Thyroid Disease.

[foo on patrol]

My wife has this problem and is finding it very frustrating to try and find any diets to help.

She has had 85% of her stomach removed but has only lost 20kg. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where she can find some good info?

She told me today, that she has been having black thoughts but has booked a visit to a Psychologist to try and help.

Foo

[Nobody]

My wife has this problem and is finding it very frustrating to try and find any diets to help.

She has had 85% of her stomach removed but has only lost 20kg. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where she can find some good info?

Hi Foo,

Is she under medication for the disease? I assume so, but it still may need revision if it's not working well.

I can probably gather from this that she's tried every diet known to man and nothing has worked. Correct? If so it looks like she may need a diet where she can eat a lot of food and still lose weight. A diet where many adherents have to eventually get off it because they are going underweight. That would be a low fat raw vegan diet. Not the cheapest diet to follow and will take some getting used to, but it seriously works. If she can do it well for a year, people that haven't seen her for a while may not recognize her. I'm only on a half raw diet, but when I went to visit my mother who I hadn't seen for a couple of years, she didn't recognize me. I showed someone my drivers license and he questioned whether the photo was actually me.

[foo on patrol]

Thanks Nobody. She wants something that she can look at and see, Breakfast consists of xyz and lunch abc and then tea efg. Plenty of people saying try this that and the other thing but her being OCD she needs structured planes for doing it.

It doesn't matter what she seems to eat, it just doesn't burn off the same as a normal person, so that is the bit that needs to be addressed.

Foo

[matagi]

Has she been diagnosed with thyroid disease? If so, then as Nobody says, her meds may need tweaking. It's not just a question of going by the blood tests either.

As much as I am not a fan, if she wants structure, maybe try Pete Evans' Paleo Way 10 week program? It is very much "eat this, do this". Unfortunately it also costs money to join.

[wombatK]

As much as I am not a fan, if she wants structure, maybe try Pete Evans' Paleo Way 10 week program? It is very much "eat this, do this". Unfortunately it also costs money to join.

There is absolutely no evidence that anything Pete Evans says related to nutrition is effective, but he is very effective at extracting money from people.

If you haven't yet been referred to an accredited practising dietitian, then at least try that; they will be only too happy to prepare a structured plan. And to explain the underlying principles. They will also encourage her to exercise and have a plan for that, if she doesn't already.

The dark thoughts are not good ... hopefully she's been referred to a psychologist who practices cognitive behavioral therapy - I've seen good results come from that with friends and workmates. If the thoughts get worse, a consultation with a psychiatrist should be a priority.

A referral to an endocrinologist who specialises in thyroid issues would make sense too ... if she's already done that, look for someone who can give you second opinions on diagnosis and treatment.

And if your GP hasn't been offering these options, maybe think about finding a better GP.

FWIW, my mother was diagnosed with thyroid problems (and a very obvious goitre) in her late thirties. She's about to clock up her 94th birthday, lives independently and hasn't seen a doctor in 15 years. Manages it all by diet and fanatical attention to her blood glucose level (also diagnosed diabetic type II in mid thirties). One swallow doesn't make a summer, but it might give you some hope for your wife's situation.

[foo on patrol]

Thanks for the suggestions and yes, she has been diagnosed with thyroid disease and she is going to see a shrink next week.

Foo

[warthog1]

Good luck with it Foo. Hard yards for you providing support also. Don't forget to look after yourself too.

[foo on patrol]

Thanks mate but no worries with me, I'm a stubborn old bastard and can go hard.

Foo

[Nobody]

Thanks Nobody. She wants something that she can look at and see, Breakfast consists of xyz and lunch abc and then tea efg. Plenty of people saying try this that and the other thing but her being OCD she needs structured planes for doing it.

It doesn't matter what she seems to eat, it just doesn't burn off the same as a normal person, so that is the bit that needs to be addressed.

Foo

You could make a structure if it's necessary, but it's mainly fruit with a garden salad a day to get more vitamins and minerals. Add some walnuts & linseed meal (about 10 to 20g of each) to get essential fats.

As for amount it's just eating until satiated (which is one of the main benefits). Pretty simple really. That's how I'd do it anyway. But it would be too financially expensive for me and too effective for weight loss. So I add some cooked potatoes/sweet_potatoes, oats, brown rice, wholemeal pasta, various other vegetables and beans.