Help to get abs ... cutting assistance (Hashimotos)

[trtchin]

Hi all. Long time lurker here. Before I post i know it's not possible to spot reduce bodyfat but just want to get feedback from anyone who might have some hormonal issues at play.

43 y/o male, 6 foot. Diagnosed with Hashimotos and low test 2 years ago after going to an endo for extreme fatigue. Thyroid medication helped to some extent and i was able to get my ass in gear and hit the gym and my nutrition super hard. Went from 205 to 165 in less than a year doing keto and lifting (no cardio).

Eventually I also went on TRT started with gel switched to injections in Feb 2025 currently on 120mg/week. I also changed from keto to a balanced diet 225g protein 90g fat and carbs go up or down depending on my calorie goals (currently around 2450).

My weight is around 170 now and I'm gaining strength and muscle at the gym but weight loss and fat loss has stalled. I've been skinny fat my whole life and I'm guessing I have had low T and thyroid issues for a lot longer than diagnosed.

Even though most people say I look good and I'm "skinny", I'm super tired of this gut and stomach fat. Before I get too old I would love to have abs once in my life.

My question is this - for anyone with thyroid issues could anavar or tirz or anything help to regulate insulin and free up some of this stomach fat to be burned? I'm not a naturally muscular guy at this rate I estimate I would need to get to like 150 lbs or less to even start to see abs and man I'm not sure I want to be that skinny.

Can anyone offer some advice? I know CICO but my body is like unnaturally holding on to stomach fat...

 

[Dafty]

I'm afraid I can't advise around hasimotos but would say - have you even got any abs?

Don't get me wrong there is some truth to "abs come from the kitchen" but you can't peal down and expose what isn't there - might be worth focusing on building some decent all over muscle with compound lifts which will in turn build abs, then cut down again

 

[trtchin]

I'm afraid I can't advise around hasimotos but would say - have you even got any abs?

Don't get me wrong there is some truth to "abs come from the kitchen" but you can't peal down and expose what isn't there - might be worth focusing on building some decent all over muscle with compound lifts which will in turn build abs, then cut down again

Thanks. It's a good point. Generally I have been focusing on a hypertrophy based program and have made some good gains. I'm not a new lifter, been lifting on and off my whole life but too much "off". TRT has helped me catch up a bit but i feel there is something missing due to my hormonal issues beyond lifting hard and tracking everything I eat (which i already do).

 

[TheScholarOfBrew]

Thanks. It's a good point. Generally I have been focusing on a hypertrophy based program and have made some good gains. I'm not a new lifter, been lifting on and off my whole life but too much "off". TRT has helped me catch up a bit but i feel there is something missing due to my hormonal issues beyond lifting hard and tracking everything I eat (which i already do).

Well as long as that test is vaild by jano and there isn't too many source complaints here I believe it's trustworthy I just personally am staying away from expensive compounds till the raws get fresh these days.

 

[Babygeei]

I've had hypothyroidism since 2004 and currently my TSH is above reference at like 8.5 while on 200mcg levothyroxine. I haven't been able to stay in the reference range since I started TRT. Even with that I can still see my abs. In my opinion I don't think it's a thyroid issue especially if it's under control, but I'm no doctor.

 

[trtchin]

Well as long as that test is vaild by jano and there isn't too many source complaints here I believe it's trustworthy I just personally am staying away from expensive compounds till the raws get fresh these days.

It's UGL but it was sourced from here actually. I was dr prescribed trt but I switched to UGL because I wanted more control over the choice. Waiting a couple more weeks before testing again and probably upping my dose.

I've had hypothyroidism since 2004 and currently my TSH is above reference at like 8.5 while on 200mcg levothyroxine. I haven't been able to stay in the reference range since I started TRT. Even with that I can still see my abs. In my opinion I don't think it's a thyroid issue especially if it's under control, but I'm no doctor.

Ya I'm not blaming Hashimotos completely but I have read about hypothyroidism leading to insulin resistance which can cause your body to hold on tighter to stomach fat. Ive also read about using tirz to regulage and reset insulin to possibly allow your body to tap into that stomach fat on a cut.

 

[Babygeei]

You can always have your A1C checked and fasting insulin to see if you're insulin resistant. You could also get a glucose monitor and check it a few times a week.

I'm definitely an advocate for tirzepatide because that is how I lost my weight. I will most likely be on it to some degree for life. There are a lot of people on this forum with more knowledge than me about it when it comes to things like resetting insulin so I can't speak to that. And also the tirzepatide could very well be what has helped me get past my thyroid issues as far as weight gain goes.

 

[BigDadd7]

Build some muscle first. You're 6 foot, 170 lbs. There are no abs to show.

 

[nullandvoid]

Run LDN for a few months and recheck TPOAb. I think you may be surprised.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Hi all. Long time lurker here. Before I post i know it's not possible to spot reduce bodyfat but just want to get feedback from anyone who might have some hormonal issues at play.

43 y/o male, 6 foot. Diagnosed with Hashimotos and low test 2 years ago after going to an endo for extreme fatigue. Thyroid medication helped to some extent and i was able to get my ass in gear and hit the gym and my nutrition super hard. Went from 205 to 165 in less than a year doing keto and lifting (no cardio).

