Client with a Thyroid problems

CEFitness · 11-12-2008, 03:17 PM

If this is not the right section i apologize and please move it. Anyway I recently acquired a client with thyroid problems. She has tried boot camps and training before only to be let down with horrible results. Her diet looks clean but she is only eating like 900 cals a day! She is 35, 5'4" and weighs 227 so she is definitely not eating enough.

She is on 175mcg of sythroid (T4) but from my research a.) that isnt enough for her body weight and b.) T4 is dependant on the liver and other areas of the body to convert it to T3. She is also on hcg, which from my research is not effective for weight loss, it has just been "hyped" for that purpose recently.

My question is how do you guys deal with this type of client. The type that say they eat very clean all day but are still overweight. I dont want to come out and tell her the things ive told you, im afraid she will be offended and think im playing doctor. I am planning on letting her eat her BMR which is about 1600 cals for a week to get her metabolism back to normal, then starting her eating 1300-1400 per day. So what do you guys recommend in this situation?

LisaS · 11-12-2008, 03:22 PM

To my mind, the question about the meds is whether or not that dose of synthroid is moving her blood work into a more normal range or not.

CEFitness · 11-12-2008, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LisaS

To my mind, the question about the meds is whether or not that dose of synthroid is moving her blood work into a more normal range or not.

Good point, she says it is. I havent seen the blood work but she says that is the case.

Sarah Rippel · 11-12-2008, 08:50 PM

Hey there!

How long has she been on the Synthoid? When was she diagnosed as hypo? I'll give you my hypo experience (the extremely abbreviated version):
Fall 1999 - managed to gain 15 lbs without changing workout/nutrition program (at the time I was a bit obsessed, shall we say...competed in fitness competitions). For almost two years I fought what seemed to be a losing battle with my metabolism. My body essentially had shut down, thanks to anorexia as a teen, extreme dieting, and excessive exercise.
May of 2001 - diagnosed as hypothyroid and was put on Armour Thyroid, which is a pretty rare course of treatment these days...I had a pretty hip endo, though. He was Armour all the way. Boy was the next three years a struggle. I was on a thyroid rollercoaster, trying to get my levels adjusted. Periods of stress would send me into a hyperthyroid state. I felt horrible more often than not.
Fall of 2004 - was put on 112 mcg of Synthroid and have felt pretty awesome since!

I know that's probably a bit more info than you wanted, but i'm willing to share any insight into the disease that you may need. Hormones are tricky...if the levels of one are off, the others seem to follow suit.

How long has your client been exercising?

Are you ABSOLUTELY SURE she is eating as she's saying?

Hope this helps!
Sarah
“Outside the Box” Training

Sarah Rippel · 11-12-2008, 09:46 PM

and just another idea...would it be possible to talk to her doctor?

also, not trying to "play doctor" here (although at one point i was actually trying to become one...thank goodness i stayed true to myself!), but...i have two clients who were put on metaformin(?) for insulin resistance. the "trend" of insulin resistance seems to be increasing...go figure...in our day and age of endless knowledge and resources, people continue to decrease in health. anyhow...just a thought...if she's eating as she's saying...

CEFitness · 11-13-2008, 12:46 PM

I worry about it because she's tried so many different things and they havent worked. I want her to get results, she is pretty much down to her last try i think.

Hormones are so complicated, but with a sensible diet hopefully i can get her results. If anyone else has an opinion or has worked with one of these types of clients, please chime in.

optimum performance · 11-17-2008, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CEFitness

I worry about it because she's tried so many different things and they havent worked. I want her to get results, she is pretty much down to her last try i think.

Hormones are so complicated, but with a sensible diet hopefully i can get her results. If anyone else has an opinion or has worked with one of these types of clients, please chime in.

Have you thought about eliminating factors that may affect thyroid function?

There are also natural alternative to the drugs that can actually work better than the drugs.

Do you have a copy of her blood work?