Thread: Anyone else back after being successful losing weight but then gaining it all back?

Originally Posted by grammy1952

Your range must be different there? That's not a free T3 range for here in the states. If that's free T3 and not just total T3 (you might check to verify) then it's on the high side and likely wouldn't be causing the gains. I really don't think it's the hydrocortisone. That is bioidentical and just supports your adrenals and thyroid. If you're not feeling a whole lot better on that dose, I wonder if it's too low? My doctor started me on 15 then tapered it down after a couple of months. A dose that low usually doesn't mess with your weight. A high dose is another story though. But this protocol you're on is a good one for adrenal/thyroid issues. It sounds like you have a good doctor. I'd still suspect it's too few carbs or else a food intolerance that's kicking your butt.

Keep us posted!

Hi Grammy,

Thanks so much. Yeah, I think the ranges are different here. It is FT3. I haven't had bloodwork done in the US in years, so I don't even have anything to compare it to anymore. Even cholesterol is measured differently here than in the States. Here, you get ratios, and it took me awhile to learn what was good and what wasn't. But just to give the whole picture, here are the results of the thyroid panel:

TSH 0.97 (range 0.55 - 4.78)
Free T4 15.0 (range 11.5 - 22.7)
Free T3 6.94 (range 3.5 - 6.5)
TPO <28 (range <60)

They didn't test Thyroglobulin antibodies, which they should have, because those are the antibodies I have. But he ordered the lab to do them later, and he said the results were below the range (I forget the value he told me; I could ask for a copy), which is a definite plus.

I agree with you about the hydrocortisone dosing. I wanted to ask him if I could up the dose, because I actually felt better, at least a bit more energetic, when I added the 5 mgs. I only started it the latter part of June and already by early August, he told me to start tapering it. I don't know why. But he told me to continue with the Adrenal Cortex for another two months. So by the time I have my cortisol levels checked again in October, I should be off everything, so he can see the true value. I was thinking of asking him to test for food intolerances as well, maybe see if they have that stool test. I'm also inclined to think leaky gut may be a factor, too, because was diagnosed with it three years ago, but after a year of treatment, I was told it was healed.

I may ask him to put me back on the hydrocortisone, depending on what my results are. TBH, I still don't feel that great, and am trying to manage stress, which is a MAJOR killer for me. All I really want is to heal and to get my energy back. Sure, it kills me to see these gains on the scale, but I've stopped weighing myself because it will only stress me more. But I hope and pray the day will come when I am better and the weight will start coming off without my killing myself.

My doctor suggested epigentic testing to see which foods are the best for me and which I should avoid. But the test is crazy expensive ($1700) and the insurance doesn't cover it. If I get a new job, I may spring for it.

I just started this protocol, and it actually comes from another doctor who has treated a lot of patients with metabolic damage and disorders. He suggested three meals daily, with a high protein breakfast and lunch (30-50 grams of lean protein at each meal), 3-6 grams of fish oil daily, and at dinner, add a generous helping of GF carbs (could be sweet potato, buckwheat, beans, quinoa) and to limit saturated fats. For exercise, he said to do weight/strength training twice a week, leisure walking for an hour or so most days, and a couple of sessions of Hatha-type yoga, Pilates or tai chi, and he said to make time for relaxation, too, like hot epsom salt baths, sauna, massage, naps.

He said when it comes to treating metabolic disorders, diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes are most critical and supplementing is a smaller part of it, and that it could take up to 15 months for complete resolution.

So I guess I've got a long road ahead of me

I figure this was a good place to start. I had a lot of success with HCG my first few rounds in 2011 and lost about 50 lbs. Over the last 2-3 years, I have managed to put it almost back on due to lack of maintenance (exercise, poor eating habits, stress). I'm sick of not feeling good in my clothes and out of my clothes. Something has got to change! Today is my second loading day. I have to say after not being on HCG for so long I'm scared and excited. I'm scared of being hungry, falling off the wagon, impatient with results, etc. But I'm excited because after several months of toying around with the idea of doing HCG again, I"m finally doing it! I'll be here a lot for support and to help others, too. Good luck ya'll!

Good for you, Em! This time when you load, don't go overboard. There's no reason to. Too many people think they have to just totally stuff their faces during those two days and you really don't. In fact for you what you could do it eat fairly normally but concentrate more on things like avocado, fattier meats, that kind of thing--and then maybe load 3 days instead of 2 so the hcg is fully active and you have less hunger.