Hi Everyone:
I have been doing Atkins for over a year and still no weight loss.
I live close to Peterborough, but would consider travelling as far as Toronto. Looking for a doctor who could help with metabolic resistance to weight loss. I really can't afford a naturopath and in the past had no success with that route.
I do have a thyroid condition but apparently have adequate thyroid replacement.

Thanks
Melanie

Hi Melanie. I'm in an underserviced city, and I don't even have a family doctor. So I check the CPSO doctor search site every now and then. I'm sure there are lots of endocrinologists, but you'll probably need a referral. Have you asked your family doc?

Hi Kristine:

Thank you for your reply.

I too am in an underserviced area. Our family doctor is in Toronto, about an hour and a half away. About 20% of the residence here have no family doctor.

There probably is an endocrinologist here, but the problem doesn't appear to be my thyroid. I have no idea what kind of dr. I am looking for. The Atkins staff suggested a doctor with some experience in natural medicines. I was just hoping someone on this forum had a doctor that was helping them with this problem.

I looked up bariatric specialists, they specialize in obesity. However, their web page talks about treatment with meridia and very low calorie diets. I got the impression their focus is low fat, low calories, appetite suppressant, and the new drug that interferes with the absorption of fat. Beyond that it was gastric bypass.

Melanie

Bummer. Has your doctor tested your insulin resistance? Like with a glucose tolerance test with insulin levels? That might be the first step.

I'd love to see a naturopath - they tend to side with low carbing - but it's not covered by OHIP.

Good luck. *shrug*

Hi Kristine:
I had thought of going to a naturopath as well, but they really get expensive and I don't think they can even order blood work. The last two I tried told me that I don't eat enough. While it may be true that I am not a big eater, I never have been. When I eat more I gain.

I went to a dr. in Toronto that does chelation therapy for a number of conditions. He found a thyroid nodule. He also tested for glucose and insulin fasting with insulin 2 hours after eating. He started me on natural thyroid. I had been on synthetic for about 20 yr. My post load insulin was off the charts and he said it showed hyperinsulinemia. He told me to go on Atkins. I was already on it. When I lost nothing on the natural thyroid, he said he couldn't help.

I then went to a dr. recommended on the thyroid web. I waited a year to get in to see him. He did all the same tests and changed the thyroid dosage slightly. He prescribed fluconazole and said I have a systemic yeast infection. I still didn't lose but at least after over a year of atkins, my post load insulin comes back below the lowest level of normal. I have no idea if this is bad, it sounded great to me. I also went to him for a second opinion about fibroids. He must not have read the chart and went on about my weight in a manner that was totally unacceptable. I have come to expect being treated in a disrespectful manner, but he had the chart and should have known I wasn't living on sugar and whatever else they imagine. Anyway, he has no further suggestions.
I know there has to be an answer somewhere. My family doctor claims that there are all sorts of people with this problem, that have been labelled by the medical establishment and states that in the not so distant future there will be an answer and treatment. At least the hyperinsulinemia is being controlled by the atkins diet. Sometimes, it just isn't enough incentive to keep me wanting to be true to the diet, especially the no weight loss. Going off isn't an option, I tried it and gained quickly.
I guess I'll just try to keep adjusting the diet and see if I can figure out a solution.
Take care
Melanie

Good luck Melanie. Sorry you've had such bad experiences. That's really sad.

Hi Melanie: I'm new to the group.

I'm hypothyroid and take synthroid. I'm find it very, very difficult to loose weight.


I started Atkins on October 1st and to date (less than 1 month) have lost 14 pounds. I did take over a week to show (pale) pink on the ketostix and almost gave up any hope that I would ever be able to loose any fat.

I feel really good on Atkins in fact much better than on WW where it took me 12 weeks to loose 14 pounds - and I gained it back really quickly.

I'm taking it one day at a time - using Fitday to track my progress.

I really hope you can get some help for your medical problems.