Underactive thyroid-how have you lost weight?

[yummumto3girls]

I have been taking thyroxine for about 3 years now, currently taking 125mcg but waiting for results of retest following recent pregnancy. I really struggle to lose weight and am feeling really down about it. Can anyone out there give me some inspiration and tell me that they have successfully lost weight with an underactive thyroid. Can you also tell me what your levels are?

Sorry can't offer help, only sympathy and will watch thread with interest.- I've just been diagnosed with UA thyroid, and am trying hard to eat very sensibly and get lots of exercise and can't seem to shift much, but have only been on thyroxine for a couple of weeks. How long did it take to get your dosage at the right level?

Try not to feel too down, I know its depressing when you are trying hard, but you should make allowances for getting back to normal after pregnancy, so don't be too hard on yourself.

My TSH level is 7 (I am still getting to grips with what the figures mean, but think that is what he said)

Thanks Kuri, 7 is extremely high if that is the correct figure for your TSH. Don't know what mine is at mo as waiting for results. When I was pregnant I also had insulin dependant diabetes so was under the care of an endocrinologist. He told me my levels post pregnancy should be about 2 but other people on thyroid threads have said they don't feel right until theirs is nearer 1! I just need some reassurance that I am not destined to be fat all my life! (I do rowing and do exercise class 2x a week, plus walk to and from school twice a day.)

hi yummum

i have an underactive thyroid - diagnosed aged 11 (over 25 years ago), to my shame, i dont know what my levels are, but i do take 250mcg a day, which every doctor and pharmacist i see comment at how high a dose it is

I have been overweight probably all of my life, but in the past few years really struggled with weight gain, as due to my pregnancies, my dose wasnt adjusted as often as it should have been.

For the past 10 month, i have been taking orlistat prescribed by my gp, which has seen me lose nearly 5 stone. I do still have about three stone to go - so obv had a lot to lose in the first place Not saying that this is right for you, just that weight loss can be done (despite my previous nurse telling me i would never lose the weight)

maybe a chat with your gp?

Thanks Leonie, I have just realised how little I know! How did you get to be where you are now, on Armour thyroid? Did you start on thyroxine ?

Jetcat -well done that's fantastic for you! I am off to google Orlistat! My only problem is I am still breastfeeding so a bit limited what I can take

Leonie- why private Dr, did you not get anywhere with Nhs one? How did you find a private one? Do you have to pay for your Armour? Sorry so many questions.....

Thanks Leonie, glad you are ok on that. Why does it have to be such a struggle with GP's when it comes to thyroid! Lucky you had read up on it and had the perserverance to get the answers you needed. Get my latest results on thursday so may repost then!

hope it goes ok on thursday. I think at my next blood test, i should really get my levels wrote down

Leonie - The lady wrote on the bloods form if they could check T3 and T4 so hoping they will.

Thanks jetcat ! They blind you with science with the figures, half the time it appears they don't know themselves.

Just got results back from GP. I already take 125mcg of thyroxine. TSH is 2.46, T3 is 3.9, T4 is 15.6. Can anyone tell me what these levels mean. I thought TSH needs to be under 2 so do I need to increase thyroxine have not got a clue about levels for T3 and T4?! Can anyone advise?

Bump, can anyone help this evening?