Eventually I also went on TRT started with gel switched to injections in Feb 2025 currently on 120mg/week. I also changed from keto to a balanced diet 225g protein 90g fat and carbs go up or down depending on my calorie goals (currently around 2450).

My weight is around 170 now and I'm gaining strength and muscle at the gym but weight loss and fat loss has stalled. I've been skinny fat my whole life and I'm guessing I have had low T and thyroid issues for a lot longer than diagnosed.

Even though most people say I look good and I'm "skinny", I'm super tired of this gut and stomach fat. Before I get too old I would love to have abs once in my life.

My question is this - for anyone with thyroid issues could anavar or tirz or anything help to regulate insulin and free up some of this stomach fat to be burned? I'm not a naturally muscular guy at this rate I estimate I would need to get to like 150 lbs or less to even start to see abs and man I'm not sure I want to be that skinny.

Can anyone offer some advice? I know CICO but my body is like unnaturally holding on to stomach fat...

it sounds like you really need to learn the basics of training and nutrition.

you seem to have bypassed all of that and went straight to drugs.

6 ft at 150 lbs... Whatever "Look" the drugs give you, wont last.

 

[The-Squat]

Abs are made in the kitchen, muscle burns fat. Learn to build and eat properly.

 

[ackmack78]

I've had hypothyroidism since 2004 and currently my TSH is above reference at like 8.5 while on 200mcg levothyroxine. I haven't been able to stay in the reference range since I started TRT. Even with that I can still see my abs. In my opinion I don't think it's a thyroid issue especially if it's under control, but I'm no doctor.

Maybe you need some liothyronine

 

[trtchin]

it sounds like you really need to learn the basics of training and nutrition.

you seem to have bypassed all of that and went straight to drugs.

6 ft at 150 lbs... Whatever "Look" the drugs give you, wont last.

Its harsh but points taken. My drugs i am taking now are all dr prescribed. After literally a year + of dialing in my thyroid medication with my endo and a half dozen blood tests.

Its frustrating to know that I am stuck on this thyroid medication for life and it can also affect my metabolism and how my body loses fat.

In terms of diet and nutrition Its on point. I track every bite of food that goes into my body and cook with a scale next to me I even travel with it. I haven't missed a lift in 1 year. I just want to be sure I'm doing what I can to supplement all the effort i am putting in. Not necessarily looking for a shortcut

 

[Babygeei]

Maybe you need some liothyronine

I have some on hand, I just need do some research and possibly bloodwork to see if it's necessary to take. I am on 10iu of hgh which may be playing a factor into my TSH levels also.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Its frustrating to know that I am stuck on this thyroid medication for life and it can also affect my metabolism and how my body loses fat.

I dont think so... Plenty of people are on thyroid medication and can shred for competition.

you probably dont have much ab muscle to show on it.

 

[Slowww]

My wife also has hashimotos so she struggled with hypothyroidism and basically treats it with levothyroxine as well, like babygee said. of course it takes some time to get used to but with normal management you should be able to get the metabolism in check and thyroid in check. In comparison to babygee, my wife only takes 25mcg, and I take 100mcg, everybody is different. This hasn’t really had a super large impact on her weight management or my bodybuilding though.

You might consider looking into other aspects, like insulin resistance, under developed abdominals, or just consider you have too much body fat still so you’re falling into the skinny fat category with fat you keep last on the stomach. Pretty common. Just need to lose more weight.
do some cardio cus you said you didn’t in your post

 

[trtchin]

My wife also has hashimotos so she struggled with hypothyroidism and basically treats it with levothyroxine as well, like babygee said. of course it takes some time to get used to but with normal management you should be able to get the metabolism in check and thyroid in check. In comparison to babygee, my wife only takes 25mcg, and I take 100mcg, everybody is different. This hasn’t really had a super large impact on her weight management or my bodybuilding though.

You might consider looking into other aspects, like insulin resistance, under developed abdominals, or just consider you have too much body fat still so you’re falling into the skinny fat category with fat you keep last on the stomach. Pretty common. Just need to lose more weight.
do some cardio cus you said you didn’t in your post

Yes I know i need to add in cardio. Insulin resistance was addressed in my first post which is why I asked for something to address that like tirz.

 

[Nidus]

Yes I know i need to add in cardio. Insulin resistance was addressed in my first post which is why I asked for something to address that like tirz.

Whats your Hba1c, Homa and Triglycerides? Do you have fatty liver by chance? Very low SHBG and chronically high liver markers + high lipids might be a warning sign to that.

 

[Slowww]

Yes I know i need to add in cardio. Insulin resistance was addressed in my first post which is why I asked for something to address that like tirz.

Cardio can help with insulin resistance, also can try carb cycling if you are not already. Plus daily step minimums

Edit: Carb cycling only if you can tolerate higjer carb quantities on some days. Idk what your diet is and if you use a specific diet to help manage the hashimotos

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

The guy just needs to hire a trainer.. He's already a stick