OT sorry My Effortless Weight Loss

March 31, 2009

|Sherene -

I think it VERY important to find out if you have thyroid antibodies. All my problems started after I was treated (i.e. poisoned) with radiation and chemotherapy. I searched and searched for a good doctor - and not much luck. I was just turning 40 when I finally found a highly recommended doctor, Endocronologist, at Stanford - and she was FEMALE - which I thought might make her a better listener. Well - that was the most depressing appt. I've ever had. My complaints were that mornings were unbearable, I was so tired and felt every morning liked I'd been run over by a truck. And she looked at my chart and said (I kid you not): "Well, I just turned 40 a while ago - and that is just the way you'll feel now - so don't worry, it's not anything".

sheesh. I finally found a new oncologist for my follow up appts -and he asked me my first appointment "how are you?" and I said "fine" and he said "Now, really. This is your first shot with me - if there were one thing I could help you with, what would it be?" and I told him about my mornings and fatigue (weight gain being lower priority at that point) and he ran more thyroid tests, found the antibodies, explained how we might need to aim for a number outside of the "reference range" in order for me to feel good. He made slow and minor adjustments in my medication and VOULA - within 2 months I again felt like life might be worth living!

Anyway - I just had a basic thyroid test and am still where I was after his adjustments. So unless the level of antibodies have picked up - and I don't think they have because I feel good - I'm not certain I can blame my weight on my thyroid! I gained 40 lbs initially after my chemo treatment - and I've lost 10 of those (in 9 years!). So only 30 more to go (27 years more? hee)

ALSO - just FYI - if Synthroid doesn't work for you - try Levoxyl. Same drug - different for different people. And Thyroid Power is a great book to increase your knowledge and help you deal with the medical world - what questions to ask, tests, etc. --- On Mon, 3/30/09, Sherene LaMontagne <sherenetkcrc wrote:

Sherene LaMontagne <sherenetkcrcRe: "My Effortless Weight Loss" Date: Monday, March 30, 2009, 5:34 PM

Hi Sandy,

I have Hypothyriodism too. I don't know if it is caused from the hashimotos virus or not. Apparently my doctor didn't think it was important to check. My hormone levels have all been normal since I started taking synthroid. I started ETL in January initially I lost 10 pounds, however it has all come back on. It has been very very frustrating. I am at the point that I think I will always be fat no matter what I do to try and fix it. As a consequence also unhealthy. I would be interested to here how your appointment goes and if the doctor can give you any good advise.

Sherene--- On Mon, 3/30/09, Sandy Mathiesen <smathiesen wrote:

Sandy Mathiesen <smathiesenRe: "My Effortless Weight Loss" Date: Monday, March 30, 2009, 11:13 PM

no right now I'm not eating any oils, nuts, avocados, bread. limited grains. mostly legumes, vegetables and 3 fruits daily.

I have hashimotos (thyroid) so even when my thyroid levels read in the ref. range - I have antibodies in there using up the hormone before my body gets it. It's a difficult thing to balance. My levels right now already indicate I'm taking too much of the hormone - tho I think my body is still not able to utilize it. I have a doc. appt at the end of April so will review it with the doc. too. thanks!

sandy--- On Sun, 3/29/09, Heidi Crawford <heidicrawford@ gmail.com> wrote:

Heidi Crawford <heidicrawford@ gmail.com>Re: "My Effortless Weight Loss"Sunday, March 29, 2009, 7:19 PM

Do you eat a lot of nuts or avocados? I have lost a total of 40lbs so far, but I will plateau at different spots depending on how many nuts/olives/ avocados I eat. if that is not the case maybe get your thyroid levels checked.

March 31, 2009

Sandy,

Thanks for the information. I will look for the book and try to talk with my doctor after I educate myself. If that doesn't work I think your right I should look elsewhere for help. I don't know how I developed it. For me it wasn't the same trigger. It almost seems autoimmune. I just kept breaking out in hives from head to toe and then the exhaustion and wieght gain. Then my hair started falling out and I felt like I was going to bleed to death every month. Sorry guys for the graphic image. At any rate knowledge is power.Right?

Thanks again,

Sherene