Thyroid Issues

[slduck]

I have noticed that several people on the boards have hypothyroid. My thyroid problem developed after the birth of my first child. I have had a lot of diffuculty getting it regulated enough to make me feel better. I have noticed that losing weight is EXTREMELY difficult even when my "numbers" are correct.

Do any of you have success stories or just feel my pain???????

 

[Villains_Rock]

I'm convinced that the growing thyroid problems are due to synthetic hormones that are given to the cows and chicken that we eat. Buuuttt...I eat it anyways!! |

I had had some changes in my nodule and undergone a needle aspiration (biopsy) about a year ago. They said it was not cancer, however they wanted to see my in six months for another ultrasound and more blood work. By the time that appointment came up, I was miserable. I cannot stay awake to watch a movie or read a book. I fall asleep driving. I'm so cold that I wore a hooded sweatshirt 90% of the time we were at WDW two months ago even though it was 90 degrees. Come to find out I had gained 4 more nodules and my levels had finally dropped out of the normal range. Ugh. I also have been gaining poundage for a steady year now. I was on WW, The Mediteranean Diet, South Beach...etc. I've tried it all and nothing works. I even bought a book called The Thyroid Diet. Don't waste your money. It follows any other basic dieting guideline, nothing that people with hypothyroid disorders don't know. We are probably the expert on diets...lol. Anyhow...I think I'm going to go to a new doc. I'm meeting with my GP on Thurs to talk to her. I wish you luck. I know how hard it is!!! If I find something that works I'll let ya know!

 

[VanessasMom]

I had thyroid cancer 11 years ago and it really changed my weight loss/gain situation. I had a complete thyroidectomy. I am currently on .112mg Levoxyl. It was just changed a few months ago when I started getting super heart palpitations. I am currently at the heaviest weight I have ever been, but I won't let my thyroid stop me from getting back down!!

It is harder to lose weight, but it is possible. When I had my cancer, I didn't know it for 5 years. My weight went up and just before I was diagnosed I worked my butt off (literally) and lost 40 lbs. It can be done, but don't plan on it being easy. I've found that excercise is really the key. You will feel better and not as tired once the pounds start coming off. Good luck...you can do it!!

 

[OKWAnneMarie]

I have noticed that several people on the boards have hypothyroid. My thyroid problem developed after the birth of my first child. I have had a lot of diffuculty getting it regulated enough to make me feel better. I have noticed that losing weight is EXTREMELY difficult even when my "numbers" are correct.

Do any of you have success stories or just feel my pain???????

I feel your pain. I have lost weight, but I feel I have to work twice as hard, even tough my "numbers" are also correct.

 

[jlw0820]

I too have hypothyroid. I have been struggling with my weight for years. I did loose weight in 2003 66lbs then had a hyterectomy in 2005 and put 30 lbs back on now I struggling to get my #'s right and hormones level. what a joke. just keep going thats what I say. fight the good fight don't let hypothyroid be a excuse.

 

[Villains_Rock]

Ugh. I work my butt off just to stay "normal"!! I do cardio 5 days a week for 30 mins or more and strength training for 2 days. I eat 20 grams of sugar a day or less, 25 grams of fiber or more and I watch my carbs too. Mostly I do all of this because I was told it would help with my fatigue and digestion problems associated with hypothyroid. Just fed up with it....

 

[jlw0820]

I totally feel your pain. I also worked for WW for 4 years and one of the things I learned was to mix things up. When you do the same routine over and over again your body learns it and doesn't try to loose because it is comfy with what you are doing. Try mixing it up a little. try doing cardio 3 days and weight training two days (nothing extreme) Or switch up your cardio. also switch on and off the sugar days I have five days that I watch it then one day off. I tend to eat a little more it keeps my body guessing. it doesn't know what day of the week I am having my off day and for a few days after when I am back to eating normal(watching it) my body is still burning the caleries it though I was going to eat I don't know if this makes much sense but. you need to mix it up. Another thing I have learned to to watch the glueton intake. I have a girlfriend who has celiac. a wheat and glueton intolerance. If I pay attention and eat more carbs that are glueton free. it helps with the bowel issues. Especially sice after they took out my uterus in feb of 05(they left my ovaries) one of my ovaries fell and became engolfed in my bowel. I had another surgery jan 07 to take apart the two organs and take out the ovary. that is when I really started having double issues. I now have hypothyroid and only one ovary. so this is what I do to try and help some of the issues I don't know if will help you or not but it wouldn't hurt to try. Hope this helps and if you ever need to talk because you are frustrated feel free to do so I will listen, I am good at it.

