How are your clothes fitting? The volume of a pound of fat is much higher than that of a pound of muscle. A pound of muscle is about the size of a largish human fist, whereas a pound of fat is about three times that. You could be burning fat, replacing it with muscle at an equal ratio, hence no weight loss, but improved shape I've been hypothyroid for 17 years and didn't get the real facts till last year when I developed a small goiter and saw an actual endocrinologist. If your health insurance would cover it I'd see if i could get in to see one. They are the best informed on the subject, whereas GP's get what everyone in med school(or nursing swchool for that matter) gets a set of ranges, the gross characteristics of the most common pathologies but not a hell of a lot else. Thyroid is essential to metabolism and is linked to fertility, bone density and any number of vital processes. Full bore Thyroid panels(TSH, T3 and T4) are pricey but give a much more accruate picture of your actual levels. //nurse lecture.
I'm an expert on the thyroid (read Mary Shomon's book and visit my website www.askshelley.com) the liver and metabolism. Only a small percentage of calorie burning happens in the muscles. The rest happens in the liver, which everyone neglects to mention.
Mothers need to do a liver cleanse after pregnancy to get their metabolism back, and with a slightly slow thyroid plus reduced muscle mass, you can only afford about 1,200 calories a day. You're doing the right thing by raising muscle mass, and can take a bit of Iodine and see if the lack is causing the slow-down (babies take up a lot of one's iodine and the thyroid can't operate without it).
But the best thing to do is a simple two week long liver cleansing diet and perhaps a liver flush or two. Do another thyroid panel after that and be sure to include the entire panel, not just TSH. And remember the numbers are averages. What's right for statistics may not be right for you. But take iodine first. Often that's all you need. :)
Fascinating! 1200 calories a day, at my weight, seems so little, especially since my muscle mass is back! I tried cutting calories to 1300 for about a week but felt like hell. I'm settling in about 1400 calories per day for the last week or so and feeling okay with that. Is that really still too much? If so, I'm gonna do some MAJOR pouting. Any suggestions on iodine supplementation? I've read you should get it from kelp. Are there kelp pills? A liver cleanse sounds a little scary to me, but I think I'll try it if iodine doesn't perk things up.
Be careful about homeopathic idodine supplements from kelp in health stores, because that stuff is not regulated in any way. And if the doc puts you on thyroid meds, the homeopathic iodine could actually interfere with the meds. Or so I was told some years ago by my homeopathic chiro when I had to go back on thyroid meds.
Morton's salt used to sell an "Iodized" salt version. I wonder if using that on your food would give you just enough trace amounts that you might need?
If you felt like hell on 1300 then don't go that low. It's always just a guestimation, your body is the final word. If the percentages of protein/fats etc are the same as you listed though, it's no wonder. When you reduce calories below 1400 it's best to shoot for a 30-40% protein, 40% fats (protein+fats are your very best fuel) and only 20-30% carbs. These proportions keep you feeling sated and energized and upbeat
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I've been hypothyroid for 17 years and didn't get the real facts till last year when I developed a small goiter and saw an actual endocrinologist. If your health insurance would cover it I'd see if i could get in to see one. They are the best informed on the subject, whereas GP's get what everyone in med school(or nursing swchool for that matter) gets a set of ranges, the gross characteristics of the most common pathologies but not a hell of a lot else. Thyroid is essential to metabolism and is linked to fertility, bone density and any number of vital processes. Full bore Thyroid panels(TSH, T3 and T4) are pricey but give a much more accruate picture of your actual levels.
//nurse lecture.
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I'm supposed to go in for a follow-up. I will ask what panels he ran and ask about an endocrinologist. Thanks Kate!
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Mothers need to do a liver cleanse after pregnancy to get their metabolism back, and with a slightly slow thyroid plus reduced muscle mass, you can only afford about 1,200 calories a day. You're doing the right thing by raising muscle mass, and can take a bit of Iodine and see if the lack is causing the slow-down (babies take up a lot of one's iodine and the thyroid can't operate without it).
But the best thing to do is a simple two week long liver cleansing diet and perhaps a liver flush or two. Do another thyroid panel after that and be sure to include the entire panel, not just TSH. And remember the numbers are averages. What's right for statistics may not be right for you. But take iodine first. Often that's all you need. :)
Reply
- donna
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Be careful about homeopathic idodine supplements from kelp in health stores, because that stuff is not regulated in any way. And if the doc puts you on thyroid meds, the homeopathic iodine could actually interfere with the meds. Or so I was told some years ago by my homeopathic chiro when I had to go back on thyroid meds.
Morton's salt used to sell an "Iodized" salt version. I wonder if using that on your food would give you just enough trace amounts that you might need?
[smooch]
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