Aa
Whey Protein???
As a result of my hypothyroidism, I have developed and eating disorder over the years which I am finally working on. My nutritionist, who I do like, wants me to drink whey protein shakes (1 per day) to get my protein levels up. A friend of mine with hypo told me to STOP drinking them, and considering I am on new medication (Armour-2 grains) and gaining weight with recurring hypo symptoms (please, do not tell me to eat less, I am eating under 1300 calories a day), she may be right.
Does anyone have information as to whether whey is good for a hashimoto's hypothyroid patient or bad? I appreciate any feedback.
Thanks!
Does anyone have information as to whether whey is good for a hashimoto's hypothyroid patient or bad? I appreciate any feedback.
Thanks!
You are right that an eating disorder is a mental health issue. However, it is also a known fact that many people develop these disorders as a result of feeling some sort of lack of control in their life. Would you not say that hypothyroid causes a sense of this lack of control due to the excessive weight gain that you cannot really control?? I gained 65 lbs in a year due to hypothyroid and let me tell you, this caused me to modify my diet in some very drastic ways, including cutting out food. Eating disorders may not develop through the hypothyroidism, but it very well CAN develop due to the weight gain CAUSED by hypothyroid. Please don't judge this person. They came on here looking for help, not criticism. The last think anyone needs when they are in this state of mind is to have someone put them down because they feel the need to be too technical about how they worded what they said.
You are right that an eating disorder is a mental health issue. However, it is also a known fact that many people develop these disorders as a result of feeling some sort of lack of control in their life. Would you not say that hypothyroid causes a sense of this lack of control due to the excessive weight gain that you cannot really control?? I gained 65 lbs in a year due to hypothyroid and let me tell you, this caused me to modify my diet in some very drastic ways, including cutting out food. Eating disorders may not develop through the hypothyroidism, but it very well CAN develop due to the weight gain CAUSED by hypothyroid. Please don't judge this person. They came on here looking for help, not criticism. The last think anyone needs when they are in this state of mind is to have someone put them down because they feel the need to be too technical about how they worded what they said.
I read that eating under 1200 calories can slow your metabolism more, making hypothyroid symptoms worse. Which I believe, having been diagnosed 6 months ago. And having the same trouble with an eating disorder. I went from 145 to 175 in three months :(... I have finally been able to maintain my weight, but its not easy. I do workout 5-6 days a week. And make healthy eating choices. I can't manage to lose weight. But for now I am happy I am not gaining any. I would like to try the 310 shake, but with adding anything to my diet I worry about how it will affect my thyroid medications. Anyone have any experience with 310 shake and levothyroxine??
Hypo was the instigation for the illness. You've done all this stuff to fix it and nothing works. It can be part of the cause, but not all of it. And yeah I feel the same way some days.
Whey they say not to have, but especially not SOY. There are shakes out there, and some flavors you can add, that are for this particular issue. Some people at the vitamin shop or health store will know. ask for no soy no whey. there is at least 2 out there and they are about $35 bucks and the same size or slightly smaller.
ok, so why no whey? This binds the meds you take making the new thyroid pill useless. Think of it as a magnet. When the two ends meet they negate each other. Now whey may not be as significant as soy. Still, even drinking water has fluoride and that too can have an impact. There are so many small things out there, and they add up. As much as it *****, eating a more raw diet will help you. it takes time and patience as well as prep. Who has time for that right?
Also finding out what type of problem it is will help. I have hashimotos so I know that my own thyroid and body makes the anti bodies. Some people have the other kind which comes from the pituitary gland. Also, immune stuff like this can lead to fibromialja (spelling sorry) and diabetes. i know I do better eating like someone with celiac's disease even though I don't have it. Most times its because the high fat, sugar and various other crap makes the immune system flare up. This is because ours is already in flammed. Some cpt test may show up as odd numbers and that is because your thyroid is in fact inflamed. It's kinda a hint that something isn't right. You ache, you can't sleep, you poop...headaches or mood swings.
