Help!!! Hypothyroid Not Losing Weight...

[drdvc2u]

I am at the point of desperation here.  I am 35 years old.  I have post partum hypothyroidism.  My daughter is two years old.  I started gaining weight when she turned 1 and found out I had hypothyroidism.  To the point...I have been working out for 2 months, consistently 5 days per week includes 30 of rigorous cardio and 30 of weight training.  I have been eating around 1200 to 14000 calories per day.  I take 175 mcg of Synthroid everyday.  I am NOT losing weight, as a matter of a fact I have gained a few pounds when I took my medication late.  I am SO frustrated. I am starting to lose my zest.  I am really doing exactly what I am supposed to but my metabolism refuses to kick in.  I am at the point of near breakdown.  I am 5'3" and weigh 190 lbs.  I don't know what to do.  Doctors say well you are eating too much, no I am NOT.  I am exercising and eating right.  I am NOT losing any weight.  I am at the point of just quitting the exercise eat/well plan I am not seeing any results.  Please Help.

[bobthetrainer]

are your tsh/t4 levels within normal limits?

[drdvc2u]

My last TSH level was .217 for August and .552 for June...August is so low because my medicine was switched by the pharmacy and i had to switch back to name brand synthroid, my doc is rechecking a the end of the month.

[bobthetrainer]

since you started working out 2 mos ago and your levels aren't completely regulated, I'm sure it's not helping matters with regard to your weight.  Even when you increase your synthroid it may take 3-4 weeks for it to fully 'kick in' and get your levels up to speed.

Also, the current recommendation for exercise with regard to wt loss is at least 6 days per week for at least 90 minutes.

[bobthetrainer]

I apologize, I read through you post too quickly not paying attention to your actual numbers.  normal tsh is 0.27-4.2 so just going by that, it would appear from your August lab results that you are hyperthyroid, over overmedicated on synthroid (which would not cause resistance to weight loss).

I would still increase the exercise to 6d/wk for 90 min

[drdvc2u]

Thanks for the advice, my only question is how do I make time to exercise 90 minutes a day six days a week???  I will implement this program starting on Monday and see what happens.

[forestdweller]

I have hypothyroidism as well right now due to removal of my thyroid.  I am currently on Synthroid and trying to regulate the level and at the same time lose weight.  I found that once I started measuring my portions and writing everything down that I ate, the weight started to drop off.  Portion control is so important.  Weight watchers is helping me with this endeavor of the never ending battle of the bulge.  Just a thought.  Good Luck.

[lmo39]

I have hypothyroid and I just had another visit with my doctor and my levels are normal.  So my medication dose not need any adjusting.
I have been working out 5 days a week 60 minutes of cardo and 45min of strength training.  I eat right no fried foods,  chicken, tuna ,fish veggies.   I even went on nutrisystem and I'm still not losing the weight.
I'm 25 pounds over  what I should be.  What else can I do?

[Dr Vinod]

Remember the golden rule " You cannot put on weight if you take more than what your body wants"
If you take a litre of water and weigh yourself immidiately you weigh more.
So you have to check your weight in the morning and have to plan your diet near a dietician and follow the regime.
1200 cals - 1400 cals exactly in 4-5 divided small meals with high fibre, protein and working out to lose 500 to 700-1000 cals gradually will make you lose weight and perfectly. Go to a fitness adviser to get the best ways you burn more calories.
Change in lifestyle is essential to you. Walk to the grocery, bicycle to get your daily needs, take staricase always, move around while talking on a phone(cordless) so on and so forth.
You will lose weight, Best of luck!
Take care!

[kellirae13]

I know how you feel.  I was diagnosed as being hypothyroid and started medication in February.  I was actually slightly overmedicated at first and went hyperthyroid...now my levels seem to be perfect with my current dosage.  I too was unable to lose weight even though I was working out (something I wasn't able to do before because of the hypothyroid symptoms), eating healthier, etc.  I couldn't lose weight-no matter what I did.  

For another reason, I recently gave up refined sugar and refined carbohydrates.  I'm on day 19 and have lost about 7 lbs.  I also keep a food journal and notice that this has drastically reduced my caloric intake (which is probably the reason I'm finally starting to lose weight).  I notice that I'm not as hungry and feel full and satisfied after a meal (I'm not always looking for something else).  It's definitely not easy, but I have noticed my overall health improve.

[Dr Vinod]

Good! Sugars and refined carbs is the good way to go.
When you have something sweet, nice choclate your insulin gets secreted and you will feel good, nice, content, satisfied so if you avoid that you control your hormones also!
Next you avoid food which has fats, butter and oils in it.
Always have milk and milk products which are double toned!

These simple things in diet correction will take you a long way, continue the cardio and do not stress yourself and take your medications perfectly.
Take care!

[TattooGurl]

I have hypothyroid myself I am 31 year old and have been on the meds for 4 years I worked out 6 days a week 2 hours a day and ate only 1100cals a day since my levels have been normal since I started the meds but I have not lost a single pound I leveled off till about a year ago when I had to stop all the working out due to savere arthritis I broke 6 bones in a matter of 4 months so all I can do now is swim and I'm gaining even more weight and I'm down to 1000cals a day. No fat, no sugar, no salt only whole wheats. I have tryed everything to lose weight and I havent lost any.

