Losing weight with hypothyroidism

[kenziechic]

Hi Everyone...

I have hypothyroidism, and am really struggling to lose weight! From Nov 2006to June 2007 I put on close to 20 kg(a lot when you are used to being lean and fit!!), despite exercise and eating a clean diet ... in fact at one point I was probably doing up to 5 hours exercise per day as I got so freaked out about it all - this probably didn't help!!

I have lost 7 kg or 8 kg far, but this has taken close to 6 months and my weight seems to go up and down and doesn't really go below a certain point.

I am getting married in 10 months time and would love to be back at a weight I feel really comfortable at - this means losing close to another 10 kg.

Does anyone have any tips for training and nutrition to maximise weight loss when you have hypothyroidism and adrenal exhaustion?

Thanks in advance for any help

[fitmomma3]

I believe Amanda Q (QuBabe) has thyroid issues and really works to stay lean... and she always is... she does a lot of running and eats clean a majority of the time I will PM her and ask her if she can frequent this thread. For now though you can post your diet, supplement and workout/cardio routine and we can give suggestions. With your thyroid being slower functioning your BMR is lower therefore you cal intake will be lower than most.

[Siouxcountry]

Hi Kenziechic, and welcome to our board! :)

How old are you?

What is your weight, and height?

IYO do you have below average, average, or above average muscle mass for your height?

How many calories a day do you consume?

[KristineLarge]

Kenziechic....does your doc not have you on Levoxyl??

[kenziechic]

Hi all.. thanks for the responses... first time I have actually got a reply to this topic on a forum!! SO... in answer to all the questions, here we go!

I am 25 and 1.72m tall (approx 5ft 7/8 inches). I weight 72kg (150lbs I think??). I have lost 8 kg (approx 20 lb) but my god has it taken a long time! and to be honest and I am now doing less exercise than I have done in years!

I am not on levoxyl... I can whole thyroid which is a bioidentical hormone that contains T3 & T4 in the measures that our bodies require it. (I am not very into pharmaceuticals... so whole thyroid is about as far as I will go!)

I train approx 12 times per week... this consists of approx 4 weight sessions, 3 bikram yoga and 5-6 cardio sessions. However, I have been told to cut down to no more than 5 intense sessions per week and my yoga can go on top of that, which i am trying to do.

I would say I have average-slightly more than average muscle mass,.

I have competed in two figure competitions prior to my body going haywire on me!! at the height of putting on weight I was probably exercising around 5 hours per day as I had convinced myself it had to help and eating 5 small meals, which I had to force myself to eat due to not being hungry at all and getting full very very easily!!

Currenty my diet is approximately as follows...

Breakfast:
rice porridge with egg whites OR
egg white (with one or two yolks) omelette/frittata OR
kumara & organic chicken breast OR
Fruit (very rarely)

Snack:
small handful almonds & piece of fruit OR
can of tuna OR
some chicken & broccoli/beans OR
vege sticks with organic hummus or cottage cheese OR
protein shake (sometimes with a banana) OR
hard boiled egg

Lunch:
salmon/fish/organic chicken/red meat with salad (includes about 1/5 avocado) & salad dressing of flax seed oil & balsamic vinegar
Sometimes with pumpkin or kumara in the salad

Snack:
One of the snacks mentioned above

Dinner:
some kind of meat with vegetables often in a chilli & garlic OR tamari stirfry\


Sorry for it being such a long post... hope that makes sense, and hopefully some of you guys have some sort of advice for me!

PS. Im pretty sure my thyroid gave out (so to speak) due to being under huge amounts of stress and not stopping to breath for years... I also have severe adrenal exhaustion ( which started before the weight gain and the thyroid issues... meaning my thyroid was probably having to compensate for my adrenals not being able to do their job properly)!!

Thanks again forall your help :)

[kenziechic]

I forgot to mention.,.. that I also have 1-2 treats per week too

[xena]

Have you been tested for Hashimoto Disease? This is when your immune system turns on your thyroid and basically gobbles it away. Also, IMO, your adrenal gland theory could very well be right on-track.

