Weight gain : Dear community. I'm hoping for some... - Thyroid UK

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Weight gain

Salkas profile image
44 Replies

Dear community. I'm hoping for some hope and encouragement. I've been a fitness professional all my life, worked so hard to stay lean and athletic. (I was a fat kid so had to work extra hard from age 17 to keep weight down) I managed

But since last 2 years went from 82kg to 92kg and last few months gone up to 96kg. It's like my worst nightmare.

I'm not at optimum level yet with levothyroxine, been increasing dose slowly over last few months..

Can anyone reassure me that my weight will come down once at the right level for TSH?

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Salkas profile image
Salkas
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Sleepman profile image
Sleepman

How are you feeling ? Have you got any blood tests results to help the team ? could not see anything much on your bio ?

I am hashi about 2 years in - I lost a lot as soon as on Levo (100 too 95 kg then slowly to 87kg) but I had been gluten free for a year as well. I think a lot was water from inflammation. Makes we wonder if gluten an issue for your ? Or could be you are not getting T3 into cells.

I was just reading this - my take is if your are not getting T3 into body it adds weight.

thyroidpatients.ca/2021/12/...

Salkas profile image
Salkas in reply toSleepman

Im getting my bloods re tested in 2 week. Im still in increasing levo process.

My T3 and t4 are both in range.

TSH is 3.8.

I cut gluten out. Sometimes treat my self to pizza but in general I eat very healthy and exercise hard.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toSalkas

Could be you're exercising too hard. With a TSH of 3.8 you are still hypo, and hard exercise is not recommended for hypos. Just gentle walking and swimming.

By over-exercising you are compromising your conversion of T4 to T3 and making yourself more hypo and thereby reducing the possibility of losing weight. Ease up on the exercise and you might do better.

Also, it's not about the TSH. Yes, a TSH of 3.8 is too high, but it's that high because your thyroid hormone levels are too low. The TSH itself doesn't cause symptoms or make you put on weight. That's down to the FT3. And once the TSH gets below 1, it is a very poor indicator of thyroid status. You could have a TSH below range and still have low FT3. So, don't get hung up on the TSH, it's the least important of the three numbers.

Salkas profile image
Salkas in reply togreygoose

This is the problem.. I already reduced my exercise massively. I no longer run. I exercise every other day. My t4 and t3 were in range last time so as far as I'm aware that wouldn't be contributing to weight gain. So if it's not tsh or t3 t4. Then what else could it be

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toSalkas

Just being 'in-range' is not the same as optimal. Depends where within the range the results fall. And if your TSH is over 3 then your FT4 and/or FT3 are going to be too low. Can you give us the exact numbers? Results and ranges. Then we'll be able to explain better. :)

Salkas profile image
Salkas in reply togreygoose

My tsh 3.8T4 16.9

T3 currently unknown as endo not testing it. Attached is copy of private test I had 6 month ago.

T
greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toSalkas

So, six months ago:

FT3: 5.3 pmol/l (Range 3.1 - 6.8) 59.46%

FT4: 17.6 pmol/l (Range 12 - 22) 56.00%

These levels aren't too bad, but would be better higher. Your TSH is even higher there so your pituitary isn't happy with those levels and wants more hormone.

Assuming the ranges on your latest results are the same - please, always give ranges because they vary from lab to lab - your FT4 has dropped since then and is now only 49% through the range. so, your FT3 will also have dropped and will now be much too low for your good health. Both should be more like 75% through the range. You need an increase in dose.

Handy converter for percentages which makes it easier to compare results with different ranges:

thyroid.dopiaza.org/

Salkas profile image
Salkas in reply togreygoose

Thanks for doing the maths. It's confusing to me as my cognition won't take on the preassure. I'll update with results. I will pay for private blood tests as well as nhs as the nhs are not testing T3.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toSalkas

They don't even know what T3 is! They certainly don't appreciate its importance. So, yes, getting a private test is the best thing to do.

It is confusing in the beginning - especially if you have hypo brain-fog - but you'll soon get used to it. Do as much reading as you can on here, you'll learn a lot.

With your private test, do get antibodies tested. It's really important to know if you have autoimmune thyroid disease. And that's another thing doctors don't understand the importance of! :)

Salkas profile image
Salkas in reply togreygoose

I already had tpo 1300

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toSalkas

OK, so you have Hashi's. So, that's something to always bear in mind because levels can jump around a lot with Hashi'. Do you know how it works?

