Hypothyroidism? Hashimoto's Disease?

I found out a few months ago that i have Hashimoto's disease(the graudal attacking of my thyroid by my body, causing it to slowly fail), which results in hypothyroidism. I've been put on levoxyl, but have gained a significant amount of weight in the past year and a half (about 65lbs). My family (parents mostly) are making me feel awful about this, though I'm not significantly obese (I was in the middle of my weight range when I started gaining) and it's not interferring with my every day.

Does anyone else have htis problem, or a similar one? How do you cope with these people, and your feeling self conscious? The weight will come off, I know that, but it will take time. I plan on starting to work out soon, but I work full time and go to school, and it's very difficult. Can anyone give me some suggestions on what I can do? Thank you!

I don't have hashimoto's disease, but i do have panhypopituarism, which also includes hypothyroidism and have had it since birth. I've never felt like I looked that overweight, but also never been skinny either. It is hard for me to lose weight also. I try to do weights,stretching, and run or walk daily. Often 3 miles a day and I eat pretty healthily. Sometimes its hard to keep up this exercise schedule and actually most people recommend not exercising every day of the week. I know what its like to try really hard to lose weight and not have much success.

Sometimes it takes awhile. I used to try for a few weeks and then give up when I wasn't seeing the results I wanted. Keep positive, pretend it doesn't matter and keep exercising. Eventually you will get results.

Its something you have to find a way to fit into your schedule if its something you want to do. I know its hard to find the time.

It sounds like you pretty much know this stuff I just wanted to offer my support. I know you can do it. Don't let other people bother you. There are an astronomical number of people that are overweight that do not have this problem.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Grave's disease result from immune system destruction or stimulation of thyroid tissue. Symptoms of low (hypo-) or overactive (hyper-) thyroid function are nonspecific and can develop slowly or suddenly; these include fatigue, nervousness, cold or heat intolerance, weakness, changes in hair texture or amount, and weight gain or loss.


The onset of autoimmune disorders occurs most often in middle-aged women - the time of life when estrogen dominance becomes common. Recent studies have shown that women who use HRT containing estrogen are more likely to get lupus. Birth control pills also cause autoimmune diseases by causing the body to form antibodies to its own hormones. It's well known that autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis (MS) often go into remission during pregnancy (when our body manufactures high levels of progesterone), only to return in force after child-birth.

Correcting estrogen dominance by blocking estradiol estrogen action using estriol in conjunction with progesterone can lead to a gradual improvement.

Adrenal function returns to normal in the hypothyroid or thyroid hormone resistance patient after she begins taking enough of the proper form of thyroid hormone. Her increased cortisol level may then slow down or halt autoimmune destruction of her thyroid gland.

Progesterone is the main precursor to corticosteroids and in progesterone-deficient women, restoration of normal progesterone levels may enhance corticosteroid production, thus suppressing the autoimmune attack.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) at physiological doses is relatively safe, and, if nothing else has worked for you, it's an option you and your physician should consider exploring.