Turtles and Thyroids

[vinesqueen 2]

Well, I don't know if I have answers yet, or simply new questions. I'm happy either way.

Next week I start thyroid medications as soon as we get my thyroid levels back so we know what sort of dose to put me on. I didn't see my regular doc, since she wasn't in the office, but the new one didn't even bat an eye.

Even if my thyroid levels come back at the high end of normal, he's still going to put me on the meds. He said he didn't mind putting me into a state of hyperthyoidism for a short period, as long as it wasn't years long.

Wow!

So, if I don't start dropping weight while taking the thyroid meds, they are going to try other things, like cortisol stuff. (I haven't researched this yet)

So, my question to my fellow Turtles is this: have you had your thyroid levels checked, or have you tried something besides diet and excersize? (Diet meaning food intake in general, not a specific diet mentality) I know that Kathy has resorted to the occasional diet pill, but what are some other stratagies Turtles are trying?

I know that I was making myself insane trying to figure out why I wasn't having success with cutting my calories and bumping up the activities. I just want to see if we can come up with a plan for Turtles.

[Iluvharleys 15]

Vines - A long time ago I had a doctor put me on thyroid medication. After a few months, I got really bad, hurting all over. My insides hurt, my muscles hurt, I actually thought I was dying. I couldn't hardly walk I hurt so bad.

I went back to my regular doctor, and he told me I was over dosed on the thyroid medicine. He immediately took me off it, but it took about 3-4 weeks before I got well. All I am saying is be careful of taking it if your tests come back ok. The doctor that put me on it said it wouldn't matter if mine did or not, it would kick up my weight loss. All it did was make me very, very sick.

[HeatherGurl 0]

Crystal~

Have you ever had your thyroid checked before?

Let me tell you this... my hubby had a cancerous tumor the size of a large grapefruit in his thyroid gland (he was 21 at the time) They removed it and took all of his thyroid out... So, he will be on Thyroid medicine for the rest of his life. Make sure the Dr. gives you a dose, then get you levels checked, then they may have to up it or lower it... My hubby had to get off of his for 6 months and it nearly killed him! He gained 60 pounds!!! As soon as he was able to get back on it, all the weight dropped off.

All I am saying is his case and yours are obviously different, but that medicine could be the key for you... TONS of people (especially women) have thyroid problems and don't even know it!

Good Luck!!!

You are such an inspiration!

[lildarlin 0]

Hi Crystal! I may have mentioned this before. (BTW - I'm not banded yet). For years and years my GP had me on low doses of thyroid meds. I had a hard time losing weight. I finally insisted on seeing a specialist and my levels were too high. It has taken 6 months, 3 blood draws and soon to be #4 to get them right. I would expect that if I continue to take the meds as directed, I will have a hyperthyroid. It wouldn't hurt my feelings if it would make me lose some weight but I need to be watchful for the signs of it.

What comes to mind is my sister. The doctor put her on meds to shrink a goiter and she started having heart palpatations and panic attacks, she was quite sick and it also took her some time to get back to normal.

Just be watchful.....I feel like I could very well be a turtle when it comes to weight loss after banding. I hope not, but if patterns persist, I will. Because even with my levels right....I haven't lost weight. My dr says that if your levels are right, you can't blame the thyroid for lack of weight loss. At this point, I'm blaming myself because of poor food choices, but when I get down to business, the weight doesn't come off then either. <sigh>

Good luck!

[Angeleyes 1]

My doctor has checked my Thyroid many times through the years because I have had issues with fatague, being cold all the time, depression and gaining weight very easily. He has always said it is ok.

[lildarlin 0]

I didn't have the intolerance to cold so much, just being tired and no weight loss. My GP kept saying I was fine. After I insisted on seeing the specialist he said I was too high. He actually doubled my dose and also put me on Cytomel to help with my energy level. I read that Cytomel is used by body builders to help metabolize fat faster, but it ain't metabolizing any fat I have!!! Of course they probably take it in massive doses too! I feel a lot better than I did, I'm glad I went to the specialist.

I've been very cold lately though, normally I wear a t-shirt and sweat pants around the house (dead of winter here), and I'm fine. Lately though, I've had to put on a long sleeve sweatshirt to keep warm, my fingers get so cold! Not sure what is causing that but maybe it's just the cold weather.

