hashimoto weight gain

[anxious09]

hi you guys,

I live in Greece I am nearly 37 mother of 3 kids.
I suffer from Hashimotos thyroiditis since 19yrs of age. Recently it was tested and is underachieving so to speak, my endo increased my med since 3 weeks ago. Despite all my efforts i keep gaining freaking weight. since Sunday I've put on 1.200kgs and I don't know what to make of it. Financial situation here is very bad so I cannot really afford any fad diets (f.e. ATKINS, DUKAN) , I basically eat what we have.

I really don't know what to do. I used to take so much pride in my self and now I feel like crap.my clothes don't fit anymore and I can't afford new .

Due to the fact I lost my job and my husband is very underpaid I was very depressed with palpitations and panic attacks and I am now on 0.5 Bespar once a day.

anyhow things are getting me down any advice please.

Low energy, weight gain, depression !!!

1.65 height 66.7 (was 65.5 on sunday) kgs

[Barb135]

Keep in mind that not ALL depression is thyroid related, but there is a definite link, and many times, the depression will ease once thyroid levels are optimal.

"It truly is a waiting game."  Yes, that it is.  Patience is always a virtue, but in thyroid related instances, it's absolutely critical, because it takes time for medications to reach full potential and then even once they do, it can take time for your body to actually "heal" from the illness.

Too many people don't look at hypothyroidism as an illness, but it is.  It affects every part of your body and you have to have time to actually get well, again.  It's very time consuming, but once symptoms are alleviated, you'll find that it will be worth the struggle.

[toni2251]

Let me tell you and Barb has helped me much concerning depression. IT IS YOUR THYROID. oh my goodness. They tried to tell me I was depressed. Since I raised my thyroid meds, I'm actually laughing again. Also during this time they cut my husbands hours. We were truly struggling. It will get better. Yes like Barb said. You need to get your free t4 and free t3 tested. Those are the numbers that matter. It truly is a waiting game. I will say this, I finally see light at the end of the tunnel. There is light. Believe me it is crazy that I can say I had a good day yesterday. I pray today will be good. I pray that for you as well.

[Barb135]

Unfortunately, Total T4 is considered obsolete and of little value. Free T3 is the hormone that's actually used by the individual cells and is the most important.  Free T4 is a "storage hormone" and must be converted to FT3 in order to be used.

Looking at your T4 level, which is quite low in the range, it's probably safe to say that your FT4 would be equally low.

Depression can definitely be a symptom of hypothyroidism.  When are you scheduled to be retested?  You should be retested approximately 6 weeks after a dosage change.

Try to get your doctor to test the FT3 and FT4.  There's a possibility that you aren't converting the FT4 adequately to FT3 and since FT3 is the hormone actually used by the individual cells, you would continue to have symptoms, in spite of adequate FT4 levels.

[anxious09]

tks you guys,

here are my labs abt a month ago :

recent labs :

blood sugar  : 97mg/dl
t4 110,8 mg /dl                            66-181mg/dl
tsh 2,610                                    0,30-4.50

for some reason she never tests my ft3 or ft4 .

thanks for replying , I'll try to keep my cool and wait it out, I sincerely believe the depression is linked to Hashimotos thyroiditis I have forgotten what is like to have energy and be positive ever since I was diagnosed with this disease.

Please also offer any advice if you have regarding to foods that may inhibit thyroxine .

again my warmest thanks.

[Barb135]

Toni is right - you don't gain weight from the med, you gain weight from your thyroid hormones being too low.

Weight gain is a classic symptom of being hypo and many people are lucky enough for the weight to come off, once their thyroid is leveled out again. Some of us have to work hard at getting it off.  I'm one of the latter.

I find that maintaining portion control has as much to do with losing as what you're eating.  Additionally, some form of exercise, every day is also essential.  Walking is fine.

What thyroid medication are you on and what dosage?  It takes approximately 4-6 weeks for a dosage change to take full effect.

What blood tests have you had done?  You should be getting Free T3, Free T4 and TSH each time you have labs done. If you have those lab results, please post the results so we can better assess your testing/treatment and possibly offer ideas on how to help you feel better.  Whenever posting lab results, be sure to include reference ranges, as those vary lab to lab and must come from your own lab report.

[toni2251]

I know how you feel. I literally gained 12 pounds in a month. Here's the deal, you have to focus on getting your levels in order. Your body will take a significant turn as you go through this process. I realize that I may gain weight until I get balanced but when I am leveled out I will focus on losing that weight. I would suggest trying to turn your depression into creativity. If you get depressed you might gain more weight. Keeping the mind happy is the key to success in all we do. I know it's not easy. I've been struggling for almost two years, but I'm learning something we have to learn to stay calm. The body can turn in us quickly with any form of disease. You need to post your levels so the experts can help get your thyroid in balance. I pray things turn around in your finances. I know how hard it can be.

Also you don't gain weight from thyroid meds, you gain weight from your thyroid being out of balance. Which can be frustrating. However when you get your metabolism going, it will be easier to take off the pounds. Stay stress free. Remember also depression meds can cause weight gain.