Losing weight on levothyroxine, is it possible? You bet. Here's why your levothyroxine is not helping with weight loss and how to fix it. 

Levothyroxine is the most commonly prescribed medication for treating low thyroid or hypothyroidism. 

One of the most common symptoms associated with low thyroid function is WEIGHT GAIN. You might think that treating your thyroid using thyroid medication would cause you to lose weight but that isn't always the case and this video explains why that is. 

It makes sense that increasing your thyroid hormone should cause weight loss, especially if the opposite leads to weight gain. 

So if levothyroxine isn't helping you with weight loss the question is why not? Here are a few reasons why this may be the case:

#1. Is it the right medication for you? 
There are many different thyroid medications available on the market and they are not all created equal. Levothyroxine may simply not be the best medication for your body. 

#2. Have you waited long enough? 
Even if levothyroxine is the right medication for you, have you given it enough time to kick in and to work? 
It takes roughly 4-6 weeks to see any change once you make changes to your thyroid medication dose! 

#3. Are you taking enough?
While levothyroxine may be the right medication for you, you have to make sure that you are taking enough. 
It won't provide any benefit to you if your dose is simply too low. 

#4. Is it getting into your system? 
And lastly, you have to make sure that the medication you are taking is getting into your system. Believe it or not, people take their thyroid medication incorrectly which leads to decreased absorption in the gut. 

When it comes down to it, levothyroxine just isn't always the best option for weight loss. Other thyroid medications, especially those that contain T3 thyroid hormone are often much more effective of that purpose. These medications include things like Armour thyroid, other formulations of NDT, and even T3 only thyroid medications. 

If you aren't sure what to do next I've created a list of people who tend to do the BEST on levothyroxine. People in this category include those who are:

- Treatment naive
- Sensitive to T3 and/or NDT medications
- Sensitive to medications and supplements in general
- Have few if any chronic illnesses
- Have seen some improvement on levothyroxine within a short period of time (usually between 4-8 weeks)

Are you using levothyroxine? Is it helping you with weight loss? Let me know below! 

Download my free thyroid resources here (including hypothyroid symptoms checklist, the complete list of thyroid lab tests + optimal ranges, foods you should avoid if you have thyroid disease, and more): https://www.restartmed.com/start-here/

Losing Weight on Levothyroxine: Why it's Not Working and How to Fix it

Do you feel like your thyroid is taking over your life? Are you suffering from symptoms like weight gain, hair loss, fatigue, brain fog, or mood swings? If so, you aren’t alone. 

In fact, millions of other thyroid patients in the United States and around the world suffer from the same issues. And these issues persist even in the face of normal treatment with thyroid medication!

The question is: what can you do about it?

That’s exactly what this podcast is about.

I’m Dr. Westin Childs (D.O.) a former practicing osteopathic physician and my goal is to help thyroid patients get back to feeling 100%. 

Well, I actually have 2 goals:

#1. The first is to help 1 million thyroid patients directly or indirectly. 

And #2. To create the most comprehensive and helpful thyroid resource for thyroid patients on the internet. 

I know just how debilitating thyroid disease can be and I also know that it is possible to take control of your life. 

One of the biggest problems with thyroid management is that we just don’t talk about it enough. 

This podcast changes that. 

We are going to discuss all sorts of topics ranging from thyroid management, the use of less talked about thyroid medications, opinions on emerging treatments and therapies from leading experts, the use of natural therapies and how they fit into the conventional model, and so much more. 

If you want more information aside from the standard thyroid treatment of TSH and levothyroxine then this is the place for you. 

We won’t just stop at your thyroid, either. 

Other topics that are relevant and important to thyroid function will be discussed including things like hormone balance, menopause, testosterone replacement therapy, and weight loss therapies. 

If something helps you to better manage your thyroid, improve your symptoms, lose weight, or balance your hormones then it’s something I want to include. 

For more information on me and why I do what I do check out my website here: www.restartmed.com 

If you have any questions or have a topic you want me to discuss please shoot me an email on my website to submit a request in the "contact" section!

Health & Fitness

Millions of prescriptions of thyroid medication will be filled this year and the vast majority of them will be for levothyroxine.

Of those millions, only about 10% or so will go to a class of thyroid medication called natural desiccated thyroid. 

Despite being only 10% of all prescriptions, thyroid patients have a clear preference for it. 

Not only does it help with weight loss, but it also can help better control thyroid symptoms based on surveys of thyroid patients. 

