Diagnosed with Hypo-Thyroidism, any tips on this? UPDATE

[Christine]

Right now my TSH is at 6.67 and I take 150mcg of Levothroid daily. I did have mono 20 years ago. Good Luck to everyone.

Cindy,
Do you know that a TSH of 6.67 is hypothyroid? How come they don't give you more medication?

 

[Laurajean1014]

Cindy - Thank you for your story. I do see a trend with Mono and Hyper/Hypo issues. According to my doc, Christine is correct. 6.70 is considered hypo, which is also very common when one was hyper.



I would like to stress that anyone trying to lose weight to drink as much water as possible and to eat eggs or egg whites if possible. This can help you lose weight.

 

[CindyKansas]

Christine, Yes, I know I am Hypothyroid, after I had RAI (radioactive iodine treatment) done (after many blood tests and a imaging test) the Endo. told me that I would have symptoms of Hypothyroid. My original symptoms came about in 1995. I was very lucky that my family doctor knew what was going on and sent me on to the Endo. That is one reason I have to go in every 6 months for blood work to test the levels. I have been on numerous levels of Levothroid. The past test was taken in June, and I go back in December, unless I feel the need to go in and be tested again.

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Just read though some of this thread, and I too had thyroid problems most of my life.

I found a terrific book that explains thyroid problems so the average person can understand. It is called "The Thyroid Source Book" by M. Sara Rosenthal
I highly recommend it.
I recommended it to my Dad and he actually took it with him to the doctor to "dispute/discuss" some of her recommendations.

Dr. Rosenthal also has a website www.sarahealth.com

 

[Laurajean1014]

For those that want to keep the weight down while on meds or thinking that they may have HoT (Hypo thyroidism) or HeT (Hyper thyroidism), here's what I ate, so far today:

Breakfast - (not overly proud of this one) (4 points)
10 animal crackers (3 points)
1 small apple (1 point)
32 oz. water

Lunch - (3 points)
2 Egg White Omlete with peppers and onions and salsa (1 point)
WW Chocolate Sundae (2 points)
32 oz. water

Planning:

Dinner: (11 points)
Soft Taco's made with 1 lb. ground chicken and Taco Bell seasons
consisting of: shredded mexican cheese (3 points)
2 small tortillas - (3 points)
1 tablespoon Fat Free Sour Cream - (0 points)
5 oz. of ground chicken - (5 points)
Shredded Lettuce - (0 points)
20 oz. water


Dessert/Snack - (Let's say 4 points)
WW Ice cream cone (2 points)
and maybe chips (1 oz. is 4 points) or another WW sweet item (2 points)
20 oz. water

Total Consumption: 22 points
104 oz. of water

I walked at lunch time and plan to do more after dinner.

I hope that helps, if anyone is interested.

If you want - I can post how many points you should eat depending on your weight ( a chart). Let me know if it interests anyone.

 

[Laurajean1014]

I will get the book! Thank you for the recommendation.

 

[Mickey&JoshNut]

If you want - I can post how many points you should eat depending on your weight ( a chart). Let me know if it interests anyone.

Laurajean, I'd be interested. If you don't want to post it here you can PM the chart to me.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Christine]

I will get the book! Thank you for the recommendation.

Laurajean,
There is another good and new book out. It is called The Complete Thyroid Book. It is written by Dr. Kenneth Ain (who happens to be Sara Rosenthal's husband!). He is a PROMINENT endocrinologist and thyroid cancer doctor. I think you will find his book to be very technical and thorough.

 

[Patty3]

Laurajean, I'd be interested. If you don't want to post it here you can PM the chart to me.

Thanks in advance.

I would be interested as well. Since being diagnosed, I have been on a real up and down trend with the weight. Thanks.

 

[Laurajean1014]

I will post their chart, according to weight. Find your weight and it will tell you how many points you are allowed for each day. Points cannot be carried over.

There are variations to WW. The core, which I will submit to you, the flex-plan (which is 5 points less than the core each day, but you have 35 flex points to use within the week). Be your best guide.

Please drink water, water, water. Water is very forgiving if you make a mistake. Don't think of it as cheating - 'cause it's not, it's a slow reprogramming process. Also, remember: If it takes a year to lose 60 lbs., think about how long it took you to put it on (6 or 8 years)? So, the body is very forgiving, even on weeks that don't show great results.

What's the short term goal? To lose a lb. or 2 a week.

What's the long term goal? To achieve a healthier, happier you.

The weight will come off.

I will post the chart tonight - sorry I don't have it with me know. I do know that anyone under 150 lbs. uses 20 points.

I'll have more tonight.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Here's a weight chart, the points will come a bit later.

