Has anyone lost weight in spite of a (very) underactive thyroid?

[MollyCherry]

I've always been a prone to weight gain, but at the beginning of my pregnancy with DD (just turned 4), was diagnosed with underactive thyroid. It has got consistently worse and I am now on 150mcg thyroxine a day and about to have tests to see if I need more as I am still at the lower end of the right range.

I have heard mixed theories from docs and others. Some say with medication it should make no difference, others say it might be harder but can still be done.

I have been given a exercise referral by my GP, and intend to start a proper diet tomorrow, based on GI.

I would like to lose 3 1/2 stone for starters, but to get to the top end of correct BMI, need to shift 6 stone, and to reach my previous fighting weight 7 1/2 !

I'm sure I would find it much easier to get and stay motivated if someone could share their success story/tips with me.

No tips I'm afraid but in a similar position. Was diagnosed with UT after having DD (16mo). Am only on 50mcg and at the last test I was allegedly back in the normal range, but am struggling to lose weight (starting WW tomorrow). I don't have too much to lose, 10lb for starters. Am happy to stick around and share tips with you. I have a book on managing your thyroid which I must read , have you got any books?

I've had an UT for 3 years and have found it impossible to lose weight. I was on 125mg of thyroxine which kept me in the normal range (1.9, where normal is considered to be under 2, according to the practice nurse) but I still felt that was too high for me.

I've had my dose upped to 150mg and that's made a huge difference. I joined WW at the beginning of September and I've lost a stone already, despite a couple of weeks being less than perfect.

I think I have to do WW so I am focussing on what I am eating and the quantites - I'm a bit crap at regulating myself so the structure is good.

I definitely think it is almost impossible to lose weight if your levels are still out. I contemplated doubling my dose to lose weight really fast but decided it perhaps wasn't the best idea .

Good luck!

Can I just ask, have any of you seen a consultant about your condition? I haven't but would like to so I can get proper advice about managing it, but am not sure whether I am in a position to ask my GP.

I have, they seem to see it as a pretty straightforward issue, tbh.

I saw a consultant when I was pg with ds2 but he wasn't worried about anything. I saw 'him' (well, his registrars) twice than was discharged back to mws.

I have read that endicronologists (sp?) don't have masses of expertise in thyroids anyway - they tend to specialsise in the other glands instead. I'm sure that's not true of all of them, but I don;t know how much use seeing a consultant would be, tbh.

If you search 'misi' (username) and 'thyroid' in the MN archives you should pull up some helpful info.

Soory, first line should say:

I haven't......

Another one here, just been diagnosed with an underactive thyroid presumed caused by recent chemotherapy which the doctor thinks has damaged my thyroid-stimulating hormone production. I'd been trying to lose weight for months, doing as much as an hour and half exercise each day and didn't lose a single pound. I became very despondent after being given this diagnosis and have not exercised for a couple of weeks. I have another blood test tomorrow so the doctor can try and work out if my system is repairing itself or whether she needs to prescribe something. I thought it ironic that she told me losing some weight would help

I will follow this thread with interest.

My mum has an underactive throid and is managing to loose weight, she's on very high whack of thyroxine, as much as her friend who doesn't have a thyroid at all, but still at low end of normal range. She says it is harder than before (although given that she's not sure when before is she can't be totally sure about this) and has found combining excercise with diet very helpful. Slow going, but she's getting there.

It's really encouraging to hear from others in the same boat, even if it's not all good news, makes me feel less like I'm on my own with this one.

I also posted on the health forum where a couple of people have replied and we're going to do a weekly weigh in for all us UAT sufferers. If anyone else wants to join in - the more the merrier.

Will suggest we move over to this thread as it's in the 'official' weight loss dept!

We thought we could post lbs/kgs lost each week for the sake of modesty, but in for a penny....

Weighed this morning - 16st 1lb.

Have lunch with a friend today, and hubbys birthday on Wednesday, so will have to be on best behaviour for the rest of the week!

Good Luck to everyone else.
MCx

Thanks for a positive story emskaboo.

I'm off to the doctor for another blood test. Should know in a week or two whether or not the doctor wants to prescribe something.

Good luck anorak - I've got bloods on Thursday (and smear and session at gym - hurrah!!! )

Well there was no change in my blood, so I've been prescribed Synthroid to put me right. The doctor says I should have more energy and be able to lose weight once it kicks in. Watch this space.