| Libmo
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Anyone with Hypothyroidism on this diet? I have been walking between 4 and 8 miles 5 days a week all summer and was not losing the winter's gain like normal. I've been diagnosed (only last week) with this problem. I had gone to the doctor because I couldn't seem to lose, in fact, I was gaining and that was terribly frustrating. I need to lose about 30 pounds to get to a healty BMI.
I was also complaining of muscle and joint aches. These were my main symptoms. This condition runs in my family. My sister discovered her problem thyroid about two years ago and lost 38 pounds on Weight Watchers. I can't face all that buisiness any longer of counting points.
I started the South Beach Diet only yesterday, 9/8/04 and think it may be something I can stick to. Especially once I start adding an apple and a slice of bread two weeks from now. I'm also concerned about anyone's experience with constipation and what you suggest for that? Any comments will be appreciated. You all seem so helpful here. :) |
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Wed Sep 08, 2004 6:55 pm |
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| louisefour
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| I am hypothyroid and also type 2 diabetic. Been on the beach since May and it is working for me, but not as rapidly as for some others. I have always been a slow loser, however, and since becoming diabetic (the thyroid was diagnosed at the same time), it has been almost impossible to lose weight. Once you get on meds for the thyroid, you should begin to lose weight with SB. The exercise is always good, but unfortunately for us we don't get the long term effect of it raising our metabolism like others do. You really do need the exercise, but it probably won't be as effective in weight control as it previously was, depending upon how much your thyroid is still functioning on its own. You will feel a lot better on meds. I felt absolutely horrible before I was diagnosed, many of the same symptoms as you describe, plus really bad depression. |
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Thu Sep 09, 2004 11:33 am |
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| angenuity
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Hi!
This is my first entry after lurking around this site for about a week or so. It's been very inspiring to see so many people doing well and sharing their experiences.
I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid about 3 years ago. I had been gaining weight slowly but surely over the past years, which was what promted me to go and get it checked out. There was no real reason - other than the usual ones of too little movement and too much (pretty much!) healthy food - to be blamed. We also have a family history of diabetes 1 and 2, so I thought it was finally time to do something about those pesky pounds. I can't influence my genes, but I can at least reduce the weight issue as a possible contributing factor.
SB has been good for me. I started the last week of April and have lost about 15 pounds. Not so much compared to others on this message board, but still I'm pleased with the results so far. Like for you folks, it just seems to be a bit slower going. Nonetheless, I'm happy with the results so far. Especially since I inadvertently skipped P2 for a few week and overshot into P3 and didn't gain. I'd like to lose about another 15 and am happy for it to take a little longer as long as it stays off for good.
Louisefour - I was really curious about what you said about excercise not giving us thyroid-challenged folks any long term benefit metabolism wise. I didn't know that. Does that mean that although excercise is good, we basically need to control weight gain/loss through diet instead of the combination of both?
Ange |
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Thu Sep 09, 2004 8:04 pm |
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| Libmo
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Thank you both for responding. I am new to both hypothyroidism and the South Beach diet. I'm a little disappointed to learn that SB works but very slowly for people with the condition. However, I feel much better after even only a week on the meds. And once we get them fine tuned, I hope to be my old self again.
I walk for pleasure as much as exercise. I love to walk with books on tape because I can concentrate on them so much better when walking.
Louisefour, my younger sister experienced fatigue and depression also. She wasn't herself for nearly two years. When her blood was finally tested for thyroid, her doctor called her excitedly. He told her in all his years of practice he had never had a patient with such a reading. She lost a total of 38 pounds following weight watchers and walking regularly. It took her 8 months.
Good luck to you both, and thank you again for your help. |
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Sat Sep 11, 2004 12:56 am |
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| Fishplate
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| My husband had hypothyroidism and has found that SBD is the only way he could lose. He has done beautifully. It took over a year to get his labs back to normal (he remained undiagnosed for who knows how long). |
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Sun Sep 12, 2004 3:09 pm |
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| Libmo
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Fishplate, Thank you too for the information. I'm on day 6 of Phase I and have lost 5 pounds! I'm sure most of that is water weight, but I'm elated after months of gaining and not knowing why.
