The FastDay Forum

Hi

Decided that, rather than just moaning over on the 'Fasting today?' thread, I'd come over here and ask for suggestions as to what to do next.

Bit of background. I have an underactive thyroid. I wasn't functioning properly at the low end of the 'Normal' range and, after 2 years fighting, got my dose raised to 150mcg.

Had a routine (yearly) blood test and was told my levels had "rocketed" and my dose was being reduced to 125mcg with immediate effect. Could it be this diet I was on? "I couldn't say". But I felt fine "There's such a thing as feeling too fine".

Anyway, since then I've been taking the reduced dose and am just starting to feel fuzzy around the edges, tired etc PLUS the 12.75lbs which had gradually come off since February is now gradually going back on again. I am SO fed up!

I've been asked to 'attend' a telephone consultation on Tuesday about ANOTHER letter from the hospital advising that they cut my dose to 125mcg when they've aready done so. Think I shall ask for a 2nd opinion. But, in the meantime...

My TDEE should be c 1670 - and it obviously WAS before! Is there any way of caclulating what it would be now? And what do I do to reverse the trend?

I'm thinking that stepping up the exercise, doing 16:8 on feed days and making the 2 meals I do have low calorie is about the only way I'll be able to lose any weight.

I thought of 4:3, but I've still got 42lbs to lose - well, nearer 45 now! I really don't think 3 fasts a week for the best part of a year will be sustainable for me.

Can anyone think of anything else I could do?

I know it's stupid, but at the moment I could just . Might have known it was going too well...

[carorees]

Yes, it sounds like the reduction in thyroid meds has lowered your TDEE How very frustrating (I know that is an understatement).

If you are gaining weight, you can estimate your TDEE by assuming that for every 1lb gained you have eaten 3500 cals more than your TDEE, so if you are gaining 1lb per week, you must be overeating by 500 cal per day. Or if you gain 1lb over the course of 2 weeks you must be overeating by 250 cal per day. This gives you an idea of how much more exercise/less food you will need to reverse the trend. Of course, this is just due to the effects of the reduced meds. I think PhilT found some scientific research showing that people with thyroid problems can have a TDEE as low as 1200 cal

As well as increasing exercise, consider the NEAT aspect as that can greatly increase the number of calories you use up each day without meaning you have to go to the gym!

Fingers crossed for your telephone consultation! I would point out that the weight gain must be as detrimental to your health as the 'over medication'. Also ask to see what your levels actually are, especially the t3 level and rt3 (if they have done it), you might be able to argue that your levels have not really rocketed.

Good luck!

[Betsysgr8]

I too have underactive thyroid. My doctor is very good at trying to get it just right .. for me! Your dosage has been reduced signficantly and you should talk to doctor about a 'compromise' dosage! Currently I take 150mcg levothyroxine everyday with an extra 1/2 pill Sunday and Wednesday, giving me an average dosage of 171.4 per day. The 175mcg is too much and just the 150 mcg is too low.
I know for Levoxyl and Synthroid they make a 137mcg, perhaps your doctor would consider this dosage as a half-way between the 150 that was too much for you and the 125 that is not enough! Then re-evaluate in 3 months.
Most of my thyroid medication adjustments have coincided with weight loss/gain. I can understand that since you have lost a chunk of weight that your dosage be lowered but I can't see that it should have been lowered by that much!