Eating like this costs more, but keeps the flaring down. Keep doing what you are doing being active. As far as meals, i don't eat bigger than my fist. You may always have to push harder than the average person. I have adrenal snooze, and its hard just to wake up and get up. If i have caffeine I shake and feel like I'm wired to all heck-scary like. and caffeine makes everything ten times worse. They say that even with supplements/pill/pig thyroid that its just not the same as the body's own. If you are still not losing weight, see a doc-an endocrinologist, get these test, find a lab and read up. "Stop the thyroid madness" is a starter place to read. doctors may not be well educated on this so you WILL have to shop around. It's simple, no one person can know everything. Start with this book or web pages and learn what you can. List what you eat, when you go to the bathroom and how you feel for a week.
As a lady, estrogen levels have an effect on it too. Don't be surprised if your vitamin levels like D and so forth are low. Test for these too. Also, eating a bunch of raw greens like cabbage and broccoli are a no-no. cooked its a little better since cooking drains them of their resources. Why even eat them? I love cooked broccoli so I kinda have to have it. But never fresh and never too often. Same thing, they bind the pill. these are little things that all add up. So you start to see and realize this and spread it out. Its not so bad, but thinking about it can drive you mad, into depression, or just plain ol suck.
You need to make sure FT3 ( should be no more than 3) and FT4 are within the new normal ranges as of 2010 or 2011. THS is a great indicator, but not enough. Some people have a normal THS, but whacky other numbers. Now finding a doc to test you is hard. I recommend doing to a clinic that tests this for a fee. Some labs are out there that do that without a doctor like med lab or something. Synthroid corrects some people (has t4) but if you are like me, your body cannot convert that T4 to t3. Taking this pill is useless. Armour thyroid is t/4 and t3. This is the active form the body uses for energy. And most people do have adrenal snooze by this time. You shake, quick to anger, excessive moods, heart palps, rashes on skin or rampant private ones :). Cortisol problems. Sleep problems. You feel like you are dying kind of problems.
The reason you may not loose weight is that T4 meds may not be enough. A slight better feeling may happen, but you'll need to check all the listed issues. Also try to educate the best you can, and limit the other factors causing the number to drop. A good way to tell is if you get a soar throat on and off again. Check the adrenals as well. Once the meds are right, the weight will stop. Losing will/could still be harder, but you can at least go back to say 1800-2000 calorie diet, work out and make them count since the body will respond. No matter what you do, the body will not respond until you fix the thyroid. it regulates everything.
my numbers are good, I still crave food like no tomorrow but I can now lose. I forget my vitamins often and I still have adrenal issues. Its hard work and it does seem like a mental issue. Maybe it is, maybe its just a matter of control. it takes a lot of time and a lot of work. Most often things, numbers and such, will not be perfect. they change as your body does. The key is you and a great doctor. Armour didn't help me lose weight as some people say. I do think between the emotional changes of estrogen, puberty, and the like...I have grown to love food too much. At first I starved myself fearing how bad I felt. Just eat the recommended calorie intake, exercise and get those numbers where they need to be. Once you fix that, the body can work correctly and does the rest for you.
Hope this helps anyone else who comes across it in the later future.
Whey they say not to have, but especially not SOY. There are shakes out there, and some flavors you can add, that are for this particular issue. Some people at the vitamin shop or health store will know. ask for no soy no whey. there is at least 2 out there and they are about $35 bucks and the same size or slightly smaller.
ok, so why no whey? This binds the meds you take making the new thyroid pill useless. Think of it as a magnet. When the two ends meet they negate each other. Now whey may not be as significant as soy. Still, even drinking water has fluoride and that too can have an impact. There are so many small things out there, and they add up. As much as it *****, eating a more raw diet will help you. it takes time and patience as well as prep. Who has time for that right?
Also finding out what type of problem it is will help. I have hashimotos so I know that my own thyroid and body makes the anti bodies. Some people have the other kind which comes from the pituitary gland. Also, immune stuff like this can lead to fibromialja (spelling sorry) and diabetes. i know I do better eating like someone with celiac's disease even though I don't have it. Most times its because the high fat, sugar and various other crap makes the immune system flare up. This is because ours is already in flammed. Some cpt test may show up as odd numbers and that is because your thyroid is in fact inflamed. It's kinda a hint that something isn't right. You ache, you can't sleep, you poop...headaches or mood swings.
