I'm Thin: Could I Still Be Hypothyroid?
Periodically, I receive an email from someone who is wondering if she could be hypothyroid. She has many symptoms of an underactive thyroid, except she's slender, and hasn't gained a pound. A few of the women have even reported that doctors dismissed their concerns about thyroid disease, saying, "Well, if you had an underactive thyroid, you'd be overweight, so I don't see a point in testing you." Patients themselves may feel that they are slender, so they couldn't possibly have an underactive thyroid.While I frequently cover weight gain and the connection to thyroid disease here at the Thyroid site, keep in mind that weight is NOT a determining factor for diagnosis. A percentage of patients don't gain any weight when hypothyroid, and, there are even some people who paradoxically lose weight when hypothyroid.
How to tell...
If you're tired, feeling depressed, losing hair, feeling cold, have a low sex drive, or are experiencing any one of the many other symptoms of an underactive thyroid, don't rule out the possibility that you are hypothyroid just because your weight is normal. In fact, make an appointment with your physician, and before you go, review the complete Hypothyroidism Risks/Symptoms Checklist, and take this helpful interactive online quiz now: Could You Be Hypothyroid?
Comments
A cousin of mine was thin, which was probably why her docs had trouble diagnosing her wierd symptoms.
She deterioated rapidly to the point where she couldn’t walk a straight line and even passed out a couple of times.
One doc finally tested her TSH and it came back over 200. Her doc told her “good thing we caught this before you went into a coma”.
She has Hashi’s.
I am another hypothyroid person who has lost weight. Yes, we are a minority, but we are for real. Of course, when a person loses weight and they are hypothyroid, there’s an extra good chance they may have adrenal fatigue issues as well.
I’ve got an underactive thyroid, not overweight, the pills are making me very thin… I take eltroxin. I eat like a horse and still lose weight. I need ideas on how to stabilise this healthily.
As a hypothyroid woman on thyroid med, I was surprised when my husband, who is a very slender man, who was recently diagnosed with low thyroid. The doc put him on a 1/4 of normal dosage of levothyroxin. He has no predisposing factors at all but does have the symptoms mentioned in the article.
Sandra…when I was first diagnosed, my antibody count was very high (and I was about 40 lbs overweight). I lost 40 pounds when I started the eltroxin. But after 2 years, there were no more antibodies. I then stopped the eltroxin, but tests showed that there was no thyroid hormone being produced and I had to resume taking eltroxin. After 4 years on it, I began to gain weight, and 6 years later, have gained back 30 pounds. I think the thyroid gland is still producing hormone for a while before it finally quits. That would make your metabolism too high. Enjoy it while it lasts!?
I and two of my cousins are hypo thyroid. Runs in the family.My Grandmother was as well, and was also very thin. I’m the fattest one of the lot at 118lbs. ( female, 5’7”) Because it’s in the family and my cousins had been diagnosed first. it only took my doctor 6 months after my symptoms set in to test me. He thought I was too thin to have a thyroid problem. Big surprise.
We are all within healthy weight parameters so we have not needed to make an effort to controll our weight specificaly. We have struggled with constipation, spastic colons, and food allergies however.
Personally when I’m not digesting well I don’t eat very much. Maybe this contributes to why I stay thin although my weight doesn’t fluctuate very much no matter how much I eat or don’t eat. Same with my cousins.
Yoga has helped me and my cousins. The breathing exercises especially. Practicing the breathing exercises daily seems to help the body function in a more consistent manner. This is something the meds didn’t seem to be able to do on their own. I don’t understand why this works, but it does.
Before yoga I felt like I was on an autonomic roller coaster. For instance, I never knew how my body would react to a 70 degree day. I might sweat like crazy or freeze, there was no way to predict how I would react. With yoga I can self heat up or cool down by different breathing techniques. The more I practice these techniques the quicker my body responds, it’s almost automatic now.
I have wondered why thyroid problems are not treated like diabetes. Tested daily and the amount of meds adjusted to the state the body is in at a particular time. I know that some stressors cause me to function less well and I feel as if I’m not getting enough meds. Other times I feel as if I’m getting too much. But as I said however, the breathing practices do seem to smooth out most things.
