Re: Armour thyroid and weight loss

[Guest guest]

It might - some say it has for them. Unfortunately it hasn't for me.

Lilian

Anyway to cut a long story short,my query is would changing to Armour thyroid help me with my weight loss?

[Guest guest]

Nor me, I have been on armour for 2.5 years now and still have another 3 stone to lose, I lost nothing the first year, about a stone the second year and this year I have started a diet and it is going a bit faster but not much, I didn't find that the weight suddenly started shifting all of a sudden, I wish it flippin would though.

Luv nne

It might - some say it has for them. Unfortunately it hasn't for me.

Lilian

[Guest guest]

Deb, keep a food and drink diary of every single thing you have for a week, copy it, send it to this wonderful GP, ask him to please assess it and tell you where you are going wrong as he obviously has so much more insight into your diet than you - that should shut him up and stop him from making any further comments.

Luv nne

PS: it does usually get there eventually for most of us, just takes time is all.

Wish people would understand this! I saw a different GP for an infection I had, and he went on about my weight and my hypoT. He told me that it was down to exercise and portion control!!!!

[Guest guest]

>Hi Lilian and nne,

Thankyou for your replies, looks like I was living in hope!Im wanting

that miracle, but alas it aint going to happen

It is so frustrating when the weight wont budge, you do everything you

possibly can, and theres no reward at the end of it all.

Wish people would understand this! I saw a different GP for an

infection I had, and he went on about my weight and my hypoT. He told

me that it was down to exercise and portion control!!!! I could have

slapped him, as I am a dietetic assistant, and I eat healthy anyway,

but he gave me that look that he didnt beleive me, that really upset me

because as I reminded him........... that one of the symptoms of hypoT

is weight gain grrrrrr at GPs

Think I will struggle on with my thyroxine for a while longer, and do

as Sheila says, get my GP to put on all my prescriptions that I only

want the one brand.

Deb x

>

> Nor me, I have been on armour for 2.5 years now and still have

another 3

> stone to lose, >

> Luv nne

>

> It might - some say it has for them. Unfortunately it hasn't for

me.

>

> Lilian

>

[Guest guest]

Hi nne ,Lilian,

I was one of the lucky ones. I lost 7lb in the first week! ( water retention)

and went on to lose 28lbs at the rate of a pound a week. I did not diet as I

don’t overeat anyway.

Nor me,

I have been on armour for 2.5 years now and still have another 3 stone to lose,

I lost nothing the first year, about a stone the second year and this year I

have started a diet and it is going a bit faster but not much, I didn't find

that the weight suddenly started shifting all of a sudden, I wish it flippin

would though.

Luv

nne

It might - some say it has for them.

Unfortunately it hasn't for me.

Lilian

[Guest guest]

Hi Deb,

Some folk do react differently to the various brands of T4

prescribed. Eltroxin is usually regarded as the least problematic.

As to Armour. It is an unlicenced drug as far as the NHs is concerned so

getting it prescribed can be a problem unless you are very lucky with your

GP or you are prepared to go private.

You may be unable to lose weight for several reasons. Are you getting

enough T4? Lots of docs are willing to leave patients with a TSH that is far

too high- healthy people have a TSH of around 1.0, which is what your doc

should be aiming for.

Then on to Armour. Some of us can't convert the inert T4 into the active

T3, a healthy thyroid produces about 10% T3 as well as 90% T4 along with a

small proportion of other thyroid hormones ( yes I know the math doesn't add

up) if this is your problem then Armour can make a huge difference. Docs are

VERY reluctant to prescribe Armour if they think it is being used for weight

loss, but if you have other thyroid symptoms that are not being treated with

the T4 it is possible.

-----

I'm a little down at the moment, I don't know whether its due to my new

batch of meds.... I take 175 mcg thyroxine, and the pharmacy has has

given me 3 different brands of thyroxine, which I think isn't helping.

