[slimup]

Hi, i have an under active thyroid and i find losing weight depressingly slow. Any ideas Pleeeeease!!!! Lin x

[Spoz]

Are you being treat for it? If so you shouldn't have any problems at all with losing weight. You should also look at the fact that it might NOT be your thyroid condition slowing your loss, all factors such as age, diet and exercise might be the problem.

[Meg]

Hi Liz and welcome! I'm hypothyroid too and yes, it can make weight loss a little more challenging, but certainly not impossible (as you can see from my statistics).

Spoz is right; the key is being on the proper dose of thyroid hormone. I know it can be frustrating to get the dosage right where it should be (I'm in that test every six weeks, tweak, test again cycle right now myself ) but if you're patient and work with your doctor, you can find just the right dosage that will let you lose the weight.

As for diet, a lot of us who are hypo find that controlling carbs is very helpful. I avoid sugar and refined carbs and focus instead on fruits, veggies, and limited amounts of whole grains. You might want to take a look at what you're eating and see if you're a little heavy on the carbs.

And exercise is a necessity for us! Can you tell us a bit about what you're doing now regarding an eating plan and exercise and perhaps we can offer some suggestions?

Don't give up hope! We have quite a few hypothyroid members here at 3FC who have successfully lost weight (many over 100 pounds) and kept it off, so stick around and we'll help you through.

[ezziriah]

i have a low throid and I have no insurance so no meds which don't recommend but i have no $ for my blood work and my doc won't prescrib my meds. I was wondering if anyone has heard of any home rememdies in replae of meds? I heard coconut oil works wonders

[Dreamgyrl]

Ezziriah, if you can't afford your meds, please contact the pharmacutical company directly. Most if not all of them have special programs where you either pay for your meds based on your income or you receive it for free.

I don't have any home remedies to give but speaking as someone with no thyroid and is currently going through the "test...wait 6 weeks, restest...wait 6 weeks" pattern too, being at the right level is VERY important.

The thyroid regulates sooo much of our body (metabolism, heart reate, etc.) that you should be taking some meds.

Good luck!

[QuilterInVA]

Have you checked for a free clinic? There are ways to get treatment when you can't pay. You cannot treat thyroid problems on your own. It's like playing Russian roulette and you could lose your life.

[fancydancingfeet]

I also have an underactive thyroid. It was diagnosed about 3 years ago. I've been on medication since then. It seems like when I get feeling better, it stays that way for a couple of months and then... we have to adjust my dosage.
I am currently on 150mcg of Synthroid. When I first started on it (50mcg), I lost close to 30pounds in about 4 months. It was great! I felt great! The world was so sunny... hehehe. About 6 months later, I started this yoyo thing with the medication. I have gained back all of that wieght and THEN some! I'm so discouraged. I keep asking my doctor if there is something else that I can take to help supplement the Synthroid. She continues to tell me... "No." I love her to death but I'm considering going to a specialist as she is a GP. Or even finding a gyno that may be willing to help me out. I just continue to gain weight. There is no loss at all anymore.

It's so depressing. I've even wondered if I should ask about going back on Wellbutrin. I sometimes wanna just cry. It's so hard to feel feminine anymore.

Any suggestions on GP vs Specialist vs Gyno? Or Synthroid vs other Med? Synthroid with secondary meds?

[Fun Size]

There is a good general book on the topic to buy or get at the library called:
The Thyroid Diet: Manage Your Metabolism for Lasting Weight Loss
by Mary Shomon.
She talks about diets that are helpful and supplements to try. She is a big believer in taking Armour thyroid or extra T3 medication. She feels that Synthroid alone usually does not do the trick for most women.

I am also hypothyroid. I take Thyrolar, which in some ways is similar to Armour Thyroid.

I have found it to be very hard to lose weight...it is very slow.

However, it is not impossible.

A few things I have found to be personally helpful...

1) Doing the flex plan on Weight Watchers...however...limiting bread (whole wheat) to one slice a day and sugary desserts (small portion) to a few times a week. The WW program provides support, which is especially needed when your body is fighting you like this.
2) Adding a Chromium Piccolate (sp?) supplement and a B50 tablet as well as a good multi vitamin/mineral supplement to my diet.
3) Exercise regularly about four times a week 30-45 minutes each time. I find that over exercising actually backfires, because I get over tired and tend to eat more.


p.s. Do NOT hesitate to get a variety of opinions on this from two or even three doctors. You have every right to feel well.

[LandonsBaby]

I would recommend you visit this site http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/. I think you should also conser that your adrenals could be fatigued. It's not at all uncommon in those who have had thyroid issues.

[fancydancingfeet]

Thank you for your advice.
I am now doing some research on adrenal fatigue and I have over half of the symptoms listed. I am surprised because some of them I have had for YEARS! I had no idea that adrenal fatigue could be another cause to my general feeling bad ALL of the time!
I must say I thought I was informed about tyhroid issues... BOY... was I wrong!

I have an appt with my GP on Friday. I am going armed with this information as well as a request to try Armour. Hopefully, she will be open to these ideas. I am hoping that the local library here has a copy of Stop the Thyroid Madness.

If I am taking 150 mcg of Synthroid now, I wonder what should my intial dosage of Armour be?

[Skinny4baby]

I read that Coconut Oil is good for thryroid function??

[fancydancingfeet]

I have heard that too and started taking it. I used about 2tsp per day then realized that it was REALLY high in calories! I stopped right away because in the 2 weeks that I was using it... I didn't notice any improvement in how I felt.
NO need for extra calories! LOL

[jennilynn]

Yay I'm excited about the website and book. I was diagnosed in June as hypothyroid. My GP had a lot of trouble with my test results so I was referred to a endocrine specialist. I have to keep a food diary and email him every two weeks. I don't feel like I have lost weight but people have been commenting so I take that as a good sign. I am on a low carb diet. He has me drinking a meal replacement shake for breakfast then doing lean meats and veggies for lunch and supper.

[over50swifty]

I am hypo thyroid. I lost 35 lbs. BEFORE I turned 50 and went through menopause. Now I have gained back 25 and can't lose it. I take Synthroid. I exercise 3X weekly at a gym. If the weather is good I walk 2 miles. I am tired of dieting. I am tired of low carbs. I am tired of fighting this battle. Lose 3 gain 3. Lose 3. Gain 3. If you are hypo thyroid, my only advice is to lose it before you turn 50 and go through menopause and lose more than you need because then if you gain it back you won't feel depressed on a daily basis like I am.

[QuilterInVA]

You have to cut calories when you reach 40 and then every 10 years because the body requires less food. I know I cut when menopause started and have cut twice more and I am maintaining my goal weight.