Has anyone successfully lost weight after being diagnosed with hypothyroidism?

i was diagnosed 17 years ago with hypothyroid and up and done through the years on levo due to hashi's/hypo which can make you hypo AND hyper.  i just found out 3 months ago that i even had hashi's, which i had no idea what that even was.  oh, and they tested me 4 YEARS ago and FAILED to tell me.  the doctor said, "it won't change how i treat you."  GRRRR!!!   well, 8 months ago i ate something that didn't agree with me, but i didn't make the connection for what followed when i went to bed that night.  i am also going through perimenopause...  well, i got stomach diaphragm/chest pain, my pulse went over 100, my bp was 200/100 and my skin felt like it was on fire.  i went to the er thinking i was having a heart attack.  i wasn't (thank goddess) and they said it was most likely from my spicy pasta dish.  what they didn't come up with and what i believe is that it was also a major hot flash with panic.  from that point on i stopped eating pasta, bread and sugar believing that i wouldn't have another one of those attacks.  and i pretty much didn't feel those scary things again, but the pain in my stomach didn't go away even as i cut out the pasta, bread and sugar; but my weight started to drop... 3-5 pounds per week!  no exercise.  i was eating protein in the form of meats and protein shakes; eggs and rice; apple sauce; vegetables; cottage cheese - things that are easy on my stomach.  but the weight loss,  it started to scare me it was so fast.  crazy that i was bitching about weight loss after it was so hard before.  so they did a colonoscopy and endoscopy due to the pain and weight loss and found an ulcer. 

what i've learned in this long process (i've been researching perimenopause, hashi's and hypothyroidism ever since the episode) is that:  gluten, sugar, dairy and soy are to be avoided ESPECIALLY if you have hashimoto's.  my doctors NEVER told me this, just said, "i know it's so hard to lose weight with hypothyroidism."  yes, it is IF you are eating gluten, sugar, soy and dairy.  

if you are still eating these things you won't lose weight and you will continue to feed the source of your autoimmune disease.  your doctors won't tell you this, and i don't know why.  look at autoimmune protocol diet (AIP), or paleo.    

I think the person who said those who are OK don't post was probably right; for me when so many are clearly struggling it seems a bit off to say, 'Well I'm fine, ta!' But I have lost weight. I put on three stone over about 18 months before being diagnosed. Now on 75mg of Levo, TSH down from 13.8 to 1.8. And I feel good. Many are on Levo. When first diagnosed I read all I could find and the advice seemed to be ditch gluten, go paleo, stop counting calories. I also read one book that said eat lots until you feel well even if you put on lots of weight. That was not going to happen! So I went on a calorie controlled diet, and I had to be very strict, no more that 1300 per day. I have lost two stones so far. Averaged just over 1lb per week, light exercise (bit of walking, swim now and again, generally active around house and garden). Having a bit of a rest from strict calorie counting just now and not gaining. I don't know if this helps you, but does show that weight loss not a lost cause for all diagnosed hypothyroid.

I have read some of the posts in this section quite revealing. I guess I am in a similar situation regarding weight gaim.minority in that I'm male,late 50's and was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism about 3 yrs ago, possibly Graves disease but that was never conclusive.

Until my thyroid disorder was diagnosed, I managed to maintain a perfect weight range all my life (68-70kg)and never had to care about what I ate. Never really drank alcohol, rarely exercised - I was one of those annoying people really. My heart rate was high (110+ resting) but apart from that I can honestly say I felt really good healthwise. 

I was prescribed the usual medication for Hyper (carbimazole and beta-blockers) but eventually I was persuaded to undergo RAI. I was a reluctant RAI patient because of the risk of hypothyrodism but felt pressurised by my GP and the Endocronoligists   even though I never saw the same specialist more than once).

Needless to say, following RAI treatment I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism and prescribed Thyroxine . In the two years since being diagnosed hypo I have gained 28kg (4 Stones 6lbs). Like many others in this forum, I share the feelings of low esteem, occasional bouts of depression and have also experienced the indifference and lack of empathy shown by medical professionals.  

To make matters worse, I was told to stop taking Thyroxine because this drug has side effects, one of which has resulted in my being diagnosed with early stage Osteoporosis .

So for the first time in my life I have had to diet and exercise. Neither are easy. I look feel like a complete fool in the Gym. My Gym experience suggests that the only people they really want as gym members are people who don't need to go to the gym.

EXCERCISE

May I suggest that if you can,  set 45 minutes per day and try some "power walking".  Aim to walk 3 to 3.5 miles during this period

DIET

- NO BREAD (that is SO hard but trust me) 

- NO READY MADE MEALS (I've discovered that almost everything sold by supermarkets that are packaged in a cardboard box or tin should be avoided whenever you can).

- NO BREAKFAST CEREALS (apart from porridge) 

I've been doing this for 4 weeks and have lost 4kg (9 lbs) but more importantly, my waistline reduced by 2 inches.

I will watch this post with interest for other tips (the gluten free route is interesting) but the thought of spending the rest of my life dieting isn't a happy one.

Good luck

 

When I was put on 50 MCG I lost 8 lbs. But as my body adjusted the weight returned

Then I was put on 75mcgs and the same thing happened. Plus the fact I had side effects also like racing pulse; irritability, headaches and nausea and racing thoughts

.The strange thing is my family say I look thinner. Perhaps it is just our body is processing food properly

Hope that helps

I've had Hypothyroidism sice 2009, had thyroid test after gaining quite a bit of weight. This was odd for me, I never had weight issue. I was diagnosed and placed on Synthroid. Eventually got a diet book The Southbeach Diet Supercharged. Lost 40 lbs and kept it off ever since. No exercise for me either and the weight came off quickly for me.

Recently I TOLD doctor to refer me to Endocrinology. A Theraperoxidase ab antibody test was done, diagnosed Pos for Hashimoto's Thyroiditis/ Autoimmune. Then I didn't ask but TOLD doctor I now wanted placed on Armour Thyroid medication. He tried the trick, " Oh but your in range". I said the TSH is not the only thing to go by. I ask if he was aware of the Walter Reed Study, more participants preferred Armour and some had weight loss. What is a 4 or 5 lb loss for them could be a 10 lb loss for me. Plus I said Synthroid did not relieve all symptoms. He was quiet then said ok and that he'd phone in the prescription. It's just going on 3 weeks since starting Armour, but despite all my various health issues beginning to feel a little improvement. Per the study it stated Armour offers more stability vs Synthroid that's had recalls.