The Fat Loss TroubleshootThis is your place to troubleshoot your fat loss problems from nutrition to training. This section is led by Leigh Peele, author of "The Fat Loss Troubleshoot," the ultimate fat loss manual. If your results have slowed or stalled this is the place to come for advice for all your fat loss needs.
Hi Leigh - I've been a big fan of yours for a long time. As a result of some of your articles/podcasts, I recognized I had a lot of symptoms of thyroid issues.
I've been through 2 rounds of some lab testing, although I requested the right labs from my GP I don't think he got all of them. Anyways, I'm 33, have had my period only 1 in the past year, and have some signs of hypo (low morning temp, dry skin, dry hair, etc)
Here's what I've got so far, I'm meeting with a reproductive endocrinologist on Monday.
vit D 25-OH total 59 (ref 20-100)
vit D 25-OH, d3 59
vit D 25-OH, d2 N4
FSH 5.1
LH 2.0
progresterone <0.5
testosterone total 26 (ref 20-76)
estradiol 20
vit b12 1854 (but I supplement)
T3 total 68 (ref 97-219)
t3 uptake 29 (ref 22-35%)
t4 free 1.0 (ref 0.8-1.8)
TSH 1.13
Any thoughts?
***edited to add some electrolytes from about a month ago:
sodium 140
potassium 4.1
calcium 9.9
triglycerides 37
HDL 91
LDL 118
What's your eating like? (i.e., above or below maintenance) I had similar labs (although my T3 was not as low as yours) and symptoms of hypothyroid after chronic dieting for several years.
I've been dieting probably for years, sometimes more seriously than others. I got pretty serious about it about 2 years ago though, after my 2nd child (who's 7 now) till now I lost about 25 pounds, but I put on tons of muscle. I think I'm about 20-22% BF right now, according to the video that Leigh posted on her site
I do exercise a lot, but I've tried to cut back in the past couple months since a lot of this has cropped up. I do exercise 6 days a week -3 full body and 3 cardio.
Hey Leigh makes a great point, and she really knows her stuff. Now I am not leigh and I am not a doctor by any means, but I have top notch experience in this stuff--I have been battling this for years.
First off, your Vit DH is perfect--your TSH is perfect, and your Free T4 is perfect--now your t3total is a bit on the low side, but you have to remember that the t3 total is protien binding--so if I was you I would have Doc order a Free T3 which shows the real thing, I would also have a thyroid antibody test done, and check your cortisol levels either by saliva or maybe a ACTH test--Not sure about other labs, like Lara said the reference ranges mean alot
Sometimes stress comes from places that we do not even realize, low carbing/dieting, exercise, you mentioned having 2kids--stress in itself--etc etc--just every day life--
I have to tell ya if I could back in time to 2yrs ago--probably would have never started on thyroid meds--I got diagnosed with hypo
My TSH was high, T4-low-normal and t3-low--Doc says I am going to start you on meds because you are symptomatic-(really tired falling asleep at desk, crying spells, and gaining weight/bodyfat even on low cal diet) But will wean you off as soon as your labs stable out--my antibody test was negative--so not suppost to be hypo candidate, well here we are 2yrs later and still adjusting meds--
Now turns out my cortisol levels were out of wack, my adrenals were really tired, had sonogram and mri of pituitary gland and adrenals make sure no cysts or tumor, they were all normal, My cortisol levels back then were really high, and as time went on they then reveresed and became really low--adrenal burnout-- so if I would have just Ate, took a break from exercise, and treated adrenals probably would not be here--but have been chasing my Labs for 2 years, adjusting doses etc--and were probably never going to get right, because I was still not eating properly everytime I would try to eat, my body would suck it up--scale would go crazy and I would low carb it again--check labs and they were crashing, now can not get off meds, because they say my thyroid has been getting meds and is now lazy!!
So--with all that being said, now that is just my experience, and have no idea really what is going on with you, your symptoms etc--but if symptoms are not that bad, then have Doc investigate a little more-and Like Leigh states have your mineral/vitamin def checked out--maybe Your labs don't Seem that bad-but that does not always matter--depends on how bad your symptoms are?