Eating like this costs more, but keeps the flaring down. Keep doing what you are doing being active. As far as meals, i don't eat bigger than my fist. You may always have to push harder than the average person. I have adrenal snooze, and its hard just to wake up and get up. If i have caffeine I shake and feel like I'm wired to all heck-scary like. and caffeine makes everything ten times worse. They say that even with supplements/pill/pig thyroid that its just not the same as the body's own. If you are still not losing weight, see a doc-an endocrinologist, get these test, find a lab and read up. "Stop the thyroid madness" is a starter place to read. doctors may not be well educated on this so you WILL have to shop around. It's simple, no one person can know everything. Start with this book or web pages and learn what you can. List what you eat, when you go to the bathroom and how you feel for a week.
As a lady, estrogen levels have an effect on it too. Don't be surprised if your vitamin levels like D and so forth are low. Test for these too. Also, eating a bunch of raw greens like cabbage and broccoli are a no-no. cooked its a little better since cooking drains them of their resources. Why even eat them? I love cooked broccoli so I kinda have to have it. But never fresh and never too often. Same thing, they bind the pill. these are little things that all add up. So you start to see and realize this and spread it out. Its not so bad, but thinking about it can drive you mad, into depression, or just plain ol suck.
You need to make sure FT3 ( should be no more than 3) and FT4 are within the new normal ranges as of 2010 or 2011. THS is a great indicator, but not enough. Some people have a normal THS, but whacky other numbers. Now finding a doc to test you is hard. I recommend doing to a clinic that tests this for a fee. Some labs are out there that do that without a doctor like med lab or something. Synthroid corrects some people (has t4) but if you are like me, your body cannot convert that T4 to t3. Taking this pill is useless. Armour thyroid is t/4 and t3. This is the active form the body uses for energy. And most people do have adrenal snooze by this time. You shake, quick to anger, excessive moods, heart palps, rashes on skin or rampant private ones :). Cortisol problems. Sleep problems. You feel like you are dying kind of problems.
The reason you may not loose weight is that T4 meds may not be enough. A slight better feeling may happen, but you'll need to check all the listed issues. Also try to educate the best you can, and limit the other factors causing the number to drop. A good way to tell is if you get a soar throat on and off again. Check the adrenals as well. Once the meds are right, the weight will stop. Losing will/could still be harder, but you can at least go back to say 1800-2000 calorie diet, work out and make them count since the body will respond. No matter what you do, the body will not respond until you fix the thyroid. it regulates everything.
my numbers are good, I still crave food like no tomorrow but I can now lose. I forget my vitamins often and I still have adrenal issues. Its hard work and it does seem like a mental issue. Maybe it is, maybe its just a matter of control. it takes a lot of time and a lot of work. Most often things, numbers and such, will not be perfect. they change as your body does. The key is you and a great doctor. Armour didn't help me lose weight as some people say. I do think between the emotional changes of estrogen, puberty, and the like...I have grown to love food too much. At first I starved myself fearing how bad I felt. Just eat the recommended calorie intake, exercise and get those numbers where they need to be. Once you fix that, the body can work correctly and does the rest for you.
Hope this helps anyone else who comes across it in the later future.
COMMUNITY LEADER
I hope you are getting more than just TSH tested. You need to also get the Free T3 and Free T4 tested. Those are the actual thyroid hormones, and are much more indicative of thyroid function than TSH.
Best of luck with your weight loss efflorts.
Best of luck with your weight loss efflorts.
I absolutely agree with you... My hypothyroidism contributed to an eating disorder. I weighed 139 pounds when I got pregnant with my first child. I gained 65 pounds during pregnancy. After birth, I could NOT lose the weight. My doctor kept giving me diet instructions, I saw a nutritionist for 1 1/2, went to Weight Watchers for 2 years - only lost 7 pounds (with 6 people helping my diet choices)... until finally, my doctor discovered my TSH at 24. I suffered 6 years of mental anguish over my weight until finally an answer. On synthroid, doing well, and taking whey protein shakes...
Best wishes to you!!!