There’s only one problem: 

Doctors don’t like to prescribe it. 

Unfortunately, they are under the impression that NDT is an inferior medication to levothyroxine which is why today, I’m busting these NDT myths. 

Here they are, in no particular order: 

1. Claim #1: Taking NDT Will Cause Bone Loss & Heart Problems
Long-term studies show this isn’t true PROVIDED you are not taking more than you need. 

2. Claim #2: Newer Synthetic Medications Are More Effective
The idea here is that NDT may cause side effects because of its T3 content. This may happen, but it’s also the reason that people prefer NDT... because it works. 

3. Claim #3: NDT is Not FDA-Approved 
This is true but irrelevant. NDT has been use since 1890 so it was grandfathered into the FDAs newer requirements. 

4. Claim #4: NDT is Old-Fashioned 
This isn’t true either as all thyroid medications contain the same bio-identical thyroid hormones. The same T4 that is found in levothyroxine is also found in NDT. 

5. Claim #5: Taking NDT Will Cause Mad Cow Disease 
NDT comes from pigs (not cows), and there’s never been a reported case of Mad Cow disease in the US. 

6. Claim #6: Taking NDT Will Increase Thyroid Antibodies 
This is theoretical and may be a problem for a rare subset of people, but not enough to warrant that everyone avoids it. 

Claim #7: NDT Isn’t A Real Medication Because it Can Be Purchased Over The Counter
NDT is not the same thing as over-the-counter thyroid glandulars which is what this claim confuses. 

Need help optimizing your thyroid medication? Check out this video next: https://youtu.be/Yyf3XgB97l0?si=yBjZ094s6CIylfl9

Download my free thyroid resources here (including hypothyroid symptoms checklist, the complete list of thyroid lab tests + optimal ranges, foods you should avoid if you have thyroid disease, and more): https://www.restartmed.com/start-here/

Recommended thyroid supplements to enhance thyroid function:
- Supplements that everyone with hypothyroidism needs: https://bit.ly/3tekPej
- Supplement bundle to help reverse Hashimoto’s: https://bit.ly/3gSY9eJ
- Supplements for those without a thyroid and for those after RAI: https://bit.ly/3tb36nZ
- Supplements for active hyperthyroidism: https://bit.ly/3t70yHo

See ALL of my specialized supplements including protein powders, thyroid supplements, and weight loss products here: 
https://www.restartmed.com/shop/

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: 
https://www.restartmed.com/blog/

Prefer to listen via podcast? Download all of my podcast episodes here: https://apple.co/3kNYTCS

Disclaimer:
Dr. Westin Childs received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic medicine in 2013. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Childs is no longer practicing medicine and does not hold an active medical license so he can focus on helping people through videos, blog posts, research, and supplement formulation. To read more about why he is no longer licensed please see this page: https://www.restartmed.com/what-happened-to-my-medical-license/

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 D

What Doctors Get Wrong About NDT Thyroid Medication

Despite what many of you may feel, it’s definitely possible to get to a normal weight if you have a thyroid problem. 

That doesn’t mean it’s easy, but it does mean it’s possible. 

In order to do that, though, you’ll want to avoid these mistakes. 

Mistake 1. Massive upfront calorie restriction. 
Calorie restriction in some form will be necessary to get to your ideal weight but many thyroid patients should spend more time focusing on their thyroid function instead of their calories, at least in the beginning. 
Mistake 2. No weight goal or plan. 
Thyroid patients who set specific goals are the ones who will reach them. If you don’t have a plan then you won’t obtain your goal. 
Mistake 3. Overeating healthy foods or "healthy" versions of unhealthy foods. 
Paleo brownies are still brownies whether they are paleo or not. Are they healthier than box brownies? Sure. But they still shouldn’t be on the menu if you are trying to lose weight. 
Mistake 4. Not having realistic expectations. 
As a thyroid patient, your weight loss is going to be slower than the average person. Coming to terms with this will help sustain your efforts. 
Mistake 5. Cutting carbs too quickly. 
Cutting carbs is great for a quick burst of weight loss due to a loss of fluid so be mindful about when you cut them. 
Mistake 6. No resistance training (you’re losing muscle and fat instead of just fat). 
Your goal should be to lose fat and maintain muscle but most people end up losing 50% fat and 50% muscle. 