Height
(feet, inches) Weight Ranges
(in pounds)

Minimum for all adults (BMI=20) Recommended maximum for ages up to 25 years Recommended maximum for ages between 25 & 45 years Maximum for all Adults (45+) (BMI=25)

4'8" 89 102 107 111
4'9" 92 106 111 115
4'10" 95 110 115 119
4'11" 99 114 119 124
5'0" 102 118 123 128
5'1" 106 121 127 132
5'2" 109 125 131 136
5'3" 113 130 135 141
5'4" 116 134 140 145
5'5" 120 138 144 150
5'6" 124 142 148 155
5'7" 127 147 153 159
5'8" 131 151 158 164
5'9" 135 155 162 169
5'10" 139 160 167 174
5'11" 143 165 172 179
6'0" 147 169 177 184
6'1" 151 174 182 189
6'2" 155 179 187 194
6'3" 160 184 192 200
6'4" 164 189 197 205
6'5" 168 194 202 210
6'6" 173 199 207 216
6'7" 177 204 213 221

These are your "ideal weight ranges." They are only a guide - not at all what you should be at.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Here is the WW points chart. Find your range and this will give you the points you need to consume each day.

Flex Points Program - give yourself 35 flex points for each week to consume.

Under 150 lbs, 20
150-174, 22
175-199, 24
200-224, 26
225-249, 28
250-274, 30
275-299, 31
300-325, 32
325-349, 33

 

[Laurajean1014]

A great recipe to get yourself started:

Any cake mix (Duncan Hines, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury) - I prefer lemon.
12 oz. of Seltzer (flavored or unflavored - new bottle - more bubbles, better). I like the Tangerine flavored for this recipe.

Mix together and place in a (Pam) greased cupcake tin. Heat oven at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or so. Makes about 12-18.

BEST OF ALL: THESE BABIES ARE: ............................... 1 point each!

They taste delicious and are a great way to take care of any carb cravings you may have. Two of these maybe a good breakfast with a piece of fruit = 3 points.


I made these for a dessert (and no-one knew they were reduced calorie). I used one muffin/cupcake, Fat Free Cool Whip and Fresh Strawberries (I crushed some strawberries to get a bit of juice). This was about 2 points for the dessert.

 

[Laurajean1014]

There is also an Activity Points component where you can eat more points as a reward for exercising. (based on your weight, activity level, and amount of time exercising).

Light activity points = wt x min x .000232
Moderate activity points = wt. x min. x .000327
High activity points = wt x min. x .0008077

Or, if you know the amount of calories burned (for instance, from the display on a piece of exercize equipment), add an activity point for every 100 calories.

 

[Mickey&JoshNut]

Laurajean...

Thanks for the information. About the water....can it be Crystal Light???? I can drink a ton of the pink lemonade but give me plain old water and it takes me forever to drink a glass.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Hi Mickey - You can drink anything that does not have caffine or sugar. Crystal Light is good, but if it has a sugar substitute it may artifically raise your blood sugar making you hungry. Try putting a small amount of CL in your water and see how you do.

Or put real lemon and lime squeezed into your water with ice!

 

[newholidayx2]

Best time to take Levothyroxin tab 25mcg
Labels say:
empty stomach 1hr before or 2-3hrs after meal
usually taken as single dose before brkfst
med with full glass water
at least 4hrs before taking vitamins/tums

Im up at 6am having coffee & cereal while getting DS ready for the school bus. By 9am Im taking my vitamins/Tums getting myself ready for work.

any ideas on how to best take this?

 

[newholidayx2]

sorry about that - Ive been newly diagnosed - typed that up and lost it so wanted to be sure it got out there in cyberland.

Came home Aug 27 from WDW to a letter from my doc telling me I have Hashimoto's thyroiditism hypothyroidism.
Im now on Levothyroxin. After taking it a few days had leg cramps so took myself off for a few days. Called doc and he told me it was lack of potassium not the drug so to drink more OJ. Called doc today to tell him my weight is increasing and I wanted to go off again. He said stick with it for at least the 4wks till blood is retested. Said I may not be taking a high enough dose.

My #s are: (do these make sense to anyone?)
Thyperoxities 133 - which is too high - said normal is below 35
TSH 6.38 - normal range .28-3.8 - overactive gland making me sluggish and gain weight (Ive been maintaining a 45lb loss and been at goal. I dont want to gain! ahhhhh)

Doc is also retesting my cholesterol. 2yrs ago it was 160, now its 180

 

[snappy]

Best time to take Levothyroxin tab 25mcg
Labels say:
empty stomach 1hr before or 2-3hrs after meal
usually taken as single dose before brkfst
med with full glass water
at least 4hrs before taking vitamins/tums

I'm up at 6am having coffee & cereal while getting DS ready for the school bus. By 9am Im taking my vitamins/Tums getting myself ready for work.

any ideas on how to best take this?

I keep my synthroid by my bedside with a glass of water. I wake up very early, before the alarm rings (I have teens and HS starts early so we are all up early). I roll over for a few more minutes sleep after taking the med.
I get everyone out and about and by then the hour has elapsed. It is not a perfect science.

I take all other meds at night before bed, including calcium and vitamins.

Once you get into a routine it does not seem as hard. It took me about 6 months to really get in the groove.

Good luck.

 

[newholidayx2]

Is it possible my weight loss made me have Hashimoto's?
I remember when I lost and was at goal that my body seemed to absorb all calories I fed it (like it was starving?) Was I in fact giving myself Hashimoto's?