Best wishes to you!!!
thank ab by 51 was told to start taking more protein and lower my fat in take.
I was told I had a thyroid problem 7 years ago and take 100mg. of synthroid
I was told I had a thyroid problem 7 years ago and take 100mg. of synthroid
Even though we might not be on the same page on everything (I guess I see 'weight' and 'eating disorder' as two separate issues), I do admire how tuned in you are to what you need and seem to do a good job at taking care of yourself.
Continued health....
Continued health....
Hi Thypatient,
Thanks for your kind words and that interesting quote. I really am trying to eat more and believe our bodies directly respond to the foods we eat so I am sure my lack of food had something to do with the fact that my thyroid failed so quickly again.
I believe most people with thyroid disease, when not properly medicated (even if they/we are off by what seems like a teeny tiny amount of medication) have weight problems. I have a super skinny (naturally) friend who gained weight when her thyroid went out. Now that she is controlled, she is back to her super skinny self. I always weigh this much when my thyroid goes down, almost to the ounce. When my meds are level, I weight 131-132, and when I dip below or go above, my body quickly goes back to 133. I have a normal "set point" and a hypo "set point". It is actually pretty interesting, if it were not me! : )
Every single person I have spoken to with our disorder has had issues with weight, but only when not properly medicated. I am firm believer that when properly medicated, we gain and loose weight like "normal" people. Eat too much bad food on vacation? Yup, a little extra poundage. Work out for 2 weeks and watch your sugar and you end up a little more toned. Got hypothyroid? Nothing will work until you find your "sweet spot" medically.
Just my opinion of course but all the literature I have read says that "inappropriate weight gain or inability to loose weight" are hallmarks of hypothyroidism.
Thanks for your kind words and that interesting quote. I really am trying to eat more and believe our bodies directly respond to the foods we eat so I am sure my lack of food had something to do with the fact that my thyroid failed so quickly again.
I believe most people with thyroid disease, when not properly medicated (even if they/we are off by what seems like a teeny tiny amount of medication) have weight problems. I have a super skinny (naturally) friend who gained weight when her thyroid went out. Now that she is controlled, she is back to her super skinny self. I always weigh this much when my thyroid goes down, almost to the ounce. When my meds are level, I weight 131-132, and when I dip below or go above, my body quickly goes back to 133. I have a normal "set point" and a hypo "set point". It is actually pretty interesting, if it were not me! : )
Every single person I have spoken to with our disorder has had issues with weight, but only when not properly medicated. I am firm believer that when properly medicated, we gain and loose weight like "normal" people. Eat too much bad food on vacation? Yup, a little extra poundage. Work out for 2 weeks and watch your sugar and you end up a little more toned. Got hypothyroid? Nothing will work until you find your "sweet spot" medically.
Just my opinion of course but all the literature I have read says that "inappropriate weight gain or inability to loose weight" are hallmarks of hypothyroidism.
Want to add...about, personally, dealing with difference aspects of this thryoid stuff. I try to remember something I once read: "Feed a thought, grows; starve a thought, it dies."
Your explanation backs up what I was speculating, about how an eating disorder could result from the ‘stress’ of dealing with hypothyroidism, but not hypothyroidism directly causing it.
Though I don't see where it's been scientifically proven, I can see where hypothyroidism might be causing weight or metabolic issues - but not an eating disorder.
I can concur that keeping weight-gain at bay is indeed something some of us with thyroid problems have to deal with (I also deal with it since gallbladder surgery). I also can concur that it might cause stress.
Though I don't see where it's been scientifically proven, I can see where hypothyroidism might be causing weight or metabolic issues - but not an eating disorder.
I can concur that keeping weight-gain at bay is indeed something some of us with thyroid problems have to deal with (I also deal with it since gallbladder surgery). I also can concur that it might cause stress.
Thank everyone for the information on whey. I will start back on the whey today for lunch.
As for mental health versus hypo causing my eating disorder...think about it this way:
What are we told in our society regarding weight loss? What have most doctors and (bad) endo's even told me?
Eat less, weight less, more exercise = weight loss.
