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My biggest issue is weight gain about 20 pounds in last 9 months.

Hi, I am a 57 y.o women.  It has been 5 or six years since my last cycle. I still experience hot flashes especially at night usually waking me 3 to 8 times a night every night. I have pain in right thumb, right shoulder, left hip, and frequently feel as though my bones cannot support my weight or no strength while exercising or carrying things.
I eat very clean; with most of my food either organically grown myself  or by a local farm for organic beef, eggs & raw milk. ALL foods purchased at grocery store are organic. Generally low carb, I eat no sugar, no flour, limited sprouted grains. Limited alcohol, No medications and no OTC meds. I take D3, probiotics, B12, Triphala, and Milk Thistle.  I have been actively trying to lose weight and instead I am steadily gaining. At 50 yo and 5'9", I weighed 150-155 depending on time of day/month. and was pretty steady for 15 years on limited carbs. I now weigh 190 lbs same or more strict eating, 2-3 gym days a week and nothing helps. I am desperate and cannot continue to gain more weight,
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649848 tn?1534633700
Have you had any thyroid testing done?  Hypothyroidism is a very common cause of weight gain, especially, if there's no other cause for it.  The older we get, the more likely we are to develop hypothyroidism and since our thyroid is the biggest controller of metabolism, that's typically the first place to look when one starts having unexplained weight gain or other symptoms.

Joint/body aches/pains are very common with hypothyroidism, along with the weight gain.  Night sweats aren't uncommon either.  I have them quite often when I need my thyroid med(s) adjusted.  

Other common symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, constipation, dry/itchy skin, hair loss, high cholesterol, puffy  face/bags under the eyes and many more.  

If you haven't already done it, I'd suggest that you ask your doctor to test for Free T4, Free T3 and TSH, along with thyroid antibodies to see if you have the autoimmune thyroid condition called Hashimoto's.  
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2 Comments
I have had those tests thru blood work though I have heard that a saliva test is more accurate, the blood work suggests that I am low normal though significantly less than optimal. My Doctor (a female) said I was thinner than herself and therefore she is not willing to prescribe thyroid meds. I don't have health insurance and a typical initial charge for consult with new Doctor is $250 and up...  I don't mind paying if I will get some true dialog about my health but to simply try this Doc then that Doc and not have any of them listen -really listen to me is way way out of the budget
Hi - no, it's not correct that thyroid tests done via saliva are more accurate than blood tests.   Have you had all of the tests done that I recommended?  If so when were they done?  I'd certainly be interested in see the results and reference ranges.  Did you also have antibody tests to rule out/confirm Hashimoto's?

It is true that adrenal tests (for cortisol) are more accurate done via saliva with a 24 hour test.  

Due to the way most labs calculate reference ranges, it's not unusual for people in the lower portions of the ranges (Free T4 and Free T3) to have symptoms of hypothyroidism.  Nor is it unusual for doctors to be unwilling to prescribe medication if one is within the reference range.  This is one of the problems many of us have with getting a proper diagnosis.   Quite frankly, it's simply asinine for any doctor to say that because you're thinner than she is she won't prescribe you medication.  Her heaviness may be caused by lack of exercise/over-eating.

There are doctors that will listen to you, but sometimes it's a crap shoot when you see a new one as to whether or not they will prescribe medication.  It's best to "interview" a doctor (or their nurse/office manager) before making an appointment and try to find out if the doctor always orders the specific tests I mentioned, if the doctor treats clinically, by symptoms and not strictly by labs and if the doctor is willing to prescribe all types of replacement thyroid hormones... Once you know the answers to those questions, you'll know whether it's worth the money to see that doctor because if they're only going to treat by labs or won't prescribe certain medications, etc, you're wasting your time and money.  

If you're in the U.S. there are places from which you can order your own blood thyroid blood work for a lot less than you can get it via a doctor.  If you're interested, you can message me...
973741 tn?1342342773
Hope you come back and chit chat with me.  :>))))
Helpful - 0
973741 tn?1342342773
Argh, I feel your pain. The thought that our metabolism just frankly slows as we age is hard to swallow.   I have come to believe that most of what we do to maintain weight is driven by what we eat but you seem to eat very well and haven't changed anything.  I have lots of bad eating habits, so that is where I always start.  I'm locked in my house right now and have limited groceries, so believe it or not, this is forcing me to eat less and I'm losing a little weight.  I joke I'm on the corona diet.  But sorry, that is not helpful to you.  Is there ANYTHING you cold switch up diet wise?  Now is the time to try it.  But activity is the other piece of the pie, so to speak.  What do you do for exercise?  You go to the gym 2 to 3 times a week but what are you doing?  I've always been told a balance of activity is best. Weight work outs help keep your metabolism humming along so you burn calories and cardio actually burns the off quickly.  So, doing some of both has always been recommended to me.  And perhaps you could add two more times a week making it 4 to 6?  That is worth a try.  

The metabolism thing is real.  Women become more sensitive to carbs after menopause. There are other things that can contribute that are medically related that underlie weight gain such as cushings disease.  Hoping nothing like that is going on.  Here's a list. https://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-weight-gain-shockers

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2 Comments
I did take a look, I take no medication and have not taken any antibiotics or daily medications for 20+ years.  I have always been really really healthy due great genetics and healthy country style diet/living. It's just this weight gain ---NOTHING helps, not excercise, calorie restriction, interval fasting, eliminating nightshade vegtables, dairy, or red meat.  I have tried it all and not any change not even a single pound.... It's crazy and my Doc doesn't believe me -she just says it's menopause but even menopause should see some changes when the daily norm is changed....
So frustrating.  I would venture a guess you are not alone.  It is absolutely harder to control weight after menopause and it distributes in places that I certainly don't like and I'm told have even more impact on my overall health like around me middle.  More of an apple shape than a pear shape.  I had a physical and we talked about something that is a big problem for a lot of women. Sleep.  And how this impacts things.  How is your sleep?  https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/winning-the-weight-battle-after-menopause  This article isn't particularly hopeful as in the end it discusses adjusting expectations.  This article gives info that you know, I can tell that you know.  https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-can-i-do-to-avoid-weight-gain-at-menopause/  But basically, a review of what to do to be your best self.  I would make sure you have had a pelvic exam, my mother in law had unexplained weight gain and around her mid section and later was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and that IS one of the subtle symptoms.  You have said you had thyroid testing so that doesn't seem to be out of sync (if it is adjusting that can be a game changer), and all of those things have been examined and ruled out, then I believe you can only control what you can control.  be your best self, do your best.  I understand how you feel.  I'm trying really hard too.  Sigh.
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