Question for those being treated for hypothyroid

[ElizK]

I have recently ventured from subclinical hypothyroid to hypothyroid. In six months my TSH count went from 4.6 to 10.3. In that same time period I had a hysterectomy (info is pertinent to my question, possibly). I have gained a LOT of weight in that 6 month time period.

I want to know if it is reasonable to expect my weight to drop back into a "normal" weight range. I started going to the gym 4 times a week, and I gained 4lbs. Very discouraging. It wasn't muscle... if it had been muscle my clothes would have fit better.

So, if you are hypothyroid, are you able to maintain a weight that falls into the normal range? Is your doctor happy with your TSH level to fall anywhere into the "normal" range, or is he/she trying to get you closer to what your TSH was in your pre-hypothyroid days?

I appreciate any encouragement (or reality check) that you can offer. I'm so disgusted with myself right now. I've always fought the battle of the bulge, but I weigh more now than I did when I was 9 months pregnant with my oldest child!

 

[rainydayplay]

I totally feel your pain. The month I was diagnosed as hypothyroid, I gained 7 pounds for no reason other than I became hypothyroid.

Everyone is different. Some will start dropping the pounds almost miraculously once they are on the appropriate medication and at the right level. Some never have any trouble with their weight whatsoever. The ones of us that do, though, can often seem to gain weight at the drop of a hat and for no apparent reason. I've dieted and gained 5 pounds in the first 3 days. I gain weight when my medication is changed.

As far as losing it...the only thing that seems to work for me is counting calories (and NOT calling it a diet.) I shoot for a goal of 1500 calories per day (and quite often count up the tally at the end of the day and realize I'm waaay short.)

The best I did on it, I kept a food diary. In it, I kept up with when I ate as well as what I ate, how many calories, fat grams, and carbohydrates were in it. I set a goal for calories -- had to at least get close to this -- and limits for the other two, but I can' remember what the limits were. I ate something within the first hour I was awake, tried not to go more than 3 hours without eating anything (4 hours max, if there wasn't opportunity, and it didn't have to be anything huge), and wouldn't eat anything after a certain time (2-3 hours before I went to bed.) I deny myself nothing that I want; I just try to be reasonable with the portion and be able to account for it.

If I do that, and stick to it, I do pretty well with losing weight. Sometimes, it's really hard to stick to it (and I need to just do it and get it done. But hang in there! There will be plenty of people who will tell you you're obviously doing everything wrong, even when you're doing everything right, and nothing seems to work.

 

[minniebeth]

I think it's hard to answer your question with what's normal, because it's so different for everyone. My experience and others I know is that with hypothyroidism, even once your levels are balanced, it's really a battle to lose the weight. I'm thinking with your hysterectomy, your other hormone levels are off too~
I would talk to your dr. about it and find a plan that could bring back balance into your life.
Hang in there, don't get discouraged, and don't be so hard on yourself. You need to find a good place within yourself to try to move forward to where you want to get to.
Best wishes, I know it's not easy!

 

[dakcp2001]

I recommend going to an endocrinologist and getting their opinion. My pcp did not do a good job of treating my thyroid issues, my endo has been great. Since you also had a hysterectomy, and endo seems like a good place to start (if you havent already).

I "feel" best with a tsh between 0.5 -2.5 so we aim for 1.5 give or take. When it goes above 3 she ups my meds. Make sure they run ALL the thyroid tests not just TSH. Synthroid alone didnt work well for me, we had to add Cytomel. In the beginnind they only ran the tsh and it kept going up & up & up and the synthroid wasnt helping enough. I currently take 137mcg of Synthroid and 15mcg of Cytomel a day. I have my bloodwork done every 3 months.

I have had a really hard time with my weight. I currently have a stress fracture in my foot (from too much treadmill) in the few weeks since I have been off of it, I have gained 6 lbs. That is 3 lbs a week! Of course I have been not exercising AND sitting around nibbling, so I know I need to knock it off or I wont fit through the door. It takes me a LOT to keep my weight under control, apparently more than my bones can handle.

 

[Disney Doll]

I dropped a few pounds once I started on thyroid medicine, but not enough to make a noticeable difference...maybe 5 lbs.

Between thyroid and hormonal changes from the hysterectomy, you're an endocrinologist's dream!!

