Thyroid

Hi.I just started Atkins..But the lbs are not coming off like most people. I have under-active-thyroid.. Been on meds for over 15years..My questions is...is anyone esle have the same problem? And have any tips.

I've had hypothyroidism for 16 years. Yes, it's much harder to lose with thyroid problems, even if you're on meds. Atkins is a good plan for us, but it will always be slower because our metabolism is so messed up. Exercise is a MUST with thyroid issues. Just hang in there and keep on the plan.

Been hypo for 12 years now and struggled with losing, but am happy to say am down 8.5 lbs in the first full week. Hang in there...Atkins seems to be working for me and drink your water! Best wishes

Eat small meals every 3 hours with protein in each meal. I'm not sure what hormone in there thats giving you the problem, but I do know eating every 3 hours is supposed to stimulate the thyroid into producing the T3 hormone which encourages fat to be burned.

Hypothyroid means that the thyroid does not produce enough T3 hormone. I haven't heard of any diet that can improve this and it definitely makes it more difficult to lose weight. The synthetic thyroid medication, synthroid, helps but is not the same as your natural hormones and for some reason doctors like to keep you on the lowest dose possible, usually just enough to so that you can barely function. So when you combine a slow metabolism, difficulty in finding the energy to exercise and the depression, losing weight is more challenging. That being said I found out I had Hashimotos disease about 14 years ago and I have been able to lose weight in the past seven months. Is not easy but it is possible.

just started on synthroid. hoping I will start feeling better soon

I had the same problem and started taking Selenium which helps convert T4 into T3. It seemed to help me after taking it for a couple weeks. It won't be a dramatic change but it will make you feel like you have more energy than before. Try to stay away from soy. I started taking it every day without realizing that it slows your metabolism by effecting your thyroid. I believe this is what took me from hyperthyroidism for 20 years, to hypothyroidsm after taking it for about a year or so.
I have no thyroid now (thyroidectomy) and can only rely on my meds to provide my T3. This is difficult but at least I'm at the point where I'm not fighting sleep at 2pm every day.

There is a thyroid diet outlined in this book that you might want to consider: Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms? When My Lab Tests Are Normal

Thanks for that, I will check it out. It is so frustrating when I see the doctor and he says I'm fine and I know that I don't feel right. I have been feeling better lately but I think that might because I have lost some weight and my medication has stayed the same. I was trying to think of ways to avoid the blood test so he wouldn't drop my sythroid levels. I would like to find some way of improving this condition without medication, something I had control over.

Has anyone tried the thyroid ad at the top of this website?

I had a thyroid issue too and was put on synthroid. I had no idea something was wrong with my thyroid until I had already gained 70 lbs. I have had success with Atkins. One thing I really recommend is to make sure you add everything you eat to your food diary. It really helps you keep on track and see what you are doing right or wrong.
I took a look at your food diary and saw you were listing way under your carb limits. For induction, try to stay near 20 carbs. Eatting less doesn't help you lose weight, but it will mess up your motabolism and cause your body to try to keep it. If you can, 5 small meals a day is best because it keeps you burning all day. I go with three meals and snacks in between. Hope this helps

I was diagnosed about 9 months ago with hypo too and its made such a difference being on meds. My dr proscribes armourthyroid which is a natural replacement. He likes to keep me on the lower dosage too and I wish he wouldn't. He says my tests are in the normal range now too but I can tell such a difference between premeds and now. My hair is a huge indicator for me - I started losing it after DD was born and just never stopped. Now I can tell I need more exercise when it starts filling the brush again. Exercise helps so much! There are all kinds of indicators other than my hair too. My hands get so cold the nail beds literally turn blue and I feel tired all the time. Overall the research I've found is that even if your tests measure in the "normal" range it is based on how you feel more than anything else. When I bring my indicators to my dr he understands this but still wont raise dosage but its kept him from decreasing it.
Since I've been doing Atkins I've tried to make walking a daily thing and it has helped in addition to the weight loss to get me feeling better. So far in 7 weeks in down 18lbs. One of the coolest parts for me is I crave salt like a fiend so eating bacon and whatnot has helped me there too.
You can do it - it just takes patience, exercise, and patience. Oh and water. Lots of water. You're doing the right thing for your body regardless of how fast the weight comes off and it will, in time, come off if you keep it up.

Beware of any supposed quick fixes to your thyroid issue especially if you have Hashimoto's. It is an autoimmune disorder and you can get your TSH into "normal" levels with the medications but until the underlying autoimmune issues are corrected there will be a constant struggle to lose weight. I am on a waiting list to see an OD instead of my MD to address to autoimmune issues. Best of luck to everyone.

I also was told I have hypothyroid nearly a month ago and I have been taking Levothyroxine since then. I thought I would see/feel a difference by now, but no! My hair is coming out by the handful! I'm supposed to go back in 2 months for labs to see if my thyroid level has come up, but I want to go back sooner. I started the Induction phase of Atkins yesterday, and also going to a personal trainer 3 times a week. Of course the trainer's diet is an ultra low fat diet and somehow that does not seem like the right thing form me right now. Thank you everyone for the replies to cat1369 so at least I know it's possible to still lose weight.

I am hypothyroid as well - I had the left lobe of my thyroid removed 7 years ago and have been on Synthroid ever since. I had never struggled with weight until the thyroid problems surfaced. I can assure you that the skin and hair issues will go away once your thyroid hormones have stabilized. We all know the frustration of having no energy but do NOT self medicate! The reason doctors do not up your meds is that taking too much medication can cause your metabolism to rev up as well as your heart rate -- in other words, too much medication can cause a heart attack.

Many thyroid diets stress staying away from certain foods which cause your medication to be less effective - some of these are broccoli, all products containing soy, and walnuts. I've found that if I do Atkins and stay away from these foods, the weight drops more quickly. Hope this helps.