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Weight Loss and Thyroid issues

Old 11-14-2010, 02:46 PM
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Originally Posted by LisaAnnie
I was diagnosed hypothyroid 3 years ago and have yet to successfully lose any of the weight I gained before diagnosis. Last year I was extremely diligent for 4 months, tracking every calorie, working out at the gym 5 days a week, swimming 2x a week. I put so much effort into it, and lost only 6 lbs. Frustrating!

I've heard it can be done, that low carb is the best route, and that daily aerobic exercise is a must. I know it's more difficult and takes even more motivation and discipline than before I had thyroid issues... I'm still working on that.
That's all I saw when I read your reply. You lost 6 pounds! You were doing it!

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Old 11-15-2010, 08:32 AM
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I think that's a good message - if your medication is correct for your thyroid condition, then you should be able to lose weight like everyone else. But, a lot of people find that their low thyroid symptoms are still present even though the doctor says their test results are normal. That's when you need to really dig for more information (and perhaps a new doctor). If you're still not feeling well, and you're not able to lose weight despite a true effort, then you probably need a different combo or amount of thyroid meds. Don't just assume that because your test results are in the "normal" range that everything should be okay. It can be a lot more complicated than that.
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Old 11-15-2010, 03:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Jane850
I think that's a good message - if your medication is correct for your thyroid condition, then you should be able to lose weight like everyone else. But, a lot of people find that their low thyroid symptoms are still present even though the doctor says their test results are normal. That's when you need to really dig for more information (and perhaps a new doctor). If you're still not feeling well, and you're not able to lose weight despite a true effort, then you probably need a different combo or amount of thyroid meds. Don't just assume that because your test results are in the "normal" range that everything should be okay. It can be a lot more complicated than that.
Which is why I said she should get a copy of her lab results. I was always "within normal range" on my yearly blood work according to my OB/GYN. What I didn't know was that they only test 2 not all four levels and that those two they do test were at the lowest end of normal.

The only reason I found out that my thyroid was, in fact, not functioning, was because when I had a head injury the tech noticed something else not related to my injury. I was sent to a specialist as soon as my injury allowed. I had 3 tumors on my thyroid.

I knew there had to be a reason I had started to gain weight because I ate healthy and I was already very active.

If my former doctor had done his job properly and said "Hey, lets just just have a little more testing done because I don't like how low your levels are even though they are within the normal range", I could probably have been treated sooner meaning I wouldn't have continued to gain weight despite increasing my workouts and running to 7 days a week.

The constant exhaustion you have with hypo thyroid makes me think of how you would feel when you eat poorly, plant your butt on the couch and aren't active. No, I was never a couch potato but I know someone who is and she wonders/complains all the time about why she is tired and fat. She just continues to make excuses for her bad eating habits and laziness.

I have my levels checked every three months and always get a copy of the lab results (not just the report) so I can see for myself that my thyroid is functioning the way it should be. If my jeans start getting tight I know it is because of me, not my thyroid.
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Old 11-16-2010, 05:41 PM
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Originally Posted by vabeachgirlNYC
That's all I saw when I read your reply. You lost 6 pounds! You were doing it!

Read farahb7's sig line.
Oh well, it is what it is... and for me it was frustrating to lose only 6 pounds in 4 months. Many hypothyroid women find it is more difficult and that it takes more effort to lose weight than before their thyroid went haywire. That's my experience. She asked how other hypothyroid dieters lost weight, and I didn't see the sense in sugar coating it.
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Old 11-18-2010, 07:08 AM
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Originally Posted by LisaAnnie
Oh well, it is what it is... and for me it was frustrating to lose only 6 pounds in 4 months. Many hypothyroid women find it is more difficult and that it takes more effort to lose weight than before their thyroid went haywire. That's my experience. She asked how other hypothyroid dieters lost weight, and I didn't see the sense in sugar coating it.
I believe that about some things. But not about my health and fitness. It is too important to me to just give up and accept I can't do anything about it. It is what it is because I get to decide what I want it to be.

Trying to lose weight can be frustrating for everyone. If it were easy no one would be fat.

I have wondered if it is really easier for some to lose the weight or if it is just because they put more effort into it.

I understand the scale frustration because it barely seemed to move for me too.

