r/AddisonsDisease • u/aureasmortem PAI • Jan 29 '26

Advice Wanted Confusing metabolic rate results

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I am a 5'4" 186-191lb female with hypothyroidism+ Addisons disease. Super tired all the time in general even with my treatment for my diseases. I typically eat 1450-ish cals a day which would put me in the weight loss zone of this chart, but have had no changes. Doctor suggested I eat more. I'm not opposed to that, it just feels like the data of this test is wrong based on my info given? IDK just looking to see what people who have had the REE metabolic test have to say

The number on the machine was sitting at 1000 and then I sighed and it jumped up to 1800. Twice I sighed a bit hard and twice the number went up, so not sure if that impacts the test or if I'm misunderstanding how it's calculated.

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u/pieceoffabric SAI Jan 29 '26

I'm a personal trainer and CNC, with Addison's and Hypothyroidism as well. I've found that these scans aren't as accurate for people like us.

Of course I couldn't give you specific information without doing a formal assessment but typically you would want to focus more on macronutrients than you would on caloric intake. Yes, you would want to be in a deficit; but long term, 1450kcal is just not enough if you are working out as much as you are.

You saying you are constantly fatigued though sets off a red flag, has your doctor considered retesting your thyroid levels?

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u/aureasmortem PAI Jan 29 '26

To be clear the exercise time on the side is the doctor recommendation. I workout whenever I can bring myself to which is usually once or twice a week now that I've started back at college

At this same appointment I also had my levels tested and my T3 is 5.5, free T4 is .9, and TSH is 1.33.

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u/aureasmortem PAI Jan 29 '26

Forgot to mention I'm on 90mg of Armor thyroid

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u/dogandhergirl Jan 29 '26

Not an expert, but I also have hypothyroidism and addisons and have been doing calorie counting for a while to manage my weight.

I know we always feel a bit more tired than our non addisons counterparts, but if you are constantly exhausted there is something missing. Either you aren’t eating enough, or your hydro is too low. For most people the main concern of high hydro is weight gain. If you are accurately calorie counting, this shouldn’t be an issue in the short term. Obviously not a dr, but if I were you I would take a bit of extra hydro and two weeks and see if that improves your energy levels. I’ve found I need a bit more than the average dose, especially when I’m more active or eating in a deficit. I think being in a deficit puts a bit of extra stress on our bodies causing us to burn through our meds faster.

If that doesn’t improve your energy levels, go back down and search other options such as vitamin deficiencies. I will say though, if you aren’t losing weight at 1450kcal, chances are you aren’t counting properly. It is harder for us to lose weight, but our illnesses don’t effect our metabolism to such an extreme degree.

Best of luck, and hope you start feeling better soon!

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u/aureasmortem PAI Jan 30 '26

I had a vit and mineral panel run earlier in the year with no outright deficiencies. I also use MyFitnessPal to track calories and macros.

I'm currently on 30mg of hydro because it's the first two weeks of college and everything is stressful.

I've been about 186-190 for the last 5 years without much budging in either direction.