[amyh]

#1060606

The past week feels like a blur I had blood work and then i get called into the doctors office and get told that my TSH is 0.01 and that it looks like I have an over active thyroid and get asked have you lost weight and i was like no i have gained 20lbs in the past few months and no matter what i do nothing seems to help and it is making me so stressed out. He then asked are you having moments of being so hot and how about your heart rate is it fast? I was so happy because i had been feeling like my heart was always pounding out of my chest and no matter how cold it is I never need a jacket. He sent me for more blood work as he doesn’t understand how I have been gaining weight. Friday i got a call for an appointment with an endocrinologist for today and after her exam and my results she told me I have Graves Disease I don’t really know what she said after my T4 is 88 and my resting heart rate is 110 and my skin is hot etc. She gave me options with the iodine thing, surgery or tablets i just took the prescription for tablets Methimazole and Propranolol. However after reading what people say i am nervous i will continue to gain weight as I am so confused as to how i gained weight being hyper than to slow my thyroid down with pills just seems like a recipe for disaster. I guess i am just looking for some advice as I live alone and don’t know anyone that has this.
Thanks for taking the time to read this and sorry for moaning!!

[Kimberly]

#1183598

Hello and welcome – I’m sorry you are going through this, but glad that you found us.

First, did your doctor give you a definitive diagnosis of Graves’ disease? Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, but there can be other causes as well. Antibody testing (TSI or TRAb) or the Radioactive Iodine Uptake & Scan can give you a definitive diagnosis.

If you do definitely have Graves’, the “Treatment Options” thread in the announcements section of the forum is a great place to start reading. The nice thing about starting with the methimazole is that it can help get your levels stabilized and give you some time to think before making a longer-term decision. You might decide to stay on the meds, or eventually pursue surgery or RAI. All three options have pros and cons.

As for the weight issues, that is very personal. Most do lose weight before Graves’ is diagnosed, but a few gain, and it’s not well understood why. Your priorities for now are getting a definitive diagnosis (Graves’ disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, overactive thyroid nodules) and to select a treatment option to get your levels stabilized.

Take care – and please check back to let us know how you are doing.

[flora]

#1183599

Hi amyh – I’ll add my “Welcome” to Kimberly’s, and let you know that a couple of my symptoms were not on the usual list for Graves either …. Among other things, I did have high anxiety and felt warm and sweaty, but instead of having a big appetite, mine just walked off the stage entirely. I actually had to force myself to eat (what my doctor called “disciplined eating”), which is not the usual Graves way at all – most of us were hungry all the time. Hope you’ll be feeling lots better, very soon.
– flora

[VFRgrl]

#1183600

Hi Amyh
I’m new here today (just joined today) and told I also have Graves (I’m not convinced but that is a different story). Regardless- I AM hyper thyroid; I AM on Methimizole. I DID gain 30# over the last 2 years I have been sick with this (not diagnosed until recently). My endocrinologist ALSO told me this was impossible and that I would gain on the methimazole. It IS possible. I lost 8# in a little over 1 month on the methimazole with no change in diet/exercise.
Thyroid imbalance affects everyone differently. My endocrine surgeon said she has had a few (not many- but more than me) who GAINED when hyper- and not because of eating more. Easier said than done- but focus first on getting thyroid balanced- and then worry about the weight.
Lori

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