I developed a thyroid problem a few years ago. I was overweight beforehand but gained significant weight as my thyroid basically stopped working.
I had a full thyroidectomy in 2022 and started Levothyroxine/L-thyroxine. Dose is by weight so I was started on a high daily dose.
Recovery was slow and it’s only in the last six months that I’ve been tackling the weight issue.
I had a blood test six months ago and my levels indicated over activity and my dosage was reduced. I was experiencing symptoms consistent with hyperthyroidism- freezing cold constantly, heart palpitations and high heart rate, sweating, massively increased hunger etc.
Next blood test was three months later and all results were normal thanks to the medication reduction, and I was feeling fine.
Through diet, I’ve now lost more weight and the hyperthyroidism symptoms have started again. I feel like a block of ice and can’t warm up. I still have a lot of weight to lose and I’m doing really well on my diet, but I’m also ravenously hungry so a bit miserable on my diet when I had been doing so well. Exercising is more difficult now too because my heart rate gets so high.
I’m due another blood test next month and I’m confident it’ll show that I need to reduce my meds again, which is great, but has anyone experienced the same and can offer some advice?
It just feels like a vicious cycle. I need to lose weight, but then that means my medication is too high for my BMI and I get symptoms that make me miserable, and makes my diet difficult to stick to.
I’ll speak to my GP, of course, but just wondering how I can try and hit the sweet spot of reducing meds as my weight comes down, in a way I can manage at home myself (between GP visits)?