What should I be doing to watch my weight?

[Wetwashing00]

I was diagnosed with auto-immune hypothyroidism in June. I’ve had my dosages of Levothyroxine increased every 6 weeks since as my TSH levels have been crazy high.
My most recent blood test showed my TSH was 39 and I’m currently on 75mg of Levothyroxine.
Ive looked on websites to help manage my weight and the #1 priority is to get onto the right dosage.
I’m still going between putting on a few pounds/maintaining and still have all the usual hypo symptoms so it’s obvious I’m not at the correct dose yet.
My DH has made some snide comments about my weight as he doesn’t think I’m doing enough to try and lose (I’m still 2 stone overweight from baby 4years age)
I eat healthy and have a very active job but not currently doing any exercise.
Just wanted to ask if I should be? Isn’t it pointless at the moment, my thoughts are that I’d tackle my weight once I get the right meds, but am I doing it wrong?

[timeistight]

75mcgs is less than the standard starting dose, which should be 100mcg in a person under 50 with no signs of heart disease, so you've a way to go yet and your TSH of 39 confirms it. When you're optimally medicated, that TSH should be around 1, and probably below 1. When you get to that point, you have a fighting chance of losing some weight.

Your DH needs to back off while you get yourself right.

[Wetwashing00]

Thanks for your reply, I did question the starting dose (which was 25mg) but my GP said that it was best to start off small and Work my way up.

Should I not worry about my weight at the moment then? As it’s near impossible to lose with my levels the way they are. My DH thinks otherwise and just thinks I’m using it as an excuse.

[hevonbu]

Why not check out Mary Shomon's book "The Thyroid Diet"?

[timeistight]

Until you're optimally medicated, nothings going to work. You can't help it at the moment. End of.

[Wetwashing00]

Thanks for the replies.

[Wetwashing00]

My TSH result came in this morning, still 17.4!!!
I asked my doctor if I will start to lose weight when I get in range but she told me no.
So now I’m really confused, if I’m following a healthy eating diet and I’m regularly active now why won’t I lose weight when my t-levels get in range?
I was under the impression that it was my thyroid preventing me to lose weight.

[timeistight]

If it helps, I lost a stone and a half in three months when I got onto a proper dose of thyroxine. Getting the other stone and a half required more effort, but I've just about done it now.

Let's get your levels right and then, with duet and exercise (and determination) you should be able to do it.

[Wetwashing00]

That’s encouraging. I only need to lose about 2 stone.
I’m quite puzzled about what my doctor said though, why wouldn’t I be able to lose weight?

[Marmite17]

Totally agree with time is tight. You will probably stop gaining when optimally medicated. You need to ensure that iron, vitamins D, B12 and folic acid are at good levels. Forget weight and focus on nutrition.
What many people fail to realise is that weight gain, although the most visible, is the least of your problems I lost a lot of weight for no no apparent reason as well. With Hashimotos you can have phases of over active thyroid. My main issues when underactive were joint pain and muscle weakness plus extreme fatigue. My TSH was much lower than yours so imagine that you feel awful.
Hope you feel better soon; slow haul but you will get there. Now on 150 mcg Levothyroxine and got back to exercising. Good idea to do gentle exercise if you can eg walks in order to preserve muscle mass.
Hope you feel better soon.

[Marmite17]

Should add that losing weight this way, although more socially acceptable, is not pleasant or healthy. If you start to feel wired ie racing heart, sweating, anxious, rushing to the loo call the doctor. Don't let them tell you its anxiety (happened to me) Lost the symptoms but also lost over a stone in a year. Was eating family packs of nuts to gain weight.

[Wetwashing00]

TSH is finally in range, so I’m hoping to see some weight drop off by summer.
I’m still knackered by 3pm and aching all over, but will see how it goes until my blood test in April

[TenancyTroublesAgain]

What's the result? In range could still be too high i.e. 5 :)

[Wetwashing00]

4 at the moment.
Not ideal, I still feel shitty. But I’m giving the 100mcg a go until April.