Can't seem to find what the best plans are for losing some of this weigh gain due to hypo. and which works best,(if you work it of course). Low fat/medifast/low carb? My weight just doesn't want to budge, like a 1/8lb.a wk. will take me a lifetime to reach healthy. What do you all do that's working? Thanks for sharing.

Hi Choices.... I also have hypothyroidism... I am currently on 175 mcg of synthroid daily... I was just reduced from 275 a day... Anyway, as far as your question on diets, it really is a personal choice for you... I have done Medifast, I did see quick results but had to stay on plan with no deviations and it is hard to stick to in my life with 3 kids, working and a crazy schedule. I have kept off most of the weight but I have now switched over to Weight Watchers... even though I may only lose 1 lb a week I can say to myself that it is still a loss and I am happy with that... The Weight Watchers diet fits more into my lifestyle... I hope that helps a little... let me know if I can help you in any way...

i done do ww and i have underactive thyroid and on thyroxine i lost about 55lbs doing ww it took a while but i done it xxx

Here's a helpful website www.thyroid.about.com where you will find answers to your questions.

Don't forget, in addition to diet, exercise is mandatory to keep your thyroid working as much as possible.

I'm on 300 mcg Synthroid.

Thanks for you response. I think what you've done is what I would probably follow..but first I need to get a large chunk of pounds off,then go on to ww when I'm almost there..say within 20 lbs. To do it now though would take me way too long,and be too expensive. Congratulations on your success...keep on. Choices

Thanks Susan...I have read the website you mentioned,thanks for mentioning it,i'll reread it. I do excercise/gym twice a wk.and walk the other days,I also do weights. I'm on Leiventhroid(MSP) 75 mgc..don't know if that hi/or low,but the symptons are all still there for me,skin,hair,tired etc.etc. I have asked about Amour,and I'd have to go outside my health care/dr. to get that. You've been really successful which I can see by your numbers..congratulations to you...do you mostly stay w/ww program? take care,and thanks for your input. Choices

Hi Choices,

I just got diagnosed with hypothyroidism about a week and a half ago- initially starting me off on 50mgc of levothyroxine (or whatever it's called)- doctor thinks I'll end up somewhere at 100mgc- but I have to go to an endo first. I can't wait till I start feeling better!

But as to your question- from what I've read, higher protein and lower carb diets are best (Not something severe like Atkins), and you should also avoid foods containing soy. Which really sucks because I like protein bars and things people generally think taste like chocolate covered cardboard. LOL! (And that is also why you shouldn't do a high protein almost no carb diet, because alot of the products they recommend are based on soy protein.)

I'm going to be starting slimfast tomorrow. The shakes do have some soy in them- but it's mostly a milk based shake. I won't be able to do their snack and meal bars though. They are completely soy based.

Good luck!

LR

I try to do low-gi, whole foods because that's where I need to be PCOS wise.

But for my hypo? It doesn't matter and it doesn't care. I can exercise and eat right till the cows come home but the key for me is to be up to date on the meds and on the right dose too. (I'm currently on 125 mcg). It's got to be all three -- eat right, exercise AND correct med dose working together.

A.

Hi Choices -

I was literally about to post this same topic this morning - thankfully I stumbled upon yours first!

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism when I was 4 - I'm now 20. I've been on 75mcg of Synthroid since I was 6 - yet every so often I still have symptoms. Thinning hair, changes in skin texture (I just got acne last may,) skipped periods, etc.

I started weight watchers last Sunday with my friend, something I tried to do many years ago, and I already lost 8.5 pounds with their new system. Granted - it's the first week lucky streak, but exciting none the less! Since, my skin has cleared, my energy level increased, my period came back, etc.

I have just been eating a lot of fruits and veggies, allowing myself the occasional treat, and exercising at least 30min a day. I have to work harder than my WW partner (eating less, exercising harder and more often) since my metabolic rate and energy levels are slower...but the hard work is paying off!

Good luck with everything and let me know if you hear of any good tips! I hate that this silly thing holds us back sometimes!

Best of luck!!

Hi Choices,
Lots of wise advice, above.
I just wanted to add that exercise is important for folks with hypothyroid ( I have hypo, too). Exercise actually helps your body be more efficient at utilizing your thyroid hormone called T3. Also, I have noticed in y own life that my body temp/metabolism slow down when I consume caffiene and alcohol. (Maybe that's just me?)


2happytummy

i feel for you. i spent a year at the gym about four days a week, doing both strength training and cardio, and lost 0.5 pounds per week!!!!(((( it only changed when i found weights classes and eventually a bootcamp. i have some of the low thyroid symptoms and some of the numbers but most of the doctors are using that outdated scale and wont give me the thyroid medicine((( so i've had to work harder to do it without the benefit of normal burning. if i can get to where i want to be without medicine, it might ultimately be better for me, but i'm sure my life would have been different if i'd had some help.

I have been taking synthroid for 16 years. 200mg. If your meds are leveled, you should not have a problem.

I started out at 75 mg....which was way too low, and I struggled. Please make sure your values are BELOW 3.0 closer to 1.... If you are flirting with 4+ and your doctor says you are "fine", find a specialist!!!! If you have a thyroid condition, your values, with meds, should be close to 1

Well, actually if you are eating vegetables, meats, eggs, fruits, healthy oils/fats (moderate protein, lowish carb, high fat -- a la primal/paleo or Atkins) then you aren't getting any soy. Atkins done correctly doesn't include lots of products - it includes real food.

I've been eating primal/paleo for around 9 months and have done well on it. I've been hypothyroid for three years or so.

Good luck with whatever route you take!

Hmmmm, alot of the high protein, little carb diets I've seen incorporate alot of protein bars, or protein shakes, which are often soy based. Sorry if I lumped Atkins in there. I had read about Atkins a long time ago when it first was a big hit, never tried it- can't deal without carbs- but somewhere in there my mind must have just sorted it in with the other high protein diets.



Oh, and meal replacement bars are soy based. This hypo thing sucks. I really liked my protein bars.

LR

I agree. I have hypothyroidism since age 6. I'm also on Atkins, which was the optimal diet for me, I don't buy any products (Atkins products aren't sold in my country), so I guess I eat real food, lol!! I don't eat any soy either. I eat pretty much what the quote said. Proteins shakes and such aren't necessary...you can eat as much protein you need.