Setting Calories and Hypothyroidism

[PaleoAquatic]

Ok ladies, I have done a search for this and haven't quite found the answer to my question.

So I have hypothyroidism and I take Cytomel (T3) and Synthroid (T4) to control it and my level, checked in May, were almost 0 for TSH but my T4 was still in bottom 1/3 of range although my T3 is not at optimal. I feel a lot better since I started meds about a year ago but my weight has been nuts and, as some may have seen, I do have a history of doing severe restriction via PSMF. The thing is- this is the ONLY way I have been able to lose weight in the last 6 years since everything got wonky. I have worked with a nutritionist for 3 years until she threw up her hands and said I should get my thyroid checked, which actually lead to a Lupus DX first, then try a PSMF. So I know that 800 calories of almost pure protein works for me- but good lord there has to be another way. Unfortunately, the diet my new nutritionist has me on with a bit higher carbs- 120-130 that I was eating and more calories, around 1700 has me steadily gaining- and I mean 10# gaining which is obviously not all fat in 2 weeks but some no doubt is. So she has dropped it to 1550 for now with carbs below 100g and wants me to check my thyroid tests again.

Question is: if you have had hypo or any experience with it do you find that you have to have crazy low calories- say 1200 or so to move anywhere even with weight training 5x a week and 30 min HITT 3-5x a week which is my new schedule? I know no one likes to suggest such low calories at that activity, but is it possible that my metabolism just sucks that much and I just have to deal with this for life? Obviously I can lose weight at 800- I did before I was on meds- so somewhere between 800 and 1700 there has to be a reasonable number that works.

I am trying 1550 but I am worried (and a bit pissed) that it is such a struggle- this has literally been going on for over 6 years now with my weight and I am exhausted. I have seen numerous specialists and nothing has worked and everyone seems as confused as I am. Any insight would be great.

[PaleoAquatic]

So not really sure why no one had any input, but I will update just to say that since I joined Cathy Savage and had my plan altered a bit I am now losing at around 1400 calories. Yes, that does sound low for most people at my height and weight, but unfortunately I am not most people and I can't lose higher which is clearly why everyone should just experiment with their intake to find what works for them as opposed to blanket recommendations although obviously I have a lot more challenges metabolically then some.

[wakechica]

Becoming normal takes time. I've said it before, my greatest boosts to getting better came from L-Tyrosine, Siberian ginseng, Vit D and B, calcium and magnesium. All on max doses (google it).

You should set yor calories based on the formula (1400 sounds quite low - cant see your stats via the app version of BB).

TSH needs to be rock bottom and T4 either on the top number or just above but not climbing to be optimal. It can be done on T4 alone; L-Tyrosine is vital for correct t4-t3 conversion and t3 function. Read about it and buy some. Start on 500mg and work up to about 1500/day. Don't drop your cals too low whilst your not at your best - if symptoms persist don't drain your body of energy.

Your weight will drop off eventually; don't go mad on exercise; it takes time. The more I exercised when I was still hypo the worse i got. Just keep sensible calories and sensible exercise.

I spent 8 months pumping my body with high doses of vitamins to get it back to normal; combined with tweaking meds. Try the L-Tyrosine, it really sorted me out and didn't affect my bloods. My T3 was slightly low, TSH was sky high and T4 rock bottom. I now sit with T4 out of normal range but by a fraction. L-Tyrosine really helped with the mental symptoms and weight loss and energy levels. Have a google. What's your synthroid dose like? I alternate days to tweak it to an exact amount; allows me to take a higher dose without getting hyper/toxic.
I spent months thinking I'd never rt back to normal; no joke, L-Tyrosine changed that. I don't take it anymore but it was enough to kick start something. I took 1500mg/day (3x500 doses) for about 3 months solid.

[PaleoAquatic]

Thanks for the response Wakechica. So I am working with Cathy Savage so my coach sets my nutrition and she set my calories at that and honestly I'm not hungry and am actually feeling like i am having success so for right now at least that appears to be what I need to consume to lose.

So my blood tests in May had my TSH near 0 and my T3 right where it should be in the upper 2/3 of the range but my T4 was still lower 1/4 so my doc upped my T4 to 50 mcg a day and I take 25mcg T3 in am and 20mcg in PM and I need to retest, but I have felt a bit better. All my symptoms have gone (yay not being freezing all the time and losing hair all over the place) and I have actually had FOUR clockwork periods for the first time in I cannot even remember possibly ever and there is NO other reason why I would as my nutrition has been bad with PSMF stints and activity all over the place until the last 3 weeks so it has to be the thyroid- which is fantastic news and reason to celebrate alone.

I should say I feel great- so much better energy wise but I am very susceptible to burnout mostly from sleep issues than food really I think. I have to have 9 hours a night at least or I pay in the morning. I have an issue converting T4-T3 which is why I am taking so much T3 as opposed to T4 only.

I ordered L-tyrosine as I have heard about it's correlations, but was your doc ok with you on it on meds as well? I also take supps to support my adrenals.

[wakechica]

Thanks for the response Wakechica. So I am working with Cathy Savage so my coach sets my nutrition and she set my calories at that and honestly I'm not hungry and am actually feeling like i am having success so for right now at least that appears to be what I need to consume to lose.

So my blood tests in May had my TSH near 0 and my T3 right where it should be in the upper 2/3 of the range but my T4 was still lower 1/4 so my doc upped my T4 to 50 mcg a day and I take 25mcg T3 in am and 20mcg in PM and I need to retest, but I have felt a bit better. All my symptoms have gone (yay not being freezing all the time and losing hair all over the place) and I have actually had FOUR clockwork periods for the first time in I cannot even remember possibly ever and there is NO other reason why I would as my nutrition has been bad with PSMF stints and activity all over the place until the last 3 weeks so it has to be the thyroid- which is fantastic news and reason to celebrate alone.

I should say I feel great- so much better energy wise but I am very susceptible to burnout mostly from sleep issues than food really I think. I have to have 9 hours a night at least or I pay in the morning. I have an issue converting T4-T3 which is why I am taking so much T3 as opposed to T4 only.

I ordered L-tyrosine as I have heard about it's correlations, but was your doc ok with you on it on meds as well? I also take supps to support my adrenals.

Is he continuing to up your dose?? 50mcg of T4 is quite low. T3 is only meant to be a low dose.

I'm on 125/100mcg Thyroxine. Alternate doses on alt days.