 

[Villains_Rock]

I have been on and off of weight watchers since 2002. I have variated my diet and exercise. Have you ever heard of the Wendi Plan? It's a way of using your ww points to (in your words) "keep your body guessing". I have also been studying up on glucose levels and eat only All Bran Cereal and Ezekiel Bread as carbs...if any. I love my Ezekiel Bread though...yummmm. I'm going to my GP tomorrow. I'm going to discuss some options with her. I'll let you know if I have progress. BTW...do you guys see endocrinologists? And if so...do you feel they help you?

 

[OKWAnneMarie]

I have been on and off of weight watchers since 2002. I have variated my diet and exercise. Have you ever heard of the Wendi Plan? It's a way of using your ww points to (in your words) "keep your body guessing". I have also been studying up on glucose levels and eat only All Bran Cereal and Ezekiel Bread as carbs...if any. I love my Ezekiel Bread though...yummmm. I'm going to my GP tomorrow. I'm going to discuss some options with her. I'll let you know if I have progress. BTW...do you guys see endocrinologists? And if so...do you feel they help you?

I went to a regular M.D. in 2005 and was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid. It took her 9 months to get the levels right! Even though my "numbers" are right, it is still very hard to lose weight.

I just had a sonogram of my thyroid and it said the the nodules on my thyroid have changed in size since my last sonogram (18 months ago). I says I have a mildly enlarged gland with no well defined nodules. It says that a 5mm nodule I had previously is now gone. The report suggests that I have a nuclear scan. I think I am going to go to an endocrinologist first and have her read the sonogram report before I have a scan. What do you think?

 

[jlw0820]

I have not seen anyone other than my GP. I also have not heard of the wendi plan that is something I will have to look into. Hypothyroidism can be very tough to control there are so many factors that can play into it. Let me know what your drs. say. and keep the support going this is a great thread. I am always looking for new info on hypothyroidism and trying to figure things out it is nice to know I am not alone. Thanks for the encouragment.

 

[Villains_Rock]

I went to a regular M.D. in 2005 and was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid. It took her 9 months to get the levels right! Even though my "numbers" are right, it is still very hard to lose weight.

I just had a sonogram of my thyroid and it said the the nodules on my thyroid have changed in size since my last sonogram (18 months ago). I says I have a mildly enlarged gland with no well defined nodules. It says that a 5mm nodule I had previously is now gone. The report suggests that I have a nuclear scan. I think I am going to go to an endocrinologist first and have her read the sonogram report before I have a scan. What do you think?

I was sent to an endocrinologist right away when they found my first one and had the full run of tests. Including the nuclear. Boy..is that one fun. It's not bad in any way...just boring. I've had the ultrasound, the biopsy...all of them. I think you should have the nodules looked at and possibly biopsied. When mine changed they wanted another biopsy because they said any time there is change they want to know why. Better to be safe than sorry. The good thing is...if it gets out of hand or there is a need to...they can just take the thyroid out. I'll be in my meds for the rest of my life anyways...whats the difference if it's full hormone replacement or partial. If they give me the option for surgery again (they have before) I'm going to take it.

 

[Villains_Rock]

Well...here's the update. I went to the GP today and she has raised my meds. She knows me and my family for years and years and knows I'm not one to complain about much. Well...I went in to her office yesterday in tears. She looked at me and said..."You are a person and my patient...not a number. I am raising your dosage to a corrective level and if you don't feel 100% better in two weeks I want you to call me and I'll raise it again."

WOW!!!
I could not believe what she was saying!! I almost got more teary when I heard her say that!!! I'm so happy that for once, I'm getting heard. I never thought that she would circumvent my specialist, but she has. God bless her!!!

I started my new meds today and I don't feel any different yet...but I'll let you guys know. Hopefully you guys can get a doc to listen as well as mine did!! I'm so grateful right now!!

