5 Tips for Weight Loss after Thyroidectomy: What your Doctor is Missing

Weight loss after thyroidectomy can be almost impossible unless you know exactly what to look for and how to treat it.

It's considered "normal" to gain 20 pounds after thyroidectomy and Doctors tell patients that this is normal and in the same breath then say that the thyroid isn't causing the weight gain. How can this be?

It is possible to lose weight after thyroidectomy but it takes a very different approach.

Eating less and exercising more will NOT lead to significant weight loss if you've had a thyroidectomy or your thyroid ablated with radioactive iodine.

Instead, you need to be focusing on hormone imbalances that lead to weight gain.

I've also included a diet guide to follow in addition to the following 5 tips which I explain in detail in the video.

5 Tips for weight loss after Thyroidectomy:

1. Get on the right type and dose of thyroid medication - for most patients this means a combination of T3 and T4. So medications like cytomel or liothyronine in addition to levothyroxine/Synthroid or the use of natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) will most likely be necessary.

2. Increase your free T3 - you need to be doing whatever is in your power to naturally increase your free T3. The more t3 you can in your system the higher your metabolism will be and the more weight you will lose.

3. Balance all other hormones in the body - I list several hormones, but the main ones I want you to focus on are insulin resistance and leptin resistance. Until these 2 are treated it will be almost impossible for you to lose weight.

4. Be strict with your diet but don't restrict calories - one of the worst things you can do is restrict your calories down to 1,000-1,200 calories per day. This will cause high reverse T3 levels and further reduce your metabolism. Instead, be strict with WHAT you put in your mouth but don't restrict your calories.

5. When you have energy make sure you make exercise count - that means a combination of low intensity daily plus high intensity 1-3x per week.

More information in the video and the full blog post can be found here:

Recommended thyroid supplements to enhance thyroid function:

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Want more from my blog? I have more than 400+ well-researched blog posts on thyroid management, hormone balancing, weight loss, and more. See all blog posts here:

Disclaimer:

This video is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, treatment, diagnosis, prescription, or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Childs and you. You should not make any changes to your medications or health regimens without first consulting a physician. If you have any questions please consult with your current primary care provider. Restart Medical LLC and Dr. Westin Childs are not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other information, services, or product you obtain through this website or video.
#thyroid #hypothyroidism #hashimoto's

[drwestinchilds]

HEY GUYS! If you are struggling with weight loss after thyroidectomy share your EXPERIENCE below!

[melissawood]

Where has this video been all my life!!!???? I had a thyroidectomy when I was 16, and I thought my life was over. My self esteem was so low and I was obsessed with diet and excited. My doctor really gave me no help in teaching me how to help myself in this. Thank you thank you THANK YOU!

[raxstinejrogers]

I have been super struggling, I also had a full hysterectomy which caused me to gain additional weight. I have completely given of hope until this video, which most Dr's do not discuss with the patients so thank you so much, after being so in shape most of my life, I want to get back to how I'm used to looking also. I never suffered from depression until I had the weight gain from both the RAI treatment and hysterectomy, I have completely stopped living due to my weight gain. I have taped up all my mirrors in my house because I can no longer stomach looking at myself. This has explained a lot of what seems to be happening with me.I'm eager to at least give this a try anyway, so thank you so much !! for all your information.

[raeann]

I seriously can't thank you enough for this video. I was getting so depressed because I felt so alone... and thats the way the average dr MAKES you feel. Thank you for making me feel like it's not just me and I'm not crazy!

[worried]

I have hypothroidism & I basically stopped eating - probably 800-900 calories a day and I lost a few pounds but it seemed like I was getting worse, not better as I'm 5'6" & I'm 205 lbs!! 🥲 I'll watch this vid again. So packed full if info!

[missycheesehead]

This is so different than what I was told by doctors, and so far, nothing has worked...for six years. Thanks for the new info.

[jjp]

I have been on low carb since 4/21/19 (it is now 5/13/19, lost 20 pounds. I work out *everyday*. So far, so good.👍
I'm on 137mcgs synthroid.

[umujamal]

I am so happy I stumbled on this. Been working out like crazy and losing almost nothing for six months.

[tarheelnkorea]

thanks for the info and journal articles. maybe doctor will talk to me like a person & not just look at labs

[nwilliams]

I had surgery in 2016. Before leaving the hospital I was given a prescription to take daily. Bloodwork was done prior to discharge. As I was leaving, I was told I didn't need the medication so it was taken back. On a follow-up appointment, the endocrinologist told me that I could have "weight loss surgery because you will never be able to weight without it"! I've repeatedly complained about lack of energy and weight gain. I needed this information and I will be searching for a doctor who is willing to listen and help me!

[mariachukka]

I had Graves disease out of no where in 2019 got my thyroid removed, gained almost 50lbs after and the heaviest I had ever been in my life. I was 213lbs, some due to Covid, but shouldn't have been like that. I started my workouts back again and nutrition plan. I got down to 194 at the most. It would balance between 3lbs no matter what I did, and I was doing ALOT. I know I was stressing my trainers out cuz my progress wasn't moving no matter what they adjusted with me. I been waiting on someone to be honest about this weight gain and the difficulty with it to be dropped. My endocrinologist would say just keep at it and it should drop off, I had already been doing it for 8 months and hadn't lost anything but the same 3lbs. Never moved out the 190s. Ima talk to them about this. Thank you.

[edenpagani]

OMG 😳 thank you so much
I have gained 40 pounds AND I’ve been walking over 10, 000 steps a day and I’ve been eating less than 40 carbs a day. I’m so happy to see this video. The LEVO drug is not working

[jonburleigh]

Taking Osteopathy back to its holistic roots! Great job!

[Yoyo.vicki]

I’m 16 and I have my surgery in November 😖 this is really helpful since I’m already overweight

[kateconnolly]

I wish you were my doctor. :-( it’s difficult for me to find an endocrine doctor who will listen to me.

[louiethemouseful]

I'm 6 months post thyroidectomy and I've stayed the same weight as pre-surgery (except the usual plus minus 5 lbs fluctuation). I'm a 24 year old female.

[njnewf]

Thank you. I actually enjoyed watching this and it informed me of things I didn't exactly know. I am on NDT and have been for 2 years after a TT and a disaster with levo. My body will not process synthetic thyroid. Thankfully I have an IM doctor that will work and learn along with me and did a reverse T3 and found out I was not converting at all, and we added cytomel, which caused more problems. He agreed I needed to try NDT and it's been a blessing but still struggling to get to an optimal level, not what the numbers say but what my body is saying. People also need to understand that as their weight goes up or down, thyroid replacement needs to be adjusted. If your doctor is resistant to doing the blood work you need, INSIST on it. They work for you not the other way around. The best advocate for your health is YOU.

[marietamccune]

Thank you Doctor Childs! You are the only one speaking the harsh truth! I am very interested to sign with your programs as soon as possible!

[MegaGANOEXCEL]

Lost my thyroid 15 years ago . This is what I need .
I do have insulin resistance.
Thank you . I will start the Zink and Vitamin B6 I’ll look in to the iron .

[jenc.]

Yes! This is exactly what I need to be seeing! I am a mess post thyroidectomy! Synthroid is not helping, and I cannot carry this weight (I did an experiment on myself -pictures and all- regarding the scar, of which I cannot see:)... but this weight is AWFUL!!!