Also I should add, for those of you who have thyroid problems. My TSH level is 4.23 I did some research on this because I know that one of the symptoms of hypothyroidism is high cholesterol, so I thought that might be the case. From what I've read so far, the "normal range" of TSH is considered .5-5.0 by some and .3-3.0 by others. By the latter, I would be considered hypo, and that could explain the cholesterol level. Unfortunately I have to wait a couple of weeks to be able to see my regular doctor.. so I would just really appreciate any input in the meantime..

Originally Posted by gettinmygrooveback:
Just wanted to add...... I just received the text below in an email from my coach. I know it's all positive but this is some of where my rant came from the other day. What would you feel constantly reading these?

Another dieter just walked out of the clinic after completing all phases of the diet.

Suz lost 10 pounds and 4 and 3/4 inches in less than 7 weeks on the diet.

Suz DID NOT CHEAT!!

She says," It really was not hard even though others tried to sabotage me. It was easy to stay focused knowing I could wear my bikini on vacation and feel good in it."

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Just a little different perspective - I think it's good for some people to receive emails like that to see the program working for other people, especially if they aren't on a forum like this one to know that it works.

I know I've been guilty of posting news like that on here and really hope it isn't a bad thing. I don't see it as negative, just the opposite, but I guess it depends on the tone that's set at the clinic as well.

Originally Posted by Gika:
Also I should add, for those of you who have thyroid problems. My TSH level is 4.23 I did some research on this because I know that one of the symptoms of hypothyroidism is high cholesterol, so I thought that might be the case. From what I've read so far, the "normal range" of TSH is considered .5-5.0 by some and .3-3.0 by others. By the latter, I would be considered hypo, and that could explain the cholesterol level. Unfortunately I have to wait a couple of weeks to be able to see my regular doctor.. so I would just really appreciate any input in the meantime..

What are your HDL and LDL levels. Also, what are your triglycerides? Not all cholesterol is bad. In fact, statistically, women with higher cholesterol live longer. So, don't freak out. We need cholesterol. Hopefully your HDL went up.

Originally Posted by Pxlkitty4:
What are your HDL and LDL levels. Also, what are your triglycerides? Not all cholesterol is bad. In fact, statistically, women with higher cholesterol live longer. So, don't freak out. We need cholesterol. Hopefully your HDL went up.

Thanks! I feel kind of silly that I freaked out SO much.

One more vent-fest if you guys don't mind. Just really need to get this off my chest. Since I can't go in to see my doctor, I called one of the physicians associated with the IP clinic I go to, I spoke to one of them and before I knew it we were having a very "tense" conversation. At first he suggested that I might be cheating (which I'm not), then he said that "small fluctuations are normal", but I tried to explain to him that such an increase wouldn't be so small, in light of the fact that it should have been lowered after 4 months on IP, so for it to be higher, something else might be going on. He went on to blame it on stress. Actually he blamed my hair loss, insomnia and high cholesterol on stress... the fact is I clearly told him I'm not more stressed than usual. Whatever. I've had time to cool down.. I'll just make sure I don't slack on exercise from now on, and I'll wait until I can come in to see my regular doctor.

My HDL did go up from 62 to 68, but unfortunately so did my LDL which went from 99 to 121 sigh.. my triglycerides went from 75 to 59. As far as the ratios, I'm still considered low risk for cardiac problems. Thing is, I'm not worried about the levels themselves, I'm worried that they are what they are WHILE I'm on IP. I feel like there's something going on and they are going to skyrocket the minute I stop IP.

Anyway, sorry for the rant. I'm much better mentally now though. I didn't go and eat the house, so that's good :D

Originally Posted by Gika:
Also I should add, for those of you who have thyroid problems. My TSH level is 4.23 I did some research on this because I know that one of the symptoms of hypothyroidism is high cholesterol, so I thought that might be the case. From what I've read so far, the "normal range" of TSH is considered .5-5.0 by some and .3-3.0 by others. By the latter, I would be considered hypo, and that could explain the cholesterol level. Unfortunately I have to wait a couple of weeks to be able to see my regular doctor.. so I would just really appreciate any input in the meantime..

