and never had any weight issues until I was diagnosed with an under active thyroid some 20 years ago. I work out at 07:30am each day and follow a Keto diet, no alcohol and don't eat after 7:00pm so I fast between 7:00pm-09:00am.

[McPammy in reply to Garbo61]

Hi. I was kept on levothyroxine that I’d been taking for 11 years the magic was adding T3 liothyronine. I take 75mcg levo a day plus 10mcg t3. I split both medications throughout the day. I found T3 plus splitting doses worked for me. Be careful dieting as it will reduce your valuable vitamins you require. I was under range with B12 and ferritin. I now have regular B12 injections and ferris fumerate on repeat prescription. But it’s the T3 that’s been my much needed boost. Be careful not to put your body under dieting stress as that won’t help your thyroid.

[Garbo61 in reply to McPammy]

Thank you for this. I'm going to mention this to my doctor at my next appointment which I have finally got after waiting 6 weeks!

[Foxxyyh in reply to McPammy]

Hi I have been put on Ferrous Fumarate too. I've only been on them 5 days. Do u find them effective?

[McPammy in reply to Foxxyyh]

I find them very effective 👍

[Foxxyyh in reply to McPammy]

What have they done for you? How long were you on them before you started feeling better?

[McPammy in reply to Foxxyyh]

They gave me strength and I felt a lot more energetic. I’m prescribed one a day. I’ve been taking them for 4.5 years now. My ferritin was very low now is optimal. I don’t take one a day every day. I leave breaks otherwise I feel they are too much for me. I might give myself a couple of weeks off them then restart. But I did take one a day every day until my levels was optimal. You must take them 4hrs away from levothyroxine. I’m a vegetarian and don’t eat enough of this vitamin in my foods I’m also low in b12 and get regular 3 monthly injection it also could be as I have Hashimotos

[Batty1]

I also gained a lot of weight after losing my thyroid…. I have not had anyone but myself say anything to me about it…. I suggest you don’t let someone’s comment destroy your self esteem and explain you’re struggling with hypothyroidism and you don’t need anymore anchors in your life … walk away!

Sadly the world is filled with idiots!

[buddy99]

Oh Foxxyyh, I'm so sorry that you had to endure this judgmental behaviour. Telling you to just ignore it, is probably not going to help at all. How can we ignore these hurtful comments? I wish people would just keep their opinions to themselves if they are not kind or helpful. None of us knows what is going on in an other person's life and we only see everything from our own perspective. For this person to only see your body composition reduces you to just that. That is so very unfair! You are so much more. I am sure you have many wonderful qualities. Your struggles, though, are mostly invisible. I am hopeful that once your thyroid hormones are optimal for you, the weight issue will go away. It did for me. And I also had to endure people's unsolicited commentary and hurtful behaviour. It is incredibly hard, especially because it is nothing that you are doing that influences what is going on. Hang in there! Look at all your wonderful attributes that make you who you are. And most of all, get those thyroid issues looked after. All my best wishes. ❤️