The thyroid is a tiny, butterfly-shaped gland that wraps around your windpipe and lies about midway between your chin and sternal notch at the front of your neck. When you’ve got an underactive thyroid, your body will begin to retain salt and water. In 2018-2019 I started gaining weight and was tired so I did a blood test that showed a TSH higher than 10 and an iron deficiency. Also known as an underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism, the most common side effect of having a low thyroid is weight gain. I have been a Lifetime Member of Weight Watchers since 1970. I wanted to begin with a nutrition recommendation, but correcting your thyroid medication first priority. Although your underactive thyroid is an issue, don’t attempt to put all of the blame on that if it’s not only the issue. The more sharply you start moving towards your goal, the sooner you will return to the habitual way of life. Optimise Your Thyroid Medication. Fulfillment of these principles will allow you to solve the problem – i have hypothyroidism and cant lose weight. How can I lose weight when I have hypothyroidism and I can't do strenuous exercise? Again, the link between low thyroid hormones and increased weight scale is complex. 1. Some lose weight on 1200 cals a day - some on more. It has been appreciated for a very long time that there is a complex relationship between thyroid disease, body weight and metabolism. It appears to me that you actually may not be eating enough. When I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, I was trying to eat a raw food diet. Nevertheless, this issue is not fully known yet. Thyroid hormone regulates metabolism in both animals and humans. I lost weight after I was diagnosed. I've tried EVERYTHING and can't seem to lose weight. My doctor is still adjusting my thyroid medication, so my TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) is still high at 22. Added to that, I've got heart problems and have been told by my cardiologist not to do strenuous exercise! As a result I had resigned myself to being fat and lazy. But it's also not uncommon for me to see patients on high doses of NDT who still feel very poorly and still can't lose any weight. Losing weight with hypothyroidism can be a long, frustrating road. I luckily was able to lose some weight but I have been stuck for a while and can't seem to lose any more. You obviously want to take whatever is best for YOUR body, but generally the more T3 in the thyroid medication the more effective it will be for weight loss. In this post we will examine the many reasons why a lot of people with hypothyroidism have such difficulty losing weight. I've done weight watchers, the biggest loser 30 day jump start, Food Lover's diet, low carb diet, eaten between 1200-1300 calories, cut out soda and work out 3-4 days a week for 45 minutes on the treadmill. There is a lot more to it than JUST having hypothyroidism. The Thyroid Influences Metabolism They gain weight and can’t lose it or they have trouble keeping it on. Medication therapy is essential when you have hypothyroidism, so make sure to see your doctor first. How to Lose Weight with an Underactive Thyroid. You just have to make some wise choices. To the women in my group, and around the world, trying to lose weight with hypothyroidism, remember that your mind is your most powerful tool. Not only did I gain 20 pounds in a year, but I am not eating any gluten or dairy, and keep my calories at 1200 a day with tennis twice a week, and weight lifting 2 more days. Until you can find a doctor who takes your symptoms seriously, your main job is to manage yourself. I changed my habit (healthier food - some workout) but I can lose weight. 3 Reasons Why Many Thyroid Sufferers Can’t Lose Weight Many people with thyroid conditions have difficulty losing weight. There is no known prevention or cure for hypothyroidism but it can be successfully managed. An inability to lose weight when you are hypothyroid is really a major problem for so many people who consult with me. Some are gluten sensitive, some are not. However, it’s not always easy… which is why most thyroid sufferers try to lose weight in very dangerous ways. Living with adrenal fatigue, leaky gut and hypothyroidism . Why can’t I lose weight?! so the doctor changed my medication to Synthroid 88 with iron pills. I enjoyed lots of fruits and vegetables, but also ate loads of nuts, seeds and oil. Why I Can’t Lose Weight with Hypothyroidism even if I am Eating Low Fat Foods? Some need to eat less carbs, some do not. When you do it the right way, you can get results like Sharon. Below, you can see different things you can do to lose weight even if you have hypothyroidism. The result is typically weight gain, one of several symptoms associated with hypothyroidism. If you or someone you know is experiencing these kinds of hypothyroid symptoms, have hope and know there can be solutions. So I downloaded a visualization meditation to lose weight, which makes me gag even writing that given what I know now. Take your medications regularly Losing hair, dry skin, brittle nails, tired, and weight gain. To lose weight with hypothyroidism, reduce your sugar and refined carb intake, increase protein and vegetables, get daily exercise, add selenium and zinc to your diet. What rules should be followed: Begin