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What Does Inability To Loose Weight When On Synthroid Indicate?
Question: I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and my endocrinologist has me on Synthroid and Cytomel. She keeps telling me my lab reports are normal, I eat healthfully (Lifetime Member of Weight Watchers since 1969) and exercise regularly, yet I can't lose weight. Before I was diagnosed with the thyroid insufficiency, I had no trouble keeping off the 75 pounds I lost in 1969. One registered dietitian told me I was eating too little, and slowing my metabolism down. Yet I'm afraid to eat more when I'm gaining weight. I eat very few carbs, lots of protein, fat-free dairy products, and don't add sugar to anything. I am very frustrated!! XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Please check for other causes
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome to HCM. Thanks for posting question.
I understand your concerns.
If your thyroid functions are normal, the weight gain is not related to thyroid issue. Please share with me your current weight and height.
Eating less and exercising a lot wont always bring your weight down. There are a lot of genetic and other hormonal factors involved. Please check whether you have other diseases associated with obesity like diabetes, high cholesterol, etc.
There are only 3 options available for weight reduction:
1. Lifestyle modifications - Diet and exercise
Eat small quantities around 6-8 times a day is the key in weight reduction. Eating less as your dietician said will slow your metabolism. So what you have to do is to increase the frequency of meals - so each small about of food you eat is metabolized and you feel healthy
2. Medications - The role of weight reduction medications are limited. They will help in reducing the weight by less than 5%. Drugs like Orlistat, Qsymia are weight lowering medications.
3. Surgical options - bariatric surgery is the final word in weight reduction when all other measures fail.
Hope this will clear your doubts.
Regards
Dr Ajish TP
Consultant Endocrinologist
Please check for other causes
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome to HCM. Thanks for posting question.
I understand your concerns.
If your thyroid functions are normal, the weight gain is not related to thyroid issue. Please share with me your current weight and height.
Eating less and exercising a lot wont always bring your weight down. There are a lot of genetic and other hormonal factors involved. Please check whether you have other diseases associated with obesity like diabetes, high cholesterol, etc.
There are only 3 options available for weight reduction:
1. Lifestyle modifications - Diet and exercise
Eat small quantities around 6-8 times a day is the key in weight reduction. Eating less as your dietician said will slow your metabolism. So what you have to do is to increase the frequency of meals - so each small about of food you eat is metabolized and you feel healthy
2. Medications - The role of weight reduction medications are limited. They will help in reducing the weight by less than 5%. Drugs like Orlistat, Qsymia are weight lowering medications.
3. Surgical options - bariatric surgery is the final word in weight reduction when all other measures fail.
Hope this will clear your doubts.
Regards
Dr Ajish TP
Consultant Endocrinologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I do not have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes. When I donate platelets, in honor of my two husbands who died of cancer, my cholesterol is usually about 175, and my blood pressure is low. I definitely do not need weight loss medication or surgery! Weight Watchers is a healthy, well balanced program. I LOVE fruits and vegetables and I love working out at our fabulous XXXXXXX Health and Fitness Center, which I have been going to since 1969. I also run the track at a nearby college, love to walk my two labs, and swim in my pool and at the gym.
XXXXXXX Shomon, a thyroid expert, wrote several books about hypothyroid problems, which I just bought and intend to read. I'll also try the 6-8 small meals a day that you suggest. I prefer to eat that way, anyway. I fill up very easily and prefer to "graze" on veggies (raw and cooked), fruits, low-fat or fat free dairy products like Greek yogurt, protein shakes, and low fat cheese. I try not to eat many carbs. Once in a while, I'll have a cup of Cheerios with a half cup of skim milk, and a cup of decaf for breakfast. Otherwise I eat fat-free Greek yogurt with fresh fruit and a few walnuts, a slice of toast, and a cup of decaf for breakfast. I also like Eggbeaters with fresh veggies and feta cheese for breakfast. I hardly ever eat beef. I love fish and chicken, but usually eat home-made tomato vegetable soup and a serving of crackers, or a salad with grilled chicken and (olive) oil and vinegar for dinner and/or lunch.