I'm also down because no matter what I do I can't seem to shift my

weight. Im going to a gym 3 and 4 times a week, and going for 6 mile

walks at the weekend. I am following a diet, and even though I drop

4lbs it goes back on, then comes back off again.

Anyway to cut a long story short,my query is would changing to Armour

thyroid help me with my weight loss?

Thanks

Deb

Messages are not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always

consult with a suitably qualified practitioner before changing medication.

[Guest guest]

....I saw a different GP... He told me

that it was down to exercise and portion control!!!! I could have

slapped him...

You shouldn't have held back, Deb. A slap is probably exactly

what he deserved.

The last time I sat in front of a GP he rather loftily and

patronisingly enquired as to whether I'd, " ...ever even

considered the possibility of doing any exercise? " . He did

at least have the decency to blush when I pointed out that I use an

indoor rower 6 to 8 hours a week, am on-water training for 3 hours a

week (in all weathers and sea conditions) and that along with my

crewmates I had recently achieved World Champion status and had the

medal to prove it.

All that said, despite being on Armour for 3 years, now (and

despite all the genuinely wonderful differences it has made to my life

and my health in general) I am still a depressing 6 stone overweight.

I eat consume around 2000 cals per day and burn off a minimum of 500

(usually 700) with through exercise; so sadly I don't have any

solutions on that front. I do know, though, that feeling good is every

bit as satisfying as looking good :-)

All the very best to you x

[Guest guest]

Next time your GP (or any other doctor) tells you your weight gain can be controlled with portion control and exercise, tell him that you KNOW hypothyroidism causes weight gain because having a such a low metabolism, you are unable to burn off excess calories. Other causes for weight gain can be food sensitivity, Cushing's syndrome, organ disease, prescription drug use, anxiety, blood sugar imbalance, and essential fatty acid deficiency. WHY do doctors only know that eating tool much food or not taking exercise causes weight gain DUH!

Luv - Sheila

[Guest guest]

This is not from people like us who have every right but from drug crazed idiots, there is no way I would go into the medical profession these days that's for sure.

Luv nne

I am sure I saw an article recently about more doctors being assaulted now than ever before.

Lilian

[Guest guest]

This is the worst diet on earth Lilian, I know because I went on it - whilst everyone was losing 10lbs per week I was managing 5 if I was lucky, after 10 weeks on this diet and having lost just 2.5 stone, while all the others had lost 4 stone + I decided that I could no longer afford £40 per week to not eat anything, I stopped but ate wisely, I gained 3 stone within 3 months and just could not lose it no matter what - unless you continue on their shakes or soups for a minimum of one meal and preferably 2 meals every day for the rest of your life, you will gain all the weight back again. It is a very bad diet I promise you. You have to pee on a ketosis stick every single week, not to tell them if you have been cheating as they tell you but to ensure that your body is not reacting badly to high intake of water (4 litres a day) or the lack of food.

Luv nne

I know someone who is doing Literlife - which is an organisation providing extremely low calorie replacement meals. However they would only allow her on it for a certain number of weeks, so her metabolism would not yet have time to be affected. Whether or not that is the case, I do not know. They also have a maintenance plan for her to follow so that she does not put all her weight back on again. Provided she keeps to it, I will be interested to see how she gets on.

[Guest guest]

Yes I understand how you feel Debs, it is very hard for the family of someone who has died in those circumstances. We had 2 family members (both in their 80's) have to be admitted into hospital, both different hospitals and different years, one had a mild form of MRSA and luckily recovered, the other a family friend of 45 years who had a brain tumour did not, for one thing he was unable to feed himself and they would put his meal in front of him and come back 30 minutes later and take it away untouched, he lost 3 stone in 6 weeks. His niece went to visit him and witnessed this happening and went mad but was told it was not the nurses job to feed him. She arranged for a nursing home to take him in so that he would at least be fed after all he was very sick and no hope of survival. The nursing home were absolutely furious to find that he had a major case of MRSA as they were then taking it into the home and the hospital had omitted to advise them of it knowing that they would not accept him if they had.