I think you have caught it in time and could benefit from Leighs MRM program, I have been on the MRM program now for 5 1/2 weeks and my labs are perfect for the first time in 2years--I am on Armour which is natural t3 and t4--and now eating carbs which seems to be the gasoline for the T3 to work properly--
There is also a website on line forgot the name, but just google low t3? and the sight has a graft that says what you could be dealing with based on high or low Tsh, and low/normal,high T3, etc, pretty interesting, also read up on adrenal insufficiency, maybe on Wilson disease,Pretty intersting stuff
But to be truly honest with you, if you have bought all of leighs books you will notice she touches on all of these issues--And the best part is may all be fixable just by eating and relaxing--let the body heal--naturally--Sometimes easier said then done
But to be honest when you tell your story--it reminds me of 2yrs ago, I was getting tired and sluggish but ignored the symptoms and HIT a Brick wall--Was Convinced that I was in the best shape in my life and that I was just tired because I was adding on mileage, etc--blocked everything out--
Keep up with this forum as well--it is really helpful and the girls really tune in and give great ideas, support, there experiences, and just comforts thru the rough patches, I sound Like I own the Place right,hahha--Have only just found this place a few weeks ago and Feels like home, Good luck, hope I helped and not confused, cause God knows we can do that all on our own, haha
Sorry so long, I have a tendacy to be a little long winded, but some things just can't be shortened, Good luck!!
Leigh, to answer your question, I didn't really track my eating until about 9 months ago, so I'm not sure but I think it was a little low on the fats side (probably some high days and low days). In looking back on my weight loss, I could have been more educated on how to do it, but I've kept refining and starting hit itting right.
For the past 9 months, I've tried to keep fats between 55 g and 70 g a day, always coming from fish oil, avocadoes, nuts, eggs, etc.
As for mineral defficiency, is there something in mind I should have tested for? I take multi-vitamins and calcium (separately) daily, I was on orange triad multi and recently switched to something that had a little more of some of the minerals in case that was the problem (my doctor had mentioned that possibility too).
My main concern at this point is my low estrogen/progesterone and lack of period. Other symptoms I have (but hadn't put it together) are a lot of the same as estrogen dominant as well:
dry hair, dry skin
memory loss
low body temps (between 96 and 97), even in afternoon
carpal tunnel suddenly appearing
weight gain suddenly even though still exercising/measuring food.
My weight has started dropping a little since incorporating some of Leigh's suggestions for people with metabolism/thyroid issues (drop lower calories for 5 days, then raise much higher, take cardio lower intensity on the low days, etc). I've cut down my exercise compared ot before, and finally the scale is moving slightly.
It's a little hard for me to think about doing MRM at the moment, because I teach aerobics 3 times a week and really need to do it for the money. I could maybe get some subs for a little while if absolutely necessary and I'm in that bad of a shape.
As a final note for everyone, don't know if it matters, but I was always heavy as a child, always had "big legs" compared to my body, and have always struggled with my weight. My metabolism has never been good at all. The only thing that has been working is dropping most of the carbs, exept first hting in the morning and around weight lifting. So, don't know if that's why I've always had a weight problem or not.
No allergies/digestion issues that I'm aware of. I do seem very carb sensitive though. I've gone through environmental allergy testing (none) but never gone through any food.
No insomnia (sleep like a rock most of the time). No leg cramps.
Supplements I take:
BCAAs waking up, before/after workout
whey isolate post lifting
multi
fish oil
calcium
That's it right now, i was on creatine till about a month ago. I have taken ZMA at night in the past but i ran out and haven't managed to get anymore.
PBI but can I ask about my blood tests too? Basically for different reasons I wound up at an allergists office who tested my thyroid. He says I'm hyper but thats odd b/c I have not lost weight. I'm getting sent to a rheumatologist to test me further for Lupus because of DS DNA Anti-body thingies are abnormal. Hopefully the rheumy will further get into the thyroid and send me an endrinconologist. Maybe if you see these you can tell me if and who I need to bug!
By the way I'm 32/F and these were done July 20, 2009
TSH (w/reflex to FT4) = 0.75 (reference range = 0.40-4.5)
T3 = 114 (ref 97-219)
No T4 though...?
Don't know if this is useful but:
An allegist can't correctly diagnose thyroid disease-you need to see an endocrinologist. My endo has explained to me that when one hormone in the body is off others will likely be off as well-the problem cascades like dominoes as each system of the body is interconnected not separate entities-this is why thyroid disease and other hormonal issues are hard to treat.
An allegist can't correctly diagnose thyroid disease-you need to see an endocrinologist. My endo has explained to me that when one hormone in the body is off others will likely be off as well-the problem cascades like dominoes as each system of the body is interconnected not separate entities-this is why thyroid disease and other hormonal issues are hard to treat.
To the OP-have you been tested for PCOS?
Thanks may be a while b4 I see and Endoc as I have to go to the Rhuemy first then, if she asks for authorization, I go from there. If she doesn't I'll go bug my GP to do it. Gotta love HMOs. I know it sounds odd that an allergist noted it but I was sent there b/c I've had bad eczema or something and they wanted to check for food/pet/whatever allergies which came back NKA. He just did a lot of thorough tests I guess b/c my symptoms could mean an AI disorder too...I guess to figure out what my problem is and what it isn't. And it was the derm that sent me to the allergist. Kinda roundabout I guess.