Hi Gika, the research citing .5-5.0 is pretty much only subscribed to by GPs and others who haven't kept up with the most recent. Having said that, however, it's important to also say the the TSH level isn't the whole picture. It's good that you're having blood work and the very best of luck with it. :hug:

Originally Posted by Gika:
Also I should add, for those of you who have thyroid problems. My TSH level is 4.23 I did some research on this because I know that one of the symptoms of hypothyroidism is high cholesterol, so I thought that might be the case. From what I've read so far, the "normal range" of TSH is considered .5-5.0 by some and .3-3.0 by others. By the latter, I would be considered hypo, and that could explain the cholesterol level. Unfortunately I have to wait a couple of weeks to be able to see my regular doctor.. so I would just really appreciate any input in the meantime..

I'm hypothyroid and was misdiagnoised for too many years. The TSH levels should only be used for monitoring a normal thyroid. IMHO, with the levels at the upper end of the range (indicating hypo), your doctor should be doing a full thyroid panel on you to see why. Most docs like to see the TSH levels around 2 of just below, but once you begin to take medication you can throw the TSH test out the window. Are you experiencing classic symptoms of hypo...fatigue, cold hands, low grade depression, dry skin, hair loss on outer edge of eyebrows? The list goes on and on....Also note, my cholesterol levels were just slightly elevated with my last tests (prior to my beginning IP) but nothing to be overly concerned about....next round of tests come at the end of this month.

Originally Posted by BCGirl:
Just a little different perspective - I think it's good for some people to receive emails like that to see the program working for other people, especially if they aren't on a forum like this one to know that it works.

I know I've been guilty of posting news like that on here and really hope it isn't a bad thing. I don't see it as negative, just the opposite, but I guess it depends on the tone that's set at the clinic as well.

I agree that this type of info is WONDERFUL motivation for people. But given my circumstance and several of us struggling, this begins to get our goat after awhile. I keep hearing about people who are in and out of the program and I suppose I could say that I'm just a tad bit jealous! It's all about attitude and I came here to vent and hopeful be able to put it behind me and move on. My posting was to help others do the exact same thing.

I pick up my blood work results at the health fair tomorrow. I will let you know my results too! Unfortunately, I don't have a beginning number to share as I haven't had my blood work done for about 3 years.

Originally Posted by 2RIDEROLLERCOAST:
Getting love the new pic, and yes that would irritate me getting something like that. the only thing I thought of at the time of reading it is... she only had to lose 10 lbs? and it took 7 weeks... *****y that I am...
I have to tell you I am not having a good week where food is. It has been sketchy all week, I am working downtown for 2 days and there is a little food court but hardly anything I can eat. I did bring my salad and tuna yesterday to eat but today I thought I would be back at my office so I brought stuff to make egg foo young and am still downtown... ended up having a lettuce with thai chicken on top not the best but ate my bean sprouts and mushrooms later to get my 2 cups... haven't been having my night time snack. would rather have a tea. and today can't seem to get water down me... and tonight off looking for a house for a friend. I think I am at the point where I know it matters what I eat but just not hungry this week... and of course my supper meals have been late all week first because of Halloween and then just busy. I keep saying I will try better today... tomorrow back at my regular office so can do better...hopefully.

I hope all of you are having a wonderful day.:hug::hug:

I am struggling too. I just keep telling myself....this is life and learn how to deal with these things. If I wasn't dieting, I wouldn't have issues with food so I end up stressing out becasue I didn't eat on time! This is why I've had issues with those d**m bars. I decide this AM that rather than throw them out, I am taking them to my neighbor for "safe keeping". Evidently, I can't be trusted to have more than a few around/with me. I need to find another "go-to" food when life has me running! Funny how I never had "issues" with them earlier in my journey. Last night I dreamed of having oatmeal and egg whites for breakfast. I can't begin to tell you how disappointed I was when I woke up and reality "bit" me.

Originally Posted by sandyh50:
Oh this is so fun looking at measurements! I've lost 46 1/2 pounds and 46 1/4 inches. I wear a size 10 and my measurements are:

chest- 37.25"
waist- 34"
hips- 38.5"
thigh- 20"

I am going to be 59 in 11 days and have the matronly up and down figure (no hourglass anymore). I went through menopause 8 years ago, so no more estrogen!