You seem so young to be having these issues as thyroid issues seem to be more prevalent in us older ladies. Not that it's always that way. But I would see if your thyroid is completly shut down or not.

Here is a link to the Mayo Clinic website which is reputable. It describes Hashimoto disease pretty well. (also, I understand your skepticism with pharmecuticals) :)

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hashimotos-disease/DS00567

[KristineLarge]

I am not on levoxyl... I can whole thyroid which is a bioidentical hormone that contains T3 & T4 in the measures that our bodies require it. (I am not very into pharmaceuticals... so whole thyroid is about as far as I will go!)



I understand wanting to avoid drugs. I really do. But...whole thyroid that is sold in supplement stores is NOT the same as taking a prescription thyroid replacement. Plus, the amount that our "bodies require" depends on the person and how low your thyroid levels are prior to taking the thyroid replacement. They have naturally-derived prescriptions available (armour thyroid e.g.) but when you buy something over the counter, they don't have to prove that it's the right dose, the right INGREDIENT, or that it works at all. I agree with avoiding medicating yourself whenever possible, but with some things you really do need a little help from meds. Hypothyroidism that's not treated can set you up for a lot of future problems. It's your body, and that's just my .02 though.

[kenziechic]

whole thyroid is IMO a prescription medicine, as it requires a prescription from a doctor to get, and that is who it has been prescribed by.

By theory as to why this happened is that I did too much/pushed myself too hard for too long without adequate recovery (work/study & training) and that if you do too much for lng enough - even if you are young and it is healthy, something has to give, and I guess this is it. So perhaps it is about my body needing to recover to go back to its normal state??

I don't have hashiomoto disease either - that has been ruled out.

I still have approx 10 kg (just over 20 lbs) to lose, so if anyone has any suggested exercise/diet that they know have been helpful to people in my position that would be much appreciated.

[WillBrink]

Hi Everyone...

I have hypothyroidism, and am really struggling to lose weight! From Nov

Thanks in advance for any help

Then you need to talk with your doc about your dose of thyroid meds. Under dosing people with hypo thyroid is very common.

A book called "Thyroid Disorders" written by a Dr Gilbert Daniels, listed as Co- Director of the Thyroid Clinic at Mass General Hospital makes for a good reference guide. The book was published in 2006, so I am assuming he's still there. The book is written for physicians, specifically for GPs/family physicians vs. specialists. Most of the information would be basic rehash for the people here that have already done a lot of research on the topic, and most of what he recommends is in line with the standard recommendations.

However, he makes a few salient points regarding optimizing therapy, which seems to be the major issue for most people. Unlike many 'traditional' docs out there, Dr Daniels seems fairly open minded. For those looking for a decent reference guide to tests, diagnoses, etc, it's a good little book. It could also be helpful for when making your case that you are not happy with your current meds/dose, etc and the doc you are working with is resistant. For example, he states:

“Although thyroid function can be precisely, monitored, not all 'optimally treated' patients feel well. For example in one study in which patients were treated with increments of thyroid hormone, those whose T4 dose was increased by 25-50 mcg/d, resulting in a suppressed serum TSH, felt consistently better than those receiving the highest dose at which TSH could be maintained within the normal range. In another community population-based study, patients taking T4 felt psychologically less well than a matched control population.”

Possible explanations for the above findings he lists as:


o Some of these patients may have been subtly under treated. When hypothyroid patients remain symptomatic, the T4 dose should be increased until TSH reaches the lower normal range.

(Note, however, he's clear to point out that an intact hyopthalamo-pituitary axis is necessary for TSH to reflect thyroid status appropriately and other measures such as free hormones and symptoms should be used in that situation in addition to TSH)

o The patients may have remained symptomatic because their symptoms were related to other disorders possibly associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, such as depression.

o True physiological replacement of thyroid hormone may require both T4 and T3.

o Clinical deterioration after starting T4 therapy should raise the question of concomitant adrenal insufficiency, known as Schmidt's syndrome.

