Hypothyroidism treatment for weight loss

If you can't lose weight (...and you think you should be because of the things you tried to do to lose weight) you may be suffering from hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism is a condition where you have a slow metabolism due to an under active thyroid gland. Your thyroid gland controls your metabolism and one of the symptoms of hypothyroidism is the inability to lose weight.

"Not being able to lose weight" is not the only sign you may have hypothyroidism... but other symptoms to look for before you say have hypothyroidism are...

Gaining weight inappropriately
You feel cold when others feel hot
You Feel run down, sluggish, lethargic
Your hair and skin is coarse and dry, breaking, brittle, falling out
You have puffiness and swelling around the eyes and face
You have pains, aches in joints, hands and feet
You feel depressed often
You're restless all the time
You're moods change easily
You have difficulty concentrating
You seem to be losing interest in normal daily activities

You can treat hypothyroidism in 2 ways...

You can take natural supplements like Thyromine to improve your thyroid function so you'll lose weight again and while you're taking Thyromine...
You can eat foods that'll help your thyroid like seaweed, kelp, dulse, garlic, radishes, seafood, watercress, egg yolks, mushrooms and Brewers Yeast and you want to avoid foods like...

Cabbage, peanuts, pine nuts, turnips, mustard, cassava root and millet. Cooked versions of these are usually alright.
Expensive medical treatment is another option...
Your doctor takes a blood test to see if you suffer from hypothyroidism. If you do have an under active thyroid, you'll be treated with a synthetic thyroid supplement, which you'll need to take for the rest of your life.

17 Responses to "Hypothyroidism treatment"

#17

Michelle,

Unfortunately, I'm not able to answer your questions because I'm not a doctor and I had little-to-NO experience helping people with your condition but...

Please ask your doctor these same questions so maybe he can devise a plan for you to lose weight

Adrian bryant | 05.18.08 - 10:16 pm

#16

Trying to limit your calorie intake is even worse for losing weight if you have hypothyroidsm? I don't know what to do then because I have fibromyalgia too and am unable to exercise very much some days. And after I do exercise, I feel horrible all the next day and am unable to exercise again. But now I'm eating so much healthier than I ever was. I always used to be so skinny and very active until i was diagnosed with fibromyalgia last year. I've since gained 30 pounds and the past few weeks have been so rough. I've gained 5 more pounds and I feel like I'm starving all the time. I'm only ten pounds away from being overweight and nothing I do helps me lose any of it. I haven't started treatment yet because my doctors appt when I'll get the results is a month away. But I'm positive I have an underactive thyroid (its also very common in people with fibromyalgia). Will treatment help me lose weight if I keep up my healthy eating and exercise? is it guaranteed? I've only just turned 19 and I want my normal body back.

Michelle | 05.18.08 - 5:14 pm

#15

Jessica,

How much do you weigh, how long have you been on this diet, what other diets have you tried (if any) and how long have you been on those and most importantly...

How many calories are you eating a day and how much exercise are you doing daily?

Adrian bryant | 05.14.08 - 8:48 am

#14

I dont think I have a thyroid problem, because i don't gain large amounts of wieght. I have a simple question and I'm not sure where else to turn. I have been doing the atkins diet (Induction Phase) to an absolute T, and I lost my water weight from it, but now it has been about a week and a half and no results. The pounds haven't come off and neither have the inches. If my body is getting it's energy soley from stored fat, like the book says, then how is this possible and should I be concerned... Or am I simply overreacting and should stick it out.

Jessica | 05.13.08 - 9:43 pm

#13

Have your doctor check the T-4 and T-3 levels on you rnext blood test. These are the true markers of a not properly working thyroid. Try taking supplements. Selenium, Iodine and Tyrosine will kick your thyroid to working, It could take a couple of weeks to see the difference but it'll show.

Eileen | 05.09.08 - 3:44 pm

#12

She is a great doc, but isn't as concerned about my weight as I am. Thanks for the input. I really appreciate it...great site here by the way!!

Paige | 05.08.08 - 9:09 am

#11

Paige,

I can't help you due to the fact I'm not a doctor - What has your doctor said about you losing weigh?

Adrian Bryant | 05.08.08 - 8:20 am

#10

I've had my thyroid removed due to thyroid cancer. I am on levothyroxin and cannot lose weight no matter what I do. Since the suggestions are what to take or eat to increase thyroid function, what can someone do who has no thyroid? Since I can't increase the function of something I do not have. Thanks,

Paige | | 05.08.08 - 8:12 am

Lori,

Since I'm not a doctor - the amount of assitance Ican give you is limited so what "I think" may help you is this...

