weight gain...trying to lose it!

I was diagnosed with hypothyroid last October. My doctor said my levels were in the normal range and says I don't need any medication changes. In January I started gaining weight. Since then I have gained 8 pounds...I want to say that it really isn't the gain that has me frustrated but the fact that no matter what I do I can't lose it.

I run at least 10 miles a week so I work hard at keeping my weight at the level it has been for the past 8 years. I also eat well most of the time.

I had to go out and buy new pants because my old ones will no longer fit me. When I told my doctor this she said "oh are you upset about the weight gain?. Well yes I am...I think she is blowing it off because I am thin to begin with and a "few" pounds won't make a difference to me. It does when your clothes no longer fit.

So my question is should this weight have come off if I was on the proper dose of meds or am I stuck with it now? No matter what I do I can't lose this weight. I was even sick a couple days and ate practically nothing and I didn't even lose half a pound.

I hope I am not being too petty here but for me this is a big deal. I worked hard at losing 40 pounds 8 years ago and it was a very difficutl  thing to do!

I am also chonically constipated so is that another symptom I am stuck with?  HELP anyone?

Kim

Kim,
When was the last time you had your TSH tested? It still needs to be monitored once you're on meds. Usually you get re-tested a couple months after starting the meds (sometimes longer but if you're not well maybe that could be moved up -- it needs to be at least 6 weeks since your last test/last increase or decrease in medication). The constipation could very well be a symptom of being hypo. Typically that is helped by getting on the proper dose of medication.

I feel for you with the weight loss. I lost weight & some of it really needed to come off. But I ended up 15 pounds under the bottom of my recommended weight range. Then I put back on 30 pounds. I was still within my ideal weight but due to another medical issue it was causing some problems. I really needed to go down a bit -- about 10 pounds. My endo freaked out about the whole thing saying I was at an ideal weight. Well, she didn't have to live with a pinched nerve (long story, not treatable, but weight makes it worse).

My TSH was still high so we changed my meds. The endo also said that the BCP could be causing some of the issues. I was on it for medical reasons so we tried quitting that & now I'm so much better. My weight has leveled out. Yes, I had to get new clothes but the reality is that we need a certain amount of fat to protect our organs. If you don't have at least that much you are really risking your life. Thyroid meds will not make you crazy skinny -- they will make you healthy. If you are not able to lose weight & are already below your healthy weight range maybe your body is trying to tell you something. I hope that doesn't come off too harsh. I say it with all care -- statements like that were what ultimately got through to me. I have more energy, healthier skin & am told I look much prettier at my current weight. Yes, those 20 pounds extra made it hard on me financially for a bit, but I found resale shops & got new clothes -- plus I bought a couple new pieces from regular stores. For the first time in a very long time, my weight is stable. I was always going back & forth +/- 5 pounds from my most common weight, but that doesn't happen any more. So my clothes fit better.

Beyond that, I would recommend consulting with a nutritionist. They almost always want to talk to your doctor so it's probably not a way to lose all kinds of weight, but it might help with the constipation & it could help keep you at a stable weight so at least you're not gaining any more.

Hang in there! Thyroid causes so many crazy things in our lives but once it's fully treated it makes such a huge difference. :)

peace,
frances

I have light sensitivity, see images in my eyes after I have looked away, very itchy ears, too.
I also have open angle glaucoma. It's one of the issues you can develop with thyroid problems.

The itchy ears can be cured with an ear wash like debrox. I had one doctor tell me to mix grain alcohol and light mineral oil together and put in the ears. It burns the first few times, then feels fine.

Joy

Kim, if you don't mind my asking, how old are you? I know how you feel. That happened to me when I got hypothyroid when I was in my early 40's. I was active and athletic, still gaining weight. I still have problems with weight gain some 15 years later. I have to exercise to lose weight, I can't diet no matter how much I cut back, the weight won't come off. I have a form of colitis and even having to run to the bathroom a lot doesn't cause weight loss for me.

Also, weight gain is sometimes a sign you are going into menopause.

I hope you can find some answers. Keep us posted.