Any one else have this experience? Has anybody ever thought about regulating the amount of meds we take like one regulates insulin? Or would that only add to the problem?
Paul mentioned adrenal fatigue. I’m new to this site. Does anyone know if there are studies on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, adrenal fatigue, and hypothyroidism? It would seem to me that the prolonged high cortisol and other stress hormone levels in PTSD sufferers could easily cause adrenal fatigue and thyroid disfunction. The info on this site mentions stress, but not the prolonged and specific stresses of extreme psychological trauma. Could treating the adrenal function and thyroid problems alleviate some of the symptoms of PTSD?
Hi, Pat,
Well I have thought, myself, how wonderful it would be to just be able to regulate thyroid dose from day-to-day. This way, if I wanted to take an all-day hike to the top of a mountain, I could provide myself with the extra energy resources to do this without suffering the next few days from depleted thyroid hormones. However, it cannot work this way, for this simple reason: thyroid hormone builds up in the system over a period of 4-8 weeks, and we would not feel a significant difference from day-to-day by just taking more or less. I’m on Armour, and because that has T3 which lasts a shorter time in the body, I do notice a difference with that from day-to-day if I change the dose…But then I’m also changing my T4 dose at the same time, which I don’t know is very good, to subtly alter the long-term dose my body is on over the course of the 4-8 weeks…This T4 dose is what provides my stability and comfort level.
If I could function well on just Cytomel, that would be WONDERFUL, because then I could change the dose daily and see a big difference! But I know I need direct T4 supplementation, just from having had recently to ADD T4 to my Armour and seen fantastic results.
It’s a wonderful dream, though!!
I am 5′5, 125 pounds. Not thin or fat just normal weight. I was this weight when diagnosed. I do have to work to maintain this weight. I also just found out I am insulin resistance. My doctor said I didn’t really have anywhere to go much weight wise, so it’s in my genetics for sure - my mother had type II diabetes. Sometimes I am surprised that I am having to deal with these conditions, because I have always exercised both aerobically and with strength training, and eat fairly well. We just never know what we will be handed.
Mary, you asked if there are studies on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, adrenal fatigue, and hypothyroidism. The answer is ‘yes.’ A google search on the words ‘PTSD’ and ‘adrenal’ will find them. Studies have shown that there is a definite connection. Your other question about whether treating adrenal function and thyroid problems could alleviate some of the symptoms of PTSD is an interesting one. I had some abusive experiences throughout my childhood. As an adult, I have had to use stress management techniques, as well as practicing meditation, to learn how to relax and breathe. I have also been involved with various kinds of counseling and psychotherapy over the years. Currently, I have a doctor who is treating me with NET to address psychological issues related to my health. Of course, everything is connected between the body, mind and spirit. Helping one helps the others, and vica versa. I believe we need to address all of the components together in order to be truly happy and healthy. (And somehow manage to live our lives while doing it! :^)
This is me. I was diagnosed by my doctor 7 years ago and I am a thin woman. I had increasing headaches and muscle aches. I was also going to bed by 8 PM. I thought it was because I was turning 30 and “getting older”. My thyroid replacement was a very low dose. However, I will never forget the evening I first took it. I was very hesitant to take medication. I do not like the idea of taking any medication. I took it right before bed and within a half hour I felt blood flowing into muscles in my back and neck. There was an immediate sense of relief. For the past 7 years my thyroid has fluctuated wildly. My doctor allows me to test myself whenever I feel it getting low again or too high. I can always tell because the head aches and muscle aches return.
Mary
When I was diagnosed postpartum (years ago), my weight close to normal, 138 pounds, although I had completely lost my appetite and was only eating a few bites of food a day. I felt HORRIBLE, and had that deathly pallor look — no glow whatsoever. I had lost my muscle tone and seemed to have jiggly cellulite everywhere. When I was finally diagnosed, my TSH was 260. At the time I had no goiter. I was anorexic due to severe loos of appetite, which happens with severe hypo. And didn’t lose one pound — my weight crept up slowly. If doctors REALLY DO LISTEN to their patient, they should be able to figure out this one. Most people lose drastically lose weight if anorexic, not creep up slowly. It’s NOT NORMAL. And they don’t look like ghosts, either. Walking dead people, almost.
