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Hypothyroidism and weight/mood issues - help! hcg?
I am a 23 year old graduate student who was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 3 years ago. When it first happened, I was a sophomore/junior at college who noticed extreme fatigue and weight gain. I also had neck tightness and pain because my thyroid became enlarged. I kept getting sick all the time, I was sleeping for almost 12 hours a day and I couldn't stay awake in my classes, and worst of all I was continually gaining weight even though I started meeting with a nutritionist and exercising 5-6 days a week. 8 months and 30 pounds of weight gain later, they finally found out I had severe hypothyroidism. I was told I would start thyroid medication and that I would likely lose some of the weight I had gained. I started with Levothyroxine, but didn't see much improvement in my symptoms over 6 months and switched to Synthroid. It's been 3 years now and I'm not sure what to do. I haven't lost anything and I've tried almost everything.
I feel unmotivated and depressed. I am still tired a lot and lack motivation to do anything. I constantly have a heavy feeling (like when you are really tired and all your limbs and you head just feels really heavy) and all I want to do all day is just lay down. I can't concentrate and I can't afford to waste precious studying time now that I am in graduate school.
My doctor say my thyroid hormone levels are all normal now and that I am fine and that I should just keep trying conventional weight loss methods of dieting and exercising but I'm sick of trying and seeing no results. My doctor is a student health doctor who is often very busy and I am frustrated with him because he barely has enough time to see me let alone discuss other options besides me continuing to try and fail at conventional methods.
I am studying to become a health professional and I know there are no "quick fixes" or "magical pills" that truly work but I need to know if anyone else out there has had a similar problem and has found something that has worked for them. I have heard of the controversial HCG diet and a family friend tried it and it worked for her, but she didn't have hypothyroidism. Does anyone know if there are any negative interactions between HCG and hypothyroidism patients? I heard from the family friend that it helped improve her energy levels and mood too and I need that as well.
Is there anything else out there that could help me? I am getting pretty depressed and I lack motivation and concentration and it was mentioned to me that I should look into tricyclic antidepressants and possible ADD testing/medication, but I wonder if that is too extreme. Yes, I do often feel depressed with my current situation and I have a great deal of trouble focusing and lack motivation but I wonder if any of that would change after losing some of the weight. Anyone know any kind of non-prescription treatments?
Please help. I am looking for real trustworthy medical advice though and have been scared to post to a forum like this before because I have seen how often it turns into back-and-forth arguments between individuals who actually don't really know what they are talking about. Thank you for your time.
I feel unmotivated and depressed. I am still tired a lot and lack motivation to do anything. I constantly have a heavy feeling (like when you are really tired and all your limbs and you head just feels really heavy) and all I want to do all day is just lay down. I can't concentrate and I can't afford to waste precious studying time now that I am in graduate school.
My doctor say my thyroid hormone levels are all normal now and that I am fine and that I should just keep trying conventional weight loss methods of dieting and exercising but I'm sick of trying and seeing no results. My doctor is a student health doctor who is often very busy and I am frustrated with him because he barely has enough time to see me let alone discuss other options besides me continuing to try and fail at conventional methods.
I am studying to become a health professional and I know there are no "quick fixes" or "magical pills" that truly work but I need to know if anyone else out there has had a similar problem and has found something that has worked for them. I have heard of the controversial HCG diet and a family friend tried it and it worked for her, but she didn't have hypothyroidism. Does anyone know if there are any negative interactions between HCG and hypothyroidism patients? I heard from the family friend that it helped improve her energy levels and mood too and I need that as well.
Is there anything else out there that could help me? I am getting pretty depressed and I lack motivation and concentration and it was mentioned to me that I should look into tricyclic antidepressants and possible ADD testing/medication, but I wonder if that is too extreme. Yes, I do often feel depressed with my current situation and I have a great deal of trouble focusing and lack motivation but I wonder if any of that would change after losing some of the weight. Anyone know any kind of non-prescription treatments?
Please help. I am looking for real trustworthy medical advice though and have been scared to post to a forum like this before because I have seen how often it turns into back-and-forth arguments between individuals who actually don't really know what they are talking about. Thank you for your time.
Sorry, I can't do math! FT3 in upper 1/3 or 66% IS what I've been reading about here (thanks to you and others here) NOT 75%.