[Connorsmom 1]

Hi

I have been treated for hypothyroidism for years. Since surgery my medication has had to be adjusted a few times. I have noticed since my last adjustment I have restriction and am actually not hungry and losing!!

[the best me 6]

I have popped a half a diet pill on 3 different days since banding (all within the last month) and it gave me a bit of a jump start on a few pounds gone, but I have had to do the work to keep it off. I don't particularly like using them but I will if I need the boost off a plateau.

My thyroid levels came back normal but I don't have the numbers, so I don't know if they are on the low end of normal.

My plan is to knock on Kare's door after the first of the year and get some good exercise music. After Curves and the gym, I know enough about good exercise technique I think I can do something at home. Heck, moving my butt for a 1/2 hour is an improvement. Housework gets the blood pumping but it's time for some good ole cardio/strength training again. I actually kind of miss it. Did I just say that?

[vinesqueen 2]

My dr says that if your levels are right, you can't blame the thyroid for lack of weight loss. At this point, I'm blaming myself because of poor food choices, but when I get down to business, the weight doesn't come off then either.

But what else can you blame if you are doing everything, and I mean everything, to lose weight and you still aren't losing? I spent a full month at about 700 calories and only lost 1.5 pounds for the entire month. I was very active as well.

I've had my thyroid levels checked several times, but my regular doc said because they were in the "low" normal range that she wasn't going to do anything about it. One of my nieces was on thyroid meds and 50 pounds just practially fell off of her. My grandmother also has thyroid problems and has been on meds for years.

So, if the Thyroid meds don't help, they are going to look at other body chemistry things like my cortisol levels as well.

I really really appreicate all the input and experiences with thyroid meds.

[ConnieA0278 0]

Hello I am not banded yet I have a consult with a surgeon on Jan 20th, and just found out today that I have hypothyroidism. I have been checked in the past but it was always normal. My Dr. is putting me on synthroid, and I have read that sometime you can't get surgery if you have hypothyroidism. What causes you to get HypoT. when you have never had it before, and was it hard to get approved for surgery while having HypoT?

[Kryssa 1]

Put me with the turtles! My thyroid levels are fine (just checked 2 weeks ago) but I have only lost 2 lbs. in 10 weeks. I went in for a fill (3rd) Tuesday and its the first time I have felt ANY restriction. I exercise and try to make good food choices but I'm miserable.

[cherycl 0]

Hello I am not banded yet I have a consult with a surgeon on Jan 20th, and just found out today that I have hypothyroidism. I have been checked in the past but it was always normal. My Dr. is putting me on synthroid, and I have read that sometime you can't get surgery if you have hypothyroidism. What causes you to get HypoT. when you have never had it before, and was it hard to get approved for surgery while having HypoT?

hi, i had no problem with insurance approvals and I have been on sythroid for a couple of years. good luck

[cherycl 0]

Put me with the turtles! My thyroid levels are fine (just checked 2 weeks ago) but I have only lost 2 lbs. in 10 weeks. I went in for a fill (3rd) Tuesday and its the first time I have felt ANY restriction. I exercise and try to make good food choices but I'm miserable.

are you any happier now that you have restriction?

[Dody 0]

For me taking Synthroid in various amounts has done absolutely nothing to prevent me from gaining weight; being tired; everything. It isn't a magic pill. In fact I've yet to find it useful in any way. If you are looking for great results it isn't Synthroid. It's like taking a little sugar pill for me that does absolutely nothing. I have never felt one bit different in the 20 years I have taken it. I get my thyroid checked every 3 mo. and the doses have varied, but I've never felt any effect from them. If anything I find they make me more tired.

[cmr 0]

I've been taking Synthroid for years and never felt that it did any good so I decided to take myself off of them w/o dr. permission.....about 2 months after not taking them I completely lost my voice for about 6 weeks. When I finally went to the dr. I thought he was going to kill me. You may not think that thyroid meds are a magic pill (I don't) but not taking them put me at extreme risk and caused all kinds of side effects that I never knew about. Make sure that your dr. is giving you the full thyroid test. There are two level and some docs don't routinely do the more comprehensive test.