Salkas profile image
Salkas in reply togreygoose

Kind of. Auto immune damages thyroid cells.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toSalkas

Yes, it damages thyroid cells and eventually kills off the whole thyroid.

And those thyroid cells contain stocks of thyroid hormone. And when they're damaged they release that thyroid hormone into the blood, causing FT4 and/or FT3 to rise sharply, and TSH therefore drops to suppressed. And that's where doctors freak out because they don't know/understand how Hashi's works and they think you're over-medicated and want to reduce your dose. But, of course, that false 'hyper' phase is only temporary, and the levels will eventually go down by themselves, and then you'll need your full dose back. And that's where it gets a bit difficult. So, it's best you, at least, know what's going on - because your doctor won't!

Salkas profile image
Salkas in reply togreygoose

Yes. Well I feel it. My tsh was 4.8 on private test. Went to gp for test doing again one week later. On the way to GP I felt the change, I was more hyperactive and energised and knew it woukd change. Then results came back with GP tsh 3.8. So I was right. So I guess best time to get bloods tested is not when I feel that energised change..

Presuming also best not to get tsh down to below 1.0 because then if it dropped symptoms would be more severe?

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toSalkas

Ummm... no. With a TSH of over 3 you weren't having a Hashi's 'hyper' swing. If you had had one, your TSH would have been zero. You may have had a little extra hormone in your blood due to the Hashi's, but I'm talking about something a lot more extreme.

And symptoms have nothing to do with TSH. Forget TSH, it's irrelevant. If you have a 'hyper' swing, your TSH will be suppressed no matter what it was before. This is something you cannot control in any way.

Salkas profile image
Salkas in reply togreygoose

So how long does this hyper swing last?

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toSalkas

There's no knowing. Could be months. The higher your levels go, the longer they take to come down.

Salkas profile image
Salkas in reply togreygoose

Surely then one must not go too low with the tsh. That way if there is a drop then it won't drop to 0

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toSalkas

Yes it will. TSH follows the thyroid hormone levels. If they go high, the TSH drops low. That's the way it works. You cannot manipulate the TSH.

Anyway, it doesn't matter how low the TSH goes, because it doesn't make you feel anything. It does not cause any sort of symptom whether it's high or low. As I said before, the TSH is irrelevant once it gets below 1. If it is high, it means your thyroid hormone levels are too low and you need an increase in dose. But when it gets below 1 it is a very inaccurate indicator of thyroid status and becomes irrelevant. What is most important is the FT3 level because T3 is the active hormone and if it's too high or too low, it causes symptoms.

Sleepman profile image
Sleepman in reply toSalkas

The superb "A team" are replying with specialist info. Put ranges on bloods as not all labs the same for T3 and T4.

At your sore of weight I ended up on 150 mg (50/100/125 steps)

With me gluten is an absolute no no, wipes me out for a week - I assume pizza is gf, I could not get away with a cheat ?

While you are repairing (over next few months) LESS exercise might help you.

We are all different but your "battery" has been low for sometime and things take time to recover even when you are at full "volts".

If autoimmune you can still have thyroid swings when it is being attacked it dumps out some T3 and T4 .

The forum teaches you to get folate/ferritin/vit D and B12 tested and get them high in range. You need blood tests first to know where your are starting from.

Good luck

Salkas profile image
Salkas in reply toSleepman

Yeah I'm gonna have to pay private for updated lab tests as my endocrinologist on nhs will only test t4 and tsh. I purposely asked for t3 testing, they said I don't need it.

Exercise is very important for me as I am adhd. Exercise regulates my brain for a period after plus critical for my mental health. Walking doesn't do that as I need to get my heart rate up

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

currently you’re still only on 50mcg levothyroxine ?

50mcg is the standard STARTER Dose

It’s going to take several increases over coming months to get up to a decent dose

Retest 6-8 weeks after each dose increase

Make sure you test and maintain GOOD vitamin levels

And don’t over exercise while on low dose

Which brand of Levo are you currently taking

Did you change from Almus (Accord) to lactose free brand?

