New here with hypothyroidism

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New here with hypothyroidism

Postby Moos82 » Tue Nov 15, 2016 9:16 pm

I have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I am trying to find out what diet would be best since I need to lose weight too. I'm told that with hypothyroidism it is not possible to loose weight.
I'm trying to find information about what an impact switching to a plant based diet could have for me. But I can't find much.
Anyone who can tell me more about plantbased diet and hypothyroidism? I am using Levothyroxine as medicin.

Thank you.
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Re: New here with hypothyroidism

Postby viv » Tue Nov 15, 2016 11:59 pm

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (hypothyroidism) over 30 years ago. Over the years I have had lots of health challenges including weight gain, depression, arthritis pain, unstable thyroid, etc. I started the McDougall Diet three years ago and it literally changed my life in wonderful ways. I have lost 60 pounds, regained my health and vitality and I feel the best I have ever felt in my life. My medication (levothyroxine) has also been reduced as well.

Follow the McDougall Diet, your life depends upon it. I started by buying The Starch Solution, it has become my go to reference. I follow a simple starch based no oil diet. I love it. Most days I eat eat oatmeal for breakfast, and sandwiches made from Ezekial bread for lunch with an apple and banana and a large starch dinner, usually one pound of potatoes with steamed veggies and/or salad.

Please note that I am gluten sensitive and most flour products give me a stomach ache, but the Ezekial bread made from sprouted grains is fine for me.

Good luck and congratulations on finally finding the healthiest diet for your condition.

Viv
5'8", Started March 2013
Starting weight: 217
Current weight: 157
60lbs gone--for good!
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Re: New here with hypothyroidism

Postby Bkworm » Thu Nov 17, 2016 11:02 am

In June 1991 I started taking meds for hypothyroidism. Doing everything I knew how to do to control my weight, exercising, vegetarian, etc., I still got up to 255 before starting this way of eating (WOE). It was so discouraging as I know my diet and exercise was much healthier than all my slender friends who existed on pure junk most of the time. The actual reason for trying this WOE was to control RA without meds. Wanted and needed to lose weight desperately, too, but controlling RA was the top factor.

That step has been a tremendous success as I have never had to result to meds for the RA even though the rheumatologist prescribed methotrexate and Folic Acid to begin with. In addition, I have lost 90 pounds over the almost four years I been on this WOE. No, haven't experienced the fast weight loses that so many on this forum have, but the weight continues to come off slowly but consistently. Do I get discouraged at times that the weight is coming off so slowly, of course. But the weight did not go on overnight and it won't come off overnight. Have been at a plateau for the past few months but now my weight seems to be starting to move down again so I am happy about that. For exercise I do a set of stretches daily which you can see demonstrated by Rip Esselstyn on the Engine2Diet website. I also walk on my treadmill and for strength training I use a BodyGym purchased from QVC. Will celebrate my 65th birthday next week.

I follow the MWL plan, with no bread of any sort, no added fat or oil or sugar. I do eat a bit of salt one meal a day as I cook meals for my family and they refuse to go totally salt free. But no salt for breakfast or lunch or snacks. I control my salt intake and their salt intake by only purchasing salt free canned foods. Then I know how much salt is added to a recipe. I do eat a dish with quinoa/corn pasta once a month. The only grains my body tolerates are corn, quinoa, and buckwheat. Even without the bread and pasta, my weight still does not just drop off. It has been this way my entire life. The doctor told me I had been dealing with hypothyroidism long before it was diagnosed.

In addition, I am off several other meds I had taken for years, including one for high blood pressure and one for A-Fib - just another blood pressure med actually - and a cancer causing one at that. My health has improved so much since starting this WOE, I only see my PCP once a year now. I see no other medical specialist either. Dr. D has been sharing my success with this WOE with her other patients. I gave her a copy of the FOKs and the Engine 2 Kitchen Rescue DVDs . Dr. D even has her office staff play the DVDs on the TV in her waiting room.

I personally can't say enough good things about this WOE. You can also think of it this way. This WOE certainly won't hurt you in any manner so why not give it a try? That was my mind set when I originally started this program.

Hope this will encourage you to make a lifestyle change to this WOE.
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Re: New here with hypothyroidism

Postby Moos82 » Thu May 11, 2017 12:35 pm

Thank you so much BWorm. This is encouraging.
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Re: New here with hypothyroidism

Postby Jeff the Chef » Sat May 20, 2017 3:52 pm

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 1997. I was put on synthyroid. I started out on .25 mcg before going to 1.5 mcg. In Japan I use thyradin-s. Eventually my diadem was reduced to 1.25mcg and then 1.00mcg, where it's been for the last several years. There is concern soy products could interfere, but I feel great, especially after changing to this WOE. We have plenty of seaweed here in Japan and I could add to a salad to ensure I get enough iodine.

Hypothyroidism can lead to weight gain and elevated LDL and total cholesterol as wee as elevated triglycerides. Supplement I hope gives us a level playing field. But our behavior determines the reset and this WOE is best to deal with the negative impact of hypothyroidism on our weight and blood profile.
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