Greetings. Deb is going to put a sticky on this thread and eventually delete the other.
This is the thread where members come to share their journey to wellness and wholeness.
It's a holistic thread, talking about all apects of health, not just diet and exercise, but the mind and spirit as well. All posters are welcome (not just Premium Members) and encouraged on a periodic basis to share what you're doing, what you need to do and how you're going to do it, and what you know!
"I found out yesterday that I need to increase my thyroid medicine. Lithium destroyed my thyroid a few years ago, and NO ONE TOLD ME it would happen when I started the drug. Ticks me off.
I'm on something else instead of the lithium, but anyway - do you suppose that stabilizing my TSH will help more with the weight and energy? That is what I am thinking. I have been doing pretty well with the food and the weight is coming off slowly, and I wondered if that could be part of the reason why."
YES! At least from my personal experience, yes! Once the doc got my TSH to a therapeutic level, my energy level was better and I felt like I got my brain back! I had assumed I was just getting older, premenopausal and forgetful because of hormone changes. There were hormone changes, but it was my thyroid not my ovaries. No weight loss though, which I had really hoped for. Tho that had more to do with what I was putting in my mouth besides my Levoxyl!
ps - I also found out my doc was a little unusual in that he is persistent at getting regular TSH checks (q 6 months now) to make sure it is staying where it ought to be. He said you can end up a little hyperthyroid without realizing it, and that carries more risks than being slightly hypothyroid. He keeps my TSH around 3.5 - 4. Sounds like there are variations on that.....
Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
.... (q 6 months now) to make sure it is staying where it ought to be. He said you can end up a little hyperthyroid without realizing it, and that carries more risks than being slightly hypothyroid. He keeps my TSH around 3.5 - 4. Sounds like there are variations on that.....
She's upping me by 25 mcg and rechecking my TSH in 6-8 weeks. I think it's about q year that they are checking me as a rule. I do have some of those other sx you mentioned especially the memory part, and wondering about hormonal changes...
No wt loss eh Batman? Curses! Foiled again!
Oo wait, was that Batman who used to say that? LOL!
I was reading that some consider 0.5 to 5 "normal" TSH but they are now narrowing the upper value to 3-point-something.
Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
... He said you can end up a little hyperthyroid without realizing it, and that carries more risks than being slightly hypothyroid. He keeps my TSH around 3.5 - 4. Sounds like there are variations on that.....
A ps, an interesting web site where patients are talking about sx at different levels of TSH -
Some of course are self-medicating (adjusting doses AMA) based on how the feel, which is not usually a good idea!!! But the majority describe symptoms I have had for a long long time - and my TSH's are usually "normal". It's very interesting
Hi everyone - I am back finally! Wow! I haven't had a vacation in 10 years and that was fantastic - except I didn't want to leave. Well, apparently it has been good for me because everyone keeps telling me how good I look (despite the fact that I haven't lost a pound). It definitely got me motivated though - I am now being really good and can't wait to get my weight back on track!
Sounds like everyone is doing really awesome here. I am glad to hear it - maybe '07 will be a great year for us all!
Sorry, I am swamped at work, so not much time here, take care y'all - talk to 'ya soon!
I've back and feeling about 80% well, which is ok. I'm still going to try to loose those holiday pounds, but didn't budge any while I was sick because I was so lethargic.
I've been in the sick ward, too, Tweety... I started off the year so well, only to come down with a nasty cold that derailed my efforts. I'm feeling mostly better, though, so I'm hoping to get back on track with the exercise and everything.
Trying to get stuff wrapped up at work, too. Only three days left before I return to school. Unfortunately on my list is "One last stop at Such-and-Such Sandwich Shop" and "Ooh, gotta get a hot chocolate from the lobby store one last time," etc.
Tweety & Arciedee, sorry to hear about the colds. Both of my kiddos had a tummy bug over the weekend - poor thing, that's one of the big things I don't like about winter . . . all the colds & fevers & such. Take care, hope both of you are feeling ship-shape in now time!
Hope everyone is having a healthy day! I have to go to a retirement lunch party at the courthouse today, so I'm hoping I can find something healthy to eat there. If all else fails, I will avoid the food and eat some more of my left-over turkey I have tucked away in the fridge in the break room.
Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
Ok, I imagine we have done this but I am interested in more than less sugar and white flour now - I am trying to address my BP which is high due to weight, relative inactivity, too much salt, etc.
Can we review good salt and butter substitutes? and quick, easy meals especially the VEGGIE part?
Also a cool reference chart to share: which foods positively affect which health system... Ex: apple
Try substituting olive oil when you can for butter. It's good on vegetables. I probaly get too much salt in the Asian food I eat so much of, but I don't add salt to veggies or anything for that matter. You just kind of get used to doing with out. Check out the spice aisles there's lot's of salt-free spice concoctions.
Arciedee, glad you're feeling better.
LOL Sarah......."one last time........".......the story of my life. Enjoy your time before school starts. :)
I did go to the gym today for a short workout, about 30 minutes of aerobics. Next time I go this weekend I should be back in shape real good to do my hold full workout. I"ve been working extra and with school and overtime, I'm still trying to exercise, but it's not easy.
Tweety - glad you are feeling better! It seemed like that bug drug on for a while for you. I agree, the exercise thing is hard to keep up with everything else working so hard at getting in the way. Usually if I can just GET there I'm okay, but getting out the door (like right this minute) is hard.
Zoeboboey - thanks for the thyroid link Very interesting - next time I will ask him more re: kicking my dose up a bit since I have been colder lately, may need to lower the TSH more. (Tho it HAS been cold here lately....)
Arciedee & sddlnscp - good to meet you!
Oh yeah - Fat choices - personally I like the taste of Smart Balance the best for spreads, and no transfats there. I hit on putting my olive oil in the frig 'cuz I'm cheap and it makes it last longer so I don't have to buy it so often. It sometimes goes rancid (smells putrid!) before I get half thru the bottle. Side effect is it makes it spreadable, so if you have a little bread & you want a little olive oil on it for a change (maybe with a little garlic?) it is spreadable until it warms up. As for salt, Tweety's right, the less you use, the more you don't even notice it. Have been a salt addict for years and now I am surprised at how little I use and it's fine. Will come up with some recipes for you later! Gotta run shortly!
Oh yea, one more thing, am hanging in there with the exercise thing, definately hanging in with phase 1 of SB - keeping a food diary is keeping me hones. But we are going out of town, and Sat. is the end of the first phase, and I must confess that the first carb I will be re-introducing is a nice tall, very cold, BEER!
Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
That's good chart Zoe.
Try substituting olive oil when you can for butter. It's good on vegetables. I probaly get too much salt in the Asian food I eat so much of, but I don't add salt to veggies or anything for that matter. You just kind of get used to doing with out. Check out the spice aisles there's lot's of salt-free spice concoctions.
Thanks Tweety!
The Asian food, is that all take-out, or do you buy it in the market too? I have been craving good fried rice but I bet if you make it at home it's better for you (there must be a lower salt soy sauce I imagine?)
Bluehair
436 Posts
"I found out yesterday that I need to increase my thyroid medicine. Lithium destroyed my thyroid a few years ago, and NO ONE TOLD ME it would happen when I started the drug. Ticks me off.
I'm on something else instead of the lithium, but anyway - do you suppose that stabilizing my TSH will help more with the weight and energy? That is what I am thinking. I have been doing pretty well with the food and the weight is coming off slowly, and I wondered if that could be part of the reason why."
YES! At least from my personal experience, yes! Once the doc got my TSH to a therapeutic level, my energy level was better and I felt like I got my brain back! I had assumed I was just getting older, premenopausal and forgetful because of hormone changes. There were hormone changes, but it was my thyroid not my ovaries. No weight loss though, which I had really hoped for. Tho that had more to do with what I was putting in my mouth besides my Levoxyl!
ps - I also found out my doc was a little unusual in that he is persistent at getting regular TSH checks (q 6 months now) to make sure it is staying where it ought to be. He said you can end up a little hyperthyroid without realizing it, and that carries more risks than being slightly hypothyroid. He keeps my TSH around 3.5 - 4. Sounds like there are variations on that.....