Hi all, I'm new to this forum. I've been having horrible luck with weight loss for about 2 years now. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 2 years ago, and didn't have much luck with Synthroid. I found a doctor who prescribed Armour Thyroid. My thyroid levels came back to normal but I was not feeling any better. I was put on antidepressants. First I was on EffexorXR with raised my blood pressure to dangerous levels. I was switched to Leaxpro and then Prozac. Still, I wasn't feeling any better, just spacier. Luckily I have a wonderful doctor who will leave no stone unturned. He noticed an increase in acne on my face and back, and tested my estradiol and testosterone levels twice. Estridol was menopausally low and the testosterone was ridiculously high. He just put me on Spiornolactone and birth control pills, along with my thyroid medication and high blood pressure medication, and off of the antidepressants that another doctor had put me on. It's only been about a week, and I don't notice much difference.

I never had a serious weight problem until about two years ago. Since then I have gained about 40lbs. My energy levels were so low at one point that working out was the furthest thing from my mind-- ****, I would fall asleep in the bathroom at work or while vacuuming the living room. My blood glucose levels are normal, and the Atkins diet was a complete failure for me a few months ago. I followed it to the "t", and lost no weight despite this terrible diahhhrea and nausea.

Is it still possible to be insulin resistant though? And if so... is there a diet that can help? Does anyone have any suggestions? As silly as it may sound, I'm determined to lose at least 30 lbs over the next year for my wedding. Although.... that's not my main reasoning... I don't like having this excess weight to carry around . I fell uncomfortable and I have no energy, still.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Hi, Pandora!! Welcome to our forum!!!

It is very possible to be insulin resistant. PCOS is not just an "Ovary" disease. It is in fact, a systemic endocrine and metabolic disorder. It should really be called the "Poly-Cystic Ovary/Excess Androgen Production /Adrenal Hyperplasia / Insulin Resistant / Hyperpipidemic / Often Overweight / Anovulatory /Hirsute / Sometimes Acne" Syndrome. Here is a link to the full article. http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35419

I felt like you did...I had no energy, gained weight just by blinking, etc...When I finally found the right doctor who set me on the right path, I started to lose weight. But it took a while. First I had my ovaries cauterized, (holes popped in them and burned around the edges so the holes stay open and are able to release all of the hormones/fluids they usually store in a PCOS patient), then I went on Metformin for the IR, then I did a major eating habits over-haul, then started exercising. All of that helped me lose 50+ pounds. I'd like to lose another 40 but I'm happy with what I have lost...Cause of the effort it took to get there. But I feel GOOD!! The lifestyle changes make your body feel good which in turn makes your general well-being feel good. It's a positive domino effect.

Feel free to join us in our monthly chat!! We'd love to have you!! Just click on the link below to get there.

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=42898

Also, here below is a link to all of our PCOS articles. Feel free to browse and read all you'd like.

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=125

Hi! Thanks for replying!

Were you ever put on spironolactone? If so, did it help?

I was really inspired by your reply... I kow it can be done! What diet did you try? Was it something like South Beach?

Congratualtions on your weight loss...

Hi Pandora and welcome to 3FC!!!!

I am hypothyroid as well, I started as hyperthyroid but thats another story, I find synthroid doesnt do much in the way of helping me either. Unfortunately there is only one endocrinologist for my whole state lol. ok now on to my reason for posting here, I found that south beach has soooo greatly helped me achieve my weight loss that and exercise. As a thyroid patient you probably know that it is so important for those of us with metabolic disorders to exercise and eat right I see my ob monthly for weigh ins because my endocrinologist is not local to me and she recommended the south beach diet to me and I found it to be soo easy to stick with, on top of following the sbd I also journal every single little piece of food that I put in my mouth right down to spices and then I upped my water intake to at least 100 oz a day and I'm seeing fabulous results. I no longer have as many tired days as I used to!! Maybe only once a week and especially around TOM (time of month, in case you didn't know).

Ok I'm done
HTH
Michelle