It is not just GP's, it is across the board really - mostly because they have to keep costs down, they don't want to do anything but throw drugs at every problem.

Luv nne

He did this for 6 months, then another doc saw the pain she was in and sent her to hopsital where 3 weeks later she died of ovarian cancer. How to kill someone legally.............. become a GP.Deb x

[Guest guest]

I have put on 2 stones while on armour - no, I am not blaming the armour, just saying that it does not necessarily make you loose weight.

Val

Nor me, I have been on armour for 2.5 years now and still have another 3 stone to loseLuv nneIt might - some say it has for them. Unfortunately it hasn't for me. Lilian

[Guest guest]

>>>"...ever even considered the possibility of doing any exercise?". He did at least have the decency to blush when I pointed out that I use an indoor rower 6 to 8 hours a week, am on-water training for 3 hours a week (in all weathers and sea conditions) and that along with my crewmates I had recently achieved World Champion status and had the medal to prove it. <<<<

He could have replied "no wonder you are tired" as my sister's doctor did when she went to him. We seem to be in a no win no win situation.

Lilian

[Guest guest]

>>>> WHY do doctors only know that eating tool much food or not taking exercise causes weight gain DUH!<<<<

It goes the other way too. My friend died of cancer whilst her doctor was telling her there was nothing wrong with her. She went to him saying that she was losing weight for no reason. The first time she told him all his answer was that she could do with losing some weight. The second time she went to him (having lost two stone in two months) and telling him that she couldn't keep any food down, not even water, he asked her husband if she was putting it on. He told her there was nothing wrong with her. We could see there was a problem and we are not trained doctors.

It was only when she started to be in excruciating pain that he decided to send her for a scan, by which time it was inoperable.

Lilian

[Guest guest]

The only thing that has made a difference for me and helped to start

shifting the weight is cutting out sugar. It is a very slow process

but compared to other diets I've tried it's fairly effective.

I do have about 5 stone that I could do with shifting though.

Luv Bella

>

> I have put on 2 stones while on armour - no, I am not blaming the

armour, just saying that it does not necessarily make you loose weight.

>

> Val

>

> Nor me, I have been on armour for 2.5 years now and still have

another 3

> stone to loseLuv nne

>

> It might - some say it has for them. Unfortunately it hasn't for me.

>

> Lilian

>

[Guest guest]

>Hi ,

Im taking 175mcg thyroxine and taking 20mcg T3.

My TSH is 0.01 which I have been the same reading now for 12 months,

and my T3 was 8.8 which 3.5 - 6.5 is normal range. These blood tests

were taken in Sept.

On the result of my T3 reading I have reduced my T3 to 20mcg and I

have to admit I feel so much better, apart from one thing. This pain

in my upper muscle of my right arm ( started a few months after I was

diagnosed with hypoT).I cant get rid of that at all, it hurts when I

lift my arm, in October I was off work for 2 weeks due to being in

excruciating pain in my shoulder, and I couldnt move it, but xray

showed nothing was wrong and it seems ok now apart from this pain

that is still there.

I was hoping that it was going to be unanimous in that Armour was

going to be my saviour with regards to weight loss, but as its not

helped everyone, then I think I will just sew my mouth up and become

anorexic lol I should lose weight then, but not the way to do it, and

I like my food so not going there!

Deb x

>>

> You may be unable to lose weight for several reasons. Are you

getting

> enough T4? Lots of docs are willing to leave patients with a TSH

that is far

> too high- healthy people have a TSH of around 1.0> Then on to

Armour. Some of us can't convert the inert T4 into the active

> T3, a healthy thyroid produces about 10% T3 as well as 90% T4 >

VERY reluctant to prescribe Armour if they think it is being used for

weight

> loss, but if you have other thyroid symptoms that are not being

treated with

> the T4 it is possible.

>

> -----

> >

> Messages are not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Always

> consult with a suitably qualified practitioner before changing

medication.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Fran,

Well done on getting your medal!

