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.

Thanks Donali, I actually ran accross his stuff last week when I was reasearching information about cortisol. I don't know what to make of the Wilson's Temp thing. My normal body temp is 97.2, not the 98.6 but from what I've read, they are re-thinking the 98.6 as a "normal." that it might be too high. Some sites say that the Wilson's Temp thing is snake-oil, and the site reads like snake-oil to me too. I dunno why. Maybe all the tesimonials are just a little too glowing or something.

I have to laugh, in a weird sort of way. Before I was banded I was sure that this wouldn't work for me, because no other weight loss thing has ever worked in the past. Jessie asked me why I thought I was so special that it wouldn't work for me. I guess I showed her, didn't I.

Hey, Vines -

How are the thyroid meds working for you??

Hoping you're seeing some progress.

xxoo

stupid back button.

Anyway, I've been on the meds now for a few weeks, and I haven't seen any change in the scale. I'm feeling pretty good, except for being jet lagged the last couple days, so I guess that's all I can expect.

Someone said that it took them about 7 weeks before they started to see any results from the thyroid meds, but I am so tired of waiting. I'm going to see if I can find an Endo Doc here next week and not wait until I go back to Seattle in March.

stupid back button.

I'm going to see if I can find an Endo Doc here next week and not wait until I go back to Seattle in March.

Vines, we don't "know" each other, but I've followed your journey for some time now, and always enjoy your contributions. Any way, I think getting an endo doctor is the best thing you could do for yourself. There must be an explanation for your struggle, and endo just might be the magic bullet.

I wish you much success. If you do see a local endo, don't rule out the idea of seeing another specialist when you return here to Seattle. (I'm in Kirkland). It's late and I'm babbling. Just wanted to throw in my support, and tell you that you are one LBT member that I think of and send good energy to when I'm able. [ /babble]

Vines, thanks for starting this thread. I've always had "issues" losing weight. Even when I was bullemic and had a temporary bout with anorexia, I could never lose the last 30 pounds. My docs were baffled because I should have been bone thin. For years they took thyroid tests, but my slow thyroid didn't appear till the last few years. I've been on Levrothyroxine (sp?) for a couple years now, but if it weren't for this thread, I wouldn't have known that I need to be rechecked after weight loss.

Funny Kathy should mention a diet pill on the same thread, because I'm asking my doc for a prescription. I have an appointment scheduled to discuss a few things, and I want a prescription of 5 pills a month. My binge cycle is so severe that my 5 PMS days keep me fat. I'll do great on an eating plan, but then I turn into an eating monster and binge enough in those 5 days that it takes all month to take off what I've gained. Then the cycle starts all over again the following month and never ends.

I'm counting 1200 calories a day now, and I'm waiting for my period any day. My vegetable consumption is completely out of control. Even though I'm limited to 3 meals, and I weigh & measure the Protein & dressing, there's no reason for me to eat a mixing bowl size of veggies twice a day. Being banded was supposed to teach me portion control, and I still haven't learned that. Sure, those veggies are low in calories and healthy, but normal people don't eat a mountain, and I want to be normal.

As far as suggestions for you not being able to lose, maybe I can help.

Crystal, we are all different. What works for some doesn't work for others. Each body requires something different, so maybe you should try something completely opposite of what you're doing now? Just a suggestion, but you are probaly ready to try anything at this point, right?

For example, I'm totally against Adkin's or any protein diet. I got sick and gained weight. But maybe your sexy bod is different. Maybe a protein diet is what the Queen's body needs to lose. Or try my current diet of huge portions of vegetables with 4 oz of protein and 2 tblspns dressing twice a day. Or try someone else's plan. What I'm suggesting is completely changing the foods you eat. Maybe you have food allergies or something, so do anything that is completely different than what you're doing now.

Hey, maybe it's not the best idea, but at least it's an idea, right? I'm on your side.

I love you girl and will cancel this year's Sangria Suarez (bash) if you don't come. Feeling any pressure?

Donali, thanks for resurecting this post.

Lisa, dont be afraid of the diet pills! It may be a temp. fix, but will help you with the stesses of a weight gain.

Crystal, just letting you know Im thinking about you. :confused:

I'm hypothyroid as well and my GP for years said my levels were ok. After complaining of no weight loss and feeling tired I went to see an Endo doctor. My levels were too high and 4 blood tests later my levels have dropped from over 5 to .63. I was still having problems with tiredness so he also put me on 10mcg of Cytomel per day. It helps but alas......no weight loss has come with the new perfect thyroid levels.

I was told at my last appointment that if thyroid levels are in line we cannot blame our lack of weight loss on it. At this point I'd wish for him to make me hyperthyroid to kick start some weight loss, but I know that's not a good thing.

Maybe someday things will go my way......

Well, if in my case, it isn't behavour that is keeping me fat. I don't know if it is my thyroid or not, but there has to be some body chemistry that has to be the culprit.

I refuse to give up on this, but I also have come to accept that it isn't anything that I have done or not done that is keeping me fat. I will not accept being told it is my fault. Been there, done that, got the scars to prove it.

I forgot to mention that I wondered about the Cortisol connection as well. I carry my weight in my mid-section. That's where I gain first as well. He did a blood test for my cortisol levels and they were normal.......darn. I feel like I'm destined to be fat. At least hoping when/if I get banded it won't be like this.

