UPDATE ON WEIGHTLOSS

I had been diagnosed with Hashimoto's (hypothyroidism) and for over 2 1/2 years I was taking 60 mgs. (one grain) of Armour desicated thyroid medicine. None of my doctors could explain the weight gain. Around July 10 I decided that the 30lb. weight gain I had was only going to keep getting worse as each week I got on the scale it showed 2 lbs or more increase.. It came on so fast I couldn't believe it and I know it was not from eating. So I went on the computer and did some research on hypothyroidism, called my doctor to tell him I wanted to try to increase my Armour because I felt it was too low after doing the research. He reluctantly gave prescriptions to increase.

After searching the Armour thyroid site forum for directions, I increased the dose from 60 mg. to 15 mg more every 3 or 4 days. With each increase I was careful to pay attention to any unwanted symptoms like racing heart, jitteryness, sweats etc. If I got any of those I would go back to my prior dose but I got none. I am now up to 180 mgs and will stay there as long as feel this good........... that is 3 times the amount I was previously taking!!!!.

So far the result is this: In 7 weeks I have lost 8 lbs without changing my diet, my sweats and hot flashes that plagued me for a year have left, The debilitating fibromyalgia pain in neck and shoulders that I have had for many years with NO relief have gone. I am sleeping so much better and have decreased my ambian to 1/2 each night. I am no longer out of breath, My overall muscle and joint pain is so much less I am amazed. The thyroid has much to do with many systems in the body.

So far I have learned that when your thyroid test levels say you are fine you may not be if you are still feeling symptoms. One needs to find a doctor who will treat thyroid issues by symptoms rather than tests. That is not an easy thing to do as even endo mds can be ignorant of this. Besides this site there are a few good forums that will educate with great information on thyroid issues. Again I am on my road to recovery because of a computer rather than a doctor.

I will keep you posted of my continued (fingers crossed) progress. I go to my doctor in 2 weeks and will tell him the results and see what he has to say as he was leery about my increasing dosage without tests to show I needed an increase. I insisted that I was desperate, told him what I learned about how unreliable thyroid tests could be. He frowned and muttered something about how bad the internet was but he complied probably to shut me up. NOW I think the results will shut him up.

I hope this helps some of you to have hope.

Blessings

minerals, I was curious to hear what your TSH is on the increased dose of armour thyroid.
thanks!

That sounds like a dream!
I have been busting my butt to lose weight and no matter what the changes it will not budge.
I totally agree with you on treating the symptoms. I was told that I have autoimmune thyroid disease and at this point I'm in a watch and wait period.
I'm very frustrated.
I'm tired most of the time despite exercising to raise my metabolism.
Why don't more doctors use this drug for hypo symptoms?

Wow, what a fantastic story. Good for you.

Wow, what a fantastic story. Good for you.