For a 'traditional' endocrinologist I thought his comments above showed an open minded approach I wish more docs followed.


Additionally, and changing topics a bit here, but germane to the situation of many people, recent studies find that t3 augments the effects of SSRIs, even with treatment resistant MDD, so those on SSRIs not experiencing improvements may want to talk with their physician/therapist about adding a small amount of t3.


Recent t3 and SSRI studies of interest:


J Clin Psychiatry. 2005 Aug;66(:1038-42.

An open study of triiodothyronine augmentation of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in treatment-resistant major depressive disorder.

* Iosifescu DV,
* Nierenberg AA,
* Mischoulon D,
* Perlis RH,
* Papakostas GI,
* Ryan JL,
* Alpert JE,
* Fava M.

Depression Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02114, USA. diosifescu@partners.org

OBJECTIVE: In an open trial, we investigated the efficacy of triiodothyronine (T(3)) adjuvant to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in subjects with major depressive disorder (MDD) resistant to SSRI treatment. METHOD: Twenty subjects who met DSM-IV criteria for MDD (mean +/- SD age = 44.3 +/- 10.3 years; 55% [N = 11] women) and had failed to respond to a course of treatment of at least 8 weeks with an SSRI antidepressant were enrolled in a 4-week open-label augmentation treatment with T(3) 50 microg/day. Atypical and melancholic sub-types of MDD were diagnosed using Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders criteria. We administered the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D-17) 4 times during the study (which was conducted between 2001 and 2003). RESULTS: During T(3) augmentation, the severity of depression decreased from an initial mean +/- SD HAM-D-17 score of 20.5 +/- 3.6 to a final HAM-D-17 score of 14.0 +/- 7.1 (p < .001). Seven subjects (35.0%) were treatment responders (HAM-D-17 reduction >or= 50%), and 6 subjects (30.0%) achieved clinical remission (final HAM-D-17 <or= 7). The 5 subjects with atypical depression experienced significantly (p < .01) greater clinical improvement (final HAM-D-17 scores 6.6 +/- 1.8 vs. 16.4 +/- 4.5), and higher rates of treatment response (100% [5/5] vs. 13.3% [2/15]) and remission (80.0% [4/5] vs. 13.3% [2/15]), compared to subjects with nonatypical MDD. The 8 subjects with melancholic MDD experienced significantly (p < .05) greater depression severity at the end of the study compared to nonmelancholic MDD subjects (final HAM-D-17 scores = 18.3 +/- 6.6 vs. 11.1 +/- 6.1). CONCLUSION: Triiodothyronine augmentation of SSRIs may be a promising treatment strategy in SSRI-resistant MDD, particularly in subjects with the atypical MDD subtype.


J Affect Disord. 2006 Apr;91(2-3):211-5. Epub 2006 Feb 17.
T3 augmentation of SSRI resistant depression.


J Clin Psychiatry. 2001 Mar;62(3):169-73. Links
Triiodothyronine augmentation of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in posttraumatic stress disorder.


Am J Psychiatry. 2006 Sep;163(9):1519-30;
A comparison of lithium and T(3) augmentation following two failed medication treatments for depression: a STAR*D report.

[KristineLarge]

whole thyroid is IMO a prescription medicine, as it requires a prescription from a doctor to get, and that is who it has been prescribed by.

By theory as to why this happened is that I did too much/pushed myself too hard for too long without adequate recovery (work/study & training) and that if you do too much for lng enough - even if you are young and it is healthy, something has to give, and I guess this is it. So perhaps it is about my body needing to recover to go back to its normal state??

I don't have hashiomoto disease either - that has been ruled out.

I still have approx 10 kg (just over 20 lbs) to lose, so if anyone has any suggested exercise/diet that they know have been helpful to people in my position that would be much appreciated.

Oops...there is a homeopathic product called "whole thyroid"...I thought that's what you were talking about. If you're talking about armour thyroid or rx whole thyroid, it's more regulated, so you're much better off. I do agree though...if you still feel horrible, you could be underdosed.