GPs are prats thats for sure, and I wish I had slapped the arrogant pig

now!

Life aint fair at times, and I know things could be worse, but at the

end of the day we have an illness and despite doing everything right,

we dont get the results we want.......... heyyyyyy ho.

With the amount of exercise that you do I would have thought that it

would have dropped off, which of course it would with someone that

doesnt have hypoT. You put me to shame........ will have to try harder

me thinks. Would be one in the eye tho for the GP if I was to go and

win a medal in something.... He probably think I had stolen it though!

grrrr.

Thankyou all for your replies,Its good to know that you can ask

questions and get empathetic replies back instead of being patronised.

Best wishes

Deb x

[Guest guest]

>Hi nne,

I did think of doing that, but he would only call me a liar, he

killed my aunt, by telling her the pains she had in her stomach was

due to her meds, and he just prescribed different ones without

examining her..... He did this for 6 months, then another doc saw the

pain she was in and sent her to hopsital where 3 weeks later she died

of ovarian cancer.

How to kill someone legally.............. become a GP.

Deb x

>

> Deb, keep a food and drink diary of every single thing you have for

a week,

> copy it, send it to this wonderful GP, ask him to please assess it

and tell

> you where you are going wrong as he obviously has so much more

insight into

> your diet than you - that should shut him up and stop him from

making any

> further comments.

>

> Luv nne

>

> PS: it does usually get there eventually for most of us, just takes

time is

> all.

>

>

[Guest guest]

>Hi Sheila,

My usual GP is pretty good, and he has tested me for PCOS and Ive had

my hormones tested to see if Im going in the change ( I have very heavy

periods)and Im even doing a low carb diet because he told me that I

would DEFINATELY lose weight on that............ I havent. I need my

varicose veins doing and my GP has told me that the PCT says that

before they will do the op I have to lose 2 stones....... Im in a no

win situation here, and I told my Doc this, and he just looked at me, I

dont think he knew what to say to me, but if i had £4000, i think I

might have got it done the same day grrrrrrr. I know that being obese

(I hate that word!)causes lots of illnesses and needs to be controlled,

but surely when you have a medical condition that makes you obese in

the 1st place that they would look at that?!

Obviously not.

Right Im off to the gym.

Thanks to all who have posted

Deb x

> Next time your GP (or any other doctor) tells you your weight gain

can be controlled with portion control and exercise, tell him that you

KNOW hypothyroidism causes weight gain because having a such a low

metabolism, you are unable to burn off excess calories.

[Guest guest]

>>> then I think I will just sew my mouth up and become anorexic lol <<<<

But there is the rub, you could get much worse. One of the things that stops conversion to T3 is malnutrition - extreme dieting.

It stands to reason that the body, faced with famine is going to try and preserve itself and thereby slow down the metabolism and as the thyroid governs metabolism and T3 is the active hormone.

This is possibly the reason why when people diet and reach their goal weight, when they eat normally they tend to put the weight back on faster than they put it on in the first place. They really need to go through a maintenance period - which you will find the better slimming organisations do have.

I know someone who is doing Literlife - which is an organisation providing extremely low calorie replacement meals. However they would only allow her on it for a certain number of weeks, so her metabolism would not yet have time to be affected. Whether or not that is the case, I do not know. They also have a maintenance plan for her to follow so that she does not put all her weight back on again. Provided she keeps to it, I will be interested to see how she gets on.

Lilian

[Guest guest]

I am sure I saw an article recently about more doctors being assaulted now than ever before.

Lilian

>>>GPs are prats thats for sure, and I wish I had slapped the arrogant pig now!<<<<

[Guest guest]

You shouldn't be putting on weight though Val if you are taking the correct dose. Remind us what you are taking.

Luv - Sheila

Re: Armour thyroid and weight loss

I have put on 2 stones while on armour - no, I am not blaming the armour, just saying that it does not necessarily make you loose weight.

