excessive weight

Hi, I'm not on treatment yet, but that sounds like one good thing at least.  The reason you have an underactive thyroid could be multi-layer and so should get a blood panel done that checks for iron/ferratin levels, B12, Oestrogen, Cortisol.  Get a copy of the bloods done. If any look in the low range even if cited normal - either set about topping up through suppliments (check they are gluten free etc - Solgar are good) and also look into any gastro intestinal issues you could be having.  Most people with an underactive thyroid have antibodies that suggest an auto immune condition.  If you do have obvious TPO o (thyroid peroxidaise) or Thyroglobulin (TbAb) antibody levels then you have inflammation that is causing an ongoing attack on your thyroid and this can come from a number of paths.  The key thing is to balance or optimise your levels as outlined above and then investigate eliminating certain foods from your diet.  Most people find they are better without gluten, dairy and soy.  For different reasons for each.  Eat wholefoods and pesticide free organic ranges where possible, reduce contact with household cleaners for eco friendly one as the normal ones have xenoestrogens in which too can create oestrogen dominance.  If you have estrogen dominance its possible your adrenal glands are slightly under-performing.  I'm afraid your information resource is going to be online mainly as the GPs are not educated much in the hypothyroid condition - actually barely at all and so you're going to have to take matters into your hands, ask for the blood panel to be done (full serum check too) and then start your own research and protocol.  If you have low cortisol levels (adrenals) its worth contacting dr barry beatfield who specialises in adrenal and thyroid function as it requires a specialist view.   Its very frustrating to be left in the dark by GPs and Endocronologists too follow a line not a holistic path of discovery.  Am sure you will get the answers you need and can then take the correct approach through diet, lifestyle, suppliments or adjustment in medications or probably all three. Must feel nice to have lost the weight at least and hopefully you can tweak the rest.

Be well! I'm on this path too - just at the begining and looking forward to recovery for an illness that few understand!  V frustrating!  

If you want to share your results and symptoms it may help focus the problem.  Also I forgot to say ask for a Free T3 blood test too.  This is the useful component so if you're having T4 to T3 conversion issues you may still feel tired, but my guess is you may have slight adrenal fatigue.. the adrenal glands and thyroid go hand in hand, and often with this comes low iron, vit D and B12 levels - all necessary in all the endocrine processes.  

Hi there,

I'm not a doctor and wouldnt like to guess but the hormones will speed up your metabolic rate so that would naturally burn off the weight you gained when everything went hypo....its incredibly frustrating that the doctors don't check for adrenal function as it actually warns on the box to not take with tired adrenal function!!! Incredible... as it would be like driving a car with the handbrake on...!  You will feel just as if not more tired.  You should be able to point this out to your GP and get that test done... at 9am presents the highest level of the day - if its under 500 you are on the low end of the spectrum and adrenal repair should go on.  Whilst you waiting for all that to happen try 30 drops of liquourice and borage mother tincture twice a day in water.  Or Korean Ginseng drops.  They will help stimulate and support adrenals - and look for the right adrenal supporting diet, as long as it doesn't conflict with - if you have it - auto immune foods.  Make sure you keep of gluten, dairy and soy and avoid raw cruciferous veggies... Why don't doctors just give us poor souls a comprehensive leaflet of advice according to some basic bloods - and let us go and find the right nuturitional or holistic support.  Why don't they?  As they don't want to admit they don't have all the answers! 

pity - that was a good reply... ive not got time to re-write.  the editor would like to edit what they dont' like and post thats fine with me.  but was full of good advice.  Darn.

in short:  weight loss from increased metabolism from meds.

adrenal function: ask for bloods if around 500 or less at morning - you have tired adrenals.

adrenal support: liquourice and borage tincture - 30 drops twice a day morning and night - or korean ginseng if that sounds / feels better. 

Good luck - its such a shame not more info is given to us and that more checks aren't done on diagnosis.  We must push for answers. 

They've done it again! And I made it really really siimple! 

Lets see: 

Increased metabolism from tablets quite likely created weight loss.  (tbd)

Adrenal function should def be checked and if not optimal in top 60% range consider adrenal repair - either naturally or otherwise.

Good luck! 

Thanks!  No I've been in media all my life lol.  Probably what got me here!  But after my recent health news and issues and working my way through all this info I wonder if I shouldn't have got this problem and studied it earlier!  would have saved me years of grief and struggle I think not knowing I was forcing myself on with bubbling conditions underneath.  Too british haha!  Actually I come from a family of stalwart medics, grandfather, grandmother, father a retired pediatric professor, mother was a nurse (when v young) and many on that side of the family are doctors of some sort... so perhaps yes it is in the blood.  The irony is, my father is old school and not holistic and hates me coming to him (he's been on levo for 10 years but 84 now) and my grandmother apparently had her thyroid removed!) so I've been sharing info and he really doesnt' want to know... and definitely doesn't want his daughter (media type) teaching the might prof about a field of medicine that he's not interested to know about - amazing really but that's the training of the doctors.  They stick to their fields and then totally expect the other teams to work out the problems... they're simply NOT trained to look at a patient holistically.  Now if I can teach myself in 3 months of digging. I'm not sure why there is not an information sheet available in the NHS.  Granted its complex as each individual varies, but each individual can start their own protocol once armed with enough key info that could come out of just one blood screening.  Its a pity to read so many upset people in the dark with their conditions, and I am / have been one of them - very distressing.  

Hello Razbabe,

This is completely normal.

I have suffered with an underactive thyroid for over three years and after losing 4 stone, I still get tired constantly.

With an underactive thyroid, you will always feel lethargic and tired.

The thyroid symptoms will always be there however, you can eat certain foods and exercise more often to make yourself feel better.

It's definitely worth trying to cut out foods that contain a lot of soy or fat.

Excercise seems to help me feel more active - you have to push yourself, it's really hard but completely worth it!