Weight

[terri177]

I’m becoming so frustrated with my weight, I run approximately 3 miles 4 times a week and still don’t lose a pound.

Trying a low carb diet now

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Are you hypothyroid?

If so:

Are you optimally medicated?

What are your latest test results, including reference ranges, for

TSH

FT4

FT3

Thyroid antibodies

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

[terri177 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for replying. My GP only tests for TSH they just don’t entertain the other ranges. My levels apparently are always within the correct range regardless that I feel the same.

So infuriating

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to terri177]

Do you get a print out of your results so that you can monitor them yourself? If not then ask the receptionist for a printed copy of your results. Where your TSH lies within the range is possibly your first clue. The aim of a treated hypo patient, when on Levo only, is for TSH to be 1 or lower with FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of their ranges if that is where you feel well.

If you can't get full testing with your GP then you may wish to do what hundreds of members here do and that is private testing with one of our recommended labs who do lots of different tests including a thyroid/vitamin bundle which includes all the tests that I mentioned above. They offer fingerprick tests or venous blood draw at extra cost.

Apart from your weight, how do you actually feel?

[terri177 in reply to SeasideSusie]

That is so helpful thank you

I am constantly tired, my joints constantly ache.

I’ve never felt any better since beginning Levo and that’s about 3 yrs ago.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to terri177]

How much Levothyroxine are you currently taking?

What were your results before starting on Levothyroxine?

Do you have autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Levothyroxine needs optimal vitamin levels

Ask GP to test vitamin levels and thyroid antibodies if not been tested

You may need to get full Thyroid testing privately as NHS refuses to test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are negative

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test.

(taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

For thyroid including antibodies and vitamins

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

If you can get vitamins and antibodies tested by GP ...Cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 £29 (via NHS private service )

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

Come back with new post once you get results

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to terri177]

terri177

I am constantly tired, my joints constantly ache.

Besides being undermedicated, low ferritin can cause fatigue and low Vit D can cause muscle and joint aches and pains.

Recommended tests:

Medichecks Thyroid Check ULTRAVIT medichecks.com/thyroid-func... You can use code THYROIDUK for a 10% discount on any test not on special offer

or

Blue Horizon Thyroid Check PLUS ELEVEN bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/t...

Both tests include the full thyroid and vitamin panel. They are basically the same test but with the following small differences:

For the fingerprick test:

Blue Horizon requires 1 x microtainer of blood (0.8ml), Medichecks requires 2 x microtainers (total 1.6ml)

Blue Horizon includes Total T4 (can be useful but not essential). Medichecks doesn't include this test.

B12 - Blue Horizon does Total B12 which measures bound and unbound (active) B12 but doesn't give a separate result for each. Medichecks does Active B12.

Total B12 shows the total B12 in the blood. Active B12 shows what's available to be taken up by the cells. You can have a reasonable level of Total B12 but a poor level of Active B12. (Personally, I would go for the Active B12 test.)

Follow SlowDragon's tips on how best to do thyroid tests.

[Hidden in reply to terri177]

I can understand your frustration when your weight is stuck. I have a metabolic disorder and have been hyper and then hypothyroid but did lose weight with lower carb diet. I found it was the hidden sugar in milk cheese and fructans in fruit yogurts plus in grains which was slowing my metabolism. I now eat broccoli cauliflower make chard a little meat and have cut down cheese to an ounce of hard cheese. Have removed gluten as have grain intolerance but it is the wheat proteins in wheat which can be a histamine or intolerance rather than gluten . Have the same problem with rice and maize and barley malt.

I am sure if you have a more detailed thyroid test you might be able to find out if you have an autoimmune response to grain or gluten .

Hashimotos cannot be diagnosed without a full test of thyroglobulin levels. Seaside Suzie is right when she says a full test will give you a better picture. Hope you will find the diet successful .

[McPammy]

I’m trying to lose weight too. I also run 3/4 times a week about 3 miles. And on rowing machine. I can’t lose a pound either! I am optimal with my thyroid levels. However, I’ve recently started taking ferris fumerate as I get low ferritin. Since starting the medication to up my ferritin I’m feeling so much more energetic. I thought I was feeling pretty good but I feel even better. I started a low calorie diet about 10 days ago as I do feel I can’t cut out carbs or lower too much as I get very weak. I’ve just weighed myself and I’ve lost 2lbs in a week. That’s the first time my scales have moved in 3 months. I even thought they must be broke.! Can you get your vitamins checked B12, D, Ferritin and folate. This might just help you. I’d also get your thyroid levels checked. Your TSH should be at 1.00. Get them privately if you can.

You could be a poor converter so getting T4 and T3 is a must with TSH all at same time. I’m a poor converter and positive DIO2 gene tested.

