Hi,
First I want to thank everyone for explaining hypothyroidism and how it can block weight loss. For years I've wondered why I can't lose weight, and why my weight has been slowly increasing by a few pounds every year. I was thrilled with Atkins because it was the first diet where I actually lost weight! However, I wasn't getting the spectacular results everyone else gets, and I've been pretty strict with my diet. After 2 weeks I had lost 7 pounds, and after nearly 3 months I've lost about 19 lbs. I'm thrilled because I've never found a diet where I could even lose 5 lbs. Now reading through postings here I've discovered that I have most all the symptoms of hypothyroidism. I just ordered some coconut oil today, but also in searching around the net I began to learn how bad soy products are for the thyroid gland. I want to post this reference here for others to read.

http://www.mercola.com/2000/sept/17/soy_brain.htm

Thanks to you all
Linda