I need a little encouragement from anyone who has lost weight on Atkins while being on thyroid meds (Synthroid). I've lost lots before thyroid meds but have heard it to be tougher on the meds. I'm thinking of trying again while on meds, can't hurt I guess. Better than what I'm doing now.

deb- as i mentioned other places, i do take synthroid and have for many years. i lost 108 pounds taking take .125 mg of synthroid daily.

i don't remember ever hearing that thyroid meds are a problem with losing weight, though. do you remember where you got that? becuase it doesn't really make sense to me. it would _seem_ to my un-medical-trained brain, though, that stimulating thyroid function (or synthesizing it, if you no longer have your thyroid), would HELP. weight gain is one of the symptoms of underactive thyroid function, and synthroid increases that.

underactive thyroid issues run in my family and for us, starting synthoid actually stimulated weight loss.

however, with the level of concern you seem to have about it, why not just ask your doctor about it?

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April (another moderator) has been on thyroid meds for years.

You might want to look up her posts and check out her web page.

But, as Goddess has suggested to you here, and in other threads, you should really be consulting with your doctor.

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You might find this helpful from WebMD:

"MEMBER QUESTION:
Can Synthroid cause weight gain? I was told I would lose weight.

NAZARIO:
Synthroid is not a weight loss pill. The only way you'll lose weight is to change your diet and increase physical activity. Synthroid does not make people lose weight. Taken in excess, it can. But it can also lead to other negative effects, such as aging of the heart and osteoporosis and muscle paralysis."

http://my.webmd.com/content/chat_tra...m?pageNumber=4

Note that there is no mention of GAIN, but rather, the implication that taken in excess there could be LOSS.

Also from WebMD (emphasis mine):

" How Well It Works

People with hypothyroidism who take thyroid hormone medication usually notice:

* Improved energy level.
* Gradual weight loss (in people with severe hypothyroidism at the time of diagnosis).
* Improved mood and mental function (thinking, memory).
* Improved pumping action of the heart and improved digestive tract function.
* Reduction in the size of an enlarged thyroid gland (
* goiter), if you have one. Improved growth, school performance, and behavior in children. Children whose growth has been delayed because of hypothyroidism start growing normally again once they get adequate doses of thyroid hormone.
* Lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

In most cases, thyroid hormone medication works quickly to correct symptoms.

Side Effects

In general, you will not have side effects if you are taking the correct amount of thyroid hormone medication.

Side effects of too much thyroid hormone include:

*
* Heart palpitations. Nervousness.
* Trouble sleeping (insomnia).
* Shaking (tremors).
* Frequent bowel movements.
* Too much weight loss.
* Discomfort in warm weather.
* Bone thinning (osteoporosis) if the dose is too high for a long time.

Report any side effects to your health professional.

If you have coronary artery disease and take too much thyroid medication, symptoms such as chest pain (angina) or heart rhythm irregularities (arrhythmia) may get worse. Also, you may have an increased risk of heart attack.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)"

http://my.webmd.com/hw/womens_conditions/hw238095.asp

HTH,
WEBMASTER

I'm on thyroid med also, and I haven't noticed any difference, and I just started taking it about 4 months ago.. doesn't seem to effect me either way.

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In the cookies of life, we are the chocolate chips.

Deb, I take .175 mcg daily of thyroid meds for an underactive thyroid. I just went to the doctor yesterday and I expect that hey will up those meds (again) because my thyroid function is nearly nil. I've taken thyroid meds since I have been 8 years old, and I'm now 44.

And I've lost over 150 pounds and have kept it off for nearly 6 years following a low carb way of eating.

So.....in my humble opinion, taking meds for an underactive thyroid does not hinder weight loss. In fact, it aids in weight loss.

Strike that. That's not an opinion.

That's a fact.

My doctor stated so yesterday. If you'd like his contact information for verification, I'll provide that to you.

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April

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Hey, April, great to see you!