Re: Why am I putting on weight?? Please help! BUMP

[Guest guest]

I'm going to have to BUMP this as I had no response and I'm pretty desperate!

I also feel spaced out and have terrible insomnia and muscle pains / aches.

Thanks very much,

Anita

>

> Hello,

>

> Since my last blood test (beginning of Jan) where my ferritin was 41, FT3 was

4 and T4 was 12 (all low) I have been taking Ferrous Sulfate and after about 5

weeks felt much better, more energetic, etc. I was on a baby dose of Levo,

50mcg.

> Then about 2 weeks ago I doubled the dose - something my GP and you guys

suggested too (to increase it). First I felt ok and I still do feel fairly ok

but I have been rapidly putting on weight!! I don't weigh myself but I can tell

from my clothes and appearance!

> I'm also doing a candida diet with Nisatin, caprilic acid, oregano complex,

probiotics and bicarbonate of soda, and previously I always lost weight while

doing this but not now!

> I'm gluten and lactose free, and usually eat a low GI diet, but recently I

have been craving and eating gluten free oats as porridge (sweetened with

Stevia) and goats cheese!! I also had chocolate a few times, such uncontrollable

cravings! It annoys me so much because I spend hundreds of pounds on the

Nystatin and candida meds!!

>

> I don't understand what is happening! I thought I would be losing weight if I

increased my Levo, or stay the same, not putting it on!! What's going on?

>

> Can anyone advise please? My stomach also feels full and distended most of

the time.

>

> Thanks,

>

> Anita

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Anita

Could it be you are not converting T4 to T3 very well? Have you considered

this?

Chris

>

> I'm going to have to BUMP this as I had no response and I'm pretty desperate!

>

> I also feel spaced out and have terrible insomnia and muscle pains / aches.

>

> Thanks very much,

>

> Anita

>

[Guest guest]

Hi

Yes, I had similar issues before and my GP increased my Levo from 50 to 75 and

then to 100, but my FT3 stayed low. At the time my Ferritin and others weren't

checked. This time I started to take Ferrous Sulfate and then increased my Levo

to a 100 from 50. For about 2 weeks I felt great (was this psychological??) but

now the crush, and I feel rubbish.

What do I do? Do I go back to 50? My blood test results will be back in a few

days but I had only been on 100mcg of Levo for about 2 weeks when this blood was

taken.

My GP is not giving me T3, I asked before. So what do I do next? Do I take

some T3 too with the Circadian method, or do I get some natural desiccated

thyroid?

When I increased my Levo, I cut back on my Nutri thyroid as I was taking 5 /

day. Now I'm taking 2.

I feel spaced out, thick and muzzy headed, crave sweet things, appetite

otherwise not that good, bad distension in the epigastrium and hypochondrium

area. Oedema all over the body. And the insomnia.

Any advice is much appreciated!

Thanks,

Anita

> >

> > I'm going to have to BUMP this as I had no response and I'm pretty

desperate!

> >

> > I also feel spaced out and have terrible insomnia and muscle pains / aches.

> >

> > Thanks very much,

> >

> > Anita

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi

Yes, I had similar issues before and my GP increased my Levo from 50 to 75 and

then to 100, but my FT3 stayed low. At the time my Ferritin and others weren't

checked. This time I started to take Ferrous Sulfate and then increased my Levo

to a 100 from 50. For about 2 weeks I felt great (was this psychological??) but

now the crush, and I feel rubbish.

What do I do? Do I go back to 50? My blood test results will be back in a few

days but I had only been on 100mcg of Levo for about 2 weeks when this blood was

taken.

My GP is not giving me T3, I asked before. So what do I do next? Do I take

some T3 too with the Circadian method, or do I get some natural desiccated

thyroid?

When I increased my Levo, I cut back on my Nutri thyroid as I was taking 5 /

day. Now I'm taking 2.

I feel spaced out, thick and muzzy headed, crave sweet things, appetite

otherwise not that good, bad distension in the epigastrium and hypochondrium

area. Oedema all over the body. And the insomnia.

Any advice is much appreciated!

Thanks,

Anita

> >

> > I'm going to have to BUMP this as I had no response and I'm pretty

desperate!

> >

> > I also feel spaced out and have terrible insomnia and muscle pains / aches.

> >

> > Thanks very much,

> >

> > Anita

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hello Anita

> Since my last blood test (beginning of Jan) where my ferritin was 41, FT3

was 4 and T4 was 12 (all low) I have been taking Ferrous Sulfate and after

about 5 weeks felt much better, more energetic, etc. I was on a baby dose of

Levo, 50mcg.

