Do some people have no weight issues whilst having Thyroid Problems !

[Sunflower535]

Do some people not have a weight issue when they have Hashimotos or is it the case that I am the exception to the rule!

I am starting to loose more weight and it concerns me a bit. I'm 8 stone 7 and haven't been feeling great for a wee while. Low in Folate and Ferritin and am addressing these issues, but all my other vitamins are okay - checked using information gleaned from this site.

Been in touch with my Health Centre on numerous occasions recently and they won't refer me to an Endo and are constantly talking about my mental health. I can't afford to go private at the minute but just wondering about the weight loss.

Thanks in advance.

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Not everyone hypothyroid will have weight gain or difficulty trying to loose weight. Weight can be affected by so many other factors some do struggle to maintain / increase weight.

I had undiagnosed hyper for quite a prolonged time, it wasn’t dangerously high but it was over range & I gained weight. Which is the opposite of usual.

How are your energy & appetite levels? Has your diet changed or level of activity?

Your doctor should be investigating weight loss if you are loosing weight unintentionally. Putting it down to mental health if you feel that not the issue should not be happening. Make it clear they are going to mental health but you think it’s a physical issue.

[Sunflower535 in reply to PurpleNails]

PurpleNails - thanks for your reply. My energy is not what it should be - fatigue is worse than ever it has been - even before I was put on Levothyroxine. I have spoken to two doctors in the last month, neither of them saw me in person - just on the phone and both insisted my symptoms were mental rather than physical. I had slipped off the gluten free wagon so have started it again - so maybe that's why the weight has fallen off. I can't face ringing the doctor again. You can't see a doctor, you have to ring for days before you get an appointment, it's a complete nightmare. They only open up appointments each morning for that day and then the phones are are jammed. I am working full time so then when the doctor does ring me I am in work and feel awkward trying to discuss my symptoms in an office where I might be overheard! I decided after the last call I wasn't going back near them unless I need to get bloods done in order to get my prescription. I am going to try and manage things myself. I can't afford to go private. The whole thing is starting to affect my mental health but I decided this morning that I am not going to let this beat me and I will push on through the tiredness and get better myself without the help of our wonderful NHS that everyone clapped for during the Plandemic! They are a complete joke and not the least bit caring like our medical professions in days of old. Sorry for the rant!

[Tina_Maria in reply to Sunflower535]

If you are losing weight without any apparent reason, this should be investigated. I agree that stress and other mental health issues can be a contributing factor, but blaming it only on that is not helpful.

When was the last time that you had a full blood test? I think you are entitled to have a full blood test every couple of years? If your GP won't investigate, could you change to a different doctor that is a bit more fore coming. A full blood test would be a good place to start to see if there is some inflammation going on or if there are any other parameters that could explain your weight loss. Is the weight loss gradual or have you lost quite a bit in a short period of time?

[Sunflower535 in reply to Tina_Maria]

I had a blood test in September - they tested everything except the kitchen sink!!! No inflammation and everything normal according to them but when I looked at my levels according to this site, my Ferritin and Folate are low so I am working on them. My TSH was 3.77 from memory and T4 21.2 ( I think). I haven't my results to hand at the minute but it was something around those levels. I felt I could do with an increase but the doctor said NO, everything is fine and NO we can't refer you to Endocrology. I have only lost 3 or 4 pound but in the last few weeks - that has been since my appointment with the GP but this is very much out of character for me - I am 61 and I haven't changed weight much since my teenage years! It's probably nothing to worry about but it's just another symptom of an ever ending list of them at the minute.

[Tina_Maria in reply to Sunflower535]

It reassuring that the blood tests seem to be in order and you are working on your iron and folate, so that's good. It seems that there is a lot of stuff going on and you are probably quite stressed, hence the weight loss. Maybe your appetite is slightly less with all the worries going on, so that could be a reason. I am eating when I am stressed (especially chocolates 😂!!). I would keep an eye on your weight over the next few weeks and see. I am sure once things calm down again, it will get better.

[Sunflower535 in reply to Tina_Maria]

Thank you. It will take a few months before I will know if the folate is helping my general well - being. The weight will probably settle down in time. It's just I hear of people complaining of weight gain and not weight loss so much that I began to wonder was this normal whilst having hashis. Appreciate you taking the time to reply.

[Tina_Maria in reply to Sunflower535]

No worries! I hope that things will settle down soon and that you will start feeling better. It can take a while, so be patient with yourself. You will get there !

[serenfach]

I feel for you! I can bet they would not even suggest mental health if you were a man! For a start, your TSH is too high, but I bet they did not test T3 which would give you a more accurate picture of what your thyroid is doing. Weight loss for no reason should always be looked into.

I would suggest putting up another thread with the full blood test results - I know it is a faff typing it all out, but the lovely people on here might see a problem that can be fixed.

Or you could try writing a letter to the practice Manager, saying about the weight loss, and being dismissed, and that you would like an appointment to discuss this further. If they said it was mental health, they should look at this too, not just dismiss it! That seems like a cop out to me. They also do not like a paper trail, so a written letter carries a bit of weight.

I hope you find the answer soon, sending a hug.

[Sunflower535 in reply to serenfach]

Thank you. I had thought about writing a letter but with the brain fog I can't even concentrate to put it in writing. I'm off work soon so will maybe do that then. My last Medicheck results are on my profile. From a previous question I put up I was told my T3 is too low but doctor is not interested in T3. I was advised by the forum to either buy it myself or go to private endo. Neither option would work for me at present. I am trying to get my vitamins sorted first and then will see how I feel. My folate and ferritin both have dropped since 2023. That could be a big part of my problems. At least by dropping in weight maybe now I will be closer to the correct dosage of levothyroxine.