Moving a post by Kirsten for others to comment on! Please join in :)

[Mo]

I am 34 years old and have had Hashimotos for 5 years.  I wasdiagnosed when I was pregnant with my second child.  My thyroid levelswere always on the low side of normal growing up and when I had myfirst child I developed Preeclampsia with HEELP syndrome.  When I gotpregnant again my OB noticed the thyroid levels and had me follow upwith an Endocrinologist.  At that point I was put on Synthroid.  I amstill taking the Synthroid with a dose of 62.5 mcg.    I have beenrelatively satisfied except that I still have a very hard time losingweight.  This summer I got a personal trainer and went on a strict dietand still have not lost, in fact I have gained weight.  I am extremelyfrustrated and have been doing more reading.  I am going to try addingsome natural supplements but right now I am feeling defeated.  Iconsider myself a fairly active individual, I like to run, ski, swim,and my three children keep me running all day.  I am a full timeteacher with a very busy schedule.  I am sure that stress is also acontributing factor to my weight problem.  I am not too overweight butcan would like to lose 15 to 20 pounds to return to my pre-babiesweight.
Sometimes I feel like I have just been dealt crummycards in the form of genetics.  Last year I had to have my gall bladderremoved due to stones and pain that would stop me dead in my tracks. So between that and the thyroid issue , I am frustrated.  I tend to runout of energy by the end of the day and if I could I would go to sleepat 8 PM when my kids go to sleep.  I have been read information aboutT3 and that Synthroid is a form of T4 and was wondering if anyone hadlooked into this.
I am looking forward to hearing from some of you and thank you for this site. Kirsten

[CX]

Hi Kirsten,
Synthroid is T4 only. Your body makes T4 and T3, plus small amounts of others. Modern medicine says that we only need to give T4, because our body will convert that T4 to the T3 we need. Yet, others say that we should be given supplements of both.

I take NatureThyroid (NT), which is desiccated thyroid and contains the full compliment of thyroid hormone: T3 and T4.  I feel pretty good most day.  I, too, and a runner and very active.  I am noticing that if I work-out especially hard, I am SUNK that night and all the next day.  My theory is that my 2 grains of NT keep me going for normal activity, but if I up my activity, then I need more. That is a question for my Endo. But the next time I want to run 5 miles or more, or do 2 hours of yoga class, then I will increase my NT by 1/2 grain and see what happens.

Don't give up on weight loss.  Like you mentioned, I too am 10-15 pounds heavier than before my 3 kids were born.  Yet, I am a healthy 144 pounds (5'5" tall) and a size 8.  I can run 4-5 miles fairly easily and do yoga pretty well.  Focus on your health.  Try yoga, too.  My husband thinks that my body is much curvier (in a good way) after I started yoga, and I certainly feel much stronger.

All the best!
Carolyn

[olsolo0]

Hi Kristen, I have had Hashi's for about 7 years.  I too have  3 children 5 and under,  and it seems that the weight has been harder to come off after each baby.  My last baby was in Dec. 2008 and I still have 20 pounds to loose.  I am not sure its the thyroid as much as it is getting older and my matabalism is slowing down and that I don't have time like I did before to work out consistantly.  I think that if your levels are normal, it probably isn't as much the thyroid as it is getting older, having 3 kids, working full time, etc.  This is just my opinion.  You also have to give yourself a break as it sounds like you have had a rough year and your body is still probably adjusting.  I did join Weight Watchers and have lost about 10 pounds so far.  But it is slow.
Lori

[Mo]

Hello All,

It is great to see all the responses in this thread - thank you! We can all help each other.

This is a long time topic for me so about 3 years ago I wrote an article that might help others. I would always recommend you track down ANY other culprits before going on other medication, even natural ones, since it is always better to control what we can naturally first.

Check out my article to see if you've identified all possible contributors before making a decision to use additional medications.

http://sites.google.com/site/hashimotosthyroiditis/home

Hope this helps.

Mo

Thanks for all your comments and let us know if anything is helpful as you pursue answers.