[peppernnutmeg]

#1059955

I was just diagnosed 2 weeks ago, and waited 4 weeks for test results. During that time I gained weight, almost 20lbs.
Everything I have read when you are hyper you lose weight. My luck when I get a disease that has a side effect of losing weight my body does the opposite.
I just want to know if I am alone, or has any one else experienced this.

[Kimberly]

#1179030

Hello and welcome! Although the more common course is for patients to lose weight while hyper, a small percentage actually do gain. It’s not understood whether this is because appetite is increased above and beyond what the body is burning off — or if there are other mechanisms at work that is causing the weight gain.

Weight loss, though, is not a bonus with Graves’ disease! This weight loss is usually lean tissue (bone and muscle). If the hyperthyroidism goes untreated, simple tasks like walking up a flight of stairs or holding up a hairdryer can become difficult.

Hopefully, your doctor has discussed treatment options with you. The healing process definitely takes time and patience — but the first step is selecting the treatment option that is right for you.

Take care!

[hartjourneys]

#1179031

You are not alone. Before and when I was first diagnosed I lost quite a lot of weight very quickly – average 3 pounds per week. Went on methimazole and swung into hypo. Went off methimizole and gradually the returned to hyper but this time I am gaining weight. Taking very little methimizole now and waiting to see what’s next. Good luck to you.

[vanillasky]

#1179032

Hi! In my experience, it is rare, but it can happen!

Everytime I’ve been hyper, I’ve lost weight and have been able to sit and eat like a horse and lose weight. It gets scarey when you get down to 89 pounds and everyone thinks you are terminally ill.

When you go hyp0, which you will if on Tapazole, believe me, the weight comes back. Are you hyp0 now? If you are on Tapazole, you really have to watch because that makes us hyp0 and you can gain weight without over-eating.

Other factors to consider as Kimberly mentioned is appetite. I got so hungry, I ate everything in the house. It seems my digestion is speeding up just with other functions in the body and if you over eat, you could gain just because you’re so hungry, all you can do is think of food.

For me, I was so nervous when hyper, and couldn’t think about anything but chocolate cream pies which I was devouring in one sitting. Although, I still lost about 4 pounds.

also consider your age. We get older (over 40) and then the weight could pile on so you have to reduce your caloric intake by hundreds of calories per day or you will gain. If you can, try to exercise. I do long distance walking, I spin, and I jump rope, and even Hula hoop each day. It keeps the waist line so I don’t get that menopausal spread.

If you are going through peri or are menopausal, it’s a given you will gain weight. I’ve been fighting 3 pounds ever since even though i am still very thin, I used to be thinner and I like being thin from when I was a model. So that’s my take on it.

Karen

[Raspberry]

#1179033

vanillasky wrote:

For me, I was so nervous when hyper, and couldn’t think about anything but chocolate cream pies which I was devouring in one sitting. Although, I still lost about 4 pounds.

Rub it in why dontcha! A Graves weight gainer here peppernutmeg you are not alone.

[mwhitney]

#1179034

nope, I went to being 105 (granted I was underweight and just had been told I needed to gain) went hyper. Did the RAI 5 weeks ago and I’m currently 130.
I gained 15 pounds just in 3 weeks I was waiting to start anti-thyroid meds.

I’ve been this weight before, actually this was my normal weight for many years. I haven’t really been in a position to exercise, been so tired (waiting to up my synthroid dose and my mom’s had pneumonia). But my appetite is way down. Back to picking at my food as usual.

Hang in there!

[peppernnutmeg]

#1179035

Thank you guys for all the support. I am just starting this journey, 2 weeks on propranolol and methimazole, so I know I will be writing and reading a lot as I start the stabilizing and RAI journey.
It is definitely wonderful to know I am not alone and there is a place I can go to get answers and also an idea of what I am in for.
Megan

[donnabgraves]

#1179036

You are not the only one who has gained weight with Graves disease. I have put on 35 pounds. I have yoyo’d up and down, but always end up around gaining a grand whopping total of 35 pounds. March 22, 2013 I was 15 pounds lighter from extreme dieting and stopped due to heart palpitations and tachycardia and put 15 pounds right back on.

It is heart breaking to work for 4 1/2 months to loose 18 pounds and put it right back on when stopping the diet. It is just not fair. I wish I was like everyone else and have lost weight. I always do the exact opposite of everyone else.

Darn!

Hopefully, the RAI will correct this yoyo effect.

Donna

[Steph82]

#1179037

Before diagnosis I gained about 15lbs. I have always maintained my weight well while eating what I want because I have always been pretty active. Looking back I can now see that I was eating more and doing less because of complete exhaustion and constant hunger! Now that I am getting treated I’m starting to feel better, eat better, and exercise but the weight isn’t budging I guess I’ll just have to work even harder than ever if I want to be back at my old weight.

[Stymie]

#1179038

Hi!!

You are not alone!!

I too gained weight when hyper. I was eating so much cuz I was hungry ALL the time!!

I started running and watching everything I put in my mouth and eventually I did lose some weight that I put back on when I went hypo after RAI.

You can always come here for answers. Someone is always here to help!

Big hugs!

Diane

[peppernnutmeg]

#1179039

I am so looking forward to going hypo, and gaining weight Then I will have to come up with another excuse not to work out, I won’t have the heart rate to high or no energy excuse then. Luckily I know myself and I will come up with another excuse.
Has anyone figured out how to put motivation in a pill form? If you have sell it you will make billions
Megan

[Steph82]

#1179040

Try on bathing suits, that is motivation for me!

I took my kids to the pool yesterday and caught sight of my new giant rear end in the mirror in the changing room and about cried! I went home and worked out after swimming for 1.5 hours and ate only chicken and veggies for dinner! I have never weighed as much as I do right now I’m think I’m finally at the point that I really want it and I’m not going to let Grave’s get in the way!

[vanillasky]

#1179041

Motiviation comes in many forms. Do what you think motivates you and that will stop the cravings. I always crave chocolate. Comfort foods, but I also love jeans with rhinestones or crystals on them and love a size 2. I even bought a size 0 and that’s my motivation. To get into those sizes. It keeps me from craving Nestle’s Crunch.

Right now, my body is in the dog house. Had surgery yesterday. Came home FAT and I didn’t even eat anything. Hospital just called and I asked her if it was possible to gain weight from IV fluids. She said “yes.” So here we are, 2 pounds heavier. I better go look at those A7 jeans.

[peppernnutmeg]

#1179042

vanillasky:
I’m glad to here you are home after your surgery, sorry about the fluids gain. However I think you get some slack after surgery. Just wait until you feel better then you can work them off.

Again glad to hear you are home and hopefully you get the results you are hoping for.

Megan

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