Weight loss

[LittleBrownDog]

Hi has anybody with hypothyroidism tried the weight loss injections? I can’t find any negative impact through searching on line but would be interested to know if anyone has any first hand experience?

During lockdown I lost 3.5 stone and managed to keep that off until I suffered a fairly traumatic bereavement. Interestingly my maintenance regime didn’t alter at that time but my weight did. However, it has gradually crept back to almost where it was and at the moment nothing seems to work. At my last blood test 12 months ago my T3 was just above range so I dropped half a grain (Thyroid S) to 3.5 grains per day but just laterally have had lots of symptoms including rapid weight gain so have put it back to 4 grains. Any info gratefully received.

[Star13]

I can attest to some research that was done for Lupus and APS to see if there were any adverse reactions both for the diseases in general and for the medications generally taken with those conditions. It seems it turns out they seem to be quite favourable at helping inflammation and no real adverse affects were noted. In short it seems they could be quite beneficial for autoimmune conditions especially if weight and the risk of becoming a diabetic is an issue.

[LittleBrownDog in reply to Star13]

Thank you - I fear if I don’t do something soon I will be pre diabetic.

[Tina_Maria]

GLP-1 agonists (such as Ozempic and Wegovy) can work well for people with hypothyroidism. However, there are no quick fixes with weight loss and please bear a few things in mind before embarking on a treatment course:

- As weight gain can be a sign of your thyroid medication not being optimised, you need to make sure that your thyroid is optimally treated, before looking at other reasons for weight gain. So correcting any thyroid dysfunction or imbalance first is important.

- These weight loss drugs do not work in isolation, they should be used in conjunction with exercise as well as dietary changes

- The side effects of these weight loss drugs can be severe, nausea being one of the most frequently cited side effect, along with vomiting and other gastrointestinal discomforts. As they stimulate your pancreas to release insulin, they can also cause pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), which can be quite painful.

- Once you have lost the desired weight and stop your injections, within a year, many patients have put on weight again, so the weight loss can often not be maintained, especially when no other lifestyle changes have been implemented.

- You also have to take into account that these medications have initially been developed for diabetic patients, as they prolong the action of the gut hormone GLP-1, which stimulates insulin release from the pancreas in response to elevated glucose levels. And patients with diabetes are on these medications for years, and not just for a shorter period of time. There have not been any long term studies looking at the effect of these medications in patients that are not diabetic (as you stimulate insulin release, when it is not really needed).

Any medication you take has a risk-benefit profile, and you carefully need to weigh up the risks of taking this medicine to the benefit it can provide.

[LittleBrownDog in reply to Tina_Maria]

Hi Tina_Maria thank you for your reply which I’ve found very helpful. After further investigation and discussion with others I don’t think the injections are for me. I didn’t fully realise how they work and as there’s a family history of pancreatic issues I don’t feel I want to risk it.

[Tina_Maria in reply to LittleBrownDog]

Glad you found it helpful. I am sure that you will find a different way. All the best.

[sparkly in reply to Tina_Maria]

I found that really good to read. I am surprised how no one in the forum ever comments when someone asks if they have tried the jabs.

Considering we are one of the most affected groups for weight gain when eating next to nothing, you'd think we would all be on it.

I admit I thought about it last October. I did an 8 week challenge at the gym, and as I struggle to lose weight, my goal was to lose 4lb in the 8 weeks, I actually lost 13lb! Unbelievable and so happy, i decided against it..

I did have a low weight loss compared to some, and, was on the least calories as the PT knew I had iffy thyroid issues.

If i was on jan I know I'd have to be on 500/600 calories to lose like others do. That's not good for me and likely make my thyroid issue worst.

I've not lost for 3 months now even with gym, diet and walking but I'm happy to just maintain.

I can't say that I'd never try it though

[Issyduck]

Yes. Its working very well. I eat very sensibly, exercise hopefully enough, and have lost > 35lbs