I understand this is going to be a longer journey now than I thought. Knowing that ahead of time will help. Thank you all for your comments.
I know what you mean by not being able to know for sure when the hypothyroidism started. After only a short time on the medication I realized last evening that it was well past 9 p.m. and I was still awake and engaged. I had accepted the terrible fatigue after supper for a number of years now as a sign of aging, even though I'm not THAT old.
What a difference a correct diagnosis has made in my life! I even underwent an unnecessary angiogram (dangerous and invasive) that came out clear two years ago that I think I a simple blood test TSH could have averted. :shock: |
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Sun Sep 12, 2004 5:59 pm |
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| Fishplate
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He has had prematurely white hair for ages (starting in his late 20's)--no one (not even me) made the connection. Familial (we didn't know that his father and sister also had hypothyroidism), we thought since both his sister and father had prematurely white hair. People need to let family know about medical conditions!
Memory loss, dry skin, weight gain (though he nearly fasted for ages), cholesterol out of whack no matter what he ate, cold all the time, gouty arthritis, fatugue, and constipation that was so severe that he wound up with BAD hemorrhoids and needed surgery. I kept asking his doc about all this stuff and his doc said that he had checked his thyroids and everything was fine. I asked again when my hubby was in the hospital for the ectomy and, once again, he said that he had checked thyroids and they were OK. This time we knew he hadn't checked my husband's thyroid function. He went to his office and found my husband's chart and read off the thyroid test. We told him that it couldn't be my husband's values.
Aha! When the labs come in, they are filed by the office staff. This particular lab puts the patient name at the top of the sheet. The way these charts are constructed, the charts are bound at the top, so the staff must label the pages at the bottom. Guess what our doc found? The staff had labelled MY normal thyroids with my husband's name and put them in HIS chart. With the top of the chart being bound (holes punched through the top of the pages), our doc had to rely on the label on the bottom of the page. He had to take the chart apart to find out. Talk about a set-up! Also explained why my thyroid results (I am diabetic) were never in my chart and we had to keep calling the lab for them. Our doc did a thyroid study on my husband then and there--in the hospital and it was horribly abnormal.
Even when his TSH had normalized, he couldn't lose the weight. He went on SBD with me and it was amazing. |
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Sun Sep 12, 2004 6:24 pm |
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| Libmo
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Fishplate: What a story! Now that you mention it, I started graying in my 20s. I would be all white by now except I color my hair. Wow! Things are falling into place.
As I mentioned, I only found out about this condition a little over a week ago and have already seen results in that time being on medication for it and also starting the SB diet.
I changed doctors a month ago because my original doctor was insisting I stay on Lipitor for high choloesterol even though I wanted to try diet and exercise and have a complete physical so I could check out my other complaints. I knew something wasn't right. He refused all my suggestions so I voted with my feet.
So glad I did. My new doctor is younger and interested in "partnering" with me on my health. People NEED to know that they must INSIST on the TSH test. Even if they are having some of the symptoms and the TSH comes back normal, they must keep on checking; go to an endocrinologist for better testing. Your husband went through he--!
Thank you for the information. I have already talked to a neice of mine, only 23 but she has been frustrated trying to lose weight despite following diets carefully. She told me her mother has thyroid problems and now three of her aunts (on her father's side, me and my two sisters) have problems. She said this might be her problem too. I hope our experience will help her.
The list of symptoms is amazing! Thanks again. :) |
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Mon Sep 13, 2004 2:23 am |
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| laucala
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I was diagnosed hypo.in 1998,tried lots of diets loose the odd kg now and then,then in 2002 I joined W/W,lost 11 kgs about 24 lbs,took 21 months,only 6 lbs in 12 months of it,(I do the recording at W/W.)so in March this year decided to try S/B,as I was finding W/W were to high in carbs,they reckon Hypos.can become insulin ressistance,I did loose for the first month like 6 lbs, which I thought great,but have stalled again since,I still lose an ounce now and then,but boy its slow,I found exercising hasn't helped,and boy that water,I think I have drank more water in the past 2 years then I have my whole 58 years.I still have 10kgs to go till I reach goal.
