Is it possible my thyroid's messed up? Can't loose weight! Posted: 10-15-07 16:05pm
Or am I not explaining things clearly
enough? I thought I was, but...
So here's the story. I'm 22, female, and
as of today's appointment apparently 273
pounds. Yeah.
I've always been big, but the last several
years it's been getting ridiculous. In
high school I was a steady size 12/14 --
not obese, but def. overweight, but I was
comfortable and more importantly I was
active so at least I was a semi-healthy
kind of overweight. Since being put on
Zoloft in 2001, though, my weight has
steadily ballooned until I'm now a size
20. Here's the kicker, though: I eat less
and actually exercise more than I did when
I was in high school, and yet the weight
keeps piling on.
I know part of this is due to age and
slowing metabolism, as well as genes
(pretty much my entire family is big), but
I decided to do a little experiment over
the summer. I cut out 90% of the worst
foods I was eating, exercised more often
and more rigorously than ever, *and* took
a low-dose water pill every day. And what
happened? I actually GAINED weight.
Every time I bring this up to my doctor he
gives me the spiel about getting older and
metabolism slowing down and etc, but to me
it feels like there's definitely something
more at play here. To tell the truth, I
don't eat much. I usually eat two or three
moderate meals a day and that's it. I
drink water like a fish. And yet...
Is it possible my thyroid's messed up? I
had some blood work done over the summer
and supposedly everything came back okay,
even though according to one of those
self-diagnostic tests online I've got too
many symptoms of hypothyroidism for it to
be pure coincidence. Could it be water
retention? My legs swell up something
awful due to water, to the point I can
actually leave dents in them because it's
built up so much, but again, my doctor
blows me off and says I'm just not trying
hard enough to lose weight.
So what's the verdict? Should I seek out
another doctor's opinion or just suck it
up and accept that I'm doomed to keep
getting bigger without cause?
|
Ingi
Moderator
Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 8434 Location: Grinning like a Cheshire Cat,
Thanks: 121
Thanked:156
Posted: 10-15-07 16:17pm
You could try seeing another doctor.
Metabolism changes at age 22 are not
really the issue. I don't think a
metabolism starts to go 'downhill' until
the 30s. Even then it is only a matter of
eating fewer calories.
I know this will not be what you want to
hear, and I'm sure you already know all
this - weight gain is about calories. If
you consume more calories than you expend,
you will gain weight. Whether you are on
zoloft or have a slow metabolism. Perhaps
that means you'll need to eat less
calories than you could eat if those
things weren't an issue.
Have you written down your food intake in
a journal? It is incredibly tedious (I
know, I do it), but you will find some
valuable information in there. Generally,
we consume far more food than we admit to.
Writing it down keeps us honest.
If you don't feel like you are getting
anywhere with this doctor, find another
doctor who will test you for things you
think may be wrong or help you in areas
you need information in.
You aren't doomed Good luck!
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pokethebadger
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 15 Oct 2007 Posts: 4
Posted: 10-15-07 16:29pm
>>Have you written down your food
intake in a journal?
I have, actually. Well, I don't now just
because I didn't feel like it was
accomplishing anything, but maybe I should
start again... Anyway, it was one of those
"everything but the kitchen sink" types
online and it averaged up, said I take in
anywhere between 1500-2000 calories a day,
and by exercising I was using up around
400-500. Strange thing is that all those
online calculators try to tell me, based
on height and weight, that I'm actually
taking in upwards of 2600 calories a day
when I can prove with my diet journal that
I'm not! And I actually am honest on those
things, including my beloved Coke.
>>You aren't doomed Good luck!
haha well, thank you! At least someone has
faith.
|
Ingi
Moderator
Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 8434 Location: Grinning like a Cheshire Cat,
Thanks: 121
Thanked:156
Posted: 10-15-07 16:32pm
There are a million online calculators. I
find I do the best with a handwritten on.
But it is all personal preference.
Wow, you are getting some good exercise in
if you are burning 500 calories a day!
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jenniek
Active User, Really EHEALTHy
Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Posts: 691 Location: Salina
Posted: 10-15-07 16:40pm
Maybe try eating 5-6 small meals a day.
That will keep your metabolism going and
it really seems to help people. Plus
since you will be eating every few hours
you will less likely over eat..
If your blood test comes back ok I don't
think it is a metabolic issue but I do
think your doctor should be a little more
helpful..You could alway seek another
opinion from a different dr.
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help_me_pleez
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 24 Nov 2007 Posts: 21
Have You Tried Cutting Out All Bread? Posted: 11-26-07 09:22am
Ive noticed easily that some peoples
system seems to really have a problem with
bread, I am one of them, if I cut out
bread my weaight will ususally start
dropping fast (but right now Im to weak to
do that lol). By the way your doc sounds
like a butthole I hope you can find a
doctor who actually cares and who beleivs
you as well-
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help_me_pleez
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 24 Nov 2007 Posts: 21
Also Posted: 11-26-07 09:24am
you can ask your doctor to specifically
chek your thyroid (if he hasnt already)
then ask him what the numbers were, and
you can post that here and see what the
doctors say, see I know I heard that the
numbers for Hypothyroidism have changed
recently and not all doctors are aware of
that, Peace
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Schizophreniahealth
This page was last updated on June 11, 2008
I've always been big, but the last several
years it's been getting ridiculous. In
high school I was a steady size 12/14 --
not obese, but def. overweight, but I was
comfortable and more importantly I was
active so at least I was a semi-healthy
kind of overweight. Since being put on
Zoloft in 2001, though, my weight has
steadily ballooned until I'm now a size
20. Here's the kicker, though: I eat less
and actually exercise more than I did when
I was in high school, and yet the weight
keeps piling on.
Good luck!
