Help! Excessive Weight Loss

[mom2cash]

I was diagnosed in January 08 and have been *trying* to follow a gluten-free diet (I have a 9 month old and convenience sometimes wins out when I'm starving and gluten-free is not easily accessible). Since starting the diet I have dropped weight no matter what I do. I am breastfeeding but the weight loss is beyond that- I have lost the 65 lbs I gained during pregnancy and then some... I'm only 98 lbs at 5'6' right now. I have been eating nuts and nut butters, whole milk, whole milk yogurt smoothies with flax oil, lots of protein (I eat fish, chicken, beef, turkey, pork, soy), eggs, gluten-free brownies and cookies and baked goods, rice, fruits and veggies. I feel like I am CONSTANTLY eating but there is nothing I can do to gain or even maintain weight. I made an appointment with my nutritionist but can't get in for a couple weeks. Please help- I can NOT lose any more weight. I have zero energy and as a stay at home mom of an extremely mobile kid, trust me, I need it. I do need help in the carbohydrate/alternative grain area of the diet so any ideas there would be greatly appreciated... I eat potatoes,rice, gluten-free cereals and crackers but don't know much about alternative grains except for quinoa and I know few recipes for that. Please help- I feel like I'm wasting away and my family is a little less than supportive because I think deep down they think i'm making this whole gluten intolerance up and if i would just eat some bread I would gain weight Any help is appreciated, thanks.

[ShayFL]

This happened to me after giving birth and it had nothing to do with gluten. It was my thyroid. DO GET THAT CHECKED.

[mom2cash]

I have considered that it is my thyroid but of the very limited research I have done on the subject am I right that you have to wean to even test your thyroid? And if something is wrong with my thyroid could I even do anything about it until I weaned? If so I guess I am out of luck because that is at least a year away, probably two as we're doing child-led weaning and that is very important to us.

[RiceGuy]

I think it is very important to note the difference between gaining weight from accumulation of fatty tissue, and gaining muscle mass. Keep in mind that muscle weighs more than fat.

That said, I'd suggest dropping dairy immediately. Many of us have found our bodies cannot handle dairy, especially at first. Some of us can eventually add it back in, others cannot. Other common allergens are soy, corn, eggs, meats, nuts, peanuts, and nightshades.

I'd also highly recommend Open Original Shared Link. It may very well be one of the healthiest fats you can eat, as it can boost energy, thyroid function, help maintain the health of the skin, hair and nails, fight candida, and so much more. Besides, it tastes great! Use it in place of all cooking oils (except deep frying), and in place of butter or margarine. It is solid up to about 76 degrees, so it melts easier than butter too.

For grains, try using amaranth, Kasha (roasted buckwheat), or teff for a hot cereal. There's also millet and sorghum, the flours of which are very well suited for baking. Millet can also be cooked and used like rice, and goes well with all sorts of things.

[cyberprof]

I have considered that it is my thyroid but of the very limited research I have done on the subject am I right that you have to wean to even test your thyroid? And if something is wrong with my thyroid could I even do anything about it until I weaned? If so I guess I am out of luck because that is at least a year away, probably two as we're doing child-led weaning and that is very important to us.

I am not an expert (nor do I play one on TV) but a couple things come to mind:

If you keep losing weight, you won't have enough milk OR you will get so sick you won't be able to function. Obviously, the extreme of weightloss could be deadly to you, and that won't help you raise your child.

I don't know about testing but I do know that both my sister and my sister-in-law were on thyroid medication while breastfeeding. One is a nurse and both checked it out. All three babies are/were healthy during that time. What I'm saying is don't eliminate this testing without full information.

I second the removal of dairy and milk. I would also, with total kindness, say that any and all gluten has to be avoided at any cost. I was someone who didn't eat all day while caring for an infant (and breastfeeding) so I know that you are so busy you don't have time to eat right and gluten-free. But you, you have a true emergency! I suggest the following - Get some new Rice Chex, add some peanuts and some gluten-free pretzels and make trail mix. Carry around a bag of it. Get some Lara Bars, some hardboiled eggs, keep them within reach. Keep apples, bananas etc. in your purse. Eat gluten-free frozen waffles with peanut butter. Please, no gluten. And the coconut oil is a good idea too.

I wish you the best of health.

[ShayFL]

I was dx while breast feeding. It has nothing to do with your thyroid blood tests. They will be accurate. And dont be afraid to mention post-pardum thyroiditis to your doctor. It is not uncommon.

Make sure they test: TSH, Free T-4, Free T-3 and both antibodies. Your TSH should be at least 2 or less with most people feeling well with it less than 1. If it is over 3 or 4 you may be in a hyper state which is what your symptoms indicate.

With me, the hyper phase lasted about 6 weeks, with the extreme weight loss. Eating like a horse. Anxiety and not sleeping much. Then I went hypo.

[ShayFL]

Oh and thyroid meds will not hurt your baby. If you are hypo, you are just supplementing what your body would normally produce. If you are hyper, they give drugs to block the excess. You would have to ask about that and nursing. But if you are severely hyper and have all that excess in your blood, it will get into your breast milk and your baby will get too much hormone too. So you do not want to ignore all of this. GET CHECKED!

Postpartum thyroiditis is a painless inflammation of the thyroid gland that can occur in the mother usually four to 12 months after childbirth. The cause of this uncommon condition isn't known. You may be at increased risk of postpartum thyroiditis if you have an immune system disorder or a prior history of thyroiditis.

If you have postpartum thyroiditis, you may initially experience signs and symptoms of overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), which may include rapid heartbeat, sudden and unexplained weight loss, nervousness, fatigue and increased sensitivity to heat. A diagnosis of hyperthyroidism can be confirmed by blood tests. Treatment may include beta blockers to reduce symptoms.

Later, you may develop signs and symptoms of underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), which may include unexplained weight gain, hoarse voice, constipation, puffy face, fatigue and increased sensitivity to cold. A diagnosis of hypothyroidism can be confirmed with blood tests. Treatment may include thyroid replacement hormone.

In most cases, thyroid function returns to normal within 12 to 18 months after onset of symptoms. However, some women develop long-term hypothyroidism and need lifelong thyroid hormone replacement therapy.

Rarely, hypothyroidism after childbirth is caused by Sheehan's syndrome, also called postpartum hypopituitarism. This condition may occur in women who have severe blood loss during childbirth resulting in damage to the anterior pituitary gland.

[alisaT]

I didn't hear you mention all the wonderful "junk" food we can eat, like Frito's and Hershey bars...calories are calories when you are dropping weight that rapidly. Prior to my diagnosis, I dropped 35 pounds in 3 months and my hair started falling out! I don't want you to suffer like I did. Nursing is wonderful for your baby, but not more wonderful than it having a healthy, vibrant mother who can be there to love and take care of it his whole life. I nursed my children, I know where your heart is...but you need to take care of YOU too.

[mom2cash]

Thanks for all your replies....

I am definitely going to talk to my doctor re: thyroid issue but I haven't had any of the excitability/insomnia or any other symptoms that would point to that. But I will look into it!

I gained 5 lbs. this week so things are looking up.

[ShayFL]

My case was extreme. There are lesser degrees of PPT. Do get it checked. You can save yourself some possible suffering.

Good you are gaining weight. But watch that you dont swing into hypo-thyroid. I would really have a doctor monitoring me. That is just me.

[alisaT]

Thanks for all your replies....

I am definitely going to talk to my doctor re: thyroid issue but I haven't had any of the excitability/insomnia or any other symptoms that would point to that. But I will look into it!

I gained 5 lbs. this week so things are looking up.

So happy to hear that...I'll pray for you to continue to improve.