Weight Loss After Ten Years of Being Told to Eat Less

Summary

Victoria spent about ten years being told her thyroid problem and her fatigue were a classic case for a woman over 65, with a levothyroxine dose that crept up as the tiredness came back. As prior military she was also seen at the VA, where the advice each year was to eat less, exercise more, drink more water and get more sleep. When she asked for weight loss help there she was told she was not sick enough to qualify. A YouTube ad describing her exact situation brought her to Med Matrix, where she sees Gabriel Rocha, PA-C. She has lost weight, put on muscle, and is walking again with a weighted pack.

Before Med Matrix

• Thyroid went bad about ten years before the interview, and she was getting more and more tired
• A primary care physician told her she was a "classic female over 65" and started her on a small dose of levothyroxine
• Still tired at year eight, so the dosage was raised, which worked for a couple of years
• Later told to take one and a half tablets of levothyroxine on Monday, Wednesday and Friday
• At the VA the advice was eat less and exercise more, then eat less, exercise more and drink more water, then the same plus get more sleep
• Asked the VA about weight loss and was told she was not sick enough to qualify, because she is not diabetic, does not have high blood pressure, is not a heart or stroke candidate, and does not have 36% body fat
• Referred to two dietitians with opposing views; the second wanted $150 up front despite the referral, so she walked away
• Could not lose weight regardless of what she had been told to do
• Six months before the interview, walking 2 miles with a 16 lb pack would have been too uncomfortable

Results

• Has lost weight, and says the numbers show she followed the instructions she was given
• Has put on some muscle
• Is much happier
• Does a whole lot more in terms of exercise and having fun
• Back to walking 2 miles every other day with a 16 lb pack, which would have been too uncomfortable six months earlier
• After a while she was not interested in the cookies, cake, ice cream and alcohol she had given up
• The medication timing that was difficult in the first few weeks became routine once the pattern was set
• People ask her what she is doing, and she tells them she feels great

Key Quotes

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Conditions