Roughly 80% of hypothyroid or low thyroid patients say that they have trouble losing weight.
It’s for this reason, that they are often attracted to dangerous diets that promise rapid weight loss.
Unfortunately for them, instead of rapid weight loss, they are often met with thyroid damage, metabolic damage, and short-lived changes on the scale that revert back to normal the second they stop.
Which is why today I’m going to talk about the most powerful weight loss treatments that exist for thyroid patients.
If you are looking to lose weight SAFELY while ensuring that your weight won’t just come right back on the second you stop, these are for you:
1. Prolonged fasting (1-4 days)
Fasting is hands down the cheapest and most reliable way to lose weight. While it is a form of calorie restriction, it works better than daily calorie restriction for patients with thyroid dysfunction (see the video for more info as to why).
2. Strategically decrease carbohydrate intake
Your thyroid needs carbohydrates, at least 100 grams per day, but you can strategically reduce your carb intake to push out water weight and nudge the scale downward. This is great if you need to rapidly lose some weight for something like a wedding. But given their importance for daily thyroid function, carb cycling works better than long-term low carb diets.
3. Zone-2 training
Zone-2 training promote more fat burn than any other level of exercise and it’s perfect for thyroid patients because it’s lower in intensity than HIIT. This means better compliance, more fat loss, and less fatigue.
4. T3 thyroid medication
T3 thyroid medication is by far the most powerful thyroid hormone available and it also happens to be the best for weight loss. The only problem? It’s hard to get.
If you can’t get T3 then opt for T2 instead which is available over the counter and comes in cream and capsule form.
5. GLP-1 agonists
I’m not a huge fan of GLP-1 agonists in general, but there’s no question that they do work and there may be a situation where using them makes sense.
That said, given their significant side effect profile, they should be reserved for when all other treatments have failed!
Don’t forget that a healthy diet is part of long-term weight loss and if you need help with that, check out this video:
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):
Recommended thyroid supplements to enhance thyroid function:
– Supplements that everyone with hypothyroidism needs:
– Supplement bundle to help reverse Hashimoto’s:
– Supplements for those without a thyroid and for those after RAI:
– Supplements for active hyperthyroidism:
See ALL of my specialized supplements including protein powders, thyroid supplements, and weight loss products here:
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:
Prefer to listen via podcast? Download all of my podcast episodes here:
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:
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
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You don't need supplements to lose weight, but they can help you get to your target weight faster. If you want an extra boost, check out my thyroid fat burner: https://www.restartmed.com/product/thyroid-fat-burner/
I had to laugh when the good Dr said do Zone 2 training (heart rate at 60% max)
I'm 80 yrs old. The modern HR calculation is 208 – (0.7 × age)
So my max HR is 152bpm.
So my Zone 2 is 91
My resting HR is 75 to 85.
If I get up for a toilet visit and back my HR is already banging on the max door.
I guess I'll stick to walking the dog, guaranteed to be around 100bpm 30 mins later.
I’ve been hypothyroid for at least 20 years now. It caused me to put on about 30 pounds. I recently successfully lost 15 pounds by walking and changing my diet. I walk in my house. I know it sounds weird but I walk in my house 7500 steps in addition to what I have already walked. I walk at a brisk pace. And I changed my diet to the Mediterranean diet. And I didn’t even do this with the intention of losing weight. I was trying to help another health condition and this was just a very happy surprise. I eat as much as I feel like eating. If I were to cut back, I could probably lose more weight. It’s just that I cut out most of the junk and eat much healthier food. I still allow myself a sweet almost every day.
Keto made me lose weight at first. After losing 10 kgs I started gaining despite being on keto
I have Hashimotos. Fasting triggers migraines for me. 😢
I only go into Ketosis on the fourth day of water only fasting. As soon as I eat one little bit of food I go out of Ketosis and stop losing. I am fasting again now and plan to go as long as I am able to… In the past I have only been able to go for 30 days on only water, but this time I will try for longer. I don't eat carbs anymore.
I have heard horrible things about Ozempic and it's side effects. I look forward to learn more about natural ways to heal my hypothyroidism.
I gain weight by just looking at food. I have a triple whammy… Hypothyroidism, PCOS and Insulin Resistance.
I take supplements and my labs come back normal. Im a female 65 yrs.
I need help 65 had thyroid removed at 17. Im on levothyroxine im fatigue no interest in doing things cant fight off sleeping during the day. Weight gain
I walked 3 to 6 miles a day 7 days ago week. Fasted for 16 hours a day and o ly ate 50g of carbs a day and it took one year to lose 30 lbs! And gained every bit plus back i this this is bull!!!!!