[Dr Vinod]

Good work, infact great work!
Can you do two things?:
1) Go to a professional dietician and exactly fix the 1000 -1200 cals and discuss whatever you eat and stick to that.
2) Go to a Physiotherapist and combined with swimming  discuss what exercise you can do, without hurting yourself. (you have to lose 500 cals per day)

Have compassion, self belief and you can achieve it.
Please come back to us for further queries and i am impressed by your efforts, keep going.

[TattooGurl]

I have seen a dietician I see one every three months and every 6 months I have my blood tested for TSH and my hormone levels I also get a untrasound for the cysts on my thyroid. I also used to have a personal trainer that set up my work out pland till my feet started breaking and now my surgon will only let me swim I'm not even susposed to walk to my car without my crutchs but it's been over 4 years since I was told about my thyroid problem and before it I was a ballet dancer so you can imagen the shape I was in before and how hard I worked for it. I worked twice as hard to lose weight but 4 years later and I've only gained weight. To date I have gained 86lbs thats more then I even weighed before I got hypothyroid I started at 78lbs I am now 164lbs. Being that I am Canadian I get to see as meny doctors as I ask for free of charge and not a one can figure out why I cant lose any weight I was only hopeing someone else would might know.

[Dr Vinod]

I am with you and to support your cause of weight loss, i  want to advice you to join a centre where you are programmed to lose weight.
This is a try you can give, do not hurt yourself and get the things under control and knowing about your history i am amazed! Please do not lose motivation.
Being a Ballet Dancer is cool.
Take care!  

[TattooGurl]

I have tho, I spent 3 months in what I fondly call a fat farm they call it a rehab center. I have spent a small fortune on weightloss clinics and programs I have done everything short of plastic surgery. I have even trying the "alternitive" methods like indian sweatlodges, light theripy, hypnociess, I even got stupid and lived in Ensure for a month. My doctor keeps telling me not to lose hope but then I have only been seeing him a few months cuz my last one didnt beleave me when I told him how hard I been working to lose weight and the one before took 3 years to disgnose me with hypothyroid he just told me I was getting older and thats what bodys do they slow down. I have tryed everything out there I am honestly at the end of my rope I cant think of anything else to try short of lyposuction, which I could probably never afford.

[Dr Vinod]

Your doctor is right in all the ways and i support his view. This is not the end of road and keep your thoughts and views perfect and stay focussed and when all your joints heal and you feel good, increase the swimming training and try to do all manual work at home, try using the stairs always, go on a bicycle while shopping fruits and vegetables and become someone like a Mahatma Gandhi/Nelson Mandela in doing self work.
Take care and take all the decision keeping your doctor informed!

[espon]

im so sorry,

but dont worry because you are definetly not alone, i have gained 30 pounds, and i would have swelling on my face and eyes, redness and irritation under my eyes.......i would have to go to the gym constantly to make sure my face wouldnt swell up....and almost everytime i ate anythign i would have very minor swelling of my cheeks....as you can imagine it was very difficult and was causing me to become severly depressed and not wanting to do anything. I went to the doctor and after i got my blood test i found out that i have hypothyroidism. and my TSH is 0.006  which is extremelyyyy low. and i am constantly battling my  battle with weight

[TattooGurl]

I try to keep hope but I started putting the weight on in 2003 and it's now 2009 thats 6 years I have been trying and 2 of those years i spent without a diagnosis. And Sadly my joints will never heal they will only get progressily work till the day comes I want even be able to walk and I'll be lucky to even swim. I've already have 3 joint replacements and I'm expecting 2 more in the next year. I have osteochondritis so It wont get better only worse and a lot faster then it should being that I'm grossly overweight. I could be 200lbs and so wide I can barely fit through a door I only wish to be lighter to take some of the pain and suffering a feel go away. Less pressure on my joints means less bone death. I'm only 31 and I near have to use a walker already I'm young I wanna dance and run and play with my dog in the yard and at the moment i cant I only want some advice that the 100 doctors and theripest and dieticans havent given me already.

[Dr Vinod]

If the suffering is from 6 years and you are aggravating your other problems due to your weight then the soloution is going for liposuction and other cosmetic procedures.
There are techniques like partial gastrectomy and the procedures would be explained by a professional plastic surgeon who does cosmetic surgeries!
Cosmetic surgeries are also used not only to look good but also to relieve a person of weight and helping the person in getting confidence and a way ahead in life.
Take an appointment and try to understant the procedures and what is best suitable for you.
Take care!

[TattooGurl]

If only I could afford that I have sold my car and half the things I own just to afford the weightloss clinics I live on a modest income and last time i checked plastic surgons dont work for free even in Canada where health care is free.  And I dont see how a gastrectomy would help in any case since it's something like a lapband and I do not over eat hell I can go without eating totally if it wouldent kill me to not eat. Thats why I'm posting so maybe some other sugestions that maybe I have tryed that I could afford in some way I have talked to a doctor about mesotherapy but even that is almost $1300 a treatment and I would need at least 5 to shed enough weight. I'm scared I will be doomed to a life of being over weight and soon never walking again.

[Dr Vinod]

Try going for liposuction at a decent centre, which is affordable and decrease some weight initially and follow up slowly with mesotherapy when you can.
Do not lose confidence and it is always your belief in positve things that would make you successful. Being over weight is not end of road, i would accept that you are in a very challenging situation. Please take care!