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Suggest Treatment For Difficulty In Losing Weight Of A Person With Thyroid Disorder

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Posted on Thu, 9 Jul 2015
Question: I am age 71 and have half a thyroid (have been on Armour 60 mg for some time now). I am slightly overweight and made a conscious decision to do something about it (I am 5 feet and weighed 139). I determined to be "wise" about this - no fad diets, etc. I gave up all bread, rice, potatoes, sugar - ate only meet, vegetables, and a little fruit. I did not weigh every day, but just once a week. One time I weighed I had lost 1 pound. Today, after over a month doing this, I weigh 139.

My main question is about the thyroid. I have read many articles that indicate your meds could be adjusted to promote better metabolism (or to help lose weight). Is this a possibility (doctors don't like to mess with that if you're in a normal range). But I've read that sometimes it's necessary.

If not...what else can I do - I'm very depressed over my "wise" approach not working at all.

Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Harish Naik (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Alteration in dosage is not recommended. For weightloss exercise with diet

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for your query.

I shall make an effort to provide you with good professional recommendations specific to your questions.

In my clinic i would not have adjusted the dose of thyroid tablet to reduce weight of patient, i advice you the same.

Successful weight loss should remains a healthy, calorie-controlled diet combined with exercise. For successful, long-term weight loss, you must make permanent changes in your lifestyle and health habits.

I would have suggested you to set a realistic goal, like lose 1 to 2 pounds a week, for that you need to burn 500 to 1,000 calories more than you consume each day, through a lower calorie diet and regular exercise.
For this long-term changes in daily eating and exercise habits. To lose weight, you must use up more calories than you take in.

You have mentioned about diet, i suggest you to do some moderate exercises like morning walk, which should be brisk or yoga may help.

Yet again, I duly appreciate your query to me, I do hope that you have found something useful to help you and I shall be glad to answer any further apprehensions.

wish you good health. Take Care


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Harish Naik (20 hours later)
Thank you for telling me what I certainly already know at 7l years of age.
I do walk almost every day. I was hoping to give up sugar and most carbs and hopefully lose maybe a pound every week. After 6 weeks and 1 pound only gone it seemed to me and others that something is wrong.

I was concerned that with doing all those things, no weight loss occurred. I will see my doctor soon and discuss this more. I was only anxious to find out if thyroid might have anything to do with it. You did answer that, so thank you.

doctor
Answered by Dr. Harish Naik (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Research suggest, thyroid hormone not much of help for weight loss.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Good to hear from you, sorry if the suggestion weren't of much help to you.
In the past thyroid hormone was tried in obesity. Studies have shown that excess thyroid hormone can result in slightly increased weight loss than which can be achieved by first and exercise. However once stopped, there will be regain of weight and there may be significant negative effects from the use of thyroid hormone to help with weight loss, such as the loss of muscle protein in addition to any loss of body fat.

Hence I would not have treated in my clinic with this option.

Hope you have found something useful from these and you can discuss with your consulting doctor regarding this. I will be here for any suggestions and c if you don't have any other questions, do closer the query.

Wish you good health. Take care.
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Harish Naik

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 2635 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Difficulty In Losing Weight Of A Person With Thyroid Disorder

Brief Answer: Alteration in dosage is not recommended. For weightloss exercise with diet Detailed Answer: Hello and thanks for your query. I shall make an effort to provide you with good professional recommendations specific to your questions. In my clinic i would not have adjusted the dose of thyroid tablet to reduce weight of patient, i advice you the same. Successful weight loss should remains a healthy, calorie-controlled diet combined with exercise. For successful, long-term weight loss, you must make permanent changes in your lifestyle and health habits. I would have suggested you to set a realistic goal, like lose 1 to 2 pounds a week, for that you need to burn 500 to 1,000 calories more than you consume each day, through a lower calorie diet and regular exercise. For this long-term changes in daily eating and exercise habits. To lose weight, you must use up more calories than you take in. You have mentioned about diet, i suggest you to do some moderate exercises like morning walk, which should be brisk or yoga may help. Yet again, I duly appreciate your query to me, I do hope that you have found something useful to help you and I shall be glad to answer any further apprehensions. wish you good health. Take Care