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  • jgruenwald
    Participant
    December 31, 2015 at 1:23 pm
    Post count: 1
    #1060691

    My story is a long boring one so I’ll summarize. I was diagnosed with Graves’ when I was 17 years old. I had RIT at 20. I gained weight instead of losing it (from the initial onset and on) and have struggled with my weight and energy ever since. I’ve gained a total of 80 pounds since diagnosis and no matter what I do (short of starving myself) I cannot lose the weight along with no energy. My TSH level fluctuate so much that I’ve never stayed on a set dosage. My highest being 350 mcg. I held steady at 200 mcg for a year and now my TSH levels are up to 21.37. T3 was 1.7. I feel like I can’t win! Any advice?

    Kimberly
    Keymaster
    January 4, 2016 at 8:53 am
    Post count: 4294
    #1184170

    Hello and welcome! We are fellow patients here, not docs, but here are a few thoughts…

    1. Sometimes patients need a dosage in between those that are commercially offered to keep levels in range. If your levels have been swinging up and down, as your doctor about alternating doses every other day.

    2. Double-check that your daily routine in taking your replacement hormone allows for maximum absorption (30-60 minutes before breakfast and 4 hours away from any supplements with iron, soy, or calcium).

    3. If you are consistently taking the meds correctly, and your TSH is that high, talk to your primary care doc about checking for digestive issues that can affect absorption, such as celiac or gastritis.

    If your current doc isn’t taking your concerns seriously, a second (or third) opinion might be helpful. Check out the “Looking for a Doctor?” thread in the announcements section of the forum for a list of search engines that can help you locate a doctor in your area.

    Take care – and keep us posted!

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