Question:
Anyone else with hypothyroid having a hard time losing?

I had open RNY Febr. 25th. I have lost 56lbs. which is good, but others have lost so much more in that time span. I just want to know if anyone else with hypothyroidism loses slowly, and if I can expect to never get to that 100lb. wt. loss point? If so, how long does it take?    — KATHLEEN S. (posted on July 9, 2003)

July 9, 2003
I have hypothyroidism and am find losing to be slow going. I am 7 months post-op and am down 85 lbs. I know we will reach our 100 lb. mark, but it will just take a bit longer than others. We have 18 months to get our weight off and I believe we will get there. Are you exercising? I find that by exercising I am losing inches even when not losing pounds. I am down 5 dress sizes and that helps me get through the slow weight loss and plateaus.
   — Gloria P.

July 9, 2003
I am hypothyroid also, and I take a large dose of synthroid daily. I was taking .350mg, and that has been reduced to .250 since my surgery 8 months ago. I am due to have more blood work in Aug. I could never lose weight before surgery, even though the doctor said that having my thyroid regulated should help me to lose. I have no doubt that my condition is one of the reasons I am a slow loser. I have only lost 79 pounds in 8 months. I have tried very hard to be patient and know that eventually I will lose the remaining 21 pounds, but we all know how hard it is when others who had surgery after us have lost a lot more weight. I am also considering whether it might be a good idea to see an endocrinologist to make sure I'm being properly treated for the thyroid condition. Thanks for bringing up this question!
   — Gerry Y.

July 9, 2003
Hi... I had RNY 4/2/02 and by Dec. had lost 114# and have pretty much stayed right there on this plateau - have about 40 more to lose. I have been hypothyroid since 1993 and it has always been a struggle even now. I have to work more at it; exercise more than others, push water more and I've added a few extra supplements to help boost metabolism and immune system such as L Carnitine, Tyrosine, Coenzyme Q10, CLA and a few others. My health now is excellent. I went from .300 to .015 for synthroid; was taking 10 meds for varying things - now 5 and all are routine meds. So compared to others it took me a lot longer and its stubborn but I hit it nonetheless. Hang in there. My best to you. Andrea
   — AJC750

July 9, 2003
I had a total thyroidectomy in 1998 and have never been euthyroid since then. I have always been hypo. It's better, but still hypo. I have lost 92 lbs in 4 months. Everybody is different. I think all the weight losses posted here are terrific.
   — TraciB

July 9, 2003
I was a slow loser also. RNY open on 1/8/01, lost 120 lbs. It took me a year to lose 100 lbs. when everyone else I read about was there by the 6 month mark. It WILL come off, it will just be slower than others, but do NOT compare yourself and you'll be much happier. I just got news today that my thyroid is goofed up and I'm getting a different pill in a larger dose. I hope this will help me lose more weight even though I'm 2-1/2 years post-op.
   — Betty Todd

July 10, 2003
Hi, I have hypothyroidism, too. EVERY single time I hit a plateau in the first year, my medication dosage level was wrong for my weight at that point. They would adjust the dosage, and then within a week of taking the new medication dosage, my plateau would break, and I'd lose more weight. It's frustrating, but it was also good. Good because you don't want to be taking an incorrect dosage! Too much medication is as bad or worse than not enough. So, hang in there. I hit 100 pounds just before one year. I started at 298 (I'm 5'5 1/2"). Best of luck~~~~~
   — lisachris

July 10, 2003
I, too have a thyroid problem. I just had my synthroid increased this week. I have had this for 10 years and my meds are always changing. I had my surgery last Nov 13th and have lost 86pounds so far. I know friends who lost more in this time span, but they didn't have the thyroid thing going on to give them a challenge. I feel your frustration. I am there too. Thanks for asking the question, I thought it was only me having this issue. Best of luck to you, kt
   — Kimberly T.

April 18, 2005
SYNTHROID IS NOT THE ONLY ANSWER! Please beware that family practitioners are NOT trained about the thyroid in medical school. Endocrinologists should always be approached when you are hypothyroid. There is another factor that many women are affected by and that is a lack of the thyroid hormone T3. If you have a T3 problem, no amount of Synthroid will help you because it only provides the hormone T4. I nearly died from this oversight and not knowing better... You know yourself. Don't be shy to demand to feel ok. Good Luck! -160 lbs and counting so far!!! http://www.geocities.com/propesrl/surgery.html
   — Rachel Propes