gradually . I lost 75 pounds, after having gone through a difficult period, and never had trouble keeping it off until I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism, about 15 years ago. It is true that it may be difficult to lose weight if you have hypothyroidism, but I think some people may use that as an excuse. I have hypothyroidism and can t lose weight. How can I lose weight when I have hypothyroidism and I can't do strenuous exercise? And while most people with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis have a difficult time losing weight, a small percentage of people with hypothyroid conditions find it challenging to gain weight. While it may seem like a lost cause, bear in mind that it is possible to lose weight if you have hypothyroidism. Published May 22 2017. How your thyroid affects your metabolism, energy, and weight is complicated. Do not start abruptly. It’s easy to slip into telling yourself your story is “I have hypothyroidism and can’t lose weight”. If you're hoping to lose weight but suspect you might have thyroid issues, don't freak out. But don’t fret! You may have heard that thyroid hormones can be used to lose weight, even in people without thyroid disease. First off, treat these changes as a new lifestyle, not just a diet. Eating low fat foods should be a lifestyle change that we all strive to make. My name is Linda, and I am a healthy 77 year old woman. Learn how to lose weight when you have hypothyroidism by following the tips and tricks I learned. From early childhood through much of my adult life I had been overweight and simply could not lose weight no matter what I did. Many people with it lose weight, but others pick up extra pounds because it can make you feel hungrier. If you have Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, challenges with weight loss are an obvious and glaring symptom that drive many women to a diagnosis. While they may sound scary, the good news is that they’re typically responsive to medicine. Hypothyroidism and Weight Gain. However, you can still lose weight even if you have an underactive thyroid. The less fat we take in the better things are for our hearts and coronary conditions. How to Lose Weight If You Have Hypothyroidism. The more severe hypothyroidism you have, the greater pounds of weight you can gain. There are several diets that have become popular to help people to lose weight, but most of the time they don’t work when hypothyroidism causes weight gain. Women aren't supposed to eat less than 1200 calories a day because then it … It produces hormones that help cells convert oxygen and calories to energy. I can’t lose an ounce, where I used to be able to lose at least a pound a week doing the same thing. Thyroid Thursday Episode 42: Why You Can’t Lose Weight When Hypothyroid. So, you don’t lose weight to fix your thyroid… you fix your thyroid first to lose weight. If the measurement is made at rest, it is known as the basal metabolic rate … Weight gain is common in those with hypothyroid conditions. Sugar is your enemy. In addition to this, if you are going through menopause, you may experience a heavier weight gain, so taking proper care of your body during this time is key to keeping the unwanted pounds off. They have so many problems; fatigue, hair loss, dry skin, depression, but weight is by far one of the biggest concerns when we get right down to it. Rules: i have hypothyroidism and cant lose weight. One thing that I have learned in this 5-month plateau of trying to lose weight (I'm on Eltroxin) is that no one's experience with hypothyroidism is the same. While synthetic thyroid hormones have been used this way in the past, research has shown that most people gain all the weight back once they stop using them. This mainly pertains to those people who have a hypothyroid disorder, although it does occasionally hinder those who have a hyperthyroid condition as well. I have hashimoto's as well. My doctor is still adjusting my thyroid medication, so my TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) is still high at 22. Since September 2018 I gained 10 more kg. Metabolism is determined by measuring the amount of oxygen used by the body over a specific amount of time. For people with Hashimoto’s (the most common cause of hypothyroidism) this comes in 2 varieties. This mental trick will make weight loss more achievable and sustainable. If you have hypothyroidism and want to lose weight, you should consider taking more than the recommended 8 glasses of water a day. So, which of the thyroid medications is best for weight loss? Eat foods with low caloric density. Weight gain is common in people with underactive thyroid since people with this disease are likely to have decreased BMR. Sugar. 1. So on … The majority of the time hypothyroidism causes weight gain around the stomach area and that’s difficult to lose this weight around waistline. If you have trouble with increasing body weight, we can take you through how to lose weight with hypothyroidism. When your thyroid hormone levels are low or erratic, weight loss won’t happen while weight gain happens all too easily. Eating foods that are lower in fat is a great strategy to help you lose some of the extra pounds. Weight Loss and Hypothyroidism. Weight gain (and excessive weight loss) is a symptom of hypothyroidism.