I took Zepbound to lose 15 lbs. It was great for six months (kept weight lifting and Pilates), and then my lifelong normal thyroid went into overdrive, and I ended up in the ER with palpitations and tremors -hyperthyroid. My GP overmedicated me with methimazole, and now I am hypothyroid. Still waiting to see an endocrinologist. Thyroid ultrasound showed no nodules, so now I have gained 20 lbs.
i had rapid weight loss found out it blood cancer. 😥and chemo would kill me at my new weight loss.
You can lose weight by breathing air.
When taken with diet and exercise.
Are you realistic when you say we don’t eat anything for four days ?
I've tried it all. Nothing works. Nothing! Don't be fooled by these videos. When your thyroid goes…it's over. You can't lose weight when you want. Your body does what it wants.
I was born without a thyroid and it’s brutal
Dont listen to men! Especially not male doctors about endocrinology! Everybody has their unique approach! Fasting is bad for women. For me too. Ignore this man. Always turn to a female endocrinologist in person and do not listen to Men dr online.
I talk to Myself during Zone 2 Exercise! 😂
I'm a truck driver I can't exercise normally I can't eat the same time everyday and all of my thyroid is removed
you need to feed your muscle work your muscle dont starve it other wise you lose it get active
How should we cycle ?
I practiced IF and prolonged fasting for 2 years. I lost 45lbs… As soon as I stopped I gained 20lbs back. The worst part is I didn't lose fat while fasting. I went catabolic, lost a ton of muscle mass and gained only fat back.
I don't have a confirmed hypothyroid diagnosis.. But I have all the symptoms and I have family members who are and I match their experiences.
Could be something else, but regardless, I went from 130lbs to 185lbs in 4 years. In those 4 years I continued to practice a health focused diet… Sleep prioritizing… I exercised 7 days a week, walked over 10k steps a day and I never drank alcohol or smoked. These are all things I still practice and I still keep gaining 😢
I'm also severely chronically bloated and my ankles are constantly swelling, hair coming out in clumps daily.
Really fun stuff.
Prolonged fasting can be dangerous for hypothyroidism.
Did you seriously just tell us to fast for four days???? 😅 no
Can I take this along with my synthroid
I love your content but the contact movement of your hands is driving me nuts – so distracting.
I hardly ever ate breakfast coffee and maybe a toast didn’t eat until 3 pm I know now I did more harm than good! Constipation, stomach problems a lot of inflammation dizziness, dehydrated not including I was alcoholic drug addict, depression, stress all that was part of me not eating. I am having a biopsy on my thyroid on Monday have not been diagnosed with anything yet but I have a lot of discomfort around my neck below my neck my shoulder the flares are horrible I can only imagine what’s going on. If you do decide to fast don’t do it all the time don’t go days without breakfast it’s so important food is important it’s fuel to work in your body and stay hydrated!!
I changed my diet. I eat more fish especially the herring fillets that are loaded with omega 3 fatty acids and salmon. The omega 3 gives me energy while the salmon helps me sleep and I don’t worry about fasting and having to starve and get a migraine. I also switched from eating ham to turkey. I eat plain oatmeal and grits. It’s low fat and curbs the hunger. I stay away from bread and pasta.
You are wrong about only water lose in ketosis. Lost 120lbs a pound a day
Fasting did not help my weight gain at all.
I stabilized my 6.92 TSH thyroid 3 years ago with 75mg Levo taking Zinc all the methylated B vitamins, sea moss with iodine and tons of other supps and weigh 115 @5’6 age 70. My perfect weight is 125! I’m trying to GAIN weight! Why do I keep this low weight? I eat zero processed fake foods! It’s easy to be thin when you eat NO FAKe Food!!! It just happens! I’m also eating a lot of coconut oil, still no weight gain! I’m back to working on rebuilding muscle mass. I can jump up on tables like a monkey, no problem, walk, run work all day out in my garden, look great, shockingly young looking, no injections fillers etc but damn I gotta eat a lot more protein, now at about 40 grams a day, it needs to be 100 grams a day, with whey collagen cocoa flavinols and Coconut oil, like fudge treat and shakes with walnuts grassfed meats, steel cut oats, heavy cream, whole fat Greek yogurt etc but still need to GAIN 10 pounds to get back to my High School 125 lbs! And rebuild back more Muscle!
It’s always something!
Ps Do NOT eat FAKE Food! Nothing out of a BOX!! Burn it with Fire! Your fat will melt off!!