Anyone else have hypothyroidism?

[Sassy]

My interested in fitness and bodybuilding got started because of my over weight grandmother. I had seen pictures of her when she was a teenager and in her 20's and we looked a lot alike. We were definitely built the same; short and petite. She had a lot of health issues. Some of there could have been either managed or even eliminated if she had just lost the weight. Others like hypothyroidism was genetic. Either way, I knew if I didn't take preventive measure that there was a good chance I would end up like her. I always said, "I've seen my future, and I'm not going there." Bodybuilding seemed like a great way to manage my weight.

I never had a problem with my weight. I had a high metabolism that made it hard to gain muscle. Then I turned 42 and I noticed that as I was getting ready for a competition that I wasn't loosing the fat like I always did. In fact, I was way off schedule. I went and had my blood work done and sure enough... I was diagnosed with hypothyroid. Sadly with in just a few months after my competition, I blew up and gain more weight than I've ever gain. It took a year to loose it. It come back so easily. I'm now 10 pound off from my last competition weight, but it's been a struggle.

Does anyone else have hypothyroidism? How do you manage the weight? Any suggests on how to continue to handle this? I hate being on competition diet year round, but I'm afraid that if I don't I'll gain this weight back.

 

[AJW91]

Wouldn't taking T3 take care of this problem?

 

[j-hawk]

Medicate

Go see an endocrinologist and they can treat that condition, T4 or T3. This is what these medications are actually for.

 

[Gunsmith]

My wife is , she has been on a couple differant meds for it and after dealing with two docs who just kept "trying" different things se decided to try taking T3 by it self and has found 37.5mcg to be her sweet spot , she has gon as high at 75mcg and had some good weigh loss but also had a very abnormal heart beat , even at 50mcg she said she dident like the way she felt so now she just stays on T3 year round.
It has helped alot more than just her weight also , her libido has increased she doesn't complain about being cold all the time and overall health has improved and I believe that has alot to do with her ability to digest and absorb food better now getting all the nutrients

 

[j-hawk]

curious

did she try T4 first ? just curious if T4 didn't work or just went straight to T3?

 

[dragonfire101]

I have it...You find a good endocrinologists or HRT doctor that also knows about nutrition. If they doctor suggest using synthroid and is not open to Thyroid Armour and compounded thyroid (Desi) find another doctor.

Keys for me is keeping my hormone levels in check with my D3 levels and using a low carb diet. I'm on thyroid compounded. You will probably have to watch you carbs.

 

[Gunsmith]

Yes she tried T4 first and saw nothing , then went to a T4-t3 mix with very little T3 , then to a blend that was basically like 4:1 mix (don't remember the name) the doctors were totally against just direct T3 replacement.
I don't think her thyroid was hypoactive but almost totally dormant

 

[Sassy]

I started w/ my regular gyn-ob doc and he put me on a very low dose of generic synthroid. Then when I wasn't getting any results, I found a specialist endocrinologists/hrt (also is an infertility specialist). He told me to stay with the brand synthroid but at that time he didn't increase it. I still wasn't losing any weight, so I added T3/clen combo. After loosing the weight, I stopped taking the T3/clen... fell off my diet and gain 10-15 pounds.

At the first of the year, I started my diet back and lost 5 pound. After 2 months of nothing, I added the T3 and started a carb rotating diet. It took 3 months to loose 10 lbs. I would like to loose 5 more, but I'm out of T3. Noticed over the weekend that I added 4 lbs... hoping it's just water.

I just went back to my Dr and he increased my Synthroid to 50. I don't want to mess myself up any more, so I'm off the T3. I only stay on it for 6 wks. Would it be a problem if I stayed on it year round?

I'm also taking Yohimbine HCI 5 mgs (2.5 in the mornings and 2.5 in the afternoon).

 

[Sassy]

Libido & T3

It has helped alot more than just her weight also , her libido has increased she doesn't complain about being cold all the time and overall health has improved and I believe that has alot to do with her ability to digest and absorb food better now getting all the nutrients

I'm glad you mentioned that... I noticed my libido up and better O's. I wondered if that was normal or just a strange side. lol Don't mind sides like that at all and neither does Everlast.

