[Kg198202]

#1059156

I just heard this word tossed around on another forum, my question does this happen in graves patients or mostly patients with hypothyroidism., if anyone has had this, how’d you combat it?? Also anyone have any graves related diet tips, I’ve gained about 30lbs in a matter of months…EEKKK

[Bobbi]

#1172592

I haven’t ever heard that term before, so I’m clueless.

As to diet tips. You absolutely need a balanced nutritional diet. Your body right now craves nutrition. If you want to be pro-active about weight gain, ruthlessly eliminate “empty calories” for a while. Those are foods that contain little or no nutritional value, but pack a bunch of calories. Candies, cookies, cakes, fried greasy whatevers.

I also have been seeing research lately that suggests that artificial sweeteners stimulate appetite. So, you might well consider giving them up, as well. According to my Consumers Report health guide, there are no studies showing that using artificial sweeteners causes weight loss. So, if you crave something sweet, have a piece of fruit. I substituted fruit for “sweet” a year ago, and have lost a good amount of weight without really feeling like I’m on a “diet.”

[gatorgirly]

#1172593

Hi kg,

I haven’t heard of it related to Graves itself, but rather prednisone – which many of us take for TED and/or before RAI to reduce the likelihood of TED worsening. One of the most common and annoying side effects is weight gain, especially in the face (moon face) and trunk. I was blessed with both.

I have been about 15-20 pounds overweight since the whole Graves battle began (after starting treatment, of course – before diagnosis I was so skinny and loving it!). Though I have lost some of the weight, I gained so much and so quickly in my trunk when I took a high dose of prednisone for six months that I now have lovely stretch marks on my love handle area. Let me tell you, it’s really frustrating to have stretch marks at 27 with no babies when I’ve been in great shape my whole life.

Where are you in your treatment process? Being hypo will certainly lead to weight gain but hopefully you will see the fat turn back to muscle as you get stabilized on replacement. I am not quite there yet, but I know being stable has a lot to do with how I look and feel so I’m trying not to beat myself up too much.

As Bobbi mentioned, clean your diet as much as you can. I’m trying really hard to eliminate processed foods, but I do love a good ice cream sundae every now and then. And that’s OK, because balance is important. Remember to get back into an exercise regimen slowly. I found yoga and running to be the most therapeutic for me, and both allow me to start slow and work back up to my old intensity level (I used to be a gymnast). And certainly ask for regular blood work if you feel hyper or hypo. Most endocrinologists have a dietitian in the office, usually for diabetic patients, but you might ask if you can make an appointment to help you get back on track since Graves has been known to reset one’s metabolism (or is it treatment that does this? Kimberly has mentioned it before), so you might not be able to eat the way you did before Graves.

[Kimberly]

#1172594

Hello – I posted some info on weight issues in this thread:

(Note on links: if you click directly on the following links, you will need to use your browser’s “back” button to return to the boards after viewing. As an alternative, you can right-click the link and open it in a new tab or new window).

http://gdatf.org/forum/topic/42529/

While “thyroid belly” isn’t a recognized medical term, I’ve personally noticed that most of my post-Graves’ weight gain has been around my mid-section, whereas I used to primarily gain weight in my upper body. I’ve spoken informally with several other patients who have noticed the same issue.

This is an area of ongoing research, but it’s believe that there are TSH receptors in other tissues besides the thyroid gland — including adipose (fat) tissues. Perhaps one day, researchers will be able to make a connection. The studies below contain a lot of technical jargon, but I couldn’t find any better examples:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10912999

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22289392

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18180327

[peedeespaws]

#1172595

When my thyroid numbers began to show normal ranges and I came off the methimazole and inderal, I gained weight very quickly. My clothes felt tight, as if I was being blown up like an air mattress. I felt like I was hypothyroid. I picked up my exercise routine but did not change my eating habits because I thought I was doing a good job at eating healthy. I have gained 20 lbs since January. I now crave carbs!! All of the weight gain has been around the belly area. My new plan includes eating much less and trying to stay away from the things I am craving. This is so hard, but I know it needs to be a lifelong journey. It is comforting knowing that others are experiencing the same thing and that I am not alone in this.

[Kg198202]

#1172596

Thanks for responding everyone! this weight gain is seriously driving me crazy, one month I gained 13lbs! The worst thing for me is I I’m extremely hungry after a nap and I nap often 8/. it seems like most of the weight I’ve gained is in the tummy region, I seriously look five months pregnant . I’m taking all the advice I can I need to lose some kind of weight before my bday in less than three months…once again Thanks

[Author]

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