> Then about 2 weeks ago I doubled the dose - something my GP and you guys

suggested too (to increase it). First I felt ok and I still do feel fairly ok

but I have been rapidly putting on weight!! I don't weigh myself but I can tell

from my clothes and appearance! I'm also doing a candida diet with Nisatin,

caprilic acid, oregano complex, probiotics and bicarbonate of soda, and

previously I always lost weight while doing this but not now! > I'm gluten

and lactose free, and usually eat a low GI diet, but recently I have been

craving and eating gluten free oats as porridge (sweetened with Stevia) and

goats cheese!! I also had chocolate a few times, such uncontrollable cravings!

It annoys me so much because I spend hundreds of pounds on the Nystatin and

candida meds!!

Studies have shown that levothyroxine can cause weight gain in

some people. Have you stopped your Candida diet. If so, this could be the

problem. You need to ensure that all candida is completely out of your gut so

that the thyroid hormone can do what it is supposed to be doing. If candida is

lining your gut, the thyroxine cannot be properly absorbed through the gut where

it goes to the thyroid hormone receptors throughout the body to convert into

the active T3. It is T3 that every cell in your body and brain need to make

them function. Also, check out the information in the attached document to

ensure you are not suffering with any of these. If you are, you need to treat

these, again, so that the thyroid hormone can be properly utilised at the

cellular level.

You should increase your levothyroxine by 25mcgs every 6 to 8

weeks. It might be that you are simply not yet on the dose that your body

requires to make everything function as it should.

Luv - Sheila

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WHY THYROID HORMONE REPLACEMENT MAY NOT BE WORKING FOR YOU.doc

[Guest guest]

Hi,

As your current medication isn't working, can oyu ask the GP to contact the

local endocrinology dept and ask about dosing instructions for T3? Note i

didn't say 'ask for permission to give you T3 " . My GP wasn't sure about how to

prescribe T3 as she hadn't done it before and it took 2 letters to the hospital

saying I wasn't doing well on T4 and what was the alternative before they

responded saying " well try x of T3 with y of T4 " and then she was happy to

give it to me.

It might be worth suggesting to your GP I don't know. Perhaps you could also

say that T3 is listed in the BNF (British National Formulary) and ask her to

check it for dosing guidance and please can you just have a short trial?

I have copied the BNF entries relating to thyroid drugs in general and the T3

info below for you and anyone else it may help.

Regards

Nadia

-----------------------

6.2.1 Thyroid hormones

Thyroid hormones are used in hypothyroidism (myxoedema), and also in diffuse

non-toxic goitre, Hashimoto's thyroiditis (lymphadenoid goitre), and thyroid

carcinoma. Neonatal hypothyroidism requires prompt treatment for normal

development. Levothyroxine sodium (thyroxine sodium) is the treatment of choice

for maintenance therapy.

In infants and children with congenital hypothyroidism and juvenile myxoedema,

the dose of levothyroxine should be titrated according to clinical response,

growth assessment, and measurements of plasma thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating

hormone. See BNF for Children (section 6.2.1) for suitable dosage regimens.

Liothyronine sodium has a similar action to levothyroxine but is more rapidly

metabolised and has a more rapid effect; 20–25 micrograms is equivalent to 100

micrograms of levothyroxine. Its effects develop after a few hours and disappear

within 24 to 48 hours of discontinuing treatment. It may be used in severe

hypothyroid states when a rapid response is desired.

Liothyronine by intravenous injection is the treatment of choice in hypothyroid

coma. Adjunctive therapy includes intravenous fluids, hydrocortisone, and

treatment of infection; assisted ventilation is often required.

LIOTHYRONINE SODIUM

(L-Tri-iodothyronine sodium)

Additional information interactions (Liothyronine).

Indications see notes above

Cautions see under Levothyroxine Sodium; interactions: Appendix 1 (thyroid

hormones)

Contra-indications see under Levothyroxine Sodium

Pregnancy does not cross the placenta in significant amounts; monitor maternal

thyroid function tests—dosage adjustment may be necessary

Breast-feeding amount too small to affect tests for neonatal hypothyroidism

Side-effects see under Levothyroxine Sodium

Dose

By mouth, initially 10–20 micrograms daily gradually increased to 60 micrograms

daily in 2–3 divided doses; elderly smaller initial doses; child, adult dose

reduced in proportion to body-weight

By slow intravenous injection, hypothyroid coma, 5–20 micrograms repeated every

12 hours or as often as every 4 hours if necessary; alternatively initially 50

micrograms then 25 micrograms every 8 hours reducing to 25 micrograms twice

daily

>

> My GP is not giving me T3, I asked before. So what do I do next? Do I take

some T3 too with the Circadian method, or do I get some natural desiccated

thyroid?