Many members find Vencamil the best option as is lactose free and mannitol free

originally only available as 100mcg only, but 25mcg, 50mcg and 75mcg tablets became available Sept 2024

Prior to March 2023 Vencamil was called Aristo

How to get Vencamil stocked at your local pharmacy

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Posts discussing Vencamil

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

Salkas profile image
Salkas

Yes still on 50mg will re asses in 2 week. Im on almus. I took advise not to change brand until I got my tsh to optimum.

I exercise every other day as I can't train every day like I used to due to taking longer to recover and not as tolerant to exercise.

DippyDame profile image
DippyDame

I'd be very surprised if your weight didn't drop once you reach your theraptic dose....initially I lost nearly 2 stone! It stayed off!!

Must of thyroid weight gain is water which accumulates in the mucin under the skin

TSH is not a reliable marker, ideally you also need FT4 and FT3.....but at least FT4.

bmcendocrdisord.biomedcentr...

T3 helps control metabolism and if it is low metabolism is slow, which means fewer calories burned and therefore weight gain.

Though I expect your training taught you this!

For reasons beyond me medics do not give T3 the importance it deserves.

For good health every cell in the body needs to be flooded with T3 by way of an adequate and constant supply.

Low cellular T3 = poor health.

It's important to ensure T4 to T3 conversion is robust....this can be checked by comparing FT4 and FT3 labs which have been measured under correct protocol....at 9am, 24 hrs after last dose of levo and on an empty stomach.

High FT4 with low FT3 = poor conversion

Vital to optimise vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin to support thyroid function.

Have you tested thyroid antibodies TPO and Tg to check for Thyroid Autoimmune Disease a common cause of hypothyroidism

Post any recent labs if you wish more help.

We're all here to help, just ask

Salkas profile image
Salkas in reply toDippyDame

Hi yes I have hashimotos. My tpo was above 1300

Here are ft3 ft4 these may have changed now. My endo is only testing for free t4 and tsh next time I have bloods in 2 week. They won't test t3. I don't know why but they said all I need is ft4 and tsh

Results
DippyDame profile image
DippyDame in reply toSalkas

You need current labs and the NHS rarely test FT3 so you'd need to do another private....it's madness to sideline one of the most important hormones in the body but that's the NHS on thyroid disease!!

Not knowing FT3 leaves gaps in the picture and hides problems ...as we often see here

With Hashi's your levels will fluctuate from time to time and you may notice a rise in symptoms as hormone levels rise in a hyper swing ( that doesn't mean you become hyperthyroid) ....but it is transitionary and levels eventually settle back down

Are you gluten free? Helps many.

50mcg is only a starter dose and should have been raised 6 weeks after initiation....when was that?

It is not wise to ask too much of your body until your dose is correct

The brain needs a huge amount of T3 so if that is low cognitive function can suffer and anxiety can kick in

Ah! Just noticed that greygoose has given you excellent advice suggest you take heed!!

Things will get better once you are on your therapeutic dose....meantime ease up a lot on exercise. That may sound counterintuitive but it is important.

Good luck and please keep us posted.

Salkas profile image
Salkas in reply toDippyDame

Thank you. I'm due blood review in 2 week.

Obsdian profile image
Obsdian in reply toDippyDame

What does it mean to reach a therapeutic dose? Is that a dose you are able to continue with for some time?

I've not lost anything since starting levo and seemto have gained a bit in the last couple of months.

DippyDame profile image
DippyDame in reply toObsdian

Yes it is!

WaystarRoyco profile image
WaystarRoyco

What’s your diet like? I mean, are you trying to eat in any kind of calorie deficit to counteract the weight gain? If so, this may be working against you as it puts stress on the body at a time when it’s not resourced to cope with stress. I found counterintuitively that eating more at maintenance calories helped with weight loss.

Salkas profile image
Salkas in reply toWaystarRoyco

Hi I need to re evaluate my calorie intake. I eat healthy and have been in a deficit before as I calculated calorie expenditure and intake. But still wasn't losing weight.

It's hard to track isnt it. As on my rest days I can only guess what I'm burning off even with use of my garmin sports watch. Plus the studies that say a male should eat 2000 calories per day is quite a lot. How do you accurately measure yours?

WaystarRoyco profile image
WaystarRoyco in reply toSalkas

It’s very tricky. Plus from everything I’ve read on the subject, when you have hypothyroidism, I don’t know that the calories in/calories out philosophy works in the same way. It certainly doesn’t for me.