My son who is 26yrs. has hypothyroidism. He was born with only 1/2 a gland. He has been on synthroid all his life. He has always been under weight,he is a slim young man, but also has other signs as well. He is always cold,some depression at times,has some fatigue, good appetite though,but eats small meals,he wishes he could gain some more weight. There are not too many men out there with this problem of low weight. Hopefully reaserch will continue and get better. Thanks, a concernd mom.
I got Graves disease when I was 17 and put on over 40 pounds in a year. I had been very athletic and just finishing up high school. I was sick for a whole year before I was diagnosed. Doctors thought it was some sort of teenage depression… because most hyperthyroid people lose weight instead of gaining. Of course I had all the other extreme signs but nobody paid attention. Unfortunately we didn’t have the good internet information at that time.
Thanks for bringing this up, I wish some (more?) docs would read this site.
So far – who knows what’s to come – I certainly belong to those who lost weight. I’ve always been slender and could eat lots without gaining. Then I completely lost my appetite, could have gone without food on some days and started eating very, very little, because I thought if the doc says everything’s okay, I’d better listen to my body’s signals of (no) hunger. So I lost 10 pounds (almost 10% of my initial weight!) going from a BMI of 18, 8 to 17 over the course of four years.
My doc dismissed this as some kind of psychological eating disorder (even though in various blood tests my TSH was over this new limit).When my TSH finally crept up high enough last november he diagnosed me with hypothyroidism (the hashimoto part I figured out via the internet and showing the test result to a new doc), the one thing he told me was that I didn’t look like a hypothyroid person – too young (23) and too thin – and that none of the things I was complaining about could be connected to thyroid disease.
I only found out via the internet, especially this site, about the symptoms of hypothyroidism and that I had a lot of them.
In the three month since starting a T4 med I lost four more pounds because I’m still just not hungry at all and am starting to feel really bony.
It’s interesting to read about a possible connection to other hormonal issues, because one of the blood test showed high cortisol four years ago. The doc told me that it wasn’t of any importance and that I just had too much stress – which wasn’t true at that point. Now I’m not sure anymore whether I should believe him.
I’ve always been thin, even after being diagnosed with Hypothyroid & Hashimoto’s. Since getting on the “right” dosage of Armour and Levoxyl (I take some of each), my weight has fluctuated up and down over the same 5 pounds, but other than that, that’s been one big symptom I haven’t had.
What I’ve found with my diet is that some foods just react strangely with my medication. I’ve had to pretty much give up wheat (although I do cheat now and then). Not because I have a wheat allergy, but because my naturopath suggested that, with some people, the hormones they use to process wheat can encourage the Hashimoto’s to act up, or react poorly to Levoxyl. Has anyone else heard this?
Anyhow, now when I do eat wheat, I definitely notice the difference: dizziness, mood swings, fatigue, cold/hot spells etc.
I had hypo symptoms for years and any doc that I visited said the same thing; “you have all the symptoms but you’re underweight so you can’t be hypo”. I finally found a doc that ran some different tests, as well as testing with kinesiology. Once I began the Armour Thyroid treatment, my whole life changed; many other health issues vanished and I began to gain weight as well (a good thing!). I subsequently took all three of my thin daughters to the doc (with the same symptoms) and they were diagnosed as well. They have all noticed a major difference in their overall health now that they are being treated. Every time I visit my doc, I thank him for literally saving my life!
I am living proof that you can be hypothyroid and slim. I am 5′4 and 106 lbs. after having two kids in a row. I was diagnosed with hashimotos thyroidits right 6 months after having my second baby. I was really confused to how i could have an underactive thryroid and be so slim. But i did, it was underactive enough to cause real concern with my doctor and i was also feeling pretty sick at the time. So if your slim and you believe you could be hypothyroid. GET CHECKED. Not just your thyroid levels but your autoimmune anitbodies too.