 

[amyy]

I don't know my exact levels. My doctor increased my meds awhile back and almost seemed upset with me that my blood work was so "off". Being tired all the time is what bothers me the most. I have gained around 20 to 30 lbs in the past few years (hate typing that). I would say my doctor just wants them to fall within a range. She also had me add some B vitamins/stress vitamins. I use to work out a lot more/longer amount of time and I think that helped with keeping my weight down.

I have tried WW, Jenny Craig etc and none of that worked. I went to a nutritionist earlier this year and I couldn't believe how 10 lbs just fell off and I wasn't hungry. She felt I was eating too much protein and this was one of my major problems. I made a lot of changes in my diet (pm me if you want details). I hadn't been able to get any weight to budge and then it just tarted falling off. Silly, but it almost seemed like magic because I wasn't hungry. I could eat all I want but of only certain foods. I also did a few sessions of hypnosis.

As much as it hurts to see the 4 lb gain my weight can fluctuate that much. Stick with the gym, keep a food diary, and talk with your doctor.

You have probably heard of Spark but I will share the website anyway. I don't use it faithfully but I like to look around.http://www.sparkpeople.com/

 

[nmmom95]

I am still in the process of adjusting my meds, so I hope I lose weight! I had my right lobe removed and my TSH was 8.1. It's now 3.6, so the endo upped the meds. I am also on peritoneal dialysis, so that puts on weight, as well. I actually can't tell how much I've gained from the thyroid alone.

I agree with PP's, though. An endocrinologist can help you get your hormone levels back to normal. Good luck.

 

[Christine]

It is going to be a Your Mileage May Vary (YMMV) situation.

I lost my thyroid due to cancer in 1995. There have been several times that I was removed off thyroid medication, had my TSH go to 135 or so and put on about 10 lbs during that 6 week period of time.

When I went back on my medication, I lost every bit of weight that was a result of being hypothyroid. My lack of thyroid and being on synthetic medication has never caused me a weight issue.

This is not the case for others in my support group. A good number of women struggle with their weight after thyroidectomy.

I know even more women, though, that struggle with weight gain after hysterectomy or menopause. That seems to be the bigger offender.

For your sake, I *hope* it is due to being hypo and a correction in meds will fix it.

 

[Snoozan]

Another thyroid cancer survivor here so no more thyroid - I highly recommend you see an endocrinologist as they are more up-to-date with TSH levels. Current thinking amongst endo's is to keep the TSH below 1.5, while a GP may still go with the old school thinking that under 3.5 or 4 is good enough. The lower the TSH, the better you'll feel when it comes to the fatigue, which will make you feel more like doing exercise, which in turn helps keep the weight off. I am actually kept in hyperthyroid mode(to keep those few rogue thyroid cells I have left from becoming a problem)so I have been able to keep the weight off, even as I'm heading into menopause - which will now bring it's own problems, I'm sure!

 

[ElizK]

Thank you for your responses!

I have never seen an endo. I suppose I ought to find one.

Disney Doll, you cracked me up!

Between thyroid and hormonal changes from the hysterectomy, you're an endocrinologist's dream!!

I'm finally starting to find SOME energy (not much) since my dose of Levothyroxine was tripled two weeks ago. ZZZZZZZZZzz. I know I need to give it more time to work. Dr will recheck my levels after 6 weeks. She is on top of things that way, but certainly seems to think everything is ok as long as the lab says my levels fall in the normal range.

amyy, I'm sending you a PM for your nutritionist's recommendations. Thank you!

 

[*JoGo*]

I am also hypo, but I do not know my numbers. I have a terrible memory - due to hypothyroid. I've been treated for 2 years now and am still extremely tired. I could sleep 12hrs a night and still want a nap. It's extremely frustrating, my dh gets angry with me, understandably, and my kids are being robbed of attention. I just do not have the energy. But according to my dr, my numbers are good. I'm only 27.

Weight- I'm up to my pregnancy weight when I gave birth! My youngest will be 8 in a month! I had lost most of it, was down to size 8 a few yrs ago. Then I had an "episode" (mini-strokes, diagnosed w/ clotting disorder & hypothyroid). Then suddenly I started gaining like crazy. It's going up and up. I can't fit into hardly anything from last summer... and I know this fall when I pull out my jeans, I'm going to need bigger.

