[Haute]

#1018588

Good Evening all,

I’ve recently been diagnosed with Grave’s. I’ve always noticed that I tend to gain weight VERY easily and thought that I was gifted with a great metabolism. That is until my new dr examined my throat during my annual check up. A month later, I’m diagnosed with GD. My T3 and T4 numbers are triple the normal amount.

I’m on Methimazole (20mg/day) and however, haven’t started taking the pills yet. I’m really afraid that I’m going to gain back the weight I lost. I worked so hard for a year to lose weight (I’ve always been overweight throughout my life) and although, it’s very vain and narcissistic. I do NOT want to gain weight and all the research I’ve done on Methimazole indicates that I will.

Please help. ” title=”Sad” />

[Bobbi]

#1065849

When someone has toxic levels of thyroid hormone, Haute, like you do, their body eats itself up. Yes, most of us do lose weight (although not all — some of us actually gain weight while hyperthyroid), but it is not due to a superb metabolism: it is due to losing muscle mass and bone. The idea of a super-charged metabolism is false. Muscle particularly weighs more than other body tissues, so when we lose muscle, we lose weight. In your situation, imagine elderly people, not young models, when you imagine the weight that you have lost. As we get old, we lose muscle. The arms grow thin and weak, and the chest caves in. Ironically, losing muscle, typically means the onset of fat flab, too, because a muscle cell burns more calories — even at rest — than other cells do, so if we continue to eat the way we normally would, we gain weight when we lose muscle. This is why some folks who are hyperthyroid gain weight instead of losing it.

There are healthy ways to lose weight — getting exercise, being active, and eating the proper foods in the proper amounts — and there are unhealthy ways to lose weight. Allowing hyperthyroidism to continue is probably THE most unhealthy way to lose weight.

The first thing you need to eliminate from your thinking is that gaining ANY weight is going to be "bad." The number of pounds on the scale is NOT what you should be focussing on. When we regain normal, controlled levels of thyroid hormone, the muscle slowly starts returning. It isn’t strong muscle — one endocrinologist called it "mushy" muscle at first — so when we are able, we need to exercise to make it strong again. Returning muscle will add numbers on the scales because muscle weighs more than flab. But your clothes should still fit because muscle doesn’t add inches as it returns.

The second thing that we all need to keep in mind about all of this is that we are not "victims" of our metabolism. It is possible to take some control back. I will use myself as an illustration. I was so sure that I was going to gain weight when I had my RAI, that I started keeping a log of everything I was eating. Everything. I had read, online (like you) the horror stories of weight gain , and was going to prove to my endo that Graves treatments made folks gain weight. The only way to prove it was to keep the log. What happened was amazing. I kept the log, which kept me honest. Normally, if I eat something sweet in the early a.m., I crave sweets all day, and typically "forget" about the early donut when confronted with cookies in the afternoon. By keeping the log, I would remember what I had eaten. I ruthlessly eliminated empty calories: I only ate things that had nutritional value, with occasional detours (a few bites) for a yummy dessert when at a restaurant. And as soon as my doctor gave me the go-ahead, I began to exercise. And I lost 18 pounds after my RAI, while getting adjusted onto thyroid replacement hormone. Then, the pounds slowly started coming back. But I regained 15 pounds without changing clothing size. This is why I can tell you that returning muscle doesn’t add inches. It does increase the numbers on the scale, but it does not make you fat. What that wonderful returning muscle does is give us the ability to eat more without gaining weight, and it gives us back stamina and energy.

Please, Haute, go to some quiet place inside yourself and do an attitude adjustment. Hyperthyroidism kills people. Take the medications. Keep a food log and watch what you eat. Exercise once your doctor tells you it is OK. And, fingers crossed, you will be fine.

[mamabear]

#1065850

Haute you will find many of us with different stories… But the bottom line to each story is that your health is more important than loosing or gaining weight.

as much as you are upset about reading about gaining weight…I begged for that many years ago! What I would have given to be "not skinny". My muscles were gone, I had no energy and now power to do a damn thing because I was so weak. My labs showed I was within limits so to dr’s I was "normal". After the birth of my 1st child at age 21 I was so sick and didn’t know why, long story short I was very skinny, I could fit into a size 3 stretch jeans and I’m 5’8" and NOT petite. I’m a big girl and I don’t mean overweight, I mean the German side I surely take after. Mom is very petite but not her little girl!!!! I cried at night thinking that I was wasting away and I would never gain it back. And that was in 95′ it wasn’t until 2001 that I was diagnosed finally with labwork that proved it.