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Anita,

Are you taking your supplements at least 4 hours before or 4 hours after taking

your Levo. Most of the things you listed (Ferrous Sulfate, Nisatin, caprilic

acid, oregano complex, probiotics and bicarbonate of soda) will block or

counteract any Levothyroxine you are taking, which should only be taken with

plain water.

[Guest guest]

Hello Sheila,

Thank you for your email.

I'm still doing the candida diet but struggling because of the cravings so

slipped up a few times.

Still, to me it doesn't make sense why would I put on weight?? I looked at the

attachment you sent and I am eating a gluten and lactose-free diet due to

intolerance (for years now), I have no mercury fillings, I have seen Dr P and he

gave me NAX to take 5 / day (not taking it after 1pm so that's not the cause of

the insomnia), Nutri Thyroid, CoQ10, Vit C, taking 200ng of selenium, 2000iu D3,

Ferrous Sulfate, B12 nuggets, Omega 3,6,9, 400mg Mg citrate, and probiotics

every day. Stopped Folate as it was a bit too high in Jan.

I increased my Levo in hope that my Ferritin levels increased since I am taking

the Ferrous Sulfate, but I didn't expect to put on weight and feel so bad. I

don't understand why as none on your list seems to be appropriate. What do I do

now please? Can anyone advise? Do I go back to 50mcg of Levo, get Natural

Desiccated Thyroid or get T3?

I just spoke to the GP surgery and asked for my results. My FT4 has shot up to

24 (12-22, in Jan on 50mcg of Levo it was 15) so that explains maybe the

insomnia, headaches, anxiety, My TSH is 0.2 (0.27-4.2, was 0.35 in Jan), and my

ferritin is still only 46 (!) (was 41 in Jan). They didn't have the info for my

FT3 (will ask GP) but I suspect it stayed low, as it happened before. Will

double my Ferrous Sulphate (although I tried before and it made me constipated -

any suggestions on how to raise my ferritin levels??) and cut back to 50mcg of

Levo, but I don't know if I should get some T3 or Natural desiccated thyroid in

the meantime? Just feel rubbish :-(

Any advice is much appreciated!

Thanks,

Anita x

>

> Hello Anita

> > Since my last blood test (beginning of Jan) where my ferritin was 41, FT3

> was 4 and T4 was 12 (all low) I have been taking Ferrous Sulfate and after

> about 5 weeks felt much better, more energetic, etc. I was on a baby dose of

> Levo, 50mcg.

> > Then about 2 weeks ago I doubled the dose - something my GP and you guys

> suggested too (to increase it). First I felt ok and I still do feel fairly

> ok but I have been rapidly putting on weight!! I don't weigh myself but I

> can tell from my clothes and appearance! I'm also doing a candida diet with

> Nysatin, caprilic acid, oregano complex, probiotics and bicarbonate of soda,

> and previously I always lost weight while doing this but not now! > I'm

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much Nadia, that's really helpful, and might get me somewhere, as

his excuse for not giving me Liothyronine was that he has never done it before

and it's 'out of his field of expertise'.

Thanks,

Anita

>

> Hi,

>

> As your current medication isn't working, can oyu ask the GP to contact the

local endocrinology dept and ask about dosing instructions for T3? Note i

didn't say 'ask for permission to give you T3 " . My GP wasn't sure about how to

prescribe T3 as she hadn't done it before and it took 2 letters to the hospital

saying I wasn't doing well on T4 and what was the alternative before they

responded saying " well try x of T3 with y of T4 " and then she was happy to

give it to me.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I knew about the Ferrous sulfate to be taken 4 hours either side of the

thyroxin, but I didn't know of any of the other meds at all! In fact I take my

Levo with bicarbonate of soda in the morning - I thought that strengthening my

stomach acid will enable absorbtion?

How did you find out about all this (below) and how can I find out more (re:

what supplements prevent thyroxin absorbtion)?

Many Thanks,

Anita

>

>

> Hi Anita,

> Are you taking your supplements at least 4 hours before or 4 hours after

taking your Levo. Most of the things you listed (Ferrous Sulfate, Nisatin,

caprilic acid, oregano complex, probiotics and bicarbonate of soda) will block

or counteract any Levothyroxine you are taking, which should only be taken with

plain water.

>

[Guest guest]

My local chemist told me.

