Hypothyroidism

jsnapp · #1 (**permalink**) 05-05-2010, 03:01 PM

Soooo..... This past year I have slowly gained 10lbs.

At first I thought I was just eating bad, but I changed my diet and the weight gain kept coming. I am really active I run 4-5x a week and I ride my bike on my off run days, so it is just frustrating. I went to the Dr. had my blood work done and he called me today with the news I have Hypothyroidism.

Now I am worried that I will NEVER get lose this 10lbs. I know meds can help but it seems that most people I know that have it struggle to get and keep the weight off. Does any one else have this? What meds are you on? I know there are a lot more out there than there use to be and some have T3 and T4 some just T3.

I meet with an endocrinologist next week and it would just be nice to have some imput on meds. and to know what has or has not worked for some people.

TIA

cowgirl · #2 (**permalink**) 05-05-2010, 03:13 PM

I have it too, and similar to you I felt like I was actually eating/exercising better and still gaining weight (which frightened me into more unsuccessful dieting and running).

I now take 100 mcg of synthroid daily, which works for me (I think they started me at much less, like 25, but it didn't raise my levels enough).

Some people don't like the synthetics and have to take animal hormones (I think Armour is one of them?), so it may be some trial and error, but the Synthroid works ok for me.

I did lose the weight, I'm sure when you find the right med you will too. I do find that my metabolism feels a bit slower than before--I have to be even more careful about my diet and exercise to maintain, which may be due to aging too. But it no longer feels uncontrolled as it did pre-medication. I know that if I make changes I will see results, which wasn't the case before.

It all does kind of suck, but it sucked a lot more before I had the diagnosis/meds, so really the only direction is up.

Good luck with your Dr apt!

wakerider30 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-05-2010, 03:50 PM

^good info

Jacove

I know today sucks, but you are super healthy, super woman! You're a smart girl that is awesome at researching...You and your doctor will figure it out!

jsnapp · #4 (**permalink**) 05-05-2010, 08:06 PM

Cowgirl thanks for the info.

I have been doing the same thing running more and even doubling my workouts ( I will run in the morning then do something else at night) AND these past couple of months I really have been really watching what I eat. I am glad to know it is not me and glad to know the meds do help.

ANNE

Thanks.

kramer125 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-05-2010, 08:22 PM

I have Hashimoto's and gained 10-15 pounds about 2 years ago. It seemed like even with the medicine, I couldn't get the weight off. I ended up changing my diet and eating mostly gluten free and that did the trick FINALLY. It has been 2 long years. The medicine will take awhile to get your thyroid levels back to norm, so give it time. I know there are people who are able to lose the weight with the medication alone.

ETA, Synthroid made me feel like crap. I went on Armour and that worked great at first until the company changed the formulation. I'm now on another form of dessicated thyroid hormone (meaning it's made from animals not synthetic.) Most docs will prescribe Synthroid, but don't be afraid to ask for something else if you don't feel better in a couple months.

jsnapp · #6 (**permalink**) 05-06-2010, 03:47 PM

^ Thanks! It helps to hear the weight can come off. I know it will take time and that sucks I am a really impatient person.

I also hope to get some energy back soon. Thank goddness for caffeine.

Luca · #7 (**permalink**) 07-23-2010, 07:14 PM

I have Hashimoto's as well, and take Synthroid, but I still feel like ass - I am tired all the time, and wake up in the morning feeling I've been run down by a truck.

My levels are showing normal; I am now won dering if I should start looking into other medications.

By the way, generic Synthroid made me feel even worse, and tried switching when I was feeling OK and the levels had normalized.

Kristin, what are you on, if you don't mind me asking? Also, what exactly do you mean when Synthroid made you feel like crap - I am asking because that might be my problem as well.

aluhall · #8 (**permalink**) 07-31-2010, 09:35 AM

I have very little to add here.
- the doctor should adjust the dosage and/or change the medication; make sure you are keeping track of all symptoms and communicate well with your doc.
- a gluten free diet seems to work well for Hashimoto; I haven't read any research so all the data that I have is anecdotal. One of my fellow dietitians has been following one for the last 5 years or so (after doing some research and "experimenting" on herself) and swears by it.

aswin · #9 (**permalink**) 07-31-2010, 11:02 AM

^ I have a friend who has hypo-parathyroidism, and she's been doing better on a gluten-free diet. I know it's not the same thing, but thought it worth mentioning

jsnapp · #10 (**permalink**) 08-02-2010, 02:03 PM

Luca

I too have hashimoto's. I was on synthroid for 4 months and felt AWFUL! My hair was falling out faster, I was super achy in the shoulders (more than before) my TSH looked better but my T3 levels did not. My Endo just put me on armour, alot of people do not like the reformulation hat happened just recently but for me it seems to be working and I have a lot more energy, so far so good. I still have a long way to go because I am on a low dose and my Endo said we will most likely have to up the dosage in small increments every 2-3 weeks.

I too have heard going gluten free can help with hashimoto's, I have not tried this yet but at this point I am willing to do anything, I am DONE feel SO tired, achy and OLD.

Luca · #11 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsnapp

I am DONE feel SO tired, achy and OLD.

I hear you!!!

Thank you for your answer, I think I might talk to my doctor about Armour, but I am scared I'm going to mess things up even more. I have been on Synthroid for almost a decade.

kramer125 · #12 (**permalink**) 08-03-2010, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luca

I have Hashimoto's as well, and take Synthroid, but I still feel like ass - I am tired all the time, and wake up in the morning feeling I've been run down by a truck.

My levels are showing normal; I am now won dering if I should start looking into other medications.

By the way, generic Synthroid made me feel even worse, and tried switching when I was feeling OK and the levels had normalized.

Kristin, what are you on, if you don't mind me asking? Also, what exactly do you mean when Synthroid made you feel like crap - I am asking because that might be my problem as well.

Roxana, I'm sorry, I just saw this. I am on the Canadian Thyroid (Thyroid is the actual name on the bottle). I buy it online which is kind of sketchy, but I feel sooo much better on this stuff. I was on Armour thyroid, but they changed the formulation.

The gluten free diet has been fantastic for me. I literally gained 20 pounds in water weight from all this nonsense and the weight came right off when I started the diet. I miss some stuff (bread, cake, pasta), but it's worth it to feel better.

jsnapp · #13 (**permalink**) 08-04-2010, 11:04 AM

Thank you for your answer, I think I might talk to my doctor about Armour, but I am scared I'm going to mess things up even more. I have been on Synthroid for almost a decade.[/QUOTE]

I switched knowing that Armour's reformulation has and hasn't worked for some people. I switched just thinking I already feel like crap how can it get any worse? I am thinking it is the best thing I have ever done, I still have a long ways to go but so far so good. Keeping my fingers crossed.

I found this website and it has some really great information. Thyroid Mistreatment, Hypothyroidism Scandals, and Thyroid Treatment Problems | Stop The Thyroid Madness

I am thininkg about trying the gluten free diet but it seems SO hard. I have gained 14lbs in a the last year due to this awesome disease and would like to lose it and feel better. Just wouldn't know where to even start.

aswin · #14 (**permalink**) 08-04-2010, 11:08 AM

^ Talk to Danette, she can help

She's been gluten-free for a while, and she said she really notices a difference, especially if she slips up and eats something she shouldn't.