Low appetite

[Fizzwhizz]

Hi, undiagnosed but strongly suspect hypo

possibly Hashi and gathering info/signs etc. Started supplements for folate, vit d (with k) and b complex just about to start magnesium too. On HRT including DHEA.

So, my appetite has been on the wane, probably since menopause and thyroid problems began. It’s been so gradual I haven’t really noticed tbh and I struggle to lose weight due to everything running slow which I now know is another hypo symptom. So though I’m eating less but I hadn’t noticed and I’m just not hungry until later in the everything. I was just having a spoonful of peanut butter here and a bit of cheese there (I stopped both as cholesterol creeping up and I read peanuts aren’t good for the thyroid) I have two coffees with milk before noon. I dislike tea so don’t drink that, which is another thyroid unfriendly substance so I read.

I’m currently taking my vits in the morning with a few brazil nuts. I’m about to force half a grapefruit down now. I know I’m not helping myself by not eating but the thought of food until late in the day turns my stomach. I eat a decent meal in the evening.

I know this is disordered eating and not good but it’s really difficult to eat meals when you don’t want food. Is this a hypo symptom too? Any tips to boost appetite please?

Thanks

[TiggerMe Ambassador]

I think the best you can do is eat well when you feel like it and supplement to pick up the slack... the trouble is your system is running slow, with results like yours you really need to see an Endo though most NHS ones would still be resistant as you are within range 🙄

I'd suggest finding a private Endo to get things moving in the right direction 🤗

Thyroid UK will send you the current list of hopefully more useful Endos

[Fizzwhizz in reply to TiggerMe]

Thanks, that takes the pressure off and is sensible. I’ve had enough of the mainstream NHS GP approach and so have booked a private appointment (not until March though) as everything is getting progressively worse and the HRT I’m on can’t help as it’s treating something different plus if my thyroid’s addressed maybe I won’t need the HRT or can be on a lower dose.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Previous post with thyroid and vitamin results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Get thyroid antibodies tested

Then make an appointment to see thyroid specialist

Here’s link for how to request Thyroid U.K.list of private Doctors emailed to you, but within the email a link to download list of recommended thyroid specialist endocrinologists

Ideally choose an endocrinologist to see privately initially and who also does NHS consultations

thyroiduk.org/contact-us/ge...

see post from another member in similar situation……successful private consultation

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Fizzwhizz in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks, will read the links. I’m having fresh bloods next week and have a private appointment in March. In the meantime keeping diary/track of symptoms, supplementing etc. I just want to try help myself as best I can between now and March and try not to get any worse.

[Forestgarden]

Don't miss out the carbs! Low carb diets actually make thyroid hormones worse, and suppresses appetite further. I was just reading this yesterday....

restorativemedicine.org/jou...

This is coming at it from the opposite direction, using T3 to treat eating disorders, but the science still applies.

[Fizzwhizz in reply to Forestgarden]

Thanks I’ll read. I’m not anti carb but am suspicious I might be gluten intolerant too. Just been reading about adrenal function and adrenal stress and suspect this is at play as well. I get dizzy when I stand. Poor adrenal function can cause low appetite and feelings of nausea, especially in the mornings, which fits in with my symptoms.

[FallingInReverse]

My two cents on the eating habits, from my own experience, knowing only the above about you.

I eat like a bird! Handful of cashews, dried fruits, slice of cheese, a little salad. Then, like you, one meal a day looks normal size.

I eat almost nothing to be honest, because I am almost never hungry. I go through my morning and through lunch time and food doesn’t cross my mind. When my husband’s home, he makes his and my breakfast together and mine sits untouched until at least noon most days.

When my husband serves my dinner he always asks me first “Are you small, medium, or large hungry?” The few times a week I am “large” hungry makes me feel like I’m moving in the right direction with my thyroid hormones. My appetite/metabolism beginning to gear up. Most times I’m “small” hungry though.

Opinion: this is not “disordered eating.” Anyone else would think it’s “disordered “ but I think that just mis-applies what is now a very trendy condition! Not helpful to call it that as it will lead you to the wrong corrective action.

It’s the impact of a slow slow slow metabolism due to thyroid.

You sound like me - I do indeed eat all healthy, mostly unprocessed foods, mostly because I need to save my hungry moments for nutrient rich food.

oh and by the way, increasing cholesterol for me (and many here) was 100% due to my malfunctioning thyroid. Only in retrospect do I see the inverse relationship of my thyroid getting worse and my cholesterol creeping up, then creeping down as I got my Thyroid hormones replaced. No diet changes necessary.

There is a lot of wisdom on this forum that I can’t remember precisely, but something about raised cholesterol is not a result of diet. I also am a huge cheese and peanut fan, and I do not think these raw, healthy foods should be avoided . Do more research in that, don’t take my word for it, but I don’t think so.

Lastly, you mentioned you suspect gluten intolerance, just remember that if you plan to rest for celiacs you need to do that BEFORE you go gluten free (if you are even thinking of trying that.)

Anyway - your lack of appetite is completely consistent with hypo symptoms. So don’t worry and we look forward to seeing your new bloods when you get them.

[Fizzwhizz in reply to FallingInReverse]

Thanks, that’s really helpful. I don’t feel it’s disordered now as you’ve explained it’s a symptom. Along with the cholesterol. I just know to others it would look disordered.

I’m still having some guten, just being aware. I don’t eat much anyway prefer rice to pasta, not into bread, cakes, pastries, the occasional slice of pizza’s more my thing.

I was eating a fair bit of organic peanut butter as a go to. I’ll reintroduce with cheese but try and expand my repertoire.

Like you I just don’t feel hungry at all and the thought of eating doesn’t cross my mind much but obviously I need to eat.

[greygoose]

I was just having a spoonful of peanut butter here and a bit of cheese there (I stopped both as cholesterol creeping up and I read peanuts aren’t good for the thyroid) I have two coffees with milk before noon. I dislike tea so don’t drink that, which is another thyroid unfriendly substance so I read.

Two misconceptions here:

1. Your cholesterol level has nothing to do with your diet. Cholesterol is made in the liver, and the liver keeps the level balanced by making more when you eat less and less when you eat more.

However, when T3 is low, the body cannot process cholesterol correctly, it builds up in the blood. So the thing to do is not to stop eating cheese by to raise your FT3 level.

High cholesterol is nothing to worry about, anyway. It's a symptom, not a disease, and does not cause heart attacks or strokes. Your body is made of cholesterol.

2. But 'peanuts aren't good for the thyroid' I presume you're talking about goitrogens. Well, two points here:

a) goitrogens only affect a working thyroid. You are on thyroid hormone replacement so your thyroid is not working. Goitrogens will have no effect on it, peanuts will have no effect on it. And peanuts will have no effect on your thyroid hormone replacement.

b) even if you had a working thyroid, it would take a hell of a lot more than a couple of spoonfuls of peanut butter to have any effect whatsoever. This whole goitrogen thing has been blown up out of proportion, and you can completely ignore it because it doesn't apply to you.

Same goes for tea. Although with tea, the caffeine can affect the absorption of exogenous thyroid hormone. And it can affect TSH levels before a blood test. So, it does need to be restricted to one hour after taking levo, or two hours before, and not on the morning of a blood draw.

So, carry on enjoying your cheese and peanut butter. They are good sources of protein, and the adrenals need lots of protein - especially early morning.

[Fizzwhizz in reply to greygoose]

Thank you. Both happily reinstated into my diet.

[greygoose in reply to Fizzwhizz]

You're welcome.