Ned the reference ranges.
Not sure you will need to add Cytomel unless your FT3 are not up where they need to be.
I too would look at your Vit B-12 and Vit D. Sometimes they too will need to be in the upper range.
The final thing to check that I can think of is the Cortisol test. This should be done with the 24 hour saliva test being the best. This tests for adrenal fatigue. What can happen is if there is not sufficient cortisol, the FT3 can not be recieved by the cells. Apparently some Dr's do not even believe this can happen.
A final thought is Reverse T3. If the RT3 levels are high, the can "fit" into the cell receptors and plug up the receptor. RT3 is inactive and won't do your cells any good. Only FT3 are active.
I think both adrenal fatigue and RT3 dominance can present the same. That is show signs and symptoms that the patient is still Hypo while the other blood labs appear to show that there is good levels of FT3 and FT4.
You mention 75% range for FT3. The most common I've seen is the upper 1/3 of the range or 66% of the range for FT3.
Remember that all people are different so the rule of thumb is just that. A generalization for the FT4 to be mid range (50%) and the FT3 to be upper 1/3 of the range (66%).
Not sure you will need to add Cytomel unless your FT3 are not up where they need to be.
I too would look at your Vit B-12 and Vit D. Sometimes they too will need to be in the upper range.
The final thing to check that I can think of is the Cortisol test. This should be done with the 24 hour saliva test being the best. This tests for adrenal fatigue. What can happen is if there is not sufficient cortisol, the FT3 can not be recieved by the cells. Apparently some Dr's do not even believe this can happen.
A final thought is Reverse T3. If the RT3 levels are high, the can "fit" into the cell receptors and plug up the receptor. RT3 is inactive and won't do your cells any good. Only FT3 are active.
I think both adrenal fatigue and RT3 dominance can present the same. That is show signs and symptoms that the patient is still Hypo while the other blood labs appear to show that there is good levels of FT3 and FT4.
You mention 75% range for FT3. The most common I've seen is the upper 1/3 of the range or 66% of the range for FT3.
Remember that all people are different so the rule of thumb is just that. A generalization for the FT4 to be mid range (50%) and the FT3 to be upper 1/3 of the range (66%).
Hi,
You'll need to post the reference ranges too.
I've gained almost 20 lbs in the last few months, but most all of it in September. I'm now on T4 and T3 (Cytomel 10) for a little over a month and haven't experienced any weight loss. When my TSH was at 63 I had no weight gain - I weighed 122 lbs. In my situation, my T3 has been usually within range (sometimes below) but never in the upper 75% of the range recommended here.
So far, Cytomel has helped me feel about 10% better. It's helped most with energy and feelings of depression, but I have not lost any weight.
Have you had your B12 and vitamin D checked as Barb 135 suggested?
You'll need to post the reference ranges too.
I've gained almost 20 lbs in the last few months, but most all of it in September. I'm now on T4 and T3 (Cytomel 10) for a little over a month and haven't experienced any weight loss. When my TSH was at 63 I had no weight gain - I weighed 122 lbs. In my situation, my T3 has been usually within range (sometimes below) but never in the upper 75% of the range recommended here.
So far, Cytomel has helped me feel about 10% better. It's helped most with energy and feelings of depression, but I have not lost any weight.
Have you had your B12 and vitamin D checked as Barb 135 suggested?
so i got my levels checked...
my TSH was 0.099 which is low
my T4 Free was 1.75 which is within normal limits, and more so towards the high end
my Triiodothyronine Free Serum was 3.8 which is also within normal limits, and more so towards the high end
i don't get it. I honestly do feel exhausted all the time and my weight is getting worse and I'm not pigging out.
any suggestions on anything else I should do? or do I just give up? I was intrigued in the suggestion of incorporating cytomel or switching to a medicine that has both t3 and t4 or using armour or something but idk if my physician would go for it and does anyone even have any experience where this has helped? I'm only seeing a student health physician and I wish he would refer me to an endocrinologist but i dont know if my insurance plan will cover that.
my TSH was 0.099 which is low
my T4 Free was 1.75 which is within normal limits, and more so towards the high end
my Triiodothyronine Free Serum was 3.8 which is also within normal limits, and more so towards the high end
i don't get it. I honestly do feel exhausted all the time and my weight is getting worse and I'm not pigging out.
any suggestions on anything else I should do? or do I just give up? I was intrigued in the suggestion of incorporating cytomel or switching to a medicine that has both t3 and t4 or using armour or something but idk if my physician would go for it and does anyone even have any experience where this has helped? I'm only seeing a student health physician and I wish he would refer me to an endocrinologist but i dont know if my insurance plan will cover that.
