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Hypothyroidism and Weight Gain Issues

Posted By Raeanne (Anchorage, Alaska) on 02/19/2018

Hi EC Community,

I have hypothyroidism, but it not diagnosed as my thyroid tests always come back in the 'normal' range. I've read the symptoms of hypothyroidism and I had/have them all. I googled "why is my hair falling out?" got the symptoms, was shocked that everything I deal with is a symptom. Constant cold hands and feet. My body temp was sitting normal at 96.4. If I had a temp of 98.6, I was really sick. I have very fibrous breast tissue, I've struggled since I was a child with my weight. My eyebrows don't come to the edge of my eye. I read a lack of iodine is probably why these things happen. I started taking an iodine supplement that also had iodide and potassium in it. After 3 months, my hairdresser said she no longer got handfuls of hair and my hair was much fuller than it had ever been. She demanded to know what I was doing. My body temp came up to 97.6 and I no longer have cold hands and feet.

I struggle with my weight still though. I had it under control, then had a couple of disastrous surgeries on my back and gained about 80 lbs due to being unable to do much. I find acupuncture helps with the pain, I swam in a chlorinated pool as where I live there are about 7 public pools, all cost a fortune to use, so I wasn't picky about the chlorine. Now, as healthy as I eat, I can't seem to lose weight. I know the foods should be non leafy greens, but on one diet I tried, which is for body type, leafy greens is really a huge part of that diet. I lost 50 lbs doing nothing but eating 6 times a day. My problem is I'm simply not hungry. I eat in the morning, I may have a snack 8 hours later and dinner a few hours after that, if I eat 3 times a day. I usually eat only 2 times a day, breakfast and dinner. I've been using ACV for a few years, trying to drink at least 2 tablespoons in 12 oz of water at least 2 times per day. I drink only water, it is well water and there is no fluoride in it. I drink at least 8-10 cups 8oz of water per day. 2 of those will have ACV in them. I have to sip that as I don't care for the taste.

Is there any way to keep the weight down with movement limitations that anyone can recommend. I know to eat more, but I just can't. A smoothie is fine, but it takes me hours to get that down too. I am simply not hungry and food seems repulsive. I keep calories low, sodium low and try to eat beans of some sort at least twice a week. I make them myself from scratch and use brown rice with them. I sub sweet potatoes for regular potatoes and I can eat maybe 1/3 of a sweet potato (I add cinnamon for a spice). I eat a lot of chicken, a lot of chicken livers, calf liver and cook with only organic coconut oil. I eat a lot of turkey as well. I'll have beef now and again. I don't eat dairy from a cow. I will eat goat cheese now and again. I eat goat yogurt, not cow yogurt. This comprises my general diet. If I use a milk, I'll use a nut milk. I do try to drink Golden Milk at least twice a week as well. For sugar, I use palm sugar.

I don't know what else I can do to lose weight. Besides exercise, which is impossible right now. Does anyone have any suggestions? I really appreciate your time and thoughts. I'm so frustrated.

Replied by Flowers Mom (Pueblo Of Acoma, Nm) on 02/21/2018

Hi Reanne, I apologize for this being so lengthy.

Your symptoms sound identical to mine. I am 62 and was diagnosed hypothyroid in my early 30's. I was put on synthoid, which helped for a while for some of my symptoms, but I never really felt much better, although my lab tests would always come back saying that I was in the "normal" range. So I finally started researching on my own 3 years ago, and what I have learned has been life changing! I discovered that my hypothyroidism was actually secondary to adrenal failure. I also fought a long battle with candida, which I developed after taking steroids for asthma, which had also developed from the adrenal failure. I have had a slow metabolism and weight issues for as long as I can remember and have tried every diet and exercise program out there, but nothing seemed to make a difference. I was always cold, with a low basal body temp, cold hands and feet, extremely dry skin and thinning, brittle hair and nails. I also had difficult and irregular menstrual cycles before menopause.

BUT...after 3 years of focusing on supporting my adrenal and overall endocrine system health and healing, I have lost 40 lbs. without any exercise, and my thyroid, asthma, allergy and digestive issues have all disappeared! I am completely off all prescription medications and take only organic herbs and supplements. I am still working on restoring my strength and stamina which I do by breathing and stretching exercises and some simple yoga. I have also started walking every day, first by just walking around the house, and now by walking around the block. When I first started walking, I was so weak. I did not try to push myself, but just to move and stretch my muscles. I did not care how long it took and I rested along the way as much as I needed to. I also had the lack of appetite and had to force myself to eat. I did enjoy having a cup of warm nutritious broth as often as I wanted. And I put 1 T. of raw honey in with the ACV, and I only drink filtered water with electrolytes. I take a very good quality B complex with sea vegetables twice a day. And I take 2 T. of coconut oil every day.

Reanne, do not give up! You are on the right track and have come a long way already, but you might also want to look into the adrenal side of your health issues and see if they need extra support. You may even find that some of your thyroid issues will resolve themselves! God bless you!

Flower's Mom

Replied by Po (Ohio) on 02/22/2018

What did you do to support your adrenal and overall endocrine system health? I maybe having the same issues.

Thanks,

Replied by Flowersmom (Pueblo Of Acoma, Nm) on 02/23/2018

Hi Po, I started my life changing journey by weaning myself off of all the prescription medications I was taking (synthroid, steroids for asthma and allergies). This took several months as I reduced the dosages very slowly and if I had adverse reactions to the detoxing, I slowed down even further. It is important to remember that your body is in a compromised state and you need to be gentle and not push yourself to the point of collapse. Reducing stress is vital for recovery. The dishes and laundry can wait. Take care of yourself first. I was also sleeping a lot, 9 to 12 hours a day, all the while continuing to work full time. So many days I did nothing more than go to work, come home, and go to to bed. It was during this time that I survived mainly on the fortified broth, which I still make and enjoy. It contains veges and/or meat broth, ACV, cayenne, garlic, sea salt and purified water with electrolytes. The supplements I took were adrenal glandular, a high quality B complex with sea vegetables, pre and probiotics, and essential minerals. I avoided all sugar, yeast and gluten and focused on correcting the acid and fortifying the alkaline in my system. It took a while for me to notice any change, but very slowly my body began to respond positively to the treatment. And as it did, I slowly added more activity. I continued to need the extra sleep, but I started the breathing exercises, walking and then some yoga. I also started to add whole foods to my diet as my appetite increased, still avoiding the sugar and gluten, along with soy and cow dairy. I am now to the point where I can get through the day and still have energy to do some of the things I enjoy such as gardening, but if my body tells me it's time to rest, I listen. I also continue to take the supplements, but as I mentioned all the symptoms of asthma and allergies have disappeared and my weight has remained stable. My overall health is the best it has ever been. I wish you the best of health! Flower's Mom

Replied by Teena (Melbourne, Australia) on 02/23/2018

Coconut oil is great to regulate the functioning of the adrenal glands, thyroid, it can really boost metabolism if it is sluggish. Start one tsp per day for a week slowly raise to tablespoon, people find their optimum dose between one and three tablespoon a day. Obviously use the best unrefined coconut oil you can find. You could also add cayenne pepper to your food, to boost the metabolism, but you will find many benefits in trying the coconut oil.

Best to you

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