Hi there,
Craig suggested me to seek for some advice on this forum, and, after browsing the past posts, I think he's quite right, and that I might get some help here
I will cut a long story short, I don't want you to get bored to death:
about 3 years ago, I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and told I would be a slug for life.
5 months ago, I have demanded to have all my results, and have found out that I had not CFS, I had a hypoactive thyroid that wasn't diagnosed thanks to the fantastic NICE guidelines
Anyway, now that I am taking the right meds (eventually!), I would like to get my life back, and possibly my body: this involves exercise of course, but how do I adapt my body gradually, considering that up to a few months ago even vacuuming or putting the laundry on the line to dry was too much for me?
Diet is another issue, Craig says that my body is in "starvation mode", partly because of my thyroid, and partly because of my life that is not exactly regular (1 meal a day.. I know, I know...!).
So, any EASY advice is very, very welcome, but keep into account that:
1) I know nothing about gyms (heretic I know)
2) I am actually starting to get used to a normal life, so my stamina is low and I am physically unable to do much exercise
3) my life is higly irregular, with very weird working hours
4) my tastes when it comes to food will probably sound very weird and wrong to you, because I am Italian

Sounds like a mission impossible, I know, but I have to start somewhere, and Craig seems to think I can make it (he's def more optimistic than me LOL!), so I guess it's worth a try!

Hi Charlotte, welcome to ESN, I thinking take a look into running a journal so we can give on going advice

Welcome

Few things

- What are your meds? Assume they have put you on t4 at around 200mcg? Or expect you to trial varied dosages. Or have they been more daring and put you on t3?

In the UK treating and diagnosing Thyroid issues are totally bad. They dont do the right tests and base everything on free t4 levels alone. True measure is free t3,free t4 and FSH. But of course that would cost too much.

Anyway - what physical state are you in? Do you have alot of bodyfat from the low levels?

Hey and welcome.

Hello and welcome Charlotte

hi there
are you from cheshire? quite an anglicised name for an italian

Why you are fast!!!
fist of all, thanks for your replies, yes, I will def try to keep a journal, although I tend not to do private stuff at work, so I might not be so regular!

Anyway, I am on T3 AND T4 (not my new GP choice, my own...), and at the moment I am on 50 mcgr T4 and 5 mcgr T3 a day; of course being the first few months this will need to be adjusted according to how I will react, but I'd rather take it easy than risk my hair (for a girl hair is essential...).
You are right, they are not able to treat thyroid disorders, or most conditions from what I have seen... they even failed to recognise a fractured foot, and when I had a blood test done some 5 weeks afterwards they tried to tell me that my tiredness was due to a marginal calcium deficiency
I know (hope) that there are competent doctors somewhere, but up to now I haven't been very lucky... so that's why I kick my new GP until he does what I want, or I do what I want anyway
Anyway, I have waiting to have the latest tests back, I have ordered TSH, t3, t4, peroxydase and anti-thyroid ab, to rule out a Hashimoto (that would be very bad luck and require a more drastic treatment, and probably a wig), and see how I am doing and whether and how much I... ehr the GP should increase the meds levels.
My physical shape is... well let's just say that I could win the title of couch potato of the year!
I have loads of what feels like water (and indeed my weight shifts amazingly, and randomly), but there's flab too yuk!
Luckily enough my work requires loads of physical activity, and I have a border collie, so I am still able to go up and down steep stairs and stuff, and probably that's why I still look vaguely human, but this is not how I want to be!
I am slowly getting better, and have started doing some work with horses (I hope to be able to go there two-three times a week).
I will probably also start going to the swimming pool as soon as I am strong enough to attend regularly, and will gradually throw in oter stuff, but time might become a problem, keeping in mind that I work full-time, and being alone if I don't do the cleaning, washing etc. nobody will do it for me

julesm wrote:hi there
are you from cheshire? quite an anglicised name for an italian

ROTFL
well I have always loved the cheshirecat, and he can get in a fantastic shape in a moment

I think alot will depend on when your body stabilises. Has anyone spoke to you about Armour Thyroid? Very promising and used by many over in the states with your condition. Its a mix of t3 and t4. Take a look. http://www.armourthyroid.com/

The issue in the immediate you have is that your caloric expendature and potential for fat loss will be limited till your thyroid levels get to a decent level. However as you are currently on low dosage it will def be higher than what it was without the meds.

Do you do any cardio?>

Hi Charlotte and welcome to the boards! Congratulations on having the gumption to demand to see your records and the self confidence to tell your GP what you need.

If you know Craig in real life then you are off to a good start as that man refuses to let anyone lie to themselves and he can help get you started. Start off slow and gentle, especially if doing things like vacuuming etc tire you out as the last thing we need is to know you for 6 when you are trying to get fit and active again.

I'm sure everyone here will do their best to help you and I suspect now you are on some meds to treat the actual problem you will start to see results faster than you would expect!

kp1512 wrote:I think alot will depend on when your body stabilises. Has anyone spoke to you about Armour Thyroid?

