[Ski]

#1065225

This is all good information to give the doctor while you ask exactly this question, and use new lab tests to help with the discussion. There are lots of things that could be contributing, so look at all the facts and see if there’s any reason to presume that your thyroid hormone levels could be at the root of the change.

[enough3]

#1018490

Hey Everyone,

I’m feeling pretty good. I get a little wacky feeling in the hot hot weather..but other than that..I’m okay. I have gained 3 lbs the past 6 weeks. I’m on 88mcg and can’t help but wonder if I need to go back up to 100mcg. Nothing in my diet has changed…everything is the same. Has this happened to anyone and did it come off later? Also, I have never been over 120lbs (even prior to hyper)….now I’m 123? (32-yrs-old)

[Kimberly]

#1065226

One additional thought – we had a presentation during a breakout session at last year’s conference from a nutritionist who utilizes Metabolic Testing to check the Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) of her clients. This is the amount of calories that our bodies consume at rest to keep our heart, lungs, etc. working. (Our presenter was from Charlotte, but she said that the testing can often be done at a local YMCA.) She provided one example of an actual client who had been treated with RAI and stabilized on a dose of thyroid hormone replacement. There is a "standard" calculation based on weight, height, and activity level that many people use to determine RMR. However, the nutritionist found that this woman’s RMR was actually about 150 calories a day *less* than what would be expected by using the standard calculation.

Obviously, the first step should be to check your thyroid levels…but this is just something else to consider if your levels come back normal.

[enough3]

#1065227

Thanks Ski & Kimberly,

That is interesting, Kimberly~

I got my labs done today. I should know tomorrow morning if I’m in normal range.

Most of my weight is literally sitting in my lower abdomen, it’s like a water balloon..lol

I have restricted my calories to 1500 a day…stilling creeping up on the scale.

Maybe I will have some answers tomorrow:)

[SeeSallie]

#1065228

enough3, so interesting that you posted that. I don’t want to generalize, but I too have gained weight the last couple of months and feel my weight is sitting in my abdomen like a balloon.

Kimberly, interesting what you posted too. I get full faster than I ever had in past. My husband and BFF both noted that I don’t eat as much as I have before (I can’t, I feel full). Well results came back that I am hypo now….so I’m having an "a-ha" moment wondering if this is related. Time will tell.

I’m still gaining though I feel full quickly and am eating less. Started synthroid today though; I expect I will start losing again soon. I hope.

[sbigler]

#1065229

Interesting….. I had RAI in December and lost 30 lbs in the process. I then became hypo, started .075 mg of Synthroid on March 1st, and have gained almost 40 lbs back. The strange thing is that a lot of the weight gain is now in my abdomen. I even discussed this with my doctor a few months ago because for the first time I in my 49 years I am carrying my weight in my middle instead of all over (like usual). I asked about being tested for diabetes and he said to hold off because my labs would all be "tweaked" because of the thyroid. Then last week the doctor reduced my Synthroid to a lesser dose (.050) because I am still somewhat hyper so now I am worried about gaining even more weight. Ugh!!

[Ski]

#1065230

Remember that when we are hyperthyroid, the muscle wasting changes the way our body uses calories, because muscle tissue literally goes away, and muscle tissue uses calories just sitting still, which other tissue does not. After we are treated and our levels are normal, our body begins replacing that muscle, but with soft, flabby, baby muscle that we need to work extremely gently in order to begin conditioning it back to the level we remember. All of this plays havoc with our weight as well, so consider having an evaluation by a physical therapist so you fully understand where you are now weaker than you used to be, and develop a workout strategy to specifically increase strength where you may have lost it. That can help a lot.

[grvsmom]

#1065231

First-timer so hopefully I’m doing this correctly. Have a daughter who gained a lot of weight going from hyper to hypo after treatment for Graves’. The weight’s not coming off after 11 weeks on Levothyroxine (88 mcg/day). She’s eating little and exercising but not losing. Never had a weight problem before. Depressing for a teenager – any of us, actually. Thanks for any input. Also, Enough3 – what made you go from 100 mcg to 88? I’m wondering if 88 for my daughter isn’t enough.

[enough3]

#1065232

well everyone..I found out this morning that I’m HYPER!! I thought I was hypo because of the small weight gain? Now, I have to reduce: to 75mcg. ( Maybe you are right SKi…maybe my muscles are coming back. Everyone says that I look great and much more healthier…but now I feel fat even though I know I’m not. Just wish I could "pop" by belly and let all this water go away..That is what it feels like.

[SeeSallie]

#1065233

Oh goodness enough3. We can’t seem to ever really predict what is going on, can we? Hope all is getting better in time though. I’m retaining water and feel ready to pop too -I’m hypo at the moment.

[Kimberly]

#1065234

grvsmom – it would be great if you could invite your daughter to participate on this board. If you do a search for “weight”, you will see that many, many of us struggle with weight issues after being treated for Graves’ Disease. We can definitely relate to your daughter’s frustration!

I have posted this elsewhere as well, but here are a few suggestions from a nutritionist who presented at last year’s patient conference:

1. Include breakfast daily within 2 hours of waking up.
2. Don’t go longer than 5 hours in between meals
3. Select “high volume” and “high fiber” foods such as fruits, veggies, and whole grains
4. Limit servings of healthy fats to 1 per day
5. Prioritize at LEAST 7 hours of sleep a night

Once a doctor’s clearance is obtained to resume activity, she also recommended 150 minutes per week of physical activity, plus strength training 2 times per week.

[Author]

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