How to lose weight with an underactive thyroid?

[Joyfulincolour]

I've a fair bit to lose but struggling due to increasing age and a dodgy thyroid. Have any of you successfully lost weight and how did you do it. Thanks.

Following for ideas ! I also have an underactive thyroid I have been on a diet shake for 2 weeks don't feel like I've lost more than more than 1lb .

Yes. that sounds familiar Wishing. It is difficult isn't it.

I've had an underactive thyroid for about 12 years now and tried all kinds of fad diets which have never worked in the long run. I managed to lose about 4 and a half stone in the space of about 12 months. I joined a local gym and took part in the fitness classes as I found having an instructor made me work harder, I also walk a lot. I also bought a book called 'The Body Shape Solution to Weight Loss and Wellness' by Marie Savard M.D. It basically outlines what you should be eating and doing based on your body shape (apple or pear). As each body shape is carrying a different kind of fat (visceral or subcutaneous). It really worked for me, I made a number of small changes which ended up adding up to one big change. I didn't find it easy all the time, but it was definitely worth it. I hope you find something that works for you

Tricky. Mine is borderline and I need to lose about a stone and a half. I find I need to consistently go under 1200 cals of good quality food (veg, protein, not too much junk/processed/sweet stuff). I also do better if reduce carbs to fruit and veg and one other serving.

I find it really hard to do this tbh. I did some reading which indicated that actually the biggest factor for thyroid weight issues is the fatigue and sluggishness which we suffer from rather than metabolic problems. I am definitely struggling not to overeat and wallow vs eating normally and being active so this does ring true for me.

I have an underactive thryroid, but was chastised by a doctor when I blamed my weight on it, due to the face I am o n Thyroxine to correct it. She was quite dismissive when I suggested that dieting was impossible..

Avoid wheat and sugar (especially any combination of the 2) including sugary fruit, and increase your exercise. As far as possible eat only once per day or follow 16:8.

This approach eliminated my muffin top - I don' t use scales - between end Dec and April this year. Should add that I don't eat meat poultry, fish or eggs and have very little milk but moderate amounts of cheese.

Hope this is useful for somebody

I've also read stuff to suggest vlcd and fasting approaches are not good for thyroid folk. I've done both but not sustainably (obviously). My weight does remain stable if I don't constantly over do it (no shit....) but to actually lose I have to be 100% focused with no treat days and life gets in the way. As does cake.

LM - well done, that’s a great achievement. I will look up the book that you have recommended.
Mmmm Pola, the Dr has no idea how difficult it can be!

If you’re on meds and it’s controlled the the dr is right that it’s not the thyroid that’s the issue

I’ve bedn hypo for 19 years and find low card works for me

I was diagnosed last year. They think I am on the right dose of medication, but running meant I still picked up injuries so I've put on 2st. About to start the gym next month with the view to lose 2/3st over the next year and get my body strong again (also had meningitis last year).

I'm on levothyroxine but my tsh is 4.25. Nice guidelines suggest it be closer to 1 or 2 if on treatment. My GP has recently upped my dose as he said he thought it needed to be lower for weightloss. So pp's mentioning being on treatment I wonder if it's the right level?

I need to loose about 6 stone and have some other health issues which contribute to weight gain. I'm currently on the pathway for barriatric surgery. I've done the mandatory classes now waiting to see a consultant. For me it is a huge decision but I'm in my early 30s and worried about the impact on my health. But really struggle to loose weight as pp's have mentioned.

Lose not loose! Ahhhh

I have a very underactive thyroid with PCOS and autoimmune issues. For me exercising at an ‘active pace’ (per my fitbit) everyday and eating at least 1800 calories per day allows me to lose 2kg a week. I’m 5 ft 6 and weighed approx 84kg before pregnancy.

5ft 7!

I'm hypothyroid, adequately treated and I don't think it makes any difference to weight. I don't think you need to worry that you're 'different' in terms of how to lose weight.
As I've got older I've adjusted to lower (not low) carbs and higher protein which helps. Weight training to increase muscle mass increases your metabolic rate. But basically it's a balance of calories in and burned, however you phrase it.

I’ve been under active for years and have gone from being an extremely skinny 5”4 to a much more average weight. I’ve always been extremely healthy but have never managed to shift the extra weight I’ve gained. I’m probably about 125lbs now so not huge by any accounts!
The only way I found works is to do low carb high fat. So my daily food now looks something like this -

B - 3 egg omelette with spinach and mushrooms
L - tin of tuna, roasted veg with lots of olive oil
D - some form of meat, lots of veg cooked in butter

I do also go to the gym 4 times a week but only do weight training zero cardio and I’m the slimmest I’ve been in years

Your bloods might say that you are on the right dosage, but what do your symptoms say? Theoretically, I am slightly overactive on my level of thyroxine, but in practice, I have loads of underactive symptoms. GPs are fucking useless with thyroids, and the endocrinologists are no better, despite being supposedly experts. My weight has been creeping up for over a year, I have multiple symptoms, but they don't want to hear about it, as my bloods are 'good'. You may have to starve yourself to lose weight. Beware of too much exercise, as it can have dire effects on your fatigue levels.

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's in 2012 and unsuccessfully tried to lose weight since then despite being on the correct dose of thyroxine. However, I have lost almost 2 stone since the end of June by following the 16:8 way of eating, cutting out sugar (with the occasional lapse) and eating carbs only at one meal per day. It's been incredibly easy and I wish I'd found about about the 16:8 way of eating years ago!

I have to exercise to lose weight, diet alone doesn't do it for me. I also went gluten free 18 months ago and feel fantastic for it (this has also reduced the amount of things I used to eat which was based on bread & biscuits!).

Personally I don't think thyroxine in tablet form is as good as that produced by your own body. It might help but it's not a like for like substitute and I don't think doctors recognise this.

I also have an underactive thyroid and am really struggling with my weight. Especially as, despite being told by my GP that I am on the right dose I still feel exhausted all the time which makes me feel less like exercise and more like eating unhealthily! LM1514 I've read a lot of books on diets but never heard of that one, it sounds interesting, I may get a copy - anyone else given that approach a go?

xx

I've lost a stone since January which isn't fantastic. I want to lose another two ideally. My hypothyroidism isn't great and I am also terrible at going to the doctor. 🙄I am pretty dreadful at dieting too. The weight loss has been due to doing SW myself, but I get bored with it as I'm veggie. Basically cutting out bread and any treats, does it. Exercise too.

I've been on thyroxine for 4 months, eating exactly as usual, and have dropped almost a stone.
Sorry - I know that wasn't what you wanted to hear!

I have been hypothyroid for five years. I'm on thyroxine and generally feel fine and have plenty of energy. My TSH is about 1.5. If I notice my weight creeping up, I cut back on treats and limit my carbs for my evening meal. That helps me lose weight in a fairly painless way, slowly but steadily. I also have a dog and I find that the daily exercise from walking her seems to give me more energy somehow!

I've been under active for a long time. I am overweight but I put this down to eating the wrong stuff and being older. After struggling on for a while joined WW AGAIN in January and have lost 18lbs - it doesn't seem like much but it's going in the right direction at least. Also I have been a bit off track for the last 2 months so I am happy. I need to refocus and I know I will lose the last stone. I do exercise vigorously x 4 most weeks. It is harder these days but I think that is because I am older rather than my thyroid issues.

I’ve found I have to eat a lot less than in my 20s to maintain a low weight. And a low GI diet definitely helps. Walking a lot also helps.