I had side by side progress pics done recently and someone said it looked like a 15-20 pound difference. It was only 4&1/2 pounds, how frustrating is that?! I put the scale away and go by how I look and how my clothes fit because I want it too bad to give up.

Good luck on reaching your goals. It may not be easy but all the hard work really is worth it.
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Old 11-18-2010, 08:07 AM
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Originally Posted by vabeachgirlNYC
I believe that about some things. But not about my health and fitness. It is too important to me to just give up and accept I can't do anything about it. It is what it is because I get to decide what I want it to be.

Trying to lose weight can be frustrating for everyone. If it were easy no one would be fat.

I have wondered if it is really easier for some to lose the weight or if it is just because they put more effort into it.

I understand the scale frustration because it barely seemed to move for me too.
Well, it's a good thing I wasn't advocating for anyone to give up or accept that there was nothing to be done. Perhaps you are reading something into my message that isn't there?

I'm simply saying that *for me* it requires more effort to lose weight since the thyroid issue than before, and *for me* that it was frustrating to work twice as hard to lose half as much. I know for a fact, that it was easier for me to drop a few pounds before I became hypothroid. My metabolism has changed, and I accept that. It's partly due to hypothyroid, and partly due to aging. I never said it couldn't be done.

I know that in the past, I could workout 3 or 4 days a week for 45 minutes and eat 1500 calories and I would easily lose a few pounds a week. I know now that I will have to workout more often, longer, with more intensity, and my calories may have to drop to 1200-1300 if I want the same results.
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Old 11-18-2010, 05:32 PM
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Originally Posted by LisaAnnie
Well, it's a good thing I wasn't advocating for anyone to give up or accept that there was nothing to be done. Perhaps you are reading something into my message that isn't there?

I'm simply saying that *for me* it requires more effort to lose weight since the thyroid issue than before, and *for me* that it was frustrating to work twice as hard to lose half as much. I know for a fact, that it was easier for me to drop a few pounds before I became hypothroid. My metabolism has changed, and I accept that. It's partly due to hypothyroid, and partly due to aging. I never said it couldn't be done.

I know that in the past, I could workout 3 or 4 days a week for 45 minutes and eat 1500 calories and I would easily lose a few pounds a week. I know now that I will have to workout more often, longer, with more intensity, and my calories may have to drop to 1200-1300 if I want the same results.
No, I was agreeing about how frustrating it can be to work so hard and barely see the scale move.

You apparently took offense to my reply, not sure why, but like I said before... Good luck on reaching your goals.
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Old 11-19-2010, 04:29 AM
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I think the message here is try not to focus so much on what the scale says. I know I'm guilty of that as well but sometimes you can loose more size than what the scale reads and that in itself can be frustrating. Keep pushing forward and try to focus on how your clothes fit and what your mirror says. I also know that some people with thyroid issues can get that "bloated" look and once you lose the bloat, you'll look much better even though the scale doesn't reflect that.
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Old 11-19-2010, 11:50 PM
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Hi all,

I have had hypothyroidism for close to 30 years. Let me tell you I was able to lose weight before my pregnancy after that, OUCH. It was not from lack of trying or dedication.

I get my levels checked every 3 months unless I "feel" lower, then more often. I have been to endocrinologists and it is not easy. I once gained 30 lbs in 3 months without changing my eating/exercise habits. (I went to the doctor's for an annual exam and then returned to show him my weight gain). My levels were way out. The pounds did not just melt off when my levels came back. In fact I am still struggling with that gain from years ago.

I had to switch off from Synthroid to another form of levothyroxine because my levels go out of whack. My doctor said that I am not his only patient with this problem.

The only thing that worked for me was NS last year. Yes it contains "garbage" and soy (not good for hypothyroidism) but it is the only thing that has worked longer term in 15 years.

Okay having said that, I am now experiencing pre-menopausal symptoms and had to go on hormones and guess what? I gained 25lbs in a short time period. This is why I am here.

It is frustrating, it is a pain but it is trial and error. It is hard for some who have not experienced thyroid problems to relate or believe but it IS real.

Hormonal imbalances affect people differently. Even if you can remain stable for years and lose weight, it may affect you later.

Sorry for the long post and good luck!
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Old 11-20-2010, 04:17 AM
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Hi Bobbienne, what is NS? Is that for Nutrisystem?
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