[Anonymous]

#1113668

Good morning,

First if a doctor diagnosed you with GD the chances of you having it is accurate. If you aren’t satisfied with his/her diagnosis, get a second opinion. Are the people telling you this doctors? If they aren’t, their diagnosis of you is basically meritless. You should follow any instructions your doctor has prescribed and not alter anything by listening to those people not educated in the medical field. You don’t have to be thin, young, old, overweight, of any special race, orgin or creed to have GD. You should check out the reading material this organization has to offer to educate yourself on Graves Disease and then talk to your doctor about any symptoms you are experiencing or questions you have. Don’t sit around and ponder on whether “you do or you don’t” have GD. The longer you wait to get treatment can only cause you more harm.

My experience with GD is when I am hyper I tend to lose weight. When you are hyper, your body is overworking on all levels, causing you to burn more fuel. When I am hypo I tend to add 2 to 5 pounds, because the body’s metabolism is slower, but try to watch what I eat to keep my weight steady. Some people differ.

Hope this helps and you start to feel better soon.

[Anonymous]

#1033279

I was recently diagnosed with graves disease. My family doctor diagnosed me last week from some blood work and a thyroid scan. I am a little concerned because the doctor didn’t explain a lot of things about the disease to me. I have asked to be referred to an endo soon.
My biggest problem is that everyone I tell that I have GD says there is no way I have it because I am overweight. I have only lost about 20 pounds which happened in less than 2 weeks, but then I stopped. Haven’t lost or gained. I have all of the other symptoms and I would imagine that the doctors read the blood work correctly. I am just worried that I don’t have GD and maybe it is something else. If you have to be really thin to have it, then I don’t. Can I be overweight and still have it? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[Anonymous]

#1113669

Same issue here. Was told by three doctors it might not be my thyroid because I was so fatigued and not losing weight,despite trying to. My clothes were getting tighter and I constantly felt “swollen”. After blood work, and MRI (concern only one eye was “protuding”), and and eye ultrasound the results were in — TSH was 0 and ultrasound confirmed the eye disease. Was on PTU for one year and wasn’t well regulated so ended up hypo but didn’t gain any weight, actually lost. Anxiety kicked in at some point though and think that helped the weight loss along. Had to buy new clothes — had previously been thin but when I started gaining — donated the clothes I hadn’t worn in a couple of years. Still getting used to the smaller me. Was actually concerned I looked too thin (and did for a while) but the doctor says I look fine and shouldn’t be concerned with my weight. Had been trying to gain — that’s a switch for me. My weight has been stable for a year now (with a TSH swing in that time period of 0.8 to 6.0 and holding fairly steady at 1.8 now) Goes to show you — you just never know with this disease.

[Anonymous]

#1113670

Gaining or losing weight is not the single key that can diagnose whether
you have GD or not. Only a blood test can do that…and even
sometimes that’s iffy. One of the key blood tests is for GD
antibodies. If you have them, you have GD. I’ve always been
on the overweight side of the spectrum and I gained weight, or
at least didn’t lose an ounce, when I was hyper. I didn’t eat
lots either, but I didn’t discriminate much about the
healthiness (or lack thereof) of what I ate at that time in my
life either. Actually, having a drastic weight change was
probably the only “textbook” symptom I didn’t have when I was
diagnosed. If you are worried about your weight, discuss it
with your doctor. He/she can tell you the best approaches to
take, if any, while in your current condition. Especially talk
with your doc before you start an exercise program of any kind.
Demanding a higher heart rate with exercise on top of an already
fast pulse can do more harm than good.

Good luck,
Sheila H.

[Anonymous]

#1113671

Hi, Lynn:

It is not all that rare for people to actually GAIN weight while hyperthyroid. So don’t listen to the people around you who are trying to cast doubt on your doctor’s diagnosis. They don’t know what they’re talking about. The doctor’s diagnosis was based not only on your symptoms, but on blood tests, which are definitive.

I highly recommend that you get a good book about thyroid disease, and read the chapters that relate to hyperthyroidism, Graves’ and the treatment options. When I was first sick I got Sara Rosenthal’s book, THE THYROID SOURCEBOOK, and it helped a lot. It is written in layman’s language and covers the basics very well.

I hope you are feeling better soon,
Bobbi — NGDF Asst. Online Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1113672

When I first started going through Graves a lost a lot of weight then stablizied at 125… Last month things were tight and I couldn’t afford my Synthroid (I know I know… but food and a roof come first) Here is my concern.. I didn’t take it for a month and have only just started taking it.. During this time I have lost an additional 20lbs.. I’m 5’4 and I look like hell worn over.. I started losing it after the last surgery and my Eye Doc said it was probably just my bodies reaction to all the surgeries… I’m scheduled to go to my Endo on the 11th for the first time in a year.. We went to yearly appointments and blood work… needless to say I am a little worried becuase my weight loss is what clued my PCP into my thyroid problems.. Has anyone else gone through this? I was told that I would have to watch my weight going up becuase of the synthroid…. Trust me I don’t want to gain a lot of weight but.. I’m 25 and divorced I’m not going to find a man looking like this…

[Anonymous]

#1113673

First of all it is not the Synthroid that causes you to gain weight, it usually is caused by the fact that we are somewhat hypo. It can vary for each person. Your endo may find with your blood work that your Synthroid dosage may now be to high for you which has caused you to be hyper again. He may lower your dose.

Diane B On-line Facilitator

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