Also...here is the web site I have used for the Wendi Plan:

http://www.angelfire.com/crazy4/ahealthylifestyle/WendiePlan.html

 

[eeyore45]

This may sound weird to you as it did for me, but I'm like anything is worth a shot! A nurse that likes homeopathic/home remedies told me to try and mix 1T apple cider vinegar with 8 oz apple Cider (for some reason she stressed Cider, not apple juice, apple cider - and I"m telling you I had a hard time finding the cider!) Drink it twice a day (morning/night) for 2 weeks, and then you should notice a better thyroid number!!

(She swears it worked for her!) So I'm trying it... I do think the cider helps cut the sour of the vinegar (I had read the tablespoon of cider vinegar will help cut the fat and aid in dieting, not sure if that is a myth or not, but desperate I am - and mixed with water, it was so hard to get down... but with the apple cider its not so bad!)

 

[jlw0820]

I am so happy you found someone to listen too you. I will check out the link thanks for the info and keep us updated on how the meds are working and if you feel anybetter it will take a few days to notice any difference. Yeah for you.

 

[goofyisinphilly]

Thyroid issues stink. I was diagnosed last summer after gaining 10lbs in 2 weeks Luckily, due to a family history I knew what to look for with hypothyroidism. My weight pretty much stablized at that point but by then I had gained a total of 30 lbs in 2 years. After much angst I went ahead and changed my birth control since my thyroid levels are normal with my meds. Now I am powering through with WW. It is so not easy.

The best combo that I've found is stick to my points and don't get into the weekly discretionary ones. Work out at Curves or walk 6 days a week. And don't let the small gains get me down. I know the weeks when I am exhausted it is harder to lose so I just have to accept it.

My DH and I are taking an anniversary trip to WDW in Sept and I want to look good (or better than now). Find that reason to keep chugging ladies. It does help that I work at Curves and have 200 ladies encourging me

 

[tbstein]

Hypothryroidism. Who knows the real why as to it's increase. I was diagnosed back in 1991. The medication is less expensive and fussier as to how to take and with what. I know I was relieved when they finally discovered what was wrong after 18 months. I still find that having a regular life style makes a big difference. My levels are checked every 6 months, but I am at the point that the dr is going to send me to an endo the next time it flares. I do have some nodules that worry me, but the dr is just a bit relaxed about it all. I am the only one in my family diagnosed with this. So, it was 60 pounds before dr discovered the my pituitary gland is abnormal. I think it is time to see a specialist. I no longer think my dr can do much. He certainly doesn't seem to try. Well, September is my blood work due date. We will see what is going on then. Especially since I had a complete hysterectomy 8 years ago. The hormone therapy for that is working good. At least I think it is. I too watch my gluten intake. It has helped with the weight loss I have had recently. Who knows, maybe it will all click together some day!

Thanks for the ear~

Wendy

 

[slduck]

I have never seen an endo, but I have always wondered if it would help. My thyroid shut down suddenly after pregnancy. I was so weak that I could barely lift my child. Everyone thought that it was post partum depression. I just thought that I was losing my mind. I had severe body aches and and joint pain. My GP sent me to a specialist who screened me for RA and lupus. It wasn't until my OBGYN increased my dosage during my 2nd pregnancy that the pains went away. I have really been forced to listen to my body and be my own best advocate. Sometimes I forget that thryoid regulates so many other things in my body. The digestive problems are rough at times .

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Hi All. I am subscribing to read later. I am in the process of getting tests done through an Endocrinologist to see what type of thyroid problem I have - I have nodules, the left side is bigger than the right and my hormone levels are off. I should know the results in a week or two.

I, too, struggle with weight loss.

Thank you!

 

[Villains_Rock]

Sometimes I forget that thryoid regulates so many other things in my body. The digestive problems are rough at times .

Boy...isn't that the truth!!! This may be TMI, but last trip to Disney, I didn't go to the bathroom one time. And I love to eat at Disney!!! Ugh. I was in misery!

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Sometimes I forget that thryoid regulates so many other things in my body. The digestive problems are rough at times .

Boy...isn't that the truth!!! This may be TMI, but last trip to Disney, I didn't go to the bathroom one time. And I love to eat at Disney!!! Ugh. I was in misery!

I have not been diagnosed yet, but I have the same issues...like Villains Rock said...I know, TMI!