Thyroid Conditions and Weight Loss
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| Fri, 02-24-2006 - 4:26pm |
As is well known, I've got Hashimoto's. No surprise there that I'm on thyroid meds. But, here's where the problems lies:
Back after my son was born (5 wks), I ha a stress fracture underneath the metal plate holding my hip together. I have a bone disease in that hip called Fibrous Dysplasia as well as arthritis and a cyst. My knees are in bad shape as well with arthritis and bone spurs. I was told that while I would need a replacement, it could be delayed by 10 years if I lost weight.
Here's the problem-I can't lose weight. My thyroid still isn't under control and I know that makes weight loss hard. I watch what I eat, changed my eating habits for healthier ones, and walk 3-4 times a week. I've managed to stay at my current weight but want to do more.
My question is, can I take a weight loss supplement in conjuction with the thyroid pill? Will that affect the medication? How will it affect future tests?
TIA
-Jennie-

Hi Jennie:
First, this is a good question to bring up with your doctor. For my advice, I think most people who have raised this question in the past have received feedback that weight loss supplements aren't advisable. But let me also say that I TOTALLY understand where you're coming from and have wished for something to give me that boost in the right direction myself.
For those of us with autoimmune disease, it is not uncommon to have joint and muscle problems including arthritis, fibromyalgia and others making getting moderate-to-high level exercise a challenge, to say the least.
Do you have access to a rusty-hinges-type water aerobics class? And if you can find the time, you might try stepping up that walk by going longer or adding a day or two. Also, really evaluate your food plan carefully. I find, for instance, that I'm inclined to eat around 1500 calories/ day if I'm being careful but not tracking, and in reality it takes 1200 and lots of activity for me to lose weight. What I'm doing on those days is simply "too much of a good thing." And for the record, these are MY magic numbers, so I'm not suggesting that anyone else go with my numbers... I'm just saying that we can sometimes find more room to improve in the calorie department if we spend 2-3 days investigating by writing everything down. It helps to write down a typical cheat day, a typical "good" day, and a typical feeling crazed by evening because you didn't eat enough day (so the records do not need to be consecutive days). Then look up the calories for everything (my pharmacy sells a cheap calorie counter book and food diary).
With your challenges, you might first ask your doctor to refer you to a nutritionist and/or a physical therapist for help for starters.
And a few other tips I've picked up are: take a multivitamin which contains plenty of folate and B-12 (and I take an extra Calcium with D, balance Omega 3 and Omega 6 (essential fatty acids ;take a supplement or make sure that you eat fish like salmon 2-3 times/ week), increase fiber and along with that drink water until you float! :-)
I've been battling this for what feels like a lifetime, and I hope it helps to know that there are others who totally understand! Good luck to you.
Take care,
D.