Bicarb is an antacid and stops levo being absorbed, as does any milk product

and probiotics . There are quite a few things that affect how levo is absorbed.

He said the only way to take levo is on an empty stomach with water only. You

should not eat any food, drink coffee or tea for at least an hour after you take

it.

Your local chemist probably knows more about drugs and how to take them than

your average GP. Also there is quite a lot of info in the packs

> Hi,

>

> I knew about the Ferrous sulfate to be taken 4 hours either side of the

thyroxin, but I didn't know of any of the other meds at all! In fact I take my

Levo with bicarbonate of soda in the morning - I thought that strengthening my

stomach acid will enable absorbtion?

>

> How did you find out about all this (below) and how can I find out more (re:

what supplements prevent thyroxin absorbtion)?

> Many Thanks,

>

[Guest guest]

> I knew about the Ferrous sulfate to be taken 4 hours either side of the thyroxin, but I didn't know of any of the other meds at all! In fact I take my Levo with bicarbonate of soda in the morning - I thought that strengthening my stomach acid will enable absorbtion?

Hi Anita,Am on I pad - hence telegram style....I am pretty certain that Bicarbonate of Soda does not increase stomach acid. It does the opposite. It neutralises stomach acid. You need Betaine HCl to increase low levels of stomach acid. Best wishes

[Guest guest]

Bicarbonate of soda will not strengthen your stomach acid - just the opposite.

If you weaken your stomach acid you will be unable to absorb either food or

supplements well. If you want to take bicarbonate of soda for some reason then

make sure it is well away from any food or supplements. Why are you taking it,

by the way?

Miriam

> I knew about the Ferrous sulfate to be taken 4 hours either side of the

thyroxin, but I didn't know of any of the other meds at all! In fact I take my

Levo with bicarbonate of soda in the morning - I thought that strengthening my

stomach acid will enable absorbtion?

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I'm taking bicarbonate of soda for Candida.

It seems to help my digestion and bloating big time. The thing is, I read it

somewhere (or someone told me) to take it on an empty stomach, first thing in

the morning. It also really helps if you are a bit constipated - which is

usually not an issue for me, just with the Ferrous Sulfate I do get a bit

constipated at times.

I'm now desperately looking at how to increase my Ferritine levels from the

pathetic 46 it currently is... Any advise on how I can do that?

I went back to 50mcg of Levo since on 100mcg my T4 went up to 24 (12-22) and I'm

thinking about how to increase my Ferritin and then order some T3 and take that

as well as the 50mcg Levo, since my GP is reluctant to prescribe it, although I

will try what Nadia suggested yesterday.

So should I take Levo first thing, and then an hour later the bicarbonate of

soda?? Or forget the bicarb completely? It seems to be helping my digestion,

why does it help then?

Thanks for any advice!

Anita x

> > I knew about the Ferrous sulfate to be taken 4 hours either side of the

thyroxin, but I didn't know of any of the other meds at all! In fact I take my

Levo with bicarbonate of soda in the morning - I thought that strengthening my

stomach acid will enable absorbtion?

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Thank you! There is no info on the packs for me (I get the dale's

Lactose-free Levo as I'm lactose intolerant) and nobody told me before re:

bicarb... I don't eat for an hour at least after I take my Levo, just take it

with bicarb and have clear herbal tea afterwards.

OK, I will stop taking the Levo with the bicarb (I don't always do this just on

the Candida diet...) and won't have aything but water and herbal tea for an hour

after taking my Levo.

Thank you very much for the info and advice!

Anita

>

> My local chemist told me.

> Bicarb is an antacid and stops levo being absorbed, as does any milk product

and probiotics . There are quite a few things that affect how levo is absorbed.

He said the only way to take levo is on an empty stomach with water only. You

should not eat any food, drink coffee or tea for at least an hour after you take

it.

>

> Your local chemist probably knows more about drugs and how to take them than

your average GP. Also there is quite a lot of info in the packs

[Guest guest]

I hope other people will be able to comment about the bicarbonate of soda. I

would never use it because I have had a low stomach acid problem in the past.

If you have low iron it doesn't seem a good idea to neutralize your stomach

acid, but maybe it is OK to take it well away from food and supplements?

I found frying eggs in a cast iron pan helped raise my iron levels.

Did you get any T4-toxicity symptoms when your Free T4 was high? If not, it may

not do any harm at that level. What was your Free T3 when your Free T4 was 24?

It would give you some idea how well you are converting.

Miriam

> I'm taking bicarbonate of soda for Candida.