Okay, I met with a doc yesterday and he said that I do indeed have a metabolic disorder. He was horrified to learn that I'd gone a month at +/-700 calories, and even more horrified to learn that I'm managed to only lose 1.5 pounds. Much better than the last doc that was baffled... This one is actually starting a plan in motion.

I'm glad I didn't wait until March. I'm glad I didn't wait to see how the thyroid meds would take to work.

I have more blood work on Friday, and I meet with the Internist next week.

It's so weird to be happy there is something wrong with me. I must be my mother.

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.

I've had thyroid disease for many years. I've had more than one Endocrinologist tell me "you can't blame everything on your thyroid". Like being overweight, thyroid disease does run in families so it's very likely that you could have a thyroid problem. If you're being advised to take thyroid medication by a PCP, don't take it! Go to an Endocrinologist and have your thyroid function checked. The biggest mistake people make is listening to a doctor who has no clue what they're dealing with. See a specialist. When you start toying with your thyroid function you are playing with more than just your weight. Your thyroid controls a host of functions in your body that you won't even think of. Over-medication, under-medication, and non-medication of your thyroid can causing lifelong damage to your other glands and organs.

If your TSH level is between 1.5 and 5.5 and a doctor puts you on thyroid medication that doctor is a quack. That is a normal thyroid function and medication can cause your thyroid to become hyperactive, which is just as bad as hypo.

In all the years I've been on thyroid medication I've not been able to lose the weight I want to lose. My thyroid function has been in normal range for many years. I lose some weight, then it just stops. I eat a healthy diet always and see my Endo every 3 months to have my TSH checked.

Sorry to sound like a medical journal. My thyroid almost killed me several years ago and I hate to see anyone taking chances with theirs...I hate even worse to see doctors handing out thyroid medication.

Vinesqueen,

I have had low thyroid for years. Unfortunately the medicines make me have terrible headaches when I take them -so for 2 years I endured taking them (all the various brands) and was up to the maximum dosages without any visible improvements. I stopped taking them several years ago due to the headaches. So I have been a slow loser as well. But after much thinking on your subject I came up with an idea you should at least check into--allergies---food or environmental.. Please don't just pass over this idea as a quack idea as I have known several heavy people that have had these allergies and because they have kept their body in a state of complete agitation and inflammation-several other bodily functions have suffered as well. There are complete blood tests for this type of allergy testing and a good doctor can interpret the results in a way to help you identify and then eliminate the causes from your life.

Another idea is that you may have toxic buildup within your body-either heavy metals or environmental. These are stored in the fatty tissue of the body and your body WILL NOT allow the fat to be used if it will result in the toxic substance becoming blood borne again. It is a defence issue and a way your body protects itself. I am not knowledgable about testing in this matter but do know there are a few test that may help identify some of the toxins if they are present in large quantities in your body. Also some of the alternative doctors are more knowledgable about this type of problem and can use some herbal preparations to aid in the toxin removal and thereby fat removal.

Anyway I just thought I would throw that out to you.

Tony

I have to laugh, in a weird sort of way. Before I was banded I was sure that this wouldn't work for me, because no other weight loss thing has ever worked in the past. Jessie asked me why I thought I was so special that it wouldn't work for me. I guess I showed her, didn't I.

Amen, I feel exactly the same way! My DH thought surgery was a last resort, he didn't realize it might not work for me like it does for others. I've lost 10 lbs. in 14 weeks and I can tell he is baffled. And it hurts to see the disappointment in my mother's eyes.

Crystal, I know my problems are nothing like yours...I've followed your struggle and I hurt for you. Good luck with the new doc.

Check out this wild idea from Web Journal;

New 'Thyroid Speed' Too Risk Says Hollywod Docs - Celebrities Like Opr...

"Celebrities Flock to "Thyroid Speed" For Rapid Weight Loss - Docs Say Too Risky"

Guess which mouse is on "Thyroid Speed"?

Move over gastric bypass, who wants the scars, lap bands and stomach balloons, no way! Re-programming your thyroid to produce more T-3 cells that rapid process fat seems to be the latest in a long line of new rapid weight loss methods for the dieter who just doesn't want to diet anymore.

Those who can afford a new $100 a month habit can opt for the easy way out. Though thyroid manipulation seems to be just the ticket for the rich and famous doctors say proceed with caution, or your liver could pay the price.

The National Institutes of Health warn that your thyroid is a extremely sensitive gland. “New designer supplements seem to dramatically decrease appetite leading to un-natural weight loss that left unmanaged could be dangerous"

Doctor warned that anyone that loses weight so quickly could face complications and must supplement their diet with a good Multivitamin, take in plenty of Fiber (at least 25 grams per day) Another must is above average intake of fluids, especially Water to avoid liver problems as it works overtime to process fat out of your body.

As for the makers of the first claimed "Thyroid Stimulator" business couldn't be better. Spokesmen for Selmedica Healthcare said that demand for their trademark product Alvidar is out pacing production and they expects price increases any day.

“Alvidar sales are crazy, up almost 1800% since all the press articles and celebrity use ...and our customers couldn't be more thrilled with the results they are seeing we are expecting a great year”

Just remember if you decide to use a thyroid supplement to take heed to the doctors warnings above and only use as directed.

For more information about Alvidar visit the companies website at www.alvidar.com

For more information about this story contact news@WebMedJournals.com

It's so weird to be happy there is something wrong with me. I must be my mother.

LOL, how funny!!

So now there's a light at the end of the tunnel. You are so right - VERY glad you didnt wait til March!

How long before the the blood test results to come back?