[FitDancer]

I was diagnosed with hypthyroidsim last year. My doctor prescribed Levothyroxin. The weight gain stopped immediately after I began the medication. I lost 5 pounds right away.

[urstrulyhb]

for the past yr or so i have felt as if i have this disorder and had blood work done. my family practice dr told me i was normal.... however someone told me that general drs really dont do accurate readings and thyroid testing should only be done with endocrinologists for most accuracy... is that correct?

[Erik]

for the past yr or so i have felt as if i have this disorder and had blood work done. my family practice dr told me i was normal.... however someone told me that general drs really dont do accurate readings and thyroid testing should only be done with endocrinologists for most accuracy... is that correct?

Most of the time when you go to your GP and ask for a thyroid panel they'll test your TSH levels and your Total T4 (and maybe Total T3) values. And then they'll look at your results, compare them against the HUGE range they call normal, and tell you, that you're normal.

Two big problems.

1. TSH is a test for a pituitary problem and total T3/T4 values don't tell you much of anything either, since these are bound/inactive hormones. The hormones that are actively functioning in your body are Free T3 and Free T4. You need these tests ... but you typically have to specifically ask for these tests, and in some cases outright demand them.

2. The reference range for normal is very, very broad. In fact, the range is not for optimal health, but for weeding out the presence of an obvious diseased state. Unfortunately, given the ranges are so broad, you could be at the very bottom of the range, and they'll just say you're simply normal. Yet your symptoms for one thing tell you a completely different story. Never mind that, if the bottom value was 2.0 and you're 2.1, how can they call that normal. You're barely scraping by and are nowhere near optimized levels.

In short, the someone you referred to was right.

For more, go here:

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com

[WillBrink]

for the past yr or so i have felt as if i have this disorder and had blood work done. my family practice dr told me i was normal.... however someone told me that general drs really dont do accurate readings and thyroid testing should only be done with endocrinologists for most accuracy... is that correct?

Generally true, which you will see in my post above. ;)

[DLS]

whole thyroid is IMO a prescription medicine, as it requires a prescription from a doctor to get, and that is who it has been prescribed by.

By theory as to why this happened is that I did too much/pushed myself too hard for too long without adequate recovery (work/study & training) and that if you do too much for lng enough - even if you are young and it is healthy, something has to give, and I guess this is it. So perhaps it is about my body needing to recover to go back to its normal state??

I don't have hashiomoto disease either - that has been ruled out.

I still have approx 10 kg (just over 20 lbs) to lose, so if anyone has any suggested exercise/diet that they know have been helpful to people in my position that would be much appreciated.

What dose are you on? Do you have any hypothyroid symptoms on that dose? How do you take your whole thyroid? if it is the same formulation as mine, I find that cutting the pill in half and taking it sublingually give better absorbance (there is a protective coating on it so I find cutting helps with the dissolving - there is info on the website Erik suggested). I spread my dose throughout the day too.

What are the macros for your diet listed above?

I have hashimotos and take whole thyroid (which is similar to the Armor brand). Weight gain was huge (I used to compete and will do again one day). I took time off dieting and slowing increased my calories (ie around 50 cals per week I added in) and cut way back on cardio (yip I was once from the old skool of retarded bodybuilding training and underate while over training). once my body got used to calories that should be close to the normal range for my body I could start dieting on more food and way less cardio. 4kgs in 6 weeks so far. I find carb cycling the best approach for me.

You are doing way too much cardio whether you have hypo or not. How long have you been training like this and when was the last time your gave your body a diet and training break?

[StarGirl]

This is a very interesting post. I am a "retired" Pro (natural) Bodybuilder and Figure athlete. I am also a personal trainer. I see a lot of Figure athletes struggling with their weight after competition and this burn out is very common. I find that if I stray too far from my competition diet, I gain weight very quickly. I have also been diagnosed with advanced osteoporosis in my sspine due to several factors, including severe weight fluxuations, heredity, lack of nutrients and prolonged stress. Mostly, though, it's due to secondary annemohera and complete hormone loss. My ovaries shut down and I haven't had a period in 4-5 years. I am 37. I have had my blood work done (obviously) and I am wondering what T4 and T3 levels would really be to be diagnosed with hypothyroidism? My free T3 is 2.5 and free T4 is 10.7. Again, they are in the low end of "normal", but is this truly normal??