Dessicated thyroid extracts are a tad unreliable because the actual active principle amount can vary (the amount of thyroid hormone inside the actual gland varies according to individual factors, so the extracts have the same problem), but they are great when you are intolerant to the syntetic hormones.
After a bit of a rocky start, things are now going smoothly, so unless I need to increase the dosage and get more stomach complaints, I don't consider Armor necessary (my GP wouldn't prescribe it either... NICE guidelines...).
Of course, things might change, and it's always a good thing to know all the alternatives

The issue in the immediate you have is that your caloric expendature and potential for fat loss will be limited till your thyroid levels get to a decent level. However as you are currently on low dosage it will def be higher than what it was without the meds.

I am already noticing that I am more lively than the average cabbage, and even just sleeping a normal amount of time is improving the situation!
I am slowly getting more used to normal activities, and have just started working with horses (very basic stuff, but it's hard work anyway), and plan to start swimming again within a couple of months.

Do you do any cardio?>

ehr... next question?
I am unable to do anything so intense at the moment, but I will probably throw it in when I'm ready!

GymBunny wrote:Hi Charlotte and welcome to the boards! Congratulations on having the gumption to demand to see your records and the self confidence to tell your GP what you need.

let's just say that I am more informed than the average patient, and that's probably the reason why the first GP always kept my results from me in the first place...
Maybe the new GP would have acted, but considering that a mistake has already cost me nearly 3 years of life I have no problems kicking the man until he does what I know he has to (maybe I will buy him a textbook on thyroid disorders for Christmas, at least he will know what I talk about when I try to explain him SLOWLY what exams I want and why... )

If you know Craig in real life then you are off to a good start as that man refuses to let anyone lie to themselves and he can help get you started. Start off slow and gentle, especially if doing things like vacuuming etc tire you out as the last thing we need is to know you for 6 when you are trying to get fit and active again.

LOL!
That's Craig allright!!!
And he's already helping me loads, it's like having a personal trainer!
You're right when you say I have to start slowly, now that I feel better I tend to overdo, and end up being knackered on the following day...
On the other hand, I don't want to just lay down for fear of overdoing it... although now I doubt I will have this problem again, seen how my "conscience" keeps telling me what sort of exercises and diet could help me!

I'm sure everyone here will do their best to help you and I suspect now you are on some meds to treat the actual problem you will start to see results faster than you would expect!

And this absolutely great!
I didn't expect so many people to answer a newbie couch potato who has hardly ever set foot in a gym (I used to do sports allright, just not in a gym!), I guess my GPs life has just got a wee bit more difficult

I think people know my M.O. for fat loss round here (clean the diet up and up the work rate, simplicity). But Charlotte is only eating one meal at the moment so overall cals are going to have to come up, even if better food choices are made. Protein obv is the least efficient food source for energy and balances blood sugar like no other substance know to man so I'm thinking of a 40:30:30 split over the day, with breakfast a bit more like 40:40:20 and then running a carb cut off (yes out of date but it works so feck off). 2000 cals split over meals (will have to work up to this!)

Dealing with a women seems to always be a negotiation in terms of what they'll eat, what cardio they will or won't do..................... so if everyone can help with food choices to help make this diet.

I've suggested:

Carbs:

Low GI/GL fruit
basmati rice
Quinoa
Sweet potatos
yams
veggies
beans/ pulses


Protein

Lean meats
Nuts
eggs
oily fish

dairy is out as she is also lactose intolerant, join the club

Fats

EVOO
nuts, oily fish
fish oils
coconut oil


ok its late for me, brains not working! please add!

the_cheshirecat wrote:
Do you do any cardio?>

ehr... next question?
I am unable to do anything so intense at the moment, but I will probably throw it in when CRAIG says I'm ready![/quote]


Thats the spirit

Hi Charlotte, welcome to ESN.

I can sympathise about NHS not having a clue with thryroid problems... around two years ago now I had the opposite problem to you and went hyperthyroid. The episode thankfully only lasted a little over a month and regulated but i lost a lot of bodyweight and was pretty ill. The NHS couldn't offer a diagnosis, partly because they kept losing my blood test results, and i still don't really know what the problem was and if it might come back!

Anyway, you are in good company here - helpful and knowledgeable lot here, even Craig makes a good contribution believe it or not!

Look forward to your posts and hope to help if i can

Craig wrote:I think people know my M.O. for fat loss round here (clean the diet up and up the work rate, simplicity). But Charlotte is only eating one meal at the moment so overall cals are going to have to come up, even if better food choices are made. Protein obv is the least efficient food source for energy and balances blood sugar like no other substance know to man so I'm thinking of a 40:30:30 split over the day, with breakfast a bit more like 40:40:20 and then running a carb cut off (yes out of date but it works so feck off). 2000 cals split over meals (will have to work up to this!)

subtitles anybody?

