Phen and hypothyroidism... any answers?

[Tiggy]

Hi, guys,

Well, I am at the crossroads. I am hypothyroid, have been Zoning for more than six weeks and taking phen for 2 weeks (today) and have not lost one ounce or one inch. I am eating between 1200 and 1500 cal/day and eat a treat meal every ten days (to keep the cravings down). I drink a minimum of 64 oz. of water a day and swim laps for 30 min. 3x/week, and I am presently at a loss.

I have heard folks tell me to give it a month and see if it works for me, and though I appreciate the advice, I really don't think food is the problem. Yes, the phen helps decrease appetite, but if I were overweight from overeating, both the diet and the phen should have helped by now.

I really need to hear from other hypothyroid folks on phen and find out what their situation is. My numbers are where they should be (TSH, T3, T4), so I am looking for suggestions and/or advice and/or websites and/or an endocrinologist in Los Angeles that has extensive experience with thyroid related disorders.

I'm beginning to think none of this is worth it, but I'm trying to keep an open mind. Any help would be appreciated.

[Tee]

Tiggy, I am hypothyroid, I could never never lose weight until I started phen. BUT, I also could never lose weight until the doctor got my TSH level down to a 1. I have heard ssooooooo many people say that they couldn't lose any weight, theyre metabolisms just wouldn't burn until they were between a 1-2. Normal is considered between 1-5. Let me tell you, I sat at 4.8 for 6-9 months barely eating anything, much less than i do now, and I gained 35 pounds. So just because your TSH level in in the "Normal" range, doesn't mean your going to lose. Its a never ending battle, but don't give up, for the first time since I became hypo I'm feeling wonderful. 192/157/128. Try working with your doctor and research all you can on the net.

[Tiggy]

Thanks, Tee, for your reply. Congrats on your loss!

BELIEVE ME, I have been to the library, scoured the net and read many research articles submitted to the North American Journal on Obesity, Endocrinology Today, Journal of the American Medical Assoc., New England Journal of Medicine, American Physiology and others since I went hypo in 1997-98. I am following Amgen's stage-2 human trials of leptin at UCLA. I am up on the latest info regarding the genetic predisposition towards weight gain. I almost think I know TOO much.

I went to a specialist 9/1 and had extensive blood tests which yielded the following values (on .88mcg Levoxyl/10 mcg Cytomel):

TSH (3rd gen): 1.182 (range: .3 - 5.7)
Total T3 : 1.57 (range: .86 - 2)
T4 : 7.9 (range: 4.8 - 12.8)
T3 Uptake : 25.7 (range: 23 - 36)

I've read Mary Shimon's book (from about.com) and several others that gave some good insight, and that's why I have made the dietary changes. I know that M&Ms put me to sleep within an hour of eating them, so I don't eat them anymore. I know pasta sets up unbelieveable cravings, so I use it sparingly as a condiment. I have committed to the lifestyle changes and... zip. Nada. I'm just so tired of being fat, and I know if I don't get control of it now, I will continue gaining weight.

Some on this board have struggled with their weight since they were children, and I can understand how hard that must be, but I was a FIT, MUSCULAR, ATHLETIC woman who can hardly get moving to exercise since this hypo thing. My body turned on me, and I see the years creeping by and know it will only be harder to lose the longer I wait.

The funny thing is that I wouldn't mind the weight so much if I didn't feel so crappy all the time. It's just hard to accept that only 3 years ago, I was energetic and trim, could drop weight on a whim, and now I don't even recognize myself in the mirror. After all the Atkins, Protein Power, Grapefruit, Vegetarian, Weight Watchers and even liquid diets, nothing has worked that was sustainable long term. The Zone has come the closest, so I stick with it.

I don't mean to whine, but you know being hypo is something altogether different when dealing with weight than general weight loss. The endocrine system is a delicate balance of a dozen hormones, and when one is off, it's like doing a tune-up on a Ferrari-- it takes a specialist and precise adjustments.

After all these years of tinkering with my meds, I thought phen could help and it seems to be just one more disappointment. It does help keep me awake during the day where I would take an afternoon nap otherwise, but that's it.

I got honest with myself about what I eat, exercise and life in general, and I made some real changes. To see no results is discouraging. Phen was one thing I thought would help, but now the whole thing makes me unbelieveably sad.

Thanks for listening. It's hard to find any understanding about this.

[Tee]

Well I guess you too have done your research. I too watch my carbs, actually I do the low carb diet which I know i will have to do for the rest of my life. I know that my body cannot process the carbs like some peoples because of my thyroid and changes them directly into fat. Anyhow, have always been muscuar and thin. i had a hard body in college and was proud of it. I was a star athlete in high school and was recruited and recieved a full scholarship to play volleyball in college, so I sympathize with your struggle. I was NEVER overweight until after the birth of my first child and finally was diagnosed with my thyroid condition. Pregnancy induced hypothyroidsim. I too have struggles for the last 3 years trying to figure out why my body held on to every last once of fat it could. It sounds as though your endo. doc is trying everything they can to help you. I hope things turn around for you, One more question, When you work out do you sweat??? I would never sweat before, and now I do!!! I would do kickboxing classes at the gym for an hour everyday besides my weight training and wouldn't sweat, now I sweat all the time. I knew my metaboilsm was shot when I wasn't sweating, even when I was on the synthroid.

[Tiggy]

Oh, yeah, Tee, I sweat-- sweat like a linebacker. Very unattractive.

Thanks for your reply. I was having a really bad few days and your message made me think about a few things. I am NOT giving up this time.

I swim three times a week now because of other physical problems (carpal tunnel and a bad knee) and I am panting while doing laps, so I know the cardio gets up there. I have decided to get the knee done so I can get back to the gym and hit the lower-body weights (actually, I really miss squats) and see if I can make a difference.

We're in the same boat (except for the pregnancy ), and I'm glad you answered my post. If you can see results, then I can see results. Thanks for the boost.

[Tee]

Good Tiggy, Don't give up. I would never wish this on anyone, but it helps to know there are others out there. I've struggled for sooo long, feeling so unhealthy more than fat. I finally have achieved a small goal, and I know you can do it to. It may take a while, but keep trying. If you want to try and keep in touch let me know. mdesaulnier at sign snet dot net. Hopefully you'll get that if not someone will have to show me a sneaky way of doing the email add. BTW, i have 3 children, 3 in 3 years. That'll do it to ya!!! Never thought I'd have kids when i was in school, too wrapped up in my goals, and achievements in college. How life changes!!