I hope you can lose a few pounds with all the hard work you’re putting in. Honestly I do know how infuriating it is.

[sandoval22 in reply to McPammy]

I lost 3 stone on a Keto diet.

[McPammy in reply to sandoval22]

That’s excellent, well done you.

Unfortunately I can’t cut my carbs too much as I go very weak very quickly. I’m doing 1000 calories at moment and see how I go. I’m monitoring it on my fit bit app. I wish I could do the keto myself to speed things up.

[BeePurple in reply to McPammy]

Thinking about trying with some tablets that mean don't need to reduce carbs as much.

[BeePurple in reply to sandoval22]

Thinking of trying this again as it was good before in past, more than anything helped my fertility (not that I need that now). That's amazing 3 stone.

[McPammy in reply to BeePurple]

I have managed to lose the 2st I put on in 2018 when I became very unwell with my Hashimotos. Just one stone more and I’ll be very happy.

[cazmania7]

Be happy that you feel well enough to exercise! But, if you really want to lose weight, and can afford it, I would highly recommend getting a personal trainer. It’s amazing what you can force yourself to do just because someone stands next to you telling you to do it lol. Good luck 😀

[DelicateInput]

To be honest, that is a very low level of exercise. I am working full time so have had to reduce my level of exercise, going only once per week to the gym instead of two to three times.

However, I walk two miles to work in the morning and two miles back in the evening, plus try to go out at lunchtime. At that level, I am putting weight on.

I also used to walk about ten miles per day - for decades - but whilst it kept my weight down, I certainly did not lose it.

You need to diet and do a far higher level of exercise to lose weight.

[Arlie123]

You are doing brilliantly if you’re running that much every week and at least your cardiovascular fitness will be really good I used to run but these days struggle! understand the frustration re weight though.

It’s likely if your labs aren’t quite right - either vitamins or thyroid - you’ll struggle to shift it no matter what you do so it’s a matter of sorting those. Have you tried adding any strength training in? I find that helps all lot and isn’t as taxing on the body as running. The time I lost the most weight was when I went travelling for three months and was getting a lot of vitamin d from the sun having been deficient , walking a lot and eating gluten free and dairy free mostly. And was very stress free! My usual routine is more intense like spin classes which I love but don’t help with the weight I don’t think!! Hope you find something that works soon.

[jjf255]

When we exercise...especially cardio exercising, we use up T3 (our metabolism thyroid hormone) at a much faster rate then just normal activity. Someone who is hypo should alternate cardio with weight training. They should also exercise for shorter periods at a time.

As far as using a keto diet for weight loss...you MUST up your good fat consumption. Keto is NOT just a low carb diet. It is a high (good) fat, moderate protein and low carb. If you are consuming the correct amount of fats..IE coconut oil, olive oil, ghee, salmon etc you will not feel weak. 1000 calorie diet is not sufficient for the long haul. You may lose a few pounds this way, but you can't maintain it. When your body gets into ketosis from the keto diet...which can actually take a week or two...you will start to feel great. Your body is now using your excess body fat instead of glucose for it's energy. If done properly, you will lose weight and have energy. Research Keto diets to make sure you are doing it correctly. Also...make sure you drink plenty of water. Often times our body says we are weak from lack of food, but actually we are dehydrated, which is common when trying to lose weight.

[Katiethedubs]

Hello 👋🏻

Agree with points people make below about getting full testing and ensuring you are optimally medicated etc BUT I can also say that as we get older even when doing a fair amount of exercise, such as running, it can be hard to shift weight.

For me, I lost all my baby weight after my daughter was born by combining a paleo type diet (I did eat dairy but limited processed carbs and starches and sugars- I found a book called the Primal

blueprint v helpful!) you can still eat lots of complex carbs like squash, sweet potato and wild rice and I did allow myself to relax a bit at weekends. I also changed up my exercise and rather than lots of cardio switched to a combination of HIIT training (short sharp cardio bursts) and weight training/ and body resistance work like press ups). I found this combination hugely successful.

I have lost a stone since my second baby and dropped about 4% body fat by following the above (though I’m a bit more relaxed about carbs as am breastfeeding). I also introduced intermittent fasting. I only eat for 8 hours of the day so tend to skip breakfast. This was enough to shift the stubborn lbs for me. It may be worth looking at introducing some changes rather than trying to just follow a low calorie high cardio diet as I think as we get older these tend to become less effective.

[NWA6]

You can’t outrun a diet. Ofcourse it can be down to hypothyroid but you’d need FT4/3 tests to know if this is the case. If not due to hypothyroid you’ll loose weight on low carb. Or another type of diet I like is The Harcombe, she says just don’t mix fats and carbs together and eat mostly non processed food.