I am sure you are a wonderful person….don’t sell yourself short…you have a good life to lead and many people I am sure love you. SO please don’t hurt yourself any further by not taking the medicine. It will help you regain your self back and take control of this disease and kicks it’s butt!If you dont’ take the meds you will not give yourself the chance to lead a normal and healthy life. This is not about being vain or conceited, we are both of those things at any given point in our lives. This is about your health and your future. The medicine will stabalize you and will be able to continue to do the things you wish to do. Once you are stable your dr. will tell you when it’s ok to work out.

I am in remission without any medicine for 3 years now. I am still 5’8" and although I am thin, i am not skinny. Not bad for a mom of 4 that is for sure. But I wouldn’t have been a mom of the last 3 if I didn’t take the meds and get better and healthy.

This is a journey that you have no choice making. You can adjust properly and go with it and it will take you far and bring you back to health or you can go a route that will bring you sorrow and the feeling of guilt because you didn’t take the meds and learn to eat properly and gain your self back. WE don’t want that for you, WE want you to be as great as you can be……………..so be a good person to yourself and take the medicine and see if it works and be kind to yourself. YOu are worth it! WE are all worth treating ourselves with respect and kindness and the best possible care we can give or get for ourselves.

I hope this helps you…stay on board here and ask what ever questions you wish!!

[Kimberly]

#1065851

Hello – I understand your concerns, as I lost 26 pounds on Weight Watchers about 3 years before being diagnosed with Graves’. I was one of those who did NOT lose weight while hypER. After 2.5 years on methimazole, I am still struggling with being above my goal weight – at my highest point, I was about 14 pounds over my goal weight, but now it’s down to 7.

I worked so hard to lose the weight the first time around that I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t frustrated. I am. HOWEVER, remaining in a hyperthyroid state is an *immediate* danger to your health and needs to be corrected. Otherwise, this can cause complications such as bone/muscle wasting and heart problems – and occasionally thyroid storm, which can be fatal. Although we can’t “see” bone loss, if it occurs, this can have a huge impact on your quality of life. My grandmother had major osteoporosis, and all she had to do was step down funny, and she would end up in bed for weeks at a time recovering from a fracture. That’s definitely *not* the quality of life that you want!

Bobbi’s suggestion to track your food intake is a good one. Don’t forget to include *all* BLTs! (Bites, Licks, and Tastes). Also, here are a few suggestions from a nutritionist who presented at last year’s GDF 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
6. (Note: Don’t start this last one until AFTER your hyperthyroidism is under control and you get your doctor’s OK) Do 150 minutes per week of physical activity, plus strength training 2 times per week.

I hope that this is helpful. Feel free to post here if you need to vent about weight issues…there are plenty of us who can relate! But the immediate priority is to protect your long-term health and quality of life by treating your hyperthyroidism.

[Haute]

#1065852

Thanks guys! Everyone is so amazing here. You wouldn’t believe how happy I was to get all of your advice.

My T3 is 48 and T4 is 58. I’m a 26, female. Will the Methimazole, from what I understand and my endocrinologist said… the drug itself will not make me gain weight, but the eating habits and exercise I do will determine my weight. Does this make sense?

My endocrinologist wasn’t in the office today – but I called and left a message about being referred to a dietician and a dermatologist. Did you find that your skin was dry, flaky and blotchy?

[ddetrolio]

#1065853

You will find this board a great source!

I have not been put on any medication yet but hope too soon. I am 47 male and have had Graves for a year (at least I learned I had it a year ago) and have been reading up on the medication over the last few weeks since I have been bothered more by symptoms.

My readin has showed exercise and good diet balance will help us all with it but you need someone to help you along and of course check with the doctor before any major chnage in workout or activity.

I am working with someone to help me eat better along with the guidance of a friend who is very health oriented. I am down a few pounds over the year but in my case the sleep issue is more of a pain in the butt than anything.

As far as the skin goes I defer to the others on the board but I think that is a more common sign of Graves. In my case, my already thin hair is thinner ” title=”Sad” />

Keep asking questions, I should have done it sooner I think I would be in a different place now with my GD.

