Too many patients, as documented in an on-line study of 12,000 individuals conducted by the American Thyroid Association published in June 2018, (https://doi.org/10.1089/thy.2017.0681) , complain of persistent symptoms of hypothyroidism despite what their doctors believe is successful treatment with levothyroxine (brands include Synthroid, Unithroid, Tirosent, Levoxl). We believe something needs to be done to resolve this conflict between patients and their doctors.
They Quit Smoking, Their Metabolism Slows, but Good Attitude Gets Them Through
Here are some encouraging stories from the front line against smoking. It’s a desperate struggle at times but our members share their gutsy approaches that have gotten them through the tough times.
Beach Gal writes:
10 months on Nov 15!
Weight has plateaued at 15lbs gained. 48 years old with perimenopause too.
So here are my thoughts….you have to surrender to the fact you might gain some weight or even maybe alot. We’ve done years of damage to our metabolisms and it will take time to correct that. Also, surrender to the fact you might not be your size 6 or 8 anymore. So what? We don’t smoke. Nothing is more ugly than smoking. There are plenty of heavier women out there who embody beauty. Their spirit shines and they have confidence and self esteem. Smoking robs us of both. Have you ever tried dating online? NO ONE wants to date a smoker.
Anyway, single or married, it doesn’t matter. We matter. I have never laughed so much in my life as I have in the last 2 months. Really laughed. And this while I’m unemployed, my father has cancer, my dog died, and my boyfriend and I are on the rocks. We come first. Period.
Regarding weight…..if you have an “orange theory fitness†near you, join. It’s the cost of 1 month of smoking and will reinforce your quit. Great for us gals in our 40′s 50′ and 60′s too. They know how to get your metabolism cranking. 3 days a week. And could you be drinking a little more wine than usual? I found that I started drinking too much wine….and i don’t even like wine. So had to cut that out!
Here is what V has to say about quitting the cigarette habit:
I agree that the weight was the worst thing. As unhappy as I am about the weight, I am so very happy that I have been quit for 1 year now. With the money I have saved, I have picked up some other hobbies that I enjoy so much, that I would never be able to afford by wasting my money on cancer sticks daily. And, not to mention the health benefits, like being able to breathe, by not sucking down those stupid things. I feel so free when I watch or listen to people scramble trying to figure out how long the cigarettes they have in their pack will last because they don’t have the money or the time to get to the store for another pack, or they can’t wait to leave a non-smoking establishment. I’m not unhappy because I’m fat, it’s just a minor set back. Maybe there are days I get upset over it, but it doesn’t cause me to be an unhappy person. I hope you can overcome your fear of whatever weight gain you may have (it is different for everyone).
Lizzy adds her experience:
Elisa, the benefits of quitting are unreal. I have my first cold since this all happened, yes I still have the weight gain, its not been a year quite yet and I have to say this cold is quite different then I have ever had, it has not settled into my lungs. The weight has leveled off and it seems i am turning the fat into muscle by walking so much. Elisa you have gotten over the nicotine in the system, you need to cut the habit of hands and grabbing, you will be fine, not all people gain 40 or 50 pounds. I have always been a size 6 and now a 12 to 14 and yes that’s killing me, but it too will pass, i have never breathed so deeply in my life. i have never smelt things quite the way I smell them now, and wow food is so different too. You will gradually find out all these things. Honestly the worst thing was the weight gain, but the other benefits make up for some of that.
