Hypothyroidism and other conditions - any experience?

[Allnewtometoo]

I take thyroxine, really struggling with my weight. I completed an online firm for WLI - was totally honest. It asked if I understood the risks and was happy to go ahead. Has anyone done this with hypothyroidism? I also have high blood pressure (normal on meds)

My weight is impacting my life on a daily basis. I just would love to hear from others who have gone ahead.

Yes, I have hypothyroidism and high blood pressure, both medicated for. I have been taking MJ since September and so far have lost 4 stone 2 pounds. My endocrinologist is very supportive of me taking MJ, and it has been brilliant. I am tracking blood pressure daily on app and also getting thyroid bloods taken regularly. My skin has improved, I'm getting less hair loss, my periods are lighter and I feel much more energised. It feels like the mj is helping with a lot of the hypothyroidism symptoms. I have also had zero side effects. I would say try it and see how you get on.

Thank you. I'm really apprehensive but have packed weight on the past couple of years. I havent seen sn endocrinologist , I suppose I inform my GP and ask for more regular blood tests?

You should try and get your T4 and T3 measured…many people are under treated on levo because the nhs doesn’t tend to test T3 and some people struggle to convert T4 to T3 . Otherwise you need to make sure you tell your GP as weight loss jabs can impact on digestive transit hence can alter efficacy of certain meds plus significant weight loss can mean you need a dose change.

Thank you. I've not long had a blood test and had my dosage increased for the first time in a couple of years. I'd noticed symptoms so wasn't surprised.

I'm hovering at the checkout. I wish you could go via your own GP and pay still.

My GP is rubbish and told me i just had to put up with all the hypothyroidism symptoms, which were awful, because it is a very common condition and comes with lots of side effects (so basically man up and quit my whinging!). We don't have another option for a gp in our area so unfortunately still stuck with them. I am extremely lucky to now be under the care of a private endocrinologist. You can get your t3 and t4 levels checked via a private blood test (finger prick or go and take bloods) but getting the GP to acknowledge they are outside the normal range and increase your levothyroxine might be a challenge if they are anything like mine was. I put on all my weight after developing hypothyroidism and found it virtually impossible to shift, despite being quite active and running and doing weights. The weight has pretty much fallen off me since starting MJ, I have been tracking my calories but I did that before and it was not anywhere near as successful.

Thank you - I'm the same with the weight gain. It's just got harder abd harder, I used to be able to drop half a stone in a week if I thought I'd gained a little (when I was very slim already)

I can't afford private health care really, the MJ is going to be a real stretch but others have told me it pays for itself in that you eat much less.

And drink much less too. 🙂

I do drink too much wine , it's true.

Could you dial it back a bit on the booze do you think? 🤔

I definitely could. It doesn't seem to help weight wise though.

I was very close to just ordering last night. I've decided to give myself a month in which to put in a concerted effort. If I don't make any progress, I will place an order.

How much is it?

I'm hypothyroid, in fact I had a total thyroidectomy quite a few years ago.
I also don't take levothyroxine, as it didn't help with any symptoms at all, but I do take NDT (natural dessicated thyroid).
I started mounjaro the beginning of Jan, and am almost 2 stone down. It's been completely effortless.
Before MJ I was tracking calories at 1750 max a day including alcohol, running three times a week and strength training twice a week. My weight was still going up.
I'm now doing all the same things, except sticking to 1400 cals a day, and the weight has just disappeared.
Actually quicker than I would have liked.
It's like all of a sudden my body just knows how to function normally again.
I wish I'd started ages ago!

Get yourself on the Thyroid UK section of the Health Unlocked forum in relation to your hypothyroidism. Lots of very knowledgeable people on there.

I agree with what others have said, as well as TSH you need T4 and T3 tested. T3 is very important, yet it barely gets checked these days. Thyroid care in the UK is honestly appalling. It's worth getting your antibodies checked too (if they haven't been already), most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's disease, which is an autoimmune disease.

Levothyroxine didn't agree with me at all, I was like a zombie, and piled on weight. Dieting didn't work, my usual low carb diet didn't work either. I only managed to start losing weight when I introduced T3 medication (liothyronine) and I am now on T3 only meds.

This has all been going on for the last few years. I started mounjaro in January this year. I haven't had any feelings of suppression etc on the lowest dose, but not everyone does (so I guess I'm one of those unlucky ones). Will be moving up to 5mg next week. I have lost weight on it, but that is because I am continuing to low carb. My husband is also doing it, and has experienced really good suppression on 2.5mg, as has my daughter and her friend. Just me that hasn't!

Interesting @macandcheeseforthewine I didn't have much suppression on the lower doses. I would also say I am a slower loser. Not for me the -4/5lb weight loss in a week., -1 or -2 lb max. I wonder if an underactive thyroid is linked to this?