On September 1st, I went to my Dr. for my annual physical. Prior to this appt, I started doing research on my age and hypothyroidism. In the past year, I am ashamed to say, I’ve gained almost 20 lbs. I was unhappy with myself and hated to look at myself in pictures. But, I kept allowing pictures because I didn’t want to be THAT mom. The one that my daughter didn’t have a few years of pictures of.
Hypothyroidism sucks. People think, oh, you take a pill. It shouldn’t be that bad. You’re just getting relaxed. Other people who have Hypothyroidism don’t gain that much weight. When I was first diagnosed, my Dr said I wasn’t the typical patient. I was skinny. When I was diagnosed 20 years ago and I weighed 115 lbs. I started to gain my weight 5 years later. The Dr. said weight gain is a part of this. I just didn’t realize how bad it could get.
When getting blood work done, your TSH levels should be between .4 and 4. The blood test I just had was at a .22. Well below what I should be at. Showing my thyroid isn’t working the way it should be. Therefore, helping me to gain weight easier. For a lot of great articles on Hypothyroidism. You should check out Hypothyroid Mom. She is a wealth of information! It’s where I found out about asking my Dr. for the T3 pill.
So, I’ve been taking pills to control my T4 hormone. It’s supposed to convert over to control my T3 hormone. But, my weight, no matter what I did, kept going up. Even when I tried to lower my calorie/fat intake. I exercised more. But, when it didn’t go down, I gave up and started overeating again. Piled on more pounds. So, I asked my Dr. to put me on a T3 hormone pill. “Why?” She asked. “Because I want to lose weight. No, because I need to lose weight.” I replied.
She shook her head. “It won’t help you lose your weight. You have to eat better. Get more sleep. Exercise! You can’t count on a pill to be a miracle worker.” She said. I said, “Ok, then, will it help to stop me from gaining? So I can focus on losing?” She said that it might. That’s all I needed to hear. I started taking the T3 hormone pill on September 6th. Since then, I’ve lost 6 lbs. I take the pill midday. It’s not like the T4 pill, where I have to wait an hour to eat.
So, I started to try and lose again. I have a protein shake in the morning, a small lunch and a regular dinner. And I have chocolate too. I refuse to deprive myself. (Plus, I’m a chocolate addict. You take my chocolate away and I will cut you.) But, I’m also more active. I try to walk 2 1/2 miles every day. I’m working my way up to 4 miles :). With my new job, this is easier to do because I get out of work earlier and don’t feel like I’m rushed. And if I can’t get out to walk? I walk in place or use the steps as my helper.
6 lbs may seem like a small amount. And really? I’m honest with myself and freely admit, it is a small amount. But, for someone who has only seen the scale go up over the past year? I’ll take small over anything else :).
I’m cheering for you 🙂 I’m always glad to read other experiences so I can always learn something new.
Thank you very much. Need to know how to improve skin disorders in hypothyroidism.
Thank you for sharing this post. Please suggest some herbal diet for hypothyroidism.