hypothyroid and whole30

[ryajewell]

I made the mistake of weighing myself after the first week of whole30. I lost about 6lbs in what I assume was water weight and since then my weight has stayed the same. My husband, mind you, has lost a pound a day. My weight has not budged in two weeks. I'm feeling great in other ways. My skin is clear and glowing and I'm sleeping better. But let's be honest...I want to loose weight! We are not talking about a measly 20lbs here, I've got 100 pounds to loose. You'd think my body would be anxious to let it go when starved of sugar, refined grains and fatty dairy. Which leads me to my dr appointment 2 days ago where we discussed a blood test I had right before starting whole30. My diagnosis: hypothyroidism. I started medication the same day. I love whole30. I love eating this way and I never want to go back to weight watchers and counting calories. But I wonder if I will ever loose weight on this program? Is whole30 effective for others with hypothyroid? I'm loosing hope....

[Bet]

Hi rya, I have had Hashi's hypothroid for 10 years now (well, that's when it was diagnosed, I've probably had it for longer). I just finished a W30 and lost 8 lbs. I have about 25 to lose. I never lose weight, 1 pound a week is good for me, and on W30 I lost 2 per week. This is without added exercise and frankly, I ate until I stuffed myself at meals (but no snacking). I was never hungry, so it's not a deprivation diet.

 

Don't go by your husband, men lose weight at a faster rate, plus you have a bum thyroid. The medication should help. Since you have a lot to lose and this is a huge diet change for you, you will likely begin to lose a lot. But it's all about hormones, and it may take time for your body to adjust.

 

It may take a while for you to get stabilized on thyroid meds. And if you have Hashi's, it can change. Just be patient.

[LRM]

Hello! I've been hypothyroid since 1991, when I lost my thyroid to cancer. I really understand what you are experiencing. Up until a few years ago, I could lose 5 lbs in one week, just by skipping dinner a couple of times. Last year, it took a W100 for me to lose 10 lbs. However, it sounds like you are having a very successful W30, and you are starting to see many positive changes.

A couple of things to keep in mind. It takes about 30 days for that first thyroid pill to really hit your system, and it can take a while for your system to respond. It is important to take your meds on an empty stomach - one hour before eating. Also make sure you are not eating any calcium rich foods within 3 hours of taking your thyroid meds. If you are new to thyroid meds, it could take a few months to find the right dose. For me, there are times when I just gain some weight and I have no explanation for it. My body just holds onto it for a while, and then suddenly lets it all go. I've learned not to stress about those weight gains, it's just part of hypothyroidism for me. Some friendly advice:

1. Breathe. You are doing a very healthy thing for your body, but changes will not happen overnight.

2. STAY OFF THE SCALE! Stop weighing yourself. I used to be obsessed with the scale, and the fluctuating numbers nearly drove me crazy. This type of eating leads to fluctuations anyway, but over a period of time, you will see that you will have steady progress. But please, for the duration of your W30, stay off your scale.

3. Stop comparing yourself to your husband or anyone else. Everyone is different and it's useless to compare yourself.

4. Throw away the scale. If you can't stay off the scale, then get rid of it.

5. Give it some time and be patient. The extra weight we carry and the unhealthy eating habits we've developed, did not happen over night, and it will take a little while to reverse the cycle and begin to heal. Is it possible you are indulging too much in nuts, nut butters and fruit? Also, consider that you may need to extend your W30 a little longer to have more of the results you are looking for.

6. Be kind to yourself. You have a lot going on. Just take it one day at a time. This way of eating does work, and the results are lasting. I've been on every diet out there and this is the only program that really has worked for me. I believe it will work for you.

7. In case I missed mentioning this - stay away from the scale. :-)

Hang in there and please don't lose hope. You can do this. All the best to you.

Lisa

[Ravin]

I've been hypothyroid since age 11. Don't worry about your weight just now. Once your thyroid levels are back to where they should be, it'll get easier. The medication is a fairly straightforward fix. Just make sure the doc is looking at your T3 and T4, not just TSH.

[jehu90s]

Just started Amour for hypo about two months ago. I am 37 days on Whole 30 but did take one day off after 30 limiting to real maple syrup, mamalde and bread. Am i overly optimistic to think i can eventually get off Armour?

[AmyS]

I made the mistake of weighing myself after the first week of whole30. I lost about 6lbs in what I assume was water weight and since then my weight has stayed the same. My husband, mind you, has lost a pound a day. My weight has not budged in two weeks. I'm feeling great in other ways. My skin is clear and glowing and I'm sleeping better. But let's be honest...I want to loose weight! We are not talking about a measly 20lbs here, I've got 100 pounds to loose. You'd think my body would be anxious to let it go when starved of sugar, refined grains and fatty dairy. Which leads me to my dr appointment 2 days ago where we discussed a blood test I had right before starting whole30. My diagnosis: hypothyroidism. I started medication the same day. I love whole30. I love eating this way and I never want to go back to weight watchers and counting calories. But I wonder if I will ever loose weight on this program? Is whole30 effective for others with hypothyroid? I'm loosing hope....

If you were just diagnosed with hypothyroidism 2 days ago, then you have several weeks ahead of you before you'll know if your medication is the correct medication for you at the correct dose.  So you're just in the early stages of diagnosis and treatment.

 

I have hypothyroidism due to Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (an autoimmune condition in which the body's immune system attacks the thyroid).  Fully 90% of hypothyroidism is due to Hashimoto's, so you might ask your doctor if this is true for you.

 

I understand the push to lose weight, and the feeling that Now Is The Time.  But I'd suggest giving it time.  You're just baaaaaaarely starting treatment for your hypothyroid condition (which has probably been there for years if not decades before diagnosis).  You don't know if it's idiopathic (there on its own) or Hashomoto's yet.  You don't know if you have the right medication at the right dosage.

 

You DO know that Whole30 has helped you feel better, shed some inflammation and probably some fat, and given you better sleep and glowing skin.

 

So - you're doing the right things.  I've found that Whole30 hasn't necessarily solved all of my health issues.  But it has helped enough layers of ill health to improve/disappear, that I can now focus on the ones that really truly madly deeply need a doctor's help.  (I'm headed to a new thyroid doc Friday to discuss that very issue.)  You may find the same thing to be true.  Whole30 is great, and it helps you focus on what you need to do in order to ask for help you need beyond food.

 

Hang in there and good luck with your new life!