I'll go get my levels checked again and I'll make sure my doc looks at free t4 and t3. I got them checked about 2 months ago and he said I was "stable", but I doubt he looked at t3. I'll repost once I have the results.
Also, I'm currently on 100 mcg of synthroid 1x daily.
Thanks so much for all the help!!!
Also, I'm currently on 100 mcg of synthroid 1x daily.
Thanks so much for all the help!!!
COMMUNITY LEADER
I agree with Sally that we need to know your actual thyroid hormone levels - that would be Free T3 and Free T4, along with reference ranges, which vary from lab to lab, so must come from your own report. Of course, they will also test TSH with those. Do make sure you specify FREE T3 and FREE T4, not total.
Just because your levels are "normal" on the lab report, doesn't mean that's normal "for you"...... many o usf find that we don't feel until FT4 is mid range or higher and FT3 is in the upper 1/3 of its range. Many doctors feel that if you are "in range", you're fine. In addition, many doctors test only TSH, rather than the actual thyroid hormones. Any doctor who tests and treats based solely on TSH will keep you ill.
I've had a hard time losing the weight I gained while hypo, also, but I've finally gotten to a level, at which I *can* lose; I just have to work at it.
I'd also suggest that you get your vitamin B12 levels tested. B12 deficiency causes extreme exhaustion, also.
As far as the HCG diet, save your $. Some studies show that HCG does nothing for weight loss - it's the extreme 500 calorie diet that goes with it that causes the loss and dropping that low in calories is not good for you; furthermore, many people regain the weight as soon as they go off the diet. Dr James Beckerman, who is one of the experts here on MH has some posts regarding HCG; he also discusses it in his book "The Flex Diet".
Please post your lab results, so members can further assess you situation and comment more fully.
Just because your levels are "normal" on the lab report, doesn't mean that's normal "for you"...... many o usf find that we don't feel until FT4 is mid range or higher and FT3 is in the upper 1/3 of its range. Many doctors feel that if you are "in range", you're fine. In addition, many doctors test only TSH, rather than the actual thyroid hormones. Any doctor who tests and treats based solely on TSH will keep you ill.
I've had a hard time losing the weight I gained while hypo, also, but I've finally gotten to a level, at which I *can* lose; I just have to work at it.
I'd also suggest that you get your vitamin B12 levels tested. B12 deficiency causes extreme exhaustion, also.
As far as the HCG diet, save your $. Some studies show that HCG does nothing for weight loss - it's the extreme 500 calorie diet that goes with it that causes the loss and dropping that low in calories is not good for you; furthermore, many people regain the weight as soon as they go off the diet. Dr James Beckerman, who is one of the experts here on MH has some posts regarding HCG; he also discusses it in his book "The Flex Diet".
Please post your lab results, so members can further assess you situation and comment more fully.
You really do sound like you are still hypothyroid. Why not get your levels checked and post them here. Lots of doctors will settle for the low end of normal but most patients feel better on the high end of normal (T3 and 4).
I can recommend lower carb diet as being most effective for hypothyroid.
Don't give up.... read up on hypothyroid and treatment as well. It is possible to lose weight when hypothyroid, but it takes a huge effort.
Anyway, first step is to make sure you are optimally medicated. It can make a world of difference to how you feel.
Don't give up.... read up on hypothyroid and treatment as well. It is possible to lose weight when hypothyroid, but it takes a huge effort.
Anyway, first step is to make sure you are optimally medicated. It can make a world of difference to how you feel.
What are your TSH, FT3 and FT4 levels. From your description you may not be properly medicated.
Please let us know your actual results (and the ranges) and then we can start giving you some more feedback from there.
What dose of meds are you on?
Please let us know your actual results (and the ranges) and then we can start giving you some more feedback from there.
What dose of meds are you on?
have you thought of getting it removed? i was born without a thyroid and im very tiny in length and with. Good luck.
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