For the last year or so, I’ve been doing ZOE (healthy eating with a focus on gut health) and am tracking food on their App. Previously, I have used My Fitness Pal. I also get a sense of what I’m burning off via AppleWatch. I am not currently trying to hit a calorie target though. I have lost 10kg on daily calorie intakes of 1800 to 2200. I am female, currently 65kg. I should add that I am not that accurate in tracking.

Interestingly, thinking weight loss had stalled a few months ago, I went back to the gym and my trainer gave me calorie and macro targets. For a while, I abandoned ZOE and did this. Calories were +/- 1700 a day. I actually regained 1.5kg on this!! I’ve since gone back to ZOE and lost that weight and more.

Having said all of that, I’m on near optimal T4/T3 dosages now and without a doubt that is a factor in the very complex equation of weight and hypothyroidism.

Salkas profile image
Salkas in reply toWaystarRoyco

Thanks for sharing. How is the ZOE app? Worth the investment?

WaystarRoyco profile image
WaystarRoyco in reply toSalkas

Pleasure. The whole ZOE thing has been well worth it for me, yes.

Hectorsmum2 profile image
Hectorsmum2 in reply toSalkas

I used to be in over eaters anonymous which is a organisation full of people who have lost weight for good. Their advice is this 'If an anerexic person starts eating normally they will gain unitll they become a normal weight. It is the same as an over weight person, you dont need to under eat you just need to eat normal amount to lose weight, anything less messes up you metabolism and leads to binging'. Roughly a normal calorie intake is 2000 calories per women or 2,500 for men. Most people in over eaters anonymous cut out refined sugar and eat three moderate meals a day. No gimics but it works.

Salkas profile image
Salkas in reply toHectorsmum2

If i ate 2500 cal a day I'd put weight on im sure. I'm going to do a thorough calorie count amd expenditure to see where im at. Before thyroid issues I had a poor metabolism

Hectorsmum2 profile image
Hectorsmum2 in reply toSalkas

YOu may have had undiagnosed thyroid issues for a long time. The range of normality in the blood results in the uk very wide. I gain weight if I under eat

Brightness14 profile image
Brightness14

The only time in my life that I put on weight was after my Thyroid was removed back in 2015.

I was put onto 100 levo for the first time and after only a few months I had put on 10 lbs.

I then changed my thyroid medication and lost the weight in another couple of months.

I was like you fit and healthy and a runner up until my mid sixties so never like being overweight.

The most important thing for me is to have both FT4 and FT3 at around 80% through the range.

Brightness14 profile image
Brightness14

I forgot to say that I have never been on any diet or counted any calories. I weigh 10 stone am 78 years old and have always eaten a healthy diet. I included nuts in my diet and have for years these are good for cholesterol.

I am 5ft 8 inches tall so have put on about 6 lbs in the last twenty years due only to the age thing and not running.

Salkas profile image
Salkas in reply toBrightness14

Awe bless you. I'm 5ft 8 too. I have an athletic figure so always been heavier due to muscle mass but now a lot of body fat amd water retention took me to 96kg. It's crazy how much fat I've put on. When you say you changed thyroid meds what do you mean? How did it help?

Brightness14 profile image
Brightness14

Well before my thyroid removal I never had any problems with thyroid and only joined this site 7/8 months after. I found our about NDT Pigs thyroid and ordered some Thyroid s.

I have been taking it for around 7/8 years now and felt very well. Some people take Levo plus T3 to feel well. It helped me get back to some sort of fitness I only joined the site because after 7/8 months I couldn't even get off the floor by myself.

I am not like most people on the site no Gut problems . I probably only needed an increase of Levo at the time but the NDT seemed good so I went for it. Good Luck

Salkas profile image
Salkas in reply toBrightness14

Thank you. Hope u stay well and continue to enjoy exercise.

san_ray70 profile image
san_ray70

All I can say is my dr. told me I could lose weight and I did. If you are as fit as you say do some walking. I lost 2stone with S.W. it took 9 months but I lost it. Now I have a bad knee and use a stick I can not walk all that well, but I still do keep fit. It might be for older people, but I also do short mat bowling. I hope this gives you some encouragement.

Salkas profile image
Salkas in reply tosan_ray70

Thank you. I tend to use the gym as weather is cold and wet here, prefer outdoors in good weather. I do walk the dogs everyday as well.

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