My 16 yr old daughter became quite thin after not feeling well for for awhile. She was 5′6 and weighed 93 lbs. After a fainting episode she was taken to the ER and the docs suggested anorexia although the docs said that she did not have any of the “classic” symptoms of anorexia. She was given an IV for some fluids and sent on her way with a pat on the back.
I followed up with her primary care doctor who ordered a bunch of blood tests including a glucose tolerance test. The labs came back fine.
My daughter was getting sicker and sicker and had been back to her doctor several times.
At this point in time she was very weak and totally exhausted. She was missing a lot of school because she was sick and very fatigued.She complained of what she called “brain fog”. She was having a hard time remembering things.
We had been to see a pediatric endocrinologist twice without any luck at all.
At the suggestion of a friend I took her to a different primary care doctor who really took a lot of time evaluate my daughter and to truly listen to her. This doctor was very concerned about my daughter’s condition. This new doctor ordered more tests. He even ordered tests that he said he usually did not order for a person of the age of 16.
The doctor called me a few days later and said that he had the answers to what was going on and to make an appointment to see him. My daughter had a severe case of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. The doctor said that he had never seen thyroid antibodies that we as high as hers were for her age. My daughter was treated with Synthroid and Toprol for the heart palpitations.
My daughter is now 18 and feeling well. She has gained weight (119lbs) and has her Thyroid levels and antibodies monitored on a regular basis by an adult endocrinologist and continues to see the doctor that took the time to listen to her.
I now have my active ,happy, healthy daughter back and as a parent I am so relieved. I was determined to get an answer.
None of the doctor that we had seen early on ever thought of any type of thyroid disorder. They jumped to the conclusion that she must be anorexic.
As a parent of a sick child you must persevere in finding the answer.
I was one of the lucky ones, in that, despite the fact that I was only fourteen and weighing 110 lbs, my thyroid problems were caught by my general doctor, who noticed my TSH was slightly out of the normal range (at the time). However, I have had other doctors insist that I must be mistaken about being hypo, and not hyper, because of my weight, plus the fact that I developed it so young. I agree with Nicole’s comment- if you suspect you might be hypothyroid despite being slim, insist on being tested. (Funny thing: around the time I became symptomatic, I gained a few pounds, much to my doctor’s delight, who had always found me too thin.)
Before I started taking thyroid hormone in the 80s I seldom could get my weight over 100 pounds and I’m 5′8″. My blood tests were within normal range, but I talked my doctor into a trial and for the first time I actually began to gain weight.
In 1993 my doctor at that time took me off thyroid because I was running a low grade fever (turned out to be Epstein-Barr) and he thought any chronic fever was hyperthyroidism! I started peeling off weight and eventually got down to 65 pounds with congestive heart failure. As soon as I started taking thyroid I gained weight again and my heart normalized, but I almost died because of their ignorance.
If in doubt, and if your tests are low normal range, you can always ask for a trial of 1 grain or 60 mg and see what happens.
Jan
I have also been very thin all my life. Even though I had all the symptoms of hypothyroidism my primary physician didn’t even bother to tell me that my TSH is borderline. She waited for another year, when my TSH jumped to 5.2 only then she realizes that I might have hypothyroidism. I have always had hard time to gain weight, but I definitely feel better with medication. I don’t know why it is so hard to find information about being underweight and have hypothyroidism. Most of the books and articles talk only about how to lose a weight. I wonder if our nutritional needs and care should be different from those who are struggling with weight gain issues?
I just had to put in my two cents on this one, Im a hypothyroid sufferer myself, and Im 5-3 and 115 pounds, I always thought in my head that hypothyroidism was mainly a disease for over-weight people, oh was I wrong, one morning I awoke to a puffy face and swollen feet, I thought in my mind I was dying of some strange disease, so I went straight to my doctor where I was checked out, blood-tests etc, and it was attributed to having hypothyroidism, so it goes to show you dont have to be over-weight to have this disese.
