[Anonymous]

#1076859

Hi brendalynn,

This is a fairly common question. The quick and easy answer is that you may experience some weight gain (not everyone does!), but you will be able to control it once your thyroid hormone levels have reached normal (and stayed there).

Of course, this is thyroid disease, so that is deceptively concise.

Here’s the thing. Hyperthyroidism causes muscle mass to go away. Muscle mass, STRONG muscle mass, is part of our metabolism. Strong muscle mass enables us to eat more calories because they are burned up in the muscles without putting out any extra effort at all.

The muscle mass that is affected by hyperthyroidism is in our large muscle groups — upper arms, upper legs, and chest/back muscles. It looks like weight loss when it’s happening, but it’s far more complicated than that. We need that muscle mass.

Once our thyroid levels drop due to treatment, the muscle mass begins to return. This looks like weight gain, but again, it’s more complicated than that. We NEED that muscle mass. The additional complication is that we must strengthen that muscle mass to return to our initial level of fitness. And we need to treat the new muscle mass as if it were on a newborn baby — we cannot pretend that it’s “partly strong” and we’re just going to “bulk up.” We need to start from scratch in every way, working up from weights less than a pound, even, to strengthen it safely.

In addition, hyperthyroidism gives us the mistaken impression that we can eat anything and everything and still lose weight. Thus, when our thyroid hormone levels drop due to treatment, we must re-evaluate our recent eating patterns. We must pay a lot of attention to portion size, calories and nutritional content of what we eat, to ensure that we get the most bang out of every calorie.

And yet another consideration ~ hyperthyroidism can be compared to a “metabolic hurricane,” causing destruction throughout the body. Once our levels have been brought into the normal range, that does not mean we are “well.” Our bodies only BEGIN to heal after the thyroid hormone levels are normal. So be patient and give this entire process the time it needs. You WILL get there. We can help you through it.

Tapazole, for me, promoted weight gain all by itself — without the mechanics of the recovery from hyperthyroidism — so you may have a skewed impression of what will happen after RAI. Given all of the above, and with careful monitoring of your thyroid hormone levels following RAI, you can keep the weight gain to a minimum.

When you look at the big picture, extra pounds can be shed with some effort. Hyperthyroidism is far more dangerous than anything you’re concerned about with regard to weight. Guaranteed.

~Ski
NGDF Assistant Online Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1020353

HI,

Is it common to gain lots of weight after RAI?

I am currently taking tapazole and am considering RAI. I have already gained 7 lbs. Not sure my body can handle much more weight. What should be expected?

[Anonymous]

#1076860

Thanks for the in depth reply. I appreciate your insight very much.
I was just diagnosed 2 months ago, and I am trying to find the best way to handle it. However, I am seeking feedback on what to expect befored, during, and after the various treatment alternatives.

Have a great weekend!

BrendaLynn

[Author]

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