I show dogs and on Saturday at the show I had my first slice of bread (acturally 2),since on S/B,I allways take my own salad,but I just felt like indulging and had a steak sandwich,the dogs even had a little bit.That was a taste of heaven.Amazing the things we give up what they taste like if we haven't had them for sometime,same with butter,which I haven't had for 2 years.
Back to Ph 1 today,as I have put on a lb this week. :shock:
San. |
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Mon Sep 13, 2004 1:07 pm |
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| Libmo
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Lacala, thank you for your kind response to the struggle of life with hypothyroidism. It is sobering to hear how difficult it can be when one's hormones are out of balance. You have had a long struggle with it. But you are hanging in there. That is motivating for me.
We own one cat, no great genes in our Missy. Her vet put her on a diet and she hated it. But once she was able to hop up on things with ease again, I think she forgave us for the smaller portions. She's getting on in age (aren't we all) and is closer to my age (56) now, whatever that might be in cat years.
I'm off to take my walk and plan my second week of Phase I meals. I'm glad I started this diet in September so that I will have all the good habits ingrained by the time our holidays roll around.
Thank you for sharing your experience.
:) |
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Mon Sep 13, 2004 1:53 pm |
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| NURSE BETTY
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ladies I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your stories and struggles so openly.
I was diagnosed hypothyroid at 26 after convincing my doctor that maybe I wasn't "to young" for that diagnosis. He said my tsh level was the highest he had ever seen . I swear to you before knowing the reason for the way i was feeling I thought I was going nuts! Since starting synthyroid and regular blood tests I've felt like a new person. energy and the like. It has to be tweaked up about once a year, but wow what a difference! We really are our own best advocate when it comes to healthcare.
thanks again for sharing and make sure you stay informed about your own health!Ive found a great site for info is www.thyroid.about.com |
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Fri Sep 17, 2004 2:02 pm |
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| Libmo
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Nurse Betty,
I can't believe how much better I feel after only two weeks on thyroid medication. I was surprised to learn that hyper or hypothyroidism can strike any age. The list of symptoms is something people all should be aware of and I think the TSH test should be done routinely.
My sister lent me her book, The Thyroid Solution, by Dr. Ridha Arem. It was her bible for understanding the condition.
Thank you for the web site too. It will be helpful for everyone checking this site. :D |
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Fri Sep 17, 2004 9:00 pm |
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| NURSE BETTY
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limbo,
I'm glad to hear you are feeling better! Sometimes just knowing what is wrong and that there IS a solution makes it all seem better.As the weeks go on you will be amazed at how much more energy you have, I even found that my mood improved! best of luck with the weight loss, I think you will find it much much easier with your thyroid in check!
I was given "the thyroid solution " by my mother (also hypothyroid) must be a tradition of sorts :wink: but I also found it very helpful!
anyway, best of luck to you limbo..and all of you ...I will get easier! |
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Sat Sep 18, 2004 2:19 pm |
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| samr5749
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| I too, have hypothyroidism. I was diagnosed eight years ago. Slowly, I have gained 40 pounds! :!: In those eight years, I have been on the weight watchers diet three times, and the Atkins Diet. I couldn't even loose five pounds!!!!!! I started Phase I two weeks ago, and have lost seven pounds :D I can't tell you how happy I am, and it's inspired me . I know I have to start working on the exersize componet, which will help my metabolism. Hang in there |
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Sun Sep 19, 2004 2:09 pm |
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| Libmo
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samr5749...
Your experience with all those diet plans could be my history as well. Seems like I've been losing between 10 and 40 pounds ALL MY LIFE! But when it stopped coming off like it should have, I was beginning to be resigned to the next size up before I decided to check with the doctor.Now I know there is hope that I can and will get the weight off.
I have just about finished Phase I and have lost a total of 9 pounds so far. I am thrilled after so much disappointiment this summer.
Walking is my exercise of choice because I can listen to books on tape or CD and it is so exhilarating to be outdoors in early fall here in Missouri! Everyone needs to find something they can do regularly and enjoyably.
The South Beach Diet and the GL makes such sense to me now. Weight Watchers is fine but I don't believe they focus enough on the GL component and that's why people who fail on WW do so. |
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Mon Sep 20, 2004 8:13 pm |
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