Please forgive me if this topic is discussed on the FAQ, but I was not able to access it.
In the summer of 1997, I was successfully treated for Grave’s/Hyperthyroidism with radioactive iodine. My doctor suggested this treatment after I didn’t respond at all to drug therapy. Since that time my T3, T4 and TSH levels have returned to normal and my eyes have receded back into their proper place in their sockets. My heart rate also returned to normal, after topping out at a blazing 160 beats a minute.
Since that time, I have steadily gained weight, to now I am in the “grossly obese” category. I have watched my diet, I do yoga, weightlifting and aerobic training 3-4 times a week, and nothing seems to stem the tide. I was indeed heavy to begin with, but now I’m heavier than I’ve ever been before. I was also having severe exhaustion problems, but that seems to have abated (although I can still sleep 10-12 hours a day, and will if not forced to get up).
I have spoken to my doctors (GP and endocrinologist) about this, and they have only run additional screenings to find I have normal readings. I have recently started taking the OTC diet aid Chromaslim, and have not been on it long enough to judge the results. My other regular meds are .10 megs daily levothyroxine, and 20 megs a day of Paxil (anti-depressant that I’ve been on since around the same time as my thyroid irradiation). There are no other major stressors in my life, but I remain on the antidepressant because I am prone to non-situational depression and have been all my life.
I would like to hear from other people who have this same challenge to face, and perhaps some advice as to what I may be doing wrong or incompletely. I’ve asked my docs if the Paxil is somehow causing some of these symptoms (the tiredness and weight gain), but I’ve been told no. I’ve been disappointed in both my doctors’ responses to my request for help or information, but when I’ve looked elsewhere for better or more complete information, I don’t seem to get any different answers.
Thank you for your help and kindness in advance.
Wendy
Anonymous
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