[ewmb]

#1069434

Your body can go through some weird things. I did gain weight when on methimazole. Looking back it was when I was changing levels and eventually ended up hypo on the meds. The weight stayed with me until I started back on my weight watchers again. I lost 9 pounds then had RAI and have gained back about 4. I did take on water a lot when I was on the beta blockers. I am struggling with having clothes not fit again but am trying to keep it in perspective. As others have said here you have to be kind to yourself during this time. It does stink though. I really hate feeling out of control and I think that was true when I was losing weight when hyper as well. I think we all want control back and we can’t have that right now so it makes us point to things we think we should be able to control like weight instead of our out of control thyroids.

Comfort foods are really more comfortable when you’re out of control aren’t they? Thanks for the post it’s made we think through my own thoughts tonight.

ewmb

[Ski]

#1069435

The fluctuations in thyroid hormone caused by the antibodies and the ATDs can mean periods of hypothyroidism, which changes the way your cells behave, and that can result in some of the weight gain as well. As levels normalize, and stabilize, those anomalies typically go away. Work on getting your thyroid hormone levels right and things will eventually calm down.

[elisebeary]

#1019128

Hi,

I’ve seen many posts at different times about weight gain while on ATDs, but I’m still a bit confused (going crazy?) about what’s going on for me…

In the past week I’ve gained four pounds. I’ve now dropped my meds to half of what they were a week ago (from 20mg tap to 10mg). But what I can’t understand is how it’s possible to gain this much weight so fast – I watch my diet and even with some splurges this past week, no way have I gone over 2000 calories per day and I exercise a minimum of 90minutes per day. So does this mean my body is essentially burning no calories at the moment and the only calories I burn are through exercise? Even if this was the case, I still shouldn’t be able to gain four pounds! I’m obviously concerned about the trajectory I’m on and want to understand what else I could possibly do to avoid weight gain (and lose the pounds I’ve put on!)

thanks so much for any advice!!

Elise

[knitlit]

#1069436

I think I have gained 15 lbs since March. My treatment was RAI plus methimazole & a beta blocker.

June 23? I stopped the ATM, a few weeks before that I was only taking a 1/2 pill of the beta blocker. As others have said, as our thyroid is suppressed from functioning, it usually is going to make us gain. When I was hyper, exercise and watching what I ate, my weight seems to fall off like clockwork and even w/ an off week where I ate too much, I at least, seemed to have maintained or lost weight with no problems…now, it is different that is for sure.

F.Y.I: I was not given the go ahead to exercise until around June 23 when I could stop the ATM. Exercise will continue to destroy muscle instead of building it up when we are in the GD hyper state, so that is why I mention this.

It is natural to have anxiety about the weight gain..I certainly have, even though I know it is part of the process. I was pretty overweight a few years ago, successfully lost weight by activity & healthy food behavior changes. It took me 2 years to get to a healthy weight and then I maintained my weight in the healthy range another 2 years before being diagnosed with GD this February.

Elastic waistband pants have been my friend here lately

[Sue_Conard]

#1069437

When my Endo dr. gave me the prescription for tapazole, he told me to expect weight gain and also restricted my exercise at that time. Then, when I went back, he gave me the release to exercise as he said he felt I was going to get lethargic if I didn’t slowly start back…so I did. I’m back in hyper again and since all this up and down, since last Oct., I’ve gained 20 lbs. myself and you’re right, elastic band pants and oversized shirts are my friend right now. It seems to be a real battle with weight gain, along with dealing with the symptoms too for me at times.

[Kimberly]

#1069438

elisebeary wrote: So does this mean my body is essentially burning no calories at the moment and the only calories I burn are through exercise? Even if this was the case, I still shouldn’t be able to gain four pounds! I’m obviously concerned about the trajectory I’m on and want to understand what else I could possibly do to avoid weight gain (and lose the pounds I’ve put on!)

thanks so much for any advice!!

Elise

Hi Elise – Keep in mind that 4 pounds in one week doesn’t mean you are on track to gain that much every week…in fact, it’s possible the 4 pounds was a total fluke due to water weight.

I am a Weight Watchers lifetime member and successfully maintained my weight for 3 straight years with no problems…but the last 2 years while being treated for Graves have been a constant struggle with about 5-8 extra pounds. I have a copy of some labs from 2005 when I was about 6 months into maintenance, and my TSH was over 4…so I know I wasn’t hyper when I was going through the maintenance period.

I did get back to my goal weight in June by cutting my POINTS down to about 75% of where they were *before* I went hyper. Unfortunately, I’m back to 5 pounds over goal now, but that was purely self-inflicted after 3 weeks of vacation!

Our bodies still do burn calories to take care of the body’s basic functions like breathing, digestion, maintaining muscle mass and blood circulation. Unfortunately, many of us seem to burn FEWER calories with those basic functions once our thyroids go out of whack. I suspect that our reduced muscle mass doesn’t help, either. I wish someone would do some research on this, as the weight issues don’t exactly help our mental state! ” title=”Wink” />

One other thing to mention…is your doctor OK with the 90 minutes of exercise? That seems pretty intense, especially if you are still hyper.

Best of luck!

Kimberly

[elisebeary]

#1069439

thanks for all of the helpful replies – it’s good to hear about other people’s experiences!

as for the exercise – my doctor has said all along that i can do what feels ok, watch my hr, etc.
I actually did a half marathon recently and felt great

I don’t remember my latest labs, but from what I recall my free t3 was in the normal range and my free t4 was either in range as well or just a bit off.. my tsh was still crazy low, but from what i gather that’s less indicative of what’s going on/is slow to adjust sometimes?
he halved my methimazole dose to 10mg – so I’m guessing maybe this means i’m not actually hyper right now??

thank all again, so great to have such support and information!!!

Best,
Elise

[Author]

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