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Rediagnosed 9 years ago with Hypothyroidism. Recently lost 16-20 lbs. Not consistently workingout and eating right. Should I

By May 7, 2008 - 10:38pm
 
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I have lived with Thyroid issues all my life. I was diagnosed with Hyperthroidism as a youth. I took meds until I was 18 to keep things under control. Did not start dealing with my Thyroid again until 9 years ago. This time I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism. I have been on Synthroid/ Levothyroxine for the past 9 years. I finally feel like I am starting to get things under control. I am finally being consistent @ taking my meds as suggested. On an empty stomach 1 hour before I eat. I truley believe it is making a difference. Some of my battles have been poor sleep habits (I work @ 1:30 in the morning).As well as poor eating habits. I finally feel like I have more energy and stamina. I have recently started being consistent @ working out. Is it advisable to get my blood work done more often than once a year? My last blood work was done in December.

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Hello there Evie14!

I know you spoke with Michelle about this already and it looks like you've gotten some awesome posts, but I had some additional thoughts I wanted to share with you.

In regards to your weight loss, 16 pounds in 2 months averages out to about 2 pounds a week, which is usually what weight-loss programs recommend as a safe amount. And it does sound like you've made some changes in your life (even though you don't think of them as really significant), that could definitely contribute to this. For example, you mention that you cut out soda--that alone is a really healthy choice that eliminates a bunch of empty calories. Plus you are going to the gym, which helps burn calories and keep your metabolism up. So I think you have helped yourself more than you might realize.

But from the tone of your first post, I can hear your concern over the weight loss, so I think it needs to be discussed with your doctor. You mentioned that you love your ob/gyn--that's terrific! I think you should definitely discuss it at your next appointment, which you said would be coming up soon. Since you were originally diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, and weight loss is a symptom of that, I can see where the 16 pound loss, no matter how welcome it was, would raise some red flags for you.

Here is a great article from the site that addresses other symptoms of hyperthyroidism--if any of these other symptoms apply to you I would suggest calling your doctor sooner rather than later:

https://www.empowher.com/community/blog/hshukla/08/03/27/the-heart-and-t...

Since you had bloodwork in December, it would not be unreasonable to ask for it again, since it's now 6 months later.

Once you have your doctor's appointment, will you please come back on her and post again, and let us know how you are doing? Take care, Nancy Drew Fan

May 14, 2008 - 5:06pm

you seem to be doing a lot right now to help yourself out. And you are right - everyone has a vice (or two!)

Do you work nights?

May 9, 2008 - 1:53pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to GauguinFan)

Yes I work @ 1:30 in the morning. I also work a side job part time several days a week during the early afternoon to late evenings. I have been working this kind of crazy schedule for most of the past twenty years. Not always the same jobs hours.

I have friends and family ask me all the time... "how do you do it?" They tell me I need to slow down. It is just something I am able to do and when I start to feel like it is all catching up to me I just take a litttle break. Usually a cpouple days off from one or the other jobs allows me enough time to catch up on my sleep.

Again... It works for me.

May 10, 2008 - 11:07am

I have a friend who is a Phyical Therapist and is very health concious. She has been my motivation for the past couple years. She has continued to encourage me along the way. I started going to her for PT back in 2005. We developed a great friendship and it is through the friendship that I became more interested in improving my overall health.

I had struggled with some minor depression and anxiety issues when we first met. I confided in her about some personal issues and she convinced me that if I could get into a regular excercise routine that it could only help with all my issues.

I still have very crazy sleeping habits. I usually only get about 3-4 hours of sleep @ night before I go into my full time job. However, I am religious about getting a few more hours of sleep after I get home in the morning from work. I also work a second part time gig several days a week. I am currently in my busy season so it definitely cuts into having a regular routine. I have just made a comittment to myself that I want to look better and feel better. So I try to set aside at least a few hours throughout the week that I can get to the Gym and workout. I still haven't worked out the best eating schedule eaither. But I have been better at eating small meals a few times a day. I am still not much into having a good breakfast. I prefer lunch and dinner meals over breakfast food. I have slowly cut back on sodas and have opted to drinking more water throught the day. I still love my ice cold beers in the evenings. I know that if I ever cut the hops and barley out of my life I would be as fit as a fiddle. But we all have a vice.

I am definitely not a role model for anyone to follow. My routine works for me and probably wouldn't work for most. I just happen to be at a real good place in my life right now. So, I am sure that is a contributing factor to my extra energy.

I appreciate the response and look forward to hearing more thoughts on the subject.

May 8, 2008 - 4:07pm

Congrats on making some positive health changes! :-) How did you find the motivation or energy to make these changes? You mentioned that you lost weight and had been battling sleep, exercise and eating issues. What have you done differently, so that you are no longer battling these issues?

Regarding the sleep issue (you said you work at 1:30am). One of the most important "healthy sleep tips" is to go to bed AND get up at the same time every night and morning; even on non-work days (weekends included!). Since you work an early (or late?!) shift, are you able to sleep and rise at the same time every day? If so, you could make a huge impact on your quality of sleep (regardless of what time you are actually sleeping), which can then impact how you eat and exercise that following day.

Please tell us more!

May 8, 2008 - 12:40pm

Thanks for your question. Dr. Ridha Arem, a world-renown thyroid expert, author of The Thyroid Solution: A Revolutionary Mind-Body Program That Will Help You and Clinical Professor of Medicine at Baylor College responded to your question. Here's his response:

"Hypothyroidism is most of the time caused by an auto-immune attack on the thyroid gland. In your particular case it sounds like you had Graves disease when you were younger and part of your gland probably got burned out as a consequence of a co-existent Hashimoto's thyroiditis which is the auto-immune condition that causes impairment of the functioning of the thyroid gland. This explains why quite often the deficit in thyroid hormone due to auto-immune thyroid disease may not be stable over time. The traditional way that doctors monitor thyroid patients receiving thyroid hormone medications for hypothyroidism has been to check thyroid levels only once a year. That is actually what the American Thyroid Association (ATA) recommends. However, I do not agree with these guidelines. Even if the patient seems to be stable on a particular dose of thyroid medication I recommend testing every 6 months instead of every year. This way your doctor can be proactive and may prevent you from becoming imbalanced for a significant period of time. Obviously if your gland is not as stable and you have symptoms, you may even need to be tested more often."

Evie, has your doctor recommended more frequent blood work?

May 8, 2008 - 8:28am
(reply to Tina Tran)

No my doctor has not suggested more frequent blood work. Conversations with a friend is what got this ball rolling originally. There is also my interest in why all of a sudden it is becoming easier for me to lose weight that raises the quetion in my own thoughts.

I opted this past annual exam to soley go through my Obgyn for blood work because I just didn't think my reg family practioner had much of a clue as to my Thyroid condition. My Obgyn has been a pleasure to have as my doctor. I will look into scheduling another visit with her soon.

Thank you again for your response.

May 9, 2008 - 1:22pm
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