Dealing with a women seems to always be a negotiation in terms of what they'll eat, what cardio they will or won't do..................... so if everyone can help with food choices to help make this diet.

-_____-"
being sexist is not politically correct you know?

I've suggested:

Carbs:

Low GI/GL fruit

you forgot to add that you want to take the canned fruit away.... it's the only decent fruit I can find come on!

basmati rice

YUK! long grain plain rice?

Quinoa



Sweet potatos

YUK!!!
normal potatoes???
maybe with their skins... mhhhh all the fibers....

yams
veggies

same as with the fruit.... tinned please, I can't spend my life cleaning them!

beans/ pulses

not in this life.

Protein

Lean meats

no probs!

Nuts

ehr... well ok.

eggs

can get these too...

oily fish


you are joking now are you?
I love cats, and it's nice when they like me too but stinking like a can of pet food is not really ideal for my social life!

dairy is out as she is also lactose intolerant, join the club

I will eat the odd mozzarella or cottage cheese, and antihystaminic to follow...

Fats

EVOO

you already know what I think...

nuts, oily fish
fish oils
coconut oil

capsules... I will live on capsules LOL!


ok its late for me, brains not working! please add!

it must be all of the bickering when you try to force ungodly food down me throat!

We've already discussed my stance on regular potato's there out.

Quinoa

http://www.ethicalsuperstore.com/produc ... %3E+Grains

also available at morrisons

Well time for me to call it a night, seen how tomorrow I have to get up to have breakfast (doh)...
I will be ultrafast:
@Craig: you are mean!
@DTLV74: the more I hear about the NHS the more I feel that my little DIY kit will be useful
@Craig (again): I like your style, could you call my employer and explain him I need a substantial increase of salary to buy the TWO kinds of olive oil, and the fish and so on? He is a man and therefore easier to convince!
@Julesm: when you're in Rome do like the Romans do...
@Alex & Rilla: thank you!
@everybody I have just found out that I might not be so useless here after all: I can cook, and I can alter recipies to make them GI or whatever other method friendly
with Craig's approval of course

Hiya and welcome.

CFS is such a bull jelly thing for a doctor to say. It means they dont know what the problem actually is or canny be arsed trying to diagnose properly. Same goes for IBS!

Anyway you seem to have the resolve to help yourself which means you are on the right track.

cleaver wrote:Hiya and welcome.

CFS is such a bull jelly thing for a doctor to say. It means they dont know what the problem actually is or canny be arsed trying to diagnose properly. Same goes for IBS!

Anyway you seem to have the resolve to help yourself which means you are on the right track. Not sure about you being friends with the craig though

look mate she knows me as a good boy, no need to tell her your pet name for me baby

Only thing I'd add to Craigs list is that a few foods inhibit iodine absorption and are best eaten in small quantities if hypothyroid - you dont have to avoid them altogether just go easy. A few other foods are considered to be helpful for low functioning thyroid although it's by no means proven how much difference they actually make.

Take it easy on:
Cabbage
Broccoli
Peanuts
Sweet Potato
Kale
Mustard
Soya

Eat lots of:
Carrots
Spinach
Asparagus
Avocado
Whole grain cereals
Brazil nuts
Tomatoes
Onions

Oily fish
Olive oil
Coconut oil

Selenium is considered good for thyroid function too, and so a multivitamin supplement might be a good idea.

Craig wrote:

cleaver wrote:Hiya and welcome.

CFS is such a bull jelly thing for a doctor to say. It means they dont know what the problem actually is or canny be arsed trying to diagnose properly. Same goes for IBS!

Anyway you seem to have the resolve to help yourself which means you are on the right track. Not sure about you being friends with the beastmaster though

look mate she knows me as a good boy, no need to tell her your pet name for me baby

Yeah baby you are the best. Your ass is a tight as a 16 year olds

Dtlv74 wrote:
Selenium is considered good for thyroid function too, and so a multivitamin supplement might be a good idea.

Both Zinc and Selenium are needed to convert T4 to T3, the vast majority of the population are deficient in Zinc!

Craig wrote:

Dtlv74 wrote:
Selenium is considered good for thyroid function too, and so a multivitamin supplement might be a good idea.

Both Zinc and Selenium are needed to convert T4 to T3, the vast majority of the population are deficient in Zinc!

lol, yeah realised i'd left zinc off and was going to add that today. Some studies have also shown that Vitamin E supplementation helps raise thyroid output if it's deficient...although off the top of my head i can't remember if the amounts they tested where normal sized doses or silly big ones...

I think reading this thread its a must that you have to increase your food intake and calories, one meal a day isn't enough fuel to function and i feel some of your problems are in this area for sure, I also think you should seek professional help in the area of thyroid problems, I know the NHS are not the best but i am sure you could seek out the right Doctor to help your issues.

Food/diet is the key here and you must start to eat more, find the right foods what suit you best and increase your calories, alot of your problems you have mentioned are defo related to lack of nutrition