Thanks!

[wilson6]

I am not clinically hypothyroid, but TSH runs at the high end of normal and free T3, low end. I take both T4 (synthroid) 112 mcg/d and T3 (cytomel) 25 mcg every other. Keeps TSH around 1.5, and both free T3 and free T4 mid-normal range (relative to normals for those particular lab assays) consistently. Makes a big difference in both metabolism and quality of life (energy and mental functioning). Must have both T3 and T4, T4 suppl alone may not correct low T3.

What is within the normal range (lab values) and what is best for optimal metabolism and QOL are two very different issues.

Everyone worries about steroids in this business, there are going to be far more long term health problems (physical, metabolic and psychological) associated with off the chain contest prep than anything else.

W6

[Ash]

To make a very long story short (if possible) I had thyroid cancer several years back and had to have both glands removed and destoryed w/ radiation. I rely on medication to regulate my body and it HAS been a constant strugle for me.

Seeing an Endocronologist, I was on T3 and T4 and was still having issues. I still don't think they had the doeses correct for me considering my size.

My uncle is a doctor and at the request of my family I went to see one of the doctors he employes and was put on bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. This is the same stuff Suzanne Summers talks about in her books and they are starting to use it to treat thyroid issues on a more regular basis. It's going to be your safest and best alternative if you refuse to take a synthetic drug like synthroid.

At the moment, Im back on synthroid after a year of the bio-identical hormones. Both meds have a positive and a negative effect on me and I'm still, almost three years after my surgery to remove my thyroid, trying to balance.

In the end, it all boils down to research. Coming to a site like this is good but all we can do is open the door for you so when you do step through, you aren't caught as off guard as someone like me waswhen it happened.

[gretchstars]

i too am hypo.. i am on 125 mcg levoxyl daily. :popcorn: sucks!

[Bronwyn]

I am hypo - with specific that I have T4 normal production but T3 is low. I have still to keep an eye on ballancing it. It is not autoimmune disease.

During precontest I take Thyreotom - combination of T4/T3 - must be 3:1 dosages. Offseason I take only Levothyroxin 50mcg - T4 hormone. It is because more T4 in the blood push the body to keep T3 production... if I would take T3 the whole time body would stop the prodution at all and my thyroid gland would be dead....

It is very hard to keep it all right during diets ! Each diet cause lowering T3 level. That is why I am still thinking if I may go keto or not.... because low carbs = less T3.... Right now I am still not able to push my T3 higher. I am on 0.8 right now... while the "average range" should be 1.3-3.1 . Hope soon it will be pushed higher.

[janelleg]

I have been through 4 endocrinologists and they all have tested me and said that I have a normal thyroid. However, I have all the symptoms of hypothyroidism and my mother has Hashimoto's Disease. I am sooo fed up with doctor's telling me that there is nothing wrong with me! I struggle to lose weight. Even after doing 2 hours of cardio a day and on low calories and no carbs! Does anyone know a good doctor in the Long Island/NY area that can help? It is sooo frustrating when you know there is something wrong with your body and the doctor's tell you that you are fine.

[gretchstars]

crazy.. what kind of dr do u guys see? i just have normal endos and they never mention t3

[DLS]

I have been through 4 endocrinologists and they all have tested me and said that I have a normal thyroid. However, I have all the symptoms of hypothyroidism and my mother has Hashimoto's Disease. I am sooo fed up with doctor's telling me that there is nothing wrong with me! I struggle to lose weight. Even after doing 2 hours of cardio a day and on low calories and no carbs! Does anyone know a good doctor in the Long Island/NY area that can help? It is sooo frustrating when you know there is something wrong with your body and the doctor's tell you that you are fine.