I was so disgusted with my scale this morning that I decided to hold off on my measurements. Hope to post sometime this weekend. Question for all...when you measure your waist, are you measuring at your smallest point or at your belly button? I think I noticed Jennydoodle with a waist and then a stomach measurement. Thanks to my shrinking apple shape, my two measurements are TOTALLY different!

And Sandy.....quess whose 51st birthday is 2 days after your 59th? :D Even though my estrogen levels are dwindling, I still have some serious ups and downs from time to time. Thank goodness, not as bad as it was about 5+ years ago.

Originally Posted by Linden:
Hi Gika, the research citing .5-5.0 is pretty much only subscribed to by GPs and others who haven't kept up with the most recent. Having said that, however, it's important to also say the the TSH level isn't the whole picture. It's good that you're having blood work and the very best of luck with it. :hug:

Forgot to mention....I totally concur!

Good morning all, finally at my own office but have a busy day so will have to go shortly. Went house hunting with a friend, I think we found one for her last night... and it is about 5 min from my place which is nice. I have a busy weekend planned, my friend is moving in with me next week as she has to be out of her sold house by thursday so going to try to rearrange things to make it as comfortable as possible for her. Together we have 4 dogs and 3 cats so it should be interesting the first couple days for everyone to settle in. Tonight I get to go and babysit my friend's two precious kids while she goes to a book club. I have never seen such good kids before, they are fun to babysit.

Today I am not stressing about weight and just going to let it happen, going to try to get my veg in earlier today than yesterday ended up eating some of my veg limit at 9 pm so then had a pudding as I have been kind of skipping them this week. I am really tired this morning, I think because a cold front rolled in over night and there is a skiff of snow on the ground at the airport where I work. Now for sure I have to think about winter clothes as my jeans are not warm enough to walk the 10 minutes to my other office a couple times a week...
Hope everyone has a great day and weekend. Later :hug:

Good morning. My scale was up a little this morning, not much, and it was expected because I had a taco salad and the sodium and such from the seasoning always gets me.

Shopping tonight (alone!) for tops for everyone to wear in our family pics on Sunday. It's supposed to be super windy here that day so that should make for some interesting outdoor pics. I'm hoping to have a hot pink/teal/gray/navy blue theme but we will see what I can find.

Morning all!
Still having a weird week, not really sure why. I had a dizzy episode again late yesterday afternoon that lasted like 4 hrs. I did eat my supper as planned and made sure to take an extra potassium. I will confess to iving in to the temptation monster, too much chocolate in my house!! I feel fine so far today but then I felt fine yesterday too right up until my world slid sideways. lol
They are calling for snow tonight and tomorrow, :( I hate that our winter is so stinkin long. I guess it is November and it has to happen sometime so bring it on so we can get it over with.

Originally Posted by ItsAboutTime:
Good morning. My scale was up a little this morning, not much, and it was expected because I had a taco salad and the sodium and such from the seasoning always gets me.

Shopping tonight (alone!) for tops for everyone to wear in our family pics on Sunday. It's supposed to be super windy here that day so that should make for some interesting outdoor pics. I'm hoping to have a hot pink/teal/gray/navy blue theme but we will see what I can find.

Best of luck on good weather for your pics and finding the right tops!

Originally Posted by Gika:
Thanks! I feel kind of silly that I freaked out SO much.

I propose you get it retested. I don't think the numbers make sense. I don't know how they could up that much while on IP.

Originally Posted by Pxlkitty4:
I propose you get it retested. I don't think the numbers make sense. I don't know how they could up that much while on IP.

I really agree, Gika. I vaguely remember, from somewhere in the mist of time, hearing that LDL may go up and that it is temporary. I think it was Carla who mentioned it, but I can't find it. I did find this, though. Hope it helps.

"Triglycerides drop drastically if elevated, and this occurs early in the diet. HDL-C (good cholesterol) increases, but this is over a longer period of time. LDL-C (bad cholesterol) may or may not improve in by total LDL-C measures. However, the LDL-C ratio of apoB (bad, dense component of LDL) and apoA (better, less atherogenic component of LDL) improves."
From THE IDEAL PROTEIN WEIGHT-LOSS METHOD: AN OVERVIEW http://www.ihpweightloss.com/The_Ide...Mike_Ciell.pdf