I admit, I'm rather restless/anxious about all of this! Thanks!
EDIT: Oh gosh still haven't got this signature thing figured out. I want the title to be the link, not the url...
.... I have to tell ya if I could back in time to 2yrs ago--probably would have never started on thyroid meds--I got diagnosed with hypo
..... Doc says I am going to start you on meds because you are symptomatic-(really tired falling asleep at desk, crying spells, and gaining weight/bodyfat even on low cal diet) But will wean you off as soon as your labs stable out--my antibody test was negative--so not suppost to be hypo candidate, well here we are 2yrs later and still adjusting meds--
Now turns out my cortisol levels were out of wack, my adrenals were really tired, had sonogram and mri of pituitary gland and adrenals make sure no cysts or tumor, they were all normal, My cortisol levels back then were really high, and as time went on they then reveresed and became really low--adrenal burnout-- so if I would have just Ate, took a break from exercise, and treated adrenals probably would not be here--but have been chasing my Labs for 2 years, adjusting doses etc--and were probably never going to get right, because I was still not eating properly everytime I would try to eat, my body would suck it up--scale would go crazy and I would low carb it again--check labs and they were crashing, now can not get off meds, because they say my thyroid has been getting meds and is now lazy!!
.....and now eating carbs which seems to be the gasoline for the T3 to work properly--
But to be truly honest with you, if you have bought all of leighs books www.fatlosstroubleshoot.com you will notice she touches on all of these issues--And the best part is may all be fixable just by eating and relaxing--let the body heal--naturally--Sometimes easier said then done
Keep up with this forum as well--it is really helpful and the girls really tune in and give great ideas, support, there experiences, and just comforts thru the rough patches ...Dessie
Dessie,
Ya never know what post touches someone unexectedly and I want to thank you in advance. When i only lost 3 pounds on 11 weeks of OPT for Fatloss, I began looking at research and symptoms and treatment and diagnosing my self as hypothyorid or Hashimoto's or something. I am getting lab tests and will followup with my doctor Monday. But I have already made an apt with an endo doctor, and am thinking "which meds do I want Synthroid or Armour? etc etc."
My symptoms are: very slow weight loss, high cholesterol, low Vit D, low morning temperature 96.2F, borderline low T4, tired (but do I really sleep enough?), memory, history of bad periods, ... so symptoms were mounting up...
BUT, your post put a big RED FLAG on my pursuing medication, and I REALLY want to thank you. I still am a fan of Leigh's saying that it is BETTER if it is NOT a medical condition, better if I can control it through sleeping more, exercising more gently, adding a bit more carb to my diet, and learning what other things I can do without meds.
I was thinking, as you said, "I'll just try meds for a year until I reach goal weight, and then phase off them," or whatever, maybe I DO need meds.
But, Dessie, after your post, I really want to examine my symptoms with an endocrinologist but NOT RUSH into medication.
So thanks!
p.s. this is not totally related, but just wanted to say that after 11 weeks of OPT, with my low at 171, then 16 days refeed and up to 180.2 (ugh!!), but now 6 days back into deficit at about 1150 cal avg and I'm back down to 173.8 lbs.. so I have big carb-related water swings, and maybe this is a clue to weight loss for me....
I'm the original poster. Well, a couple months has gone by, more tests, and seeing an endocrinologist that specializes in homrone/thyroid dysfunctions.
So, I did in the meantime have my free T3 done, and it was pretty low, with my progesterone still at near 0 and my estrogen low. So, what the doc said is pretty much what Leigh says a lot in her books, that a lot of it probably has to do with undereating/over-exercising in the past.
He has put me on a "jump=start" dose of progesterone, the first try did not work but we're about on round 2. He had me increase my calories to maintenence, which I THOUGHT I had done but I lost another 1.5 pounds in that month so obviously I did not hit maintenaence. I got a GWF in the past week to hopefully steer me to what my maintenance is. I can already see that it is consistently 500-600 more than I expected in a day, even with a 15% inaccuracy I'm still burning more than I was eating.
One of the things the doctor specifically told me is to up my fat levels, as Leigh has talked about her podcasts. He said that is absolutely one of the keys to normalizing hormones, at least female ones.
He's hoping that getting my periods normalized will stabilize the thyoid hormones, and make me feel a little better. He, like the other poster and Leigh, strongly recommends NOT taking any thyroid until you've tried everything else.
Take a diet break or something. There's no reason to rush. Start eating at maintenance (at least 100-150g of carbs) and your hormones will be normalized.
There was a period where my testosterone was low and t3 was low, until I took a diet break for like a week. I went back for another blood test and my testosterone doubled, thyroid came up a little bit.
Leigh - test results, could you please look at?
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