There is a list of thyriod friendly doctors on stopthethyriodmadness.com - should be one in your area. You will also find information on there about being hypothyriod while being in the so called 'normal' range for TSH

[k_fitness09]

Im a little confused?..I read thro the journal but still dont really know what hypothyroidism is?..Are you born with it, develope it, is it genetic, if you develope it is there reason why like eating habits?...Sry so many questions.

[janelleg]

There is a list of thyriod friendly doctors on stopthethyriodmadness.com - should be one in your area. You will also find information on there about being hypothyriod while being in the so called 'normal' range for TSH

Thanks! I'll check it out. It is soooo frustrating dealing with this issue. It has been an emotional roller coaster for me.

[chicky9914]

I need to get you in touch with my friend Angela. She experienced what she thought was a bad 'rebound' after her first and only figure show, and found out that in fact, it was hypothyroidism. She's working with Noelle Clark right now as her nutritionist and is finally losing weight with the correct diet, medication, and I know she's not doing excessive amounts of cardio either. I know everybody is different, but perhaps hearing her story might be some help. My mom has hypothyroidism and it's definitely a struggle for her to keep her weight down and she never misses a day in the gym.

[DLS]

Thanks! I'll check it out. It is soooo frustrating dealing with this issue. It has been an emotional roller coaster for me.

Completely understand this!:kiss: Going through it myself. Trying to fit my way back to stage

[janelleg]

I looked into the hypothyroidism and just talked to my doctor about looking at the Free T3 and Free T4 levels. My free T3 is low. She understood and is testing it again. I pushed it because I told her I have all the symptoms of a slow thyroid and my mom has Hashimoto's disease. So, she is testing me again. Sometimes you have to push these doctors to get somewhere.

[DLS]

I looked into the hypothyroidism and just talked to my doctor about looking at the Free T3 and Free T4 levels. My free T3 is low. She understood and is testing it again. I pushed it because I told her I have all the symptoms of a slow thyroid and my mom has Hashimoto's disease. So, she is testing me again. Sometimes you have to push these doctors to get somewhere.

You certainly do! Keep pushing - be your own advocate;)

[specialk1067]

this has just happened to me. I finally had bloodwork done about 3 weeks ago because I had absolutely no energy at all and my results came back with my T3 low and testosterone below normal. I'm on a natural supplement regimen right now and have been told to stay off all caffeine. So i'm really tired as the day goes on but I am feeling better.

My doc also advised me to not do any contest prep/dieting until after the first of the year. I totally shut down my system. And this was using a contest prep coach!! I just dont seem to have any luck with this. So., the best lesson i have learned is listen to your body and forget what anyone else tells you!!! I told my diet coach I was so tired and I wasnt losing any weight and he just looked at me like I was lying and probably cheating on my diet and just told me to do more cardio!~!!!! believe that!!! I guess I'm still angry about that!! I hope you are able to get on the right track with this!!!
just listen to your body!

[wilson6]

My doc also advised me to not do any contest prep/dieting until after the first of the year. I totally shut down my system. And this was using a contest prep coach!! I just dont seem to have any luck with this. So, the best lesson i have learned is listen to your body and forget what anyone else tells you!!! I told my diet coach I was so tired and I wasnt losing any weight and he just looked at me like I was lying and probably cheating on my diet and just told me to do more cardio!~!!!! believe that!!! I guess I'm still angry about that!! I hope you are able to get on the right track with this!!!
just listen to your body!

You should know enough by now to be your own diet coach, or find one that knows what they are doing relative to your individual needs.

Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to track your free T3 and testosterone through contest prep, might give you a better idea of what is going on.

W6

[specialk1067]

You should know enough by now to be your own diet coach, or find one that knows what they are doing relative to your individual needs.

Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to track your free T3 and testosterone through contest prep, might give you a better idea of what is going on.

W6

Yes you are absolutely correct! I do know enough to be my own coach! Its that doubt that creeps into your head when you don't think you are where you should be. ya know? And I also think its accountability for me as well. I havent been able to get bb lean(around 10%-naturally) yet. How do you track your levels? I'm supposed to go for more bloodwork in a few weeks to see if anything has changed. But it gets expensive!