I am a perfectionist so when I see pounds coming on what I cut back on food and exercised more than I had been. When the pounds are the result of a metabolic disorder and either no one is treating you or your are not being treated effectively and you are told BY YOUR DOCTORS to lower calories (without them even asking how many calories I was eating), you do. When the pounds don't budge and you cannot fit into ANY of your clothing, what does one do now? Well, me, I kept listening and reading diet books and working out and all the while lowering my calories more and more and more, until I have no idea what a normal portion looks like and food scares the hell out of me.
While there might be some other issues at play, which I am dealing with in therapy three times a week, I still firmly believe my eating disorder has it's strong, firm roots in hypothyroidism and no one can tell me any differently. If my thyroid were functioning, the 6 months I ate 600-1000 calories a day and exercised 2 hours a day, would have had me super skinny (which is/was NOT the goal). I am usually a 130 pound, size 6 woman, healthy, toned and not stick thin. Instead, those 6 months gave me a lovely 10 more pounds on top of the 5-7 I had gained since this past summer. While I know most of that weight is water, it certainly does not help when my gut is swollen and nothing fits.
I think the exercise wiped out my adrenals and pumped my belly up with cortisol so basically everything I did was wrong. Now I am simply walking, trying to eat 1300 calories a day and trying to get lots of sleep.
As for mental health versus hypo causing my eating disorder...think about it this way:
What are we told in our society regarding weight loss? What have most doctors and (bad) endo's even told me?
Eat less, weight less, more exercise = weight loss.
I am a perfectionist so when I see pounds coming on what I cut back on food and exercised more than I had been. When the pounds are the result of a metabolic disorder and either no one is treating you or your are not being treated effectively and you are told BY YOUR DOCTORS to lower calories (without them even asking how many calories I was eating), you do. When the pounds don't budge and you cannot fit into ANY of your clothing, what does one do now? Well, me, I kept listening and reading diet books and working out and all the while lowering my calories more and more and more, until I have no idea what a normal portion looks like and food scares the hell out of me.
While there might be some other issues at play, which I am dealing with in therapy three times a week, I still firmly believe my eating disorder has it's strong, firm roots in hypothyroidism and no one can tell me any differently. If my thyroid were functioning, the 6 months I ate 600-1000 calories a day and exercised 2 hours a day, would have had me super skinny (which is/was NOT the goal). I am usually a 130 pound, size 6 woman, healthy, toned and not stick thin. Instead, those 6 months gave me a lovely 10 more pounds on top of the 5-7 I had gained since this past summer. While I know most of that weight is water, it certainly does not help when my gut is swollen and nothing fits.
I think the exercise wiped out my adrenals and pumped my belly up with cortisol so basically everything I did was wrong. Now I am simply walking, trying to eat 1300 calories a day and trying to get lots of sleep.
I do drink whey protein twice a day and take synthroid because of a TT. I was recommended whey protein by my endo, who has a thyroid problem himself (an uncommon occurrence to find an endo who has thyroid issues).
I have had no problems taking whey protein which I drink as a shake.
I have had no problems taking whey protein which I drink as a shake.
I can’t address the whey question.
But honestly, I have to say… I would have a hard time believing and never heard of an eating disorder developing as a result of having hypothyroidism. Eating disorders are parallel to alcoholism and drug addiction and originate under the umbrella of mental health, not physical health.
I can see where an eating disorder would result from the ‘stress’ of dealing with hypothyroidism, or any other disease for that matter. Regardless, it still would come under a mental health issue.
Keeping those two things separate would seem beneficial in the treatment of both.
– IMO
But honestly, I have to say… I would have a hard time believing and never heard of an eating disorder developing as a result of having hypothyroidism. Eating disorders are parallel to alcoholism and drug addiction and originate under the umbrella of mental health, not physical health.
I can see where an eating disorder would result from the ‘stress’ of dealing with hypothyroidism, or any other disease for that matter. Regardless, it still would come under a mental health issue.
Keeping those two things separate would seem beneficial in the treatment of both.
– IMO
Whey protein will not affect your thyroid function. It comes from cows milk and is a by-product of the cheese making process.
Soy would be a problem, that is too much soy.
Soy would be a problem, that is too much soy.
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