I went to my doctor 15yrs ago feeling at deaths door. I was weighing a meagre 38 kilos and seriously thinking I was anorexic. This was when I became acutely aware of my hypothyroidism. I’m currently taking 175mg & 200mg on alternate days. I now weigh 42k(h:164cm). This fact is extremely frustrating as I feel like I’m forever shovelling food down my throat striving to reach “my” ideal of 55k’s. I get really offended “now” when people comment on the lack of meat on my bones. Trying to tell folk that my tyhroid problem creates the same dilemma in me as it does an obese person trying to get the weight off - comes with many a suspicious stare. I have regular checks on my levels, yet in spite of being v/ careful with my meds, my levels are up and down all over the place. HELP — ITS DRIVING ME NUTS…..
Same story as those above, i laid in bed for 5 months eating and LOOSING WEIGHT!! I was 19 at the time and 5′3″ and borderline 100 lbs. Even after 3 years of meds, i only fluctuated between 98 and 102 the most.
Now all of the sudden, i got hypoglycemic and have to eat all day to last without crashing. Needless to say, i gained 20 lbs…i never was this big in my life!! I dont know which is better, needing to gain or loose. I think they are both as bad. Noone every understood when I told them how hard it was to not be able to gain. Just started a higher dose of meds, so maybe I’ll be able to stop eating so much… Im praying!!!
“My doctor allows me to test myself whenever I feel it getting low again or too high. ”
How do you do that? My symptoms are constantly up and down and I would love to be able to regulate my medication myself.
On the weight question, whenever my TSH levels are high, I feel very tired and eat lots of sugar to stay awake (I don’t drink coffee but guess this would have the same effect) - at the moment it’s doughnuts, awaiting my test appointment - and it’s the doughnuts making me put on weight, not the hypothyroidism itself!
I had the opposite problem, so I thought I’d share. I was severely hyperthyroid and gained weight.My TSH was .005 ! I was extremely tired and hungry all the time. My endocrinologist said the weight thing can go either way for people. Some lose when hypo, some gain with hyper. The norm is gaining with hypothyroid, but not necessarily. I have a friend who is tiny, tiny ,tiny that is hypothyroid.
I go the Naturopathic route and there are ways to support the thyroid and feel well without adverse side effects. Nature has a way to make sure the body has enough iodine without hurting or working against itself. My tests showed that I was normal but I felt really crappy most of the time. The doctors wouldn’t order further thyroid tests because there was no indications that I needed further help. Instead they gave me antidepression medication although I knew that this was not the issue. My naturapathic doc. treated me for thyroid and I feel like a million bucks. No side effects!
I went to the doctor for weight loss and throat pressure when I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I’m generally 5′5″ 110 lbs and had dropped 5-6 lbs. I think I just wasn’t eating enough which I attribute to the absense of appetite and mental fog I felt like I was in. I’ve been on meds now for months and while I’ve put back on my weight I still haven’t had even a twinge of hunger in 8 months. I just eat when it is meal time, but I do miss my hunger.
Thank you all for comments. Have just been diagnosed with and started treatment for hypothyroidism. Have always been slim and have actually lost weight in past two years while eating more. Have been worried that there might be something else wrong as most info out there deals with hypothyroidism and weight gain. Feeling relieved now that I know it is not so unusual.
WOW! I am 5′5″ and i weigh 94,96 lbs the most, i had a primary care physcican who i would complain to about my weight being too thin, but he would just say im fine, and i just need to eat more or its just my metabolism. Well i got very frustrated with that so i changed my primary care physican, who tested me and found out my THS level was extremely high and now im being treating with hypothyroidism im taking synthroid but i keep felling sluggish, tired,…ive been on the meds for abt 2 months but i havent gained any weigh…ITS DRIVING ME INSANE!! EH. when will i gain weight??????
I have hypothyroidism and I am very thin. I barely weigh 100lbs and thought that this was the reason. I wonder if I should expect to gain weight when my med takes effect. I also have really bad irregular heartbeats that I was tested for by my GP and she said it was these supraventricular premature beats. I asked and she said it could be my thyroid. She went ahead and prescribed meteprolol a beta-blocker. Maybe it will help.