Val

Nor me, I have been on armour for 2.5 years now and still have another 3 stone to loseLuv nneIt might - some say it has for them. Unfortunately it hasn't for me. Lilian

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1211 - Release Date: 06/01/2008 11:57

[Guest guest]

Deb

Write to your GP setting out everything you feel, yhour symptoms, signs, temperature etc. Tell him that you need a referral for a second opinion to an endocrinologist. Send a copy to your practice manager so your request will be sure to go into your medical records. Try to find an endocrinologist who has a decent reputation and is open minded )there actually ARE some out here) and remind us where you live so we can see if there is one fairly near to oyou. Would you be prepared to travel, and would you be prepared, if necessary, to see a private consultant?

Luv - shiela

>Hi Sheila,My usual GP is pretty good, and he has tested me for PCOS and Ive had my hormones tested to see if Im going in the change ( I have very heavy periods)and Im even doing a low carb diet because he told me that I would DEFINATELY lose weight on that............ I havent. I need my varicose veins doing and my GP has told me that the PCT says that before they will do the op I have to lose 2 stones....... Im in a no win situation here, and I told my Doc this, and he just looked at me, I dont think he knew what to say to me, but if i had £4000, i think I might have got it done the same day grrrrrrr. I know that being obese (I hate that word!)causes lots of illnesses and needs to be controlled, but surely when you have a medical condition that makes you obese in the 1st place that they would look at that?!Obviously not.Right Im off to the gym.Thanks to all who have posted Deb x> Next time your GP (or any other doctor) tells you your weight gain can be controlled with portion control and exercise, tell him that you KNOW hypothyroidism causes weight gain because having a such a low metabolism, you are unable to burn off excess calories.

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1211 - Release Date: 06/01/2008 11:57

[Guest guest]

I wonder why???????

Luv - Sheila

I am sure I saw an article recently about more doctors being assaulted now than ever before.

Lilian

..

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1211 - Release Date: 06/01/2008 11:57

[Guest guest]

Dear Fran I am the lady who wrote a post about my son being diagnosed as borderline hypo despite his TSH being 9.5. So no medication. Like, yourself, he is a rower and has won many medals and trophies so I can sympathise with you when you say you train very hard on and off the water. Rowing is an extremely hard sport and very demanding on the body. However, I did e-mail the helpful advice that yourself, Sheila and the other ladies kindly sent to me. So far no response from him. I am worried because my son is due to take part in the Boston Rowing Indoor Championships in February and without receiving some form of medication, I feel his health will surely suffer. I have urged him to tell his doctor about the Championships when he goes to see her in February, hopefully, before he leaves for Boston. I also wanted to say how much I understand what you say about weight loss. You, no doubt, train very hard and

deserve to be slim and trim, but I am heartened to read that you are doing so well on Armour. Armour must truly work for you. If I were young, there is no way that I could put in the amount of effort required as a rower, if I were to take thyroxine(T4) alone which, unfortunately, I do at the moment. So I will be urging my son to see an endocrinologist (as Sheila stressed) asap, even though he thinks I am a possessive, nagging mum. .Fran Brennan <fran@...> wrote: ...I saw a different GP... He told me that it was down to exercise and portion control!!!! I could have slapped him... You shouldn't have held back, Deb. A slap is probably exactly what he deserved. The last time I sat in front of a GP he rather loftily and patronisingly enquired as to whether I'd, "...ever even considered the possibility of doing any exercise?". He did at least have the decency to blush when I pointed out that I use an indoor rower 6 to 8 hours a week, am on-water training for 3 hours a week (in all weathers and sea conditions) and that along with my crewmates I had recently achieved World Champion status and had the medal to prove it. All that said, despite being on Armour for 3 years, now

(and despite all the genuinely wonderful differences it has made to my life and my health in general) I am still a depressing 6 stone overweight. I eat consume around 2000 cals per day and burn off a minimum of 500 (usually 700) with through exercise; so sadly I don't have any solutions on that front. I do know, though, that feeling good is every bit as satisfying as looking good :-) All the very best to you x