Here it is, the post that everyone has been waiting for. It’s taking me a couple of days to write this one up because I know that its so important to the readers out there to lose weight. I know, its frustrating to have to explain to people that you can’t lose weight because you have a “thyroid condition.” Many people will just look at you as if you are not getting enough exercise when its truly that your body has half the metabolism that a normal functioning thyroid has.
Again, your thyroid controls just about everything in your body. It’s such a vital gland, and it just so happens that it also controls your metabolism. We are not going to get scientific in this post because I will probably bore myself and the readers to death, so we are going to speak in layman terms to help better understand the process of the thyroid and how it affects your metabolism.
When your body is “hypothyroid” your heart beats at a slower rate than that of a normal heart. This is not completely dangerous, but if hypothyroid is left untreated it can cause a patient to go into a coma. Hypo means slow and your body literally “slows” down almost every gland and organ in it. So, how does this relate to you getting fat? Plain and simply, your pooping has also slowed down as well.
So, we have addressed the issue in a short and simple way. We know that hypo means slow and our bodies are currently slowed down but how can we fix this issue?
This is the million dollar question, but its really not that hard to find an answer. After countless, I mean countless, hours of research on the thyroid, I have discovered that there is a way to fight back weight gain with hypothyroidism.
First, you are going to want to set a realistic goal that you have in mind. Write it down on a sheet of paper. For example, we will use my current weight, I am a male and I weigh 180 pounds. I wouldn’t mind seeing myself at 175 within a months period so I will write down, 175 on a sheet of paper and stick it to my mirror. No, this part of the process will not help you lose weight in the physical sense, but it sure will mentally prepare you to get to 175.
Second, you are going to want to make sure that all of your TSH levels are updated and they are at the level you and your Doctor want them to be at. Note how I stated, “you” because its YOUR body and not the Doctors. I was watching a Doctor being interviewed on YouTube about the thyroid and he simply stated, “Think of your TSH level as a common shoe size. The average person wears a size shoe from 4-13, however, I can’t fit into your shoe size of a 5 when I’m a 6’1 male.” To me, it made perfect sense. Don’t try to fit in other people’s shoes that you can’t fit into, same with your TSH! Even though the normal TSH range is .3 to 3.0, a 2.8 might not be your TSH.
So, how can we get to the right level of a TSH? Well, its simple. Talk to your Doctor about an increase or a decrease in medication. If your Doctor doesn’t listen to you then hire a new one, right away. Don’t be afraid to do this, the Doctor has other patients he attends to so its not like his/her paycheck relies on you. You will be able to notice if your TSH is at the right level by noticing the amount of hair you are losing, literally. If you are losing a lot of hair, then your TSH is too high/low. But if there is minimal to no hair loss, your TSH is more than likely at the right level. The reason I tell you to measure your hair loss is because when the body is in “panic” mode it uses energy that was once used to create hair cells and directs that energy to another part of the body. Kind of strange, I know, but that’s how hair cells work. That’s why people who are normally stressed out have “gray” hairs because their body isn’t producing energy for new hair cells.
Third, make sure that you are getting your Omega 3-6-9′s. I’ve already mentioned the use of Udo’s Choice in previous posts and how much I enjoy using that product, but if you are getting your Omega’s, you are also increasing your metabolism because you are “eating healthy.” Not trying to get disgusting here so let’s just say if you eat healthy, your intestines become cleaner preventing constipation. Another great source of Omega 3 is Flaxseed Oil. A website that I read, “Benefits Of Flaxseed Oil” goes into great detail on how to use flaxseed oil for weight loss.
Fourth, make sure that you are not on any kind of medication that increases your appetite or has a side effect of weight gain. If so, talk to your Doctor about being on an alternative for that drug and explain that hypothyroidism and weight gain correlate. Many doctors feel like once you have started thyroid hormone replacement that your metabolism will go back to “normal” after a couple of weeks. Well, I hate to break the news to you, they are wrong.
Fifth, take vitamins and minerals that promote overall wellness. For example, there are vitamins and minerals that are on the market that promote metabolism such as the popular “B-12.” B-12 also promotes energy which can result into leading you getting off of the couch and going out on a run. No, I am not saying that you don’t work out or run, but the more you run, the better. Exercise is great overall even if you are trying to not lose weight. Another mineral/vitamin that I use is Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. There have been studies that show this promotes weight loss and it can be taken in a pill form but some people even cook with it. I originally purchased this product at my local Vitamin Shoppe to get rid of the “brain fog” but it also increases your metabolism.
Sixth, eat a big a healthy breakfast. Mary Shomon states that this is a big factor in her book and I have also heard by many that breakfast is the most important meal of the day because it starts your metabolism for you. Be sure that you eat a big breakfast and make sure that its your biggest meal of the day.
Seventh, make sure you take your thyroid medication at the same time everyday. Also make sure that you take it on an empty stomach and do not eat anything for an hour. Doing so will result in a poor release of the medication in the body, remember we are trying to get your TSH level at “your” level.
Eighth, exercise. Yes, I know that you probably tell yourself that you exercise too much, but have the mindset that you exercise too little.
Last but not least, laugh. Never lose who you are and don’t let this condition take over you. You can lose weight and you will lose weight if you follow those appropriate steps.
However, if you are still unable to lose weight, contact your Doctor and tell him/her that you truly feel that you are doing everything you possibly can do to lose weight but nothing is working. There maybe another medical condition that you two do not know about that is blocking your metabolism. Consult your doctor if you have not had a bowel movement in over seven days.
We hope to hear about your progress!
Update - Mary Shomon, a thyroid advocate (and someone who I owe a lot of credit to) posted an interview with a Dr. Kent Holtorf, you can view it here