 

[rmtt]

I started w/ my regular gyn-ob doc and he put me on a very low dose of generic synthroid. Then when I wasn't getting any results, I found a specialist endocrinologists/hrt (also is an infertility specialist). He told me to stay with the brand synthroid but at that time he didn't increase it. I still wasn't losing any weight, so I added T3/clen combo. After loosing the weight, I stopped taking the T3/clen... fell off my diet and gain 10-15 pounds.

At the first of the year, I started my diet back and lost 5 pound. After 2 months of nothing, I added the T3 and started a carb rotating diet. It took 3 months to loose 10 lbs. I would like to loose 5 more, but I'm out of T3. Noticed over the weekend that I added 4 lbs... hoping it's just water.

I just went back to my Dr and he increased my Synthroid to 50. I don't want to mess myself up any more, so I'm off the T3. I only stay on it for 6 wks. Would it be a problem if I stayed on it year round?

I'm also taking Yohimbine HCI 5 mgs (2.5 in the mornings and 2.5 in the afternoon).

I have been on Thyroid medication since I was 17yo...and am currently 38yo. But I was put on Synthroid at 300 mcg, and stayed at that level until blood tests last year when it was reduced to 200mcg.

Other than having to take medication, I have had no issues. But I know that some people have a problem with their body's ability to convert T4...so supplementing with T4 only does not help much.

 

[thebrick]

I'm glad you mentioned that... I noticed my libido up and better O's. I wondered if that was normal or just a strange side. lol Don't mind sides like that at all and neither does Everlast.

Speaking of Everlast... hope things are good with him.

 

[Stewie]

Vitamin and Mineral deficiencies are generally the secondary causes of hypothyriodism, .low levels of ferritn mainly in women due to their monthly cycles can create this issue if not supplementing with iron pre, during and post menstruation, and as Gunsmith and dragonfire stated low Vitamin D even in low normal range can have an impact on hormonal balance, same with B12, copper, zinc and iodine as a lot of these essential Minerals can be depleted through our diets. Vitamin D, assuming you tan frequently? And are fairly dark complexion? You may have absorption issues of Vitamin D through sunlight and artificial light (I'm dark complexion and My Vitamin D levels are in the low normal range and I work outside year round)

A lot of times if these deficiencies are addressed the severity of secondary hypothyriodism become minimal ;weight loss,fatigue ect.

Some very good reading info at
Thyroid Mistreatment, Hypothyroidism Scandals, and Thyroid Treatment Problems | Stop The Thyroid Madness

Sorry to hear about your struggles with hypo.

 

[Gators]

I posted something re this in the thread i started in the female forum about my wifes iodine deficiency... made a huge difference rapidly, she's also taking oral b12, which was low on blood tests. She's back to being her normal wired red haired Spanish self

 

[Sassy]

Very good suggestions and comments. Thanks to all who have replied. I like to be pro active about my health. I also like to what I can naturally with foods or otc supplements.

I have to admit I have gotten very slack about taking my vitamin supplements. I use to take them regularly but just ran out of most of them just haven't bought any more. I'm going to restock and start taking them again. I also stop getting in the tanning bed, so my vitamin D may very well be low.

As much protein especially beef that we eat, I'm sure my iron is fine. I'll have it check next time I go in. I went back and did some research on T4/T3 and saw the part about impaired conversion of T4 into T3. I check my blood test and the dr hasn't been testing my t3/t4 levels. Now I'm wondering if there is a problem with conversion. Something to look into.

My TSH levels the last time that were check was 1.88 with synthroid 50. I feel like that is good.

Stewie, thanks for the link. I'll definitely check it out. I like to be well informed so I know what kind of questions to ask my dr.

Gator... it was your thread about your wife that got me thinking about posting this thread. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything that could help me out. I have accept that my diet has to be pretty clean for the rest of my life if I want to manage my weight. Not a problem. I don't see a need for "bulking" diets any more any way.

Brick, Thanks for asking about E. He's good and business is great so we both are staying pretty busy. We both stay focused on our training too.

 

[Sassy]

Follow up

I noticed the doctor posted my test results from my bloodwork today. I called his office to talk to him about it but he wasn't in. I'll have to wait until Monday.

I don't know what the numbers mean yet, but here they are...

T3 Free 2.5 pg/dl
T4 Free 1.3
TSH 1.41 mdu/ml