1. read how to increase your metabolism and...

2. You said "I have been working out since april 07 -april 08 everyday doing 4 miles a day" well... You need to change up your routine every 4 weeks to keep seeing weight loss results or your body wil just get used to the workout you're doing (see how to break out of weight loss plateaus)and...

3. you may already know this but... Hypothyroidism lowers your metabolism so it'll be counterproductive for you to go on a calorie-restriction diet that lowers your metabolsim even more so...

4. You need to eat a normal amount of calories to maintain your weight but this will still keep your metabolism from not shutting off so you can lose weight and...

Your weight loss has to be mostly depndent on exercise and eating foods that burn fat like eating more protein and fiber.

Remember - I'm not a doctor and my experience helping people with hypothryroid is very limited

Adrian Bryant | 04.20.08 - 5:12 pm

I've gained 30 pounds because of a hypothyroid problem. They put me on synthroid meds about 4 years ago. I have been working out since april 07 -april 08 everyday doing 4 miles a day and haven't lost 1 pound. Why? I eat garden salads with balsomic vineger, I don't eat sweets as I dont like them. I don't eat fried foods I drink diet soda, water, or unsweet tea. Why can't I lose weight? I have lost a few inches (not much to really notice)Help!!!!!!

Lori | 04.20.08 - 12:27 pm

pletts,

How much do you weigh? It could be that you're not eating enough and slowing down your metabolism.

Have you tried changing your workout routine?

Read how to start losing weight again for more tips

Adrian Bryant | 04.07.08 - 9:36 pm

Hi

If a 44 year old woman, over a two month period of time, eating an average of 1200 cal. per day and going walking (40 min.) four times a week can't lose weight, what could be the problem?

pletts | 04.07.08 - 2:39 pm

Just to let you know as you lose or gain weight and if you taking a thyriod stimulating hormone you should have you tsh levels checked ot make sure you are getting enough or not of you medications. if you don't you will not lose weight and end up feeling crappy.

Leslie | 03.28.08 - 12:25 am

rebecca,

since I'm not a doctor the best thing I can do is recommened you have your hypothyroidism checked and as far as weight loss help goes...

Simple ways you may be able to increase your metabolism include:

1. exercising more
2. Exercising once in the morning & then again in the evening to keep your metabolism jacked up so you'll burn fat while sleeping
3. Eating more at least 5 smaller meals - 7 meals is even better and ... the reason why eating more works well is because

Your body has to burn calories each time you eat to digest food and your metabolism will really fire itself up if you eat protein and fiber at each meal because your body has to burn a lot of calories to digest-process the fiber & protein you eat
Quick tip for U ... After each meal walk around for 10 minutes - this will also help U burn more calories during digestion
3 big meals shuts down your metabolism while 5 small meals keeps it going

1. Build muscle - 1 pound of muscle burns 10-25 calories a day while fat burns 0 calories a day - If my math is right i think 5 pounds of extra muscle will burn about 5 pounds of fat over a year

Adrian Bryant | 02.02.08 - 6:05 am

iam a 46 year old women i am taking thyroid med for a form of hypothyroidism have been on for a year have changemy doses 3 times because my levele are bad when they do blood test i can not lose weight so i started to take green tea fat burner pills to see if it will help but i see no results can you help

rebecca |01.30.08 - 8:32 pm

Stick with what you're trying to do to lose weight and don't give up.

go here:http://www.nowloss.com/ lose_weight_eat_more.htm

This article provides tips on how to increase your metabolsim

and if you need a solid weight loss plan and more tips go to:
http://www.nowloss.com/

and since I'm not a doctor - print the plans and tips I've given you and show them to your doctor to see if they are okay and I bet you this...

He will probably recommend you do them to help your condition
adrian bryant

I've had the problem with a low thyroid level for a year now. The doctor put me on Synthroid and finally got the level back to where it's supposed to be. Shouldn't I be able to lose weight with that med? I've lost 45 lbs. 4 years ago, (before throid problems) just by taking a walk every night for 2 hours. It took about 6-8 months to get all the weight off. I take meds for epilepsy, anxiety attacks, depression, and now Synthroid, so I just lose weight on my own..without pills. I don't need anymore meds to mess my body up. (That's how I feel) I have gained back about 25 lbs. so I am trying to lose weight again, but seems that it's just not as easy as before. Could it be because of the low thyroid level I had?? I did get it straightened out..I hope. I didn't know if the Synthroid messes with the weight loss now. If you have any answers or suggestions, it will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Renee

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