> It seems to help my digestion and bloating big time. The thing is, I read it

somewhere (or someone told me) to take it on an empty stomach, first thing in

the morning.

>

> I'm now desperately looking at how to increase my Ferritine levels from the

pathetic 46 it currently is... Any advise on how I can do that?

>

> I went back to 50mcg of Levo since on 100mcg my T4 went up to 24 (12-22) and

I'm thinking about how to increase my Ferritin and then order some T3 and take

that as well as the 50mcg Levo, since my GP is reluctant to prescribe it,

although I will try what Nadia suggested yesterday.

[Guest guest]

Thanks very much Miriam!

Bicarb is also very good to alkalinize your body as a lot of things (too much

meat, carbonated drinks, unhealthy foods, antibiotics) make the body acidic

which has carcinogenic effects, lowers the immune system etc. I found bicarb

very good for my bloating and candida and it is - I believe - in the folders too

as an anti-candida treatment.

I won't take it with the Levo anymore though, thank you for the advice!

Thank you re: cast iron pan, I will look for one online.

When I called the surgery yesterday, the receptionist / nurse said that she

could not see FT3 results! She only gave me the Ferritin, T4 and TSH. I felt

agitated, had insomnia, felt hyperactive and talked quickly on the 100mcg dose.

No weight loss or positive effects, so I suspect that my FT3 stayed low - as

before, whenever I increased my Levo before. My T4 would go up but my FT3 would

barely move and it is usually 3.8 - 4.00 (3.9 - 6.7). So, low... And I would

have hyper symptoms but still feel unwell...

What do you think?

Thanks,

Anita

>

> I hope other people will be able to comment about the bicarbonate of soda. I

would never use it because I have had a low stomach acid problem in the past.

If you have low iron it doesn't seem a good idea to neutralize your stomach

acid, but maybe it is OK to take it well away from food and supplements?

>

> I found frying eggs in a cast iron pan helped raise my iron levels.

>

> Did you get any T4-toxicity symptoms when your Free T4 was high? If not, it

may not do any harm at that level. What was your Free T3 when your Free T4 was

24? It would give you some idea how well you are converting.

[Guest guest]

Well I must admit I don't know how T4-toxicity symptoms differ from simple

thyroid excess symptoms. But if your FT3 has been low before when tested, as

you say, it is worth trying some T3 to see how you respond.

I hope the cast iron pan helps. Sheila generally recommends some iron

supplements which I can't remember the name of, sorry. Anyone?

Miriam

> > I hope other people will be able to comment about the bicarbonate of soda.

I would never use it because I have had a low stomach acid problem in the past.

[Guest guest]

Hi their, could the candida be because you have a gluten sensitivity. this is what is happening to me right now.first be for Christmas i had what felt like candida, then i began to suspect it may be because i had a problem with gluten. not full blown coeliac but a sensitively. !!!!! i am now thinking to get some tests done to make sure i am on the right track.or it could be just a another food that is the problem. angel.

[Guest guest]

Hi Angel,

Sorry, I'm a bit confused.

Do you mean that the candida is the reason for the weight gain? Could be but I

was doing an anti-candida diet - I have done this before and always lost weight.

I haven't eaten anything with gluten for years and carefully monitor everything

I eat.

I have had 5-6 episodes of a really weird allergic reaction in February; my

whole body went red starting from my head, looked like I had sunburn, my skin

was hot and felt prickly and had urticaria on my arms. Certain areas

(non-typical) would be extremely angry red. I have changed nothing in my diet,

or products / washing powder, perfume etc. I use the same stuff for years for

everything, daren't change :-) Had some difficulties breathing, blood pressure

dropped. GP sent me for blood test (he will call today re: results as I called

up the surgery but apparently he wants to talk to me about it). He gave me an

epipen.

Strangely and thankfully I had no repeat of these symptoms since (for 2 weeks

now!). I didn't connect this to the weight gain?

I ordered 's book and some T3 as in the last 2 years any time I

increased my Levo from 50mcg, I had hyper symptoms but my FT3 didn't get raised.

I'm also taking more actions to increase my Ferritin before I introduce the

T3...

I don't know what else I can do? Any advice anyone please?

Thanks very much,

Anita

>

> Hi there, could the candida be because you have a gluten sensitivity. this is

what is happening to me right now.

> first before Christmas i had what felt like candida, then i began to suspect

it may be because i had a problem with gluten. not full blown coeliac but a

sensitively. !!!!! i am now thinking to get some tests done to make sure i am on

the right track.

> or it could be just a another food that is the problem. angel.