Use this video if you want a 6 step guide to help you lose weight: https://youtu.be/F5_U5U5Axag?si=D-TF8oVBHHNcbTMf

Download my free thyroid resources here (including hypothyroid symptoms checklist, the complete list of thyroid lab tests + optimal ranges, foods you should avoid if you have thyroid disease, and more): https://www.restartmed.com/start-here/

Recommended thyroid supplements to enhance thyroid function:
- Supplements that everyone with hypothyroidism needs: https://bit.ly/3tekPej
- Supplement bundle to help reverse Hashimoto’s: https://bit.ly/3gSY9eJ
- Supplements for those without a thyroid and for those after RAI: https://bit.ly/3tb36nZ
- Supplements for active hyperthyroidism: https://bit.ly/3t70yHo

See ALL of my specialized supplements including protein powders, thyroid supplements, and weight loss products here: 
https://www.restartmed.com/shop/

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: 
https://www.restartmed.com/blog/

Prefer to listen via podcast? Download all of my podcast episodes here: https://apple.co/3kNYTCS

Disclaimer:
Dr. Westin Childs received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic medicine in 2013. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Childs is no longer practicing medicine and does not hold an active medical license so he can focus on helping people through videos, blog posts, research, and supplement formulation. To read more about why he is no longer licensed please see this page: https://www.restartmed.com/what-happened-to-my-medical-license/

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

6 Mistakes Thyroid Patients Make When Losing Weight (AVOID These)

There’s a lot of bad advice that gets thrown around out there for people who have Hashimoto’s. And, believe it or not, some of the worst offenders are doctors!

If you have Hashimoto’s, make sure you aren’t falling for these lies: 

1. Your TSH is "normal". The TSH is an accurate test for diagnosing thyroid disease but it’s not a great test for assessing if you are being adequately treated. 
2. Changing your diet won’t help your thyroid. It’s always been the case that changing your diet is an important and necessary treatment for just about any disease state and Hashimoto’s is no different. 
3. You’ll have to take thyroid medication forever. Even though you MIGHT have to take thyroid medication forever doesn’t guarantee that you will. New research suggests that there are a lot of patients out there who can get off their meds. 
4. The best and only treatment for hypothyroidism is levothyroxine. While levothyroxine works for some people, it doesn’t work for everyone. There are plenty of other options you can look into. 
5. Your thyroid is "normal" so your symptoms are in your head. If you still have low thyroid symptoms despite taking thyroid medication then it means you aren’t taking enough medication or that your doctor is missing something. 

You can learn more about how to treat Hashimoto’s naturally here: 

Download my free thyroid resources here (including hypothyroid symptoms checklist, the complete list of thyroid lab tests + optimal ranges, foods you should avoid if you have thyroid disease, and more): https://www.restartmed.com/start-here/

Recommended thyroid supplements to enhance thyroid function:
- Supplements that everyone with hypothyroidism needs: https://bit.ly/3tekPej
- Supplement bundle to help reverse Hashimoto’s: https://bit.ly/3gSY9eJ
- Supplements for those without a thyroid and for those after RAI: https://bit.ly/3tb36nZ
- Supplements for active hyperthyroidism: https://bit.ly/3t70yHo

See ALL of my specialized supplements including protein powders, thyroid supplements, and weight loss products here: 
https://www.restartmed.com/shop/

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: 
https://www.restartmed.com/blog/

Prefer to listen via podcast? Download all of my podcast episodes here: https://apple.co/3kNYTCS

Disclaimer:
Dr. Westin Childs received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic medicine in 2013. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Childs is no longer practicing medicine and does not hold an active medical license so he can focus on helping people through videos, blog posts, research, and supplement formulation. To read more about why he is no longer licensed please see this page: https://www.restartmed.com/what-happened-to-my-medical-license/

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

5 LIES About Hashimoto’s You Probably Believe

Glucomannan is a plant fiber that comes from konjac root and it has some special properties that can help you lose weight. 

Unlike other plant fibers (which are also healthy) it can absorb up to 100x its weight in water. 

This holding of water allows it to press against stretch receptors in your stomach which impacts appetite. 

But this is just one benefit, here are 3 ways that glucomannan can help you lose weight: 

1. By helping you to control your appetite. 
When taken before a meal, and with water, glucomannan absorbs water which pushes against your stomach walls. This then sends signals to the brain that you are full. But, in this case, you are full of plant fiber and not food which means you are hacking your appetite. 

2. By delaying the absorption of sugar and carbohydrates. 
When introduced to water, glucomannan turns into a sticky viscous fiber which delays the absorption of glucose and carbohydrates. This delay means better insulin and blood sugar control which means more weight loss. 