But being out here, it feels a bit better each time ” title=”Smile” />

Dave

[Ski]

#1065854

There are a few elements to the weight issue, but it’s true, the medication does not "make" you gain weight. Some doctors like to presume that we’ve gotten used to eating a ton without gaining, and we just proceed on that route without thinking about it. I’m not sure I buy that, but it might play a part for some people. The fact that hyperthyroidism has been allowing you to eat more calories without gaining weight doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ve spun out of control, but it could mean that you believe you have a certain leeway when it comes to food, and the truth is you do not. For the best possible results, make sure the food you eat is valuable to your body ~ no wasted calories, eat fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat cuts of meat, etc. etc. ~ and don’t feel badly if you still gain a little weight. Hyperthyroidism "eats" muscle mass, which lowers your body’s ability to process as many calories, but when the hyperthyroidism begins to be corrected, the muscle mass begins to return. That’s GOOD. Your body needs that muscle mass. As your levels come into the normal range, you’ll be able to work that muscle and strengthen it, but in the meantime, sometimes we must live with a short period of time where our weight is higher than we’re used to. Balance will come back, as long as you’re aware of what’s going on and treat yourself the best way you possibly can. So it’s more about healing than it is about the medication. When you are first allowed to go back to exercising, it’s wise to get in touch with a physical therapist to make sure you don’t overdo. You have no idea how weak you may have become, and it’s easy to begin a cycle of pain that isn’t productive when exercise is allowed again.

[Haute]

#1065855

Thank you soo much!!

The thing that’s really annoying with my endocrinologist is that her secretary isn’t very nice. So I have to get through her first. But I’m going to definitely call her again tomorrow about the exercise and weight gain. I don’t know why it’s such a big deal to me… but it just is. Silly, I know.

And Dave! I hope you get medicated soon too! How are you doing with your symptoms?

[Ski]

#1065856

If you are currently hyperthyroid, NO EXERCISE right now. You need to achieve normal thyroid hormone levels, and remain there a little while, before it is safe to do anything more than gentle stretching and casual walking. The most important reasons are that (a) you are susceptible to arrhythmias while hyperthyroid, and they can spiral out of control when you are working out, which can actually be fatal; and (b) while hyperthyroid, our body literally *eats* muscle mass to satisfy the extra energy requirements the excess thyroid hormone creates, and exercising accelerates that process (muscle rebuilding is suppressed while hyperthyroid), so exercising does exactly the opposite of what you want, when you’re hyperthyroid.

All of us have faced this demon, so don’t feel badly about having it "top on your list." It’s just one thing you MUST get over, because treating your condition is far more important than your weight right this minute. Everything will come back into balance after the process runs its course, and you’ll be able to get back to where you want to be. Be CAREFUL now, in terms of your eating habits (and I know that’s extremely tough when you’re hyperthyroid), and you’ll come out the other side in better shape.

[Haute]

#1065857

I’m so upset because I’m about to start soccer. I’ve always played soccer and this might be the first summer that I can’t play. This makes me very sad.

Ski, you’ve been so helpful. Can you tell me, are my T3 and T4 numbers really bad? And does GD make my skin bad? Like I said, it’s been quite bad, dry, bumpy and blotchy.

[Haute]

#1065858

Actually. I’ve been playing indoor soccer since the fall and have been playing. tomorrow’s my last game… do you think I can still play? It makes so much sense now though, I’ve noticed a HUGE difference in my cardio.

[Ski]

#1065859

Hyperthyroidism does make your skin dry ~ there are a host of symptoms that can go along with hyperthyroidism, you should look them up.

You absolutely should not be playing something as cardio-heavy as soccer. I know it makes you sad, but it could go VERY badly. I know you want to see next summer. It IS that important.

[Haute]

#1065860

Thanks again. I am so happy I found this board.

[Bobbi]

#1065861

One thing I did before the doctor told me that it was OK to exercise, was to do gentle stretching exercises. I know this seems like very little, but it was enough activity to keep my muscles limber, without straining them at a time when they were vulnerable to injury.

[ddetrolio]

#1065862

Haute wrote:Thank you soo much!!

And Dave! I hope you get medicated soon too! How are you doing with your symptoms?

So glad you have come out here I have found it very helpful.
Symptoms are bothering me to be honest and I do not get to see the endo until next month ” title=”Sad” />
I see my regular doctor on Wednesday.

I am tired and just worn out and really need to get my sleep in order. In my case I have trouble falling asleep or go into a deep sleep then wake and cannot fall back.

I want to be my old self again and it is taking time. I do not have an outlet to relax and have to try to find one.

How many are using yoga to help?

Let’s hope the journey to feeling better starts soon.

Dave

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