My coworker is also hypo and told me it's very hard to lose weight even when your numbers are good. I've tried. It's depressing. I've given up.

 

[dakcp2001]

I am also hypo, but I do not know my numbers. I have a terrible memory - due to hypothyroid. I've been treated for 2 years now and am still extremely tired. I could sleep 12hrs a night and still want a nap. It's extremely frustrating, my dh gets angry with me, understandably, and my kids are being robbed of attention. I just do not have the energy. But according to my dr, my numbers are good. I'm only 27.

Weight- I'm up to my pregnancy weight when I gave birth! My youngest will be 8 in a month! I had lost most of it, was down to size 8 a few yrs ago. Then I had an "episode" (mini-strokes, diagnosed w/ clotting disorder & hypothyroid). Then suddenly I started gaining like crazy. It's going up and up. I can't fit into hardly anything from last summer... and I know this fall when I pull out my jeans, I'm going to need bigger.

My coworker is also hypo and told me it's very hard to lose weight even when your numbers are good. I've tried. It's depressing. I've given up.

You my friend, also need to go see an Endocrinologist. There is no excuse for still feeling that crappy! Your PCP may be going by the "old" norms. You should ask your Dr for your most recent TSH and Free t3 & T4 numbers and know what they are.If they are more than a few months old ask to have them re done. If you are not feeling well, get it fixed! You are your own best advocate!

 

[amyy]

I am also hypo, but I do not know my numbers. I have a terrible memory - due to hypothyroid. I've been treated for 2 years now and am still extremely tired. I could sleep 12hrs a night and still want a nap. It's extremely frustrating, my dh gets angry with me, understandably, and my kids are being robbed of attention. I just do not have the energy. But according to my dr, my numbers are good. I'm only 27.

Weight- I'm up to my pregnancy weight when I gave birth! My youngest will be 8 in a month! I had lost most of it, was down to size 8 a few yrs ago. Then I had an "episode" (mini-strokes, diagnosed w/ clotting disorder & hypothyroid). Then suddenly I started gaining like crazy. It's going up and up. I can't fit into hardly anything from last summer... and I know this fall when I pull out my jeans, I'm going to need bigger.

My coworker is also hypo and told me it's very hard to lose weight even when your numbers are good. I've tried. It's depressing. I've given up.

You have had a lot on your plate. Has anyone talked about the fact that the mini-stroke is what might have caused your memory troubles? There is tx for that. Maybe seeing a Speech Language Pathologist.

Being tired all the time sucks! We just went to Disney with a bunch of people and I couldn't keep up. I already tried to call my doctor. A co-worker was very tired and some vitamin tested. I don't know if it was vitamin D but she saw a big improvement in her energy level. I am going to have my doctor look into it. I just cut my hair because I am too tired to blow it dry most of the time. Not to mention it is still so thin but improving.

Please hang in there and think about going beyond your primary care physician (endocrinologist).

take care

 

[Imzadi]

Thanks for this thread.

 

[bytheblood]

I have hypothyroidism. In addition to Levothyroxine, I also take Metformin as I have a metabolism disorder (they are sister diseases) and that helps me not to gain. Ask your Endocrinologist if you could possibly have a metabolism disorder. It is very common among those that have Thyroid disease. (hypo)

 

[amyy]

First, I will say again that I do think our doctor, endocrinologist, dietician etc are best places to seek advice

That being said at the grocery store this morning I noticed the cover of First for women had a picture of Dr. Oz "Dr. Oz's THYROID CURE". Yes, it was in caps. His 3 step plan will alleviate the tiredness and weight gain.

He says that chronic stress is one of the main factors that can trigger symptoms.

1. Up your vitamin D intake. (this must be the one my co-worker was tested for) even before we knew there was something wrong with my thyroid my old doctor (here I use to live) wanted me to take vitamin D but I would forget etc. I have recently started it up again. You can also get it from shiitake mushrooms, sardines, salmon, tuna and halibut. He says 1,000 to 1,2000 IU of D daily.
2. Steam these veggies-cruciferous veggies
3. reconsider iodine-you may be getting too much or not enough