3. By positively impacting gut health. 
The healthier your gut is, the easier it will be to lose weight. This is why studies show that taking both probiotics and prebiotics can often result in fat loss. Study here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10000630/ 

How do you use it? For weight loss, 3 grams per day taken 15-20 minutes with a big glass of water before your biggest meal of the day works best. 

Using it this way helps your brain think you are eating way more calories than you actually are which means that you can naturally suppress your caloric intake without causing severe hunger pangs. 

For even better results, combine glucomannan with olive oil and l-glutamine. You can see all 3 of these ingredients in the ratios that I recommend here: https://www.restartmed.com/product/glucoslow-fiber/ 

Download my free thyroid resources here (including hypothyroid symptoms checklist, the complete list of thyroid lab tests + optimal ranges, foods you should avoid if you have thyroid disease, and more): https://www.restartmed.com/start-here/

Recommended thyroid supplements to enhance thyroid function:
- Supplements that everyone with hypothyroidism needs: https://bit.ly/3tekPej
- Supplement bundle to help reverse Hashimoto’s: https://bit.ly/3gSY9eJ
- Supplements for those without a thyroid and for those after RAI: https://bit.ly/3tb36nZ
- Supplements for active hyperthyroidism: https://bit.ly/3t70yHo

See ALL of my specialized supplements including protein powders, thyroid supplements, and weight loss products here: 
https://www.restartmed.com/shop/

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: 
https://www.restartmed.com/blog/

Prefer to listen via podcast? Download all of my podcast episodes here: https://apple.co/3kNYTCS

Disclaimer:
Dr. Westin Childs received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic medicine in 2013. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Childs is no longer practicing medicine and does not hold an active medical license so he can focus on helping people through videos, blog posts, research, and supplement formulation. To read more about why he is no longer licensed please see this page: https://www.restartmed.com/what-happened-to-my-medical-license/

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

Glucomannan Makes Weight Loss Faster & Easier

One easy way to check the status of your overall health and the health of your thyroid is by simply looking at your nails. 

Because your nails grow slowly, and because they respond to stressors on the inside of your body, they represent a 6 month history of your overall health. 

It just so happens that they also give you valuable information about your thyroid function as well. 

In hypothyroidism roughly: 

70% of patients experience fragile nails
48% experience slow growth
40% experience thinning
And 38% experience onycholysis (which is nail separation at the base)

In hyperthyroidism roughly: 

100% of patients experience koilonychia (which is depression of the nail in the center with flaring of the nails on the side)
83% experience softening of the nail
29% experience onycholysis (which, again, is nail separation)
And 10% experience brittle nails

In addition to these problems, those with thyroid problems are also at increased risk for developing: 

1. Leukonychia
2. Pits in the nails
3. Brittle nail syndrome
4. Vertical lines
5. Horizontal lines

These 6 treatments can help improve the quality of your nails: 

1. Avoid nail trauma
2. Make sure you optimize thyroid function
3. Take a multivitamin
4. Reduce your intake of calcium and take vitamin K2
5. Take collagen peptides
6. Take silicon

Download my free thyroid resources here (including hypothyroid symptoms checklist, the complete list of thyroid lab tests + optimal ranges, foods you should avoid if you have thyroid disease, and more): https://www.restartmed.com/start-here/

Recommended thyroid supplements to enhance thyroid function:
- Supplements that everyone with hypothyroidism needs: https://bit.ly/3tekPej
- Supplement bundle to help reverse Hashimoto’s: https://bit.ly/3gSY9eJ
- Supplements for those without a thyroid and for those after RAI: https://bit.ly/3tb36nZ
- Supplements for active hyperthyroidism: https://bit.ly/3t70yHo

See ALL of my specialized supplements including protein powders, thyroid supplements, and weight loss products here: 
https://www.restartmed.com/shop/

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: 
https://www.restartmed.com/blog/

Prefer to listen via podcast? Download all of my podcast episodes here: https://apple.co/3kNYTCS

Disclaimer:
Dr. Westin Childs received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic medicine in 2013. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Childs is no longer practicing medicine and does not hold an active medical license so he can focus on helping people through videos, blog posts, research, and supplement formulation. To read more about why he is no longer licensed please see this page: https://www.restartmed.com/what-happened-to-my-medical-license/

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

Losing Weight on Levothyroxine: Why it's Not Working and How to Fix it

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