I am wondering if anyone has had hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)?
After taking a blood test, my doctor informed me today that I have an underactive thyroid. Well, this probably explains why since September I have been trying to lose weight/fat by cutting, and I've actually been gaining weight, :eek:.

If anyone has any experience with it, I am wondering how long the meds take to work? Will the weight start to come off fast (i..e, 1-2lbs per week if I keep cutting)? Or any other comments you'd like to share?

Thanks.

I am wondering if anyone has had hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)?
After taking a blood test, my doctor informed me today that I have an underactive thyroid. Well, this probably explains why since September I have been trying to lose weight/fat by cutting, and I've actually been gaining weight, :eek:.

If anyone has any experience with it, I am wondering how long the meds take to work? Will the weight start to come off fast (i..e, 1-2lbs per week if I keep cutting)? Or any other comments you'd like to share?

Thanks.

While you were trying to cut, how many calories were you consuming per day?

I am wondering if anyone has had hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)?
After taking a blood test, my doctor informed me today that I have an underactive thyroid. Well, this probably explains why since September I have been trying to lose weight/fat by cutting, and I've actually been gaining weight, :eek:.

If anyone has any experience with it, I am wondering how long the meds take to work? Will the weight start to come off fast (i..e, 1-2lbs per week if I keep cutting)? Or any other comments you'd like to share?

Thanks.

Were the meds prescribed by the doctor? If so, he or she will probably know.

I would focus on upping my metabolic rate with proper nutrition and nutrient timing so that you can get the most out of the medication, and then you can do a proper cut on a proper amount of calories in a few weeks.

Check with your doctor of course, but I'm quite confident that thyroid replacement hormones take 4-6 weeks to take effect.

A couple of months while your body regulates to it. You may see some odd weight stuff happening, so keep your doctor informed.

I have no thyroid, I lost it to cancer at age 8. The synthroid I've been on since then had to be adjusted quite a bit while I was growing up, but I've been on the same dose since my mid-20s, and it's never been an issue in terms of weight gain or loss.

Don't get discouraged during the first few weeks of medication, though. It can be tricky, and it doesn't mean you're going to be permanently fat or skinny because of some potential ups and downs as your dose gets adjusted. :gl:

Hi everyone. Thanks for the replies.

Yes, I'll check with my doctor to see what she says.

While you were trying to cut, how many calories were you consuming per day?

On my attempt at cutting, most often I ate 1500 cals per day, with 1 cheat meal a week. At the most, I was eating 1700-1900 around November and December. In January, I started eating 1500 again for 4 weeks, nothing was happening, so I dropped to 1350-1400cals, and had a cheat meal perhaps once or twice a month. I lost a couple of pounds, and then it shot up again. In total, I've gained 10lbs since September and I have maintained this weight for months (145lbs). (I also strength-train 3 times a week, and do cardio (usu. running) 3-4x a week for 45min-1hr).

I'm glad to hear I will eventually get my metabolism back. :). I wish I had brought this to my doctor's attention sooner. The weight gain was bothering me, but the fatigue was worse.

I'm glad to hear I will eventually get my metabolism back. . I wish I had brought this to my doctor's attention sooner. The weight gain was bothering me, but the fatigue was worse.

Yup, yup! It can be discouraging, but tweaks to the medication and/or body adjustments take awhile, especially with something as touchy as the human endocrine system. This is a very good time to keep in touch with your doctor, since feedback is the only way she'll know how the supplements are working.

I am wondering if anyone has had hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)?
After taking a blood test, my doctor informed me today that I have an underactive thyroid. Well, this probably explains why since September I have been trying to lose weight/fat by cutting, and I've actually been gaining weight, :eek:.

If anyone has any experience with it, I am wondering how long the meds take to work? Will the weight start to come off fast (i..e, 1-2lbs per week if I keep cutting)? Or any other comments you'd like to share?

Thanks.

Yup, my thyroid is essentially dead (thanks to my immune system kicking its ass). I've been on thyroid replacement therapy for about 8 years. How you feel, and whether your weight will come off, will largely depend on how good your doctor is. Honestly, I didn't feel any different even when I got my levels back under control. The reason is that a TSH under 5 is considered acceptable, but people with working thyroids almost never have a TSH that high. So, after I started taking hormone replacement drugs, my TSH hovered around 5, and my doctor said that was acceptable.

My most recent doctor however, got it down to about 2, and I feel MUCH better in that range -- so, you may want to try and get your TSH in the 1-2 range, even if your doctor insists that higher levels are fine.

As far as weight coming off .... You are still going to have a harder time making it come off than somebody with a working thyroid (even if you get your levels corrected), but it will come off more easily than it does now -- With diet and exercise, you'll be able get your bodyfat back under control.

I am hypo-thyroid due to lots of anti-biotic in my early life. I also have adrenal fatique

If you are Hypo-thyroid for a long time, it is mostly possible it would have popped your adrenal gland. Do your cortisol saliva tests. Do you sleep well in night? If not you may have to check your adrenal and need adrenal medicine. Also incresaing Thirod dosage will affect Adrenal gland since they work in sync and are part of the HPTA axis. I am using Armor thyroid which is better then synthetic since it gives t3 and t4 all in one

Thyroid is a very strong gland, so it does not die quickly, but it is a long process. Don't expect recovery in weeks. There are some great thyroid resources in Internet. search for "Stop the Thyroid madness".

Also check this thyroid forum; Great discussions on thyroid and Adrenal issues. You will be surprised how many doctors are ignorant on thyroid
issues

http://forums.realthyroidhelp.com/viewforum.php?f=2&sid=e070d05fe0b624897a78d58a17dca2cb

I was wondering about something. My blood tests awhile back only included TSH and mine was 1.65. I was told that was fine and no other thyroid tests were necessary. Would that normally be the case? Thanks!

Thanks for the link, Seth. It is very informative.

After reading the forum, I am wondering if you personally avoid stimulants like coffee, and soy products? Xingcat and Joeschmo, do you avoid these products?

Thanks.

I was wondering about something. My blood tests awhile back only included TSH and mine was 1.65. I was told that was fine and no other thyroid tests were necessary. Would that normally be the case? Thanks!

Usually TSH is a good measure, because low thyroid hormone levels will result in high TSH values. A TSH of 1.65 is within the normal range. However, if you suspect thyroid deficiency, you should also have your T3 and T4 levels checked.


Thanks for the link, Seth. It is very informative.

After reading the forum, I am wondering if you personally avoid stimulants like coffee, and soy products? Xingcat and Joeschmo, do you avoid these products?

Thanks.

I actually consume a good amount of caffeine -- You shouldn't really have a problem with stimulants unless your synthroid dose is too high. If you have symptoms of hyperthyroidism (indicating your dose is too high), you should definitely talk to your doctor about it to have your dose adjusted.

I take in quite a bit of caffeine in a given day. I've never noticed any ill effects from it, though I know it's a problem for some folks on synthroid. I've been on it for so long that I forget it's something other folks have to get used to, but I'd say to pay close attention to what affects you in any way, and discuss it with your physician.