I literally can not loose weight

[ArtfulLimeUser]

Since I had my daughter in 2023 my health has declined rapidly.
my weight as steadily gone up to 14 stone (I’m 5 ft 3), my hair is thinning, I’ve been diagnosed wit adenomyosis, pelvic congestion syndrome, chronic tonsiltiis, I’m awaiting a tonsillectomy and a hysterectomy. That’s just the back story. I am waiting to see endocrinology in August and the lymphedema nurses for my leg swelling.
when my daughter was about 1, I rapidly lost 2 stone and was very poorly, my gp thought I had cancer. I had so many tests and nothing was ever found. Then I just started piling the weight on. I’ve tried EVERYTHING. I am so so active and have a very healthy diet. But my weight won’t stop increasing. I absolutely eat in a calorie deficit. I know it is something medical related but does anyone have any insight on what this could be? Up to now for my various symptoms I have seen 2 gastro doctors, vascular as my legs are very swollen, rheumatology as I had gout symptoms but it was arthritis, haematology for constant infections, weight loss in the beginning and swollen lymph nodes and ent for my tonsils. I also saw cardiology as I was having chest pain and shortness of breath. Everything from these doctors have been okay.
I am at breaking point

From my experience, I'm am 40, and the only way I can now lose weight is by eating extremely small amounts of food. So, I will have <800kcal in a day. This is alongside a relatively active lifestyle, e.g. walking, padel, and the odd gym weights session too. I know this is too low, and it involves me only eating 1.5 meals a day. But nothing else works that I've tried. (I used to be able to lose weight through calorie counting around 1500-2000 a day and gym training - doesn't work now). I am aware this probably isn't healthy advice.

I agree - taking iodine would quite likely have killed me!

No, steroid injections don't cause an increase in appetite. They are injected locally into the affected joints.

Hi OP, Man that sounds rough. I cant advise medically, but I know with me holding on to weight its been inflammation. The way that Ive found thats reduced it for me is cutting out sugar and grains. Honestly it sounds mad but within 48 hours my face which had been looking so puffy and inflated, looked back to a much nicer shape again with a defined jaw not an extra chin. I know its not the right thing for everyone but for me my body just really wasn't tolerating sugar.

10k of steps per day isn’t a huge amount. Are you doing any other exercise? High impact etc? Weights?

I have Graves and RA i keep hearing the benefits but my consultant ls are reluctant to prescribe so its interesting to hear that some are advocates.

OP I initially thought thyroid reading your post.

Pregnancy is a joy and a curse isnt it.

I'll be another one to suggest giving Mounjaro a try. Before that, I just couldn't lose weight. I was eating healthily and staying strictly within my calorie allowance, but my weight was still creeping up and I just got more tired and drained. It was as if my body was holding on to every scrap of energy instead of burning it.

Started Mounjaro, didn't change my eating/exercise habits, but the weight started falling off and my energy levels improved. It was like my body suddenly realised how to properly use the energy from the food I was eating, and the fat I had stored. I never needed to go above a 5mg dose.

Might be worth looking up about connective tissue disorders, particularly with the autoimmune stuff you describe. They can cause all kinds of issues that (ironically) doctors are notoriously bad at connecting together.

Like you, I had adenomyosis, now resolved with a hysterectomy. HRT was a PITA to get right (as I don't absorb anything through my skin), but I got there in the end. I was tested for thyroid issues (including antibodies) and all was fine, so my suspicion is insulin resistance.

Sadly, I've still not found a solution for the thinning hair!

OP this all sounds absolutely typical for a thyroid problem, so I wonder what your results were and if they have tested you for antibodies? It’s very common to have a period of being hyperactive, with weight loss, and then flip into hypothyroidism with pretty much all the symptoms you are describing.

OP, have a look at PMOS symptoms. Do you have any others apart from the weight gain?

With PMOS (old name was PCOS), many women develop insulin resistance which makes weight loss near impossible. It’s NOT the same as high blood sugar. Endocrinology should be able to give tests and assess whether you might have it.

It’s a really complex metabolic condition which doesn’t only affect the ovaries as previously thought. It mostly affects your hormone production and insulin function, so worth checking out.

I’ve had to actually increase my calorie intake and swap cardio training for strength in order to see small, but there, effects.

It is also possible that at 5ft3 you are not in a calorie deficit with 1600.

My consultant never offered to prescribe, I pay for it.

Apologies for not making that clearer.x.