I am going to consult with a R.D. again, to tweak what I'm eating, and up my exercise, which I love. Those endorphins make me feel great!
Thank you for your help.
XXXX
P.S. I am currently 5'6" and weigh about 180. (I don't know my exact weight because I get very upset when I get on a scale. I even tell them not to tell me my weight at the doctor's office or at Weight Watchers meetings.) I can tell if I've lost weight by the way my clothes fit. My goal weight, at Weight Watchers, is 148. Before I developed Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, about 12 years ago, I easily stayed between 140 and 150. I've considered going back to the original Weight Watchers program that I lost 75 pounds on, in the 60's. However, it's very restrictive. Even fruits and some vegetables are restricted. I want to eat a well-balanced, healthy diet.
XXXXXXX Shomon, a thyroid expert, wrote several books about hypothyroid problems, which I just bought and intend to read. I'll also try the 6-8 small meals a day that you suggest. I prefer to eat that way, anyway. I fill up very easily and prefer to "graze" on veggies (raw and cooked), fruits, low-fat or fat free dairy products like Greek yogurt, protein shakes, and low fat cheese. I try not to eat many carbs. Once in a while, I'll have a cup of Cheerios with a half cup of skim milk, and a cup of decaf for breakfast. Otherwise I eat fat-free Greek yogurt with fresh fruit and a few walnuts, a slice of toast, and a cup of decaf for breakfast. I also like Eggbeaters with fresh veggies and feta cheese for breakfast. I hardly ever eat beef. I love fish and chicken, but usually eat home-made tomato vegetable soup and a serving of crackers, or a salad with grilled chicken and (olive) oil and vinegar for dinner and/or lunch.
I am going to consult with a R.D. again, to tweak what I'm eating, and up my exercise, which I love. Those endorphins make me feel great!
Thank you for your help.
XXXX
P.S. I am currently 5'6" and weigh about 180. (I don't know my exact weight because I get very upset when I get on a scale. I even tell them not to tell me my weight at the doctor's office or at Weight Watchers meetings.) I can tell if I've lost weight by the way my clothes fit. My goal weight, at Weight Watchers, is 148. Before I developed Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, about 12 years ago, I easily stayed between 140 and 150. I've considered going back to the original Weight Watchers program that I lost 75 pounds on, in the 60's. However, it's very restrictive. Even fruits and some vegetables are restricted. I want to eat a well-balanced, healthy diet.
Brief Answer:
See detailed answer
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome back.
I think you should stop worrying about weight and start eating healthy. Your BMI is 29 kg/m2 which belongs to the over weight category.
Don't worry. The most important thing is to stay healthy and live long. I think you are putting enough efforts in exercise. You can now concentrate on your diet - split the meals and eat. We will see how much you can reduce the weight by that.
Few additional things you should know about life style modifications
1. Exercise - moderate aerobic exercise is good for health. Vigorous exercise in fact increase the chance of heart attack and is of no extra use in weight reduction.
2. Starvation will make our body adapt to it- slows down metabolism and body tries to store whatever you eat.This will make you fat.
Hope this information will help you
Regards
Dr Ajish TP
See detailed answer
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome back.
I think you should stop worrying about weight and start eating healthy. Your BMI is 29 kg/m2 which belongs to the over weight category.
Don't worry. The most important thing is to stay healthy and live long. I think you are putting enough efforts in exercise. You can now concentrate on your diet - split the meals and eat. We will see how much you can reduce the weight by that.
Few additional things you should know about life style modifications
1. Exercise - moderate aerobic exercise is good for health. Vigorous exercise in fact increase the chance of heart attack and is of no extra use in weight reduction.
2. Starvation will make our body adapt to it- slows down metabolism and body tries to store whatever you eat.This will make you fat.
Hope this information will help you
Regards
Dr Ajish TP
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. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
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