[Mirandarose3]

#1019339

I have had hyperthyroidism for the past 3 and a half years. During that time I have had a terribly difficult time losing weight. 3 days ago, I was diagnosed with Graves Disease. The endocrinologist strongly believes I will be able to easily lose weight after my thyroidectomy. Did anyone else have the reverse effect of gaining weight while having hyperthyroidism? Did you lose weight after your surgery and your TSH levels were normal?

I am kinda the odd duck, no bulging eyes, no energy, very fatigued and I’ve gained weight. Would love any feedback on this…
Thanks!

[ewmb]

#1070979

Hi,
I had RAI a few weeks ago. Over the last two years my weight went up and down during different times. I have put on five pounds in just a few weeks but hope that is water weight from the diarrhea finally stopping. I know that all my hormones are in a healing phase not just my thyroid. There is lots of information about weight gain and loss for thyroid patients at the all about thyroid web site. Sounds like everyone is different. I want to say that I will be happy just to feel better but I know it will be hard if my clothes aren’t fitting again.

[Hopeful23]

#1070980

i actually too gained alot of weight. i went from 112 to 190. then one month i went to 98lbs. i am up to 138ish. it flucuates still. my endo says ill even out when my body is healed. i am not even worried though. weight is not my main focus nor should t be yours. stay strong get better than lets go to the gym together. lol

[Kimberly]

#1070981

Hello,

If you use the search function on this web site and type in "weight", you can see that a lot of Graves patients are struggling with the same issue.

I am a Lifetime member of Weight Watchers and I had my first "at goal" weigh-in this week in almost a year. (Yeah, FINALLY!) My levels are stable, so I have been working on re-building my lean muscle mass. I also had to drop my POINTS well below where they used to be.

While I can’t cite any scientific evidence to back this up, I personally believe that once our thyroids go out of whack, our metabolism is never quite the same again. It definitely is still possible to lose weight…but the degree of difficulty seems to go up.

Best of luck!

[julies]

#1070982

Hi Mirandarose3

I have both hyperthyroidism and Graves, I did lost a little bit of weight back in January but recently gained 5 pounds. I am working out a lot maybe too much, I have been told to take it easy, but the thought of gaining any more weight is stressing me out.

Jules

[hyperm]

#1070983

Hey

How are you? You could be gaining muscle which as I am sure you know is heavier. A friend of mine was at Weight watchers and going to the gym for heavy work outs. She was going down a dress size but creeping up on the scales. ” title=”Wink” />

Its easy to say – I know but try not to stress too much. I am someone who was always of a slim build and I gained alot of weight a year after being diagnosed. After my TS I lost 21lbs in weeks but some of it went back on because of the high dose of meds and feeling so tired I wasn’t moving about the house. I have been very careful what I have been eating and this time, unlike 2-3 years ago the weight is coming off steadily.

hang in there and hope you start to feel well soon.
xxx

[Mirandarose3]

#1070984

Thanks for the encouragement and info everyone. It is good to know I am not alone. Thanks for reminding my that weight is not my goal, my goal is to get healthy and feel better. Just so you know exactly what I mean by can’t lose weight, I am 5’6 and currently weigh around 205, I’ve been in this area for about 2 years, have had hyperthyroidism for 3 and half years. I might get 5 lbs off but always gain it back quickly. I’d love to at least get down to 170 my weight before all this. The thought of gaining more weight after my surgery is discouraging. But like I said, you all have helped my focus on what my true goal should be, and help motivate me to keep trying. Thanks!!!!!

[Ski]

#1070985

Since you’ve had such a hard time, I would suggest that you make lifelong changes in your diet, rather than quick bursts of large changes. I’m not sure if you’re aware, but the less we eat, sometimes we can sabotage our intentions ~ when our body senses that we may be eating less than we need to make it through to tomorrow, it hoards the fat we already have in order to save our lives. It’s important to eat steadily, through the day, keep that furnace burning. In addition to that, if you are exercising, remember to build up slowly (overdoing can keep us from exercising on a regular schedule), and also think about exercising in the morning as a routine ~ it can escalate your metabolism all day long, so you get more benefit out of it. Even a little exercise in the morning, finishing the whole routine in the evening, is better than doing it all at the end of the day.

Wishing you luck! It IS most important to get healthy. I think you’ll find that when your thyroid hormone levels are normal, and they’ve been stable for some period of time, your weight issues should be much easier to resolve.

[Mickey65]

#1070986

I’ve been stuck at the same weight for over a month now. It’s as if the scale is "frozen" at this weight, and how I wish it was the weight I wanted to be!

I’m doing a low-carb diet and still going thru my "growing pains" with my Synthroid. My endo raised my dosage about a month ago, but it’s not doing anything, so I think she’s going to have to raise it again.

I’m only hoping that once I get on the correct dosage of my Synthroid, the weight will start to come off.

It’s just frustrating as all get out, dieting and working on it, and nothing happening!

[Kimberly]

#1070987

Mirandarose3 wrote: The thought of gaining more weight after my surgery is discouraging. But like I said, you all have helped my focus on what my true goal should be, and help motivate me to keep trying. Thanks!!!!!

Yep, your first priority is to take care of yourself and get your thyroid levels stabilized.

It *is* good to pay attention to weight, though, as excess weight can increase our risk for heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and certain types of cancers. I shaved 100+ points off my cholesterol about 5 years ago by dropping 25 pounds. Also, my blood glucose is consistently in the "high normal" range, and I have two family members who have had severe complications from diabetes. My GP has told me that it’s really critical that I stay at a healthy weight if I don’t want to follow the family tradition.

I really wish that our Endos would take a more active role in helping us manage our weight while we are dealing with Graves. In the meantime, it’s up to us to take charge of our own health. As Ski said, though, the best strategy is to make lifestyle changes that you can live with, rather than following one particular "diet" for a limited period of time.

Good luck!

[skleespi]

#1070988

I had my thyroid removed 4 years ago. I still can’t get my levels to balance. I have to eat like a bird or I pack on the pounds. I went from 135 before graves to 205 post graves’. I fluctuate 5 LBS every so often. It is very discouraging for me.

Roxanne

[brendacoble]

#1070989

Oh my – this, for me is one of the worst struggles I have – the weight gain! In the 2 1/2 yrs since being diagnosed with Graves and taking tapazole, I have gained 45 lbs. Along with the weight gain I have been extremely tired for the last 4-5 months but I have 2 youngs children – they are my main concern – so I put off going to the gym so I can get enough sleep and then spend time with my children before having to go to work.

It just seems like a evil cycle sometimes, when I do feel good I don’t have the time to get to the gym and then when I do have time I’m completely exhausted. Of course maybe like some of the other people on this board, when I do feel good I seem to over do it and then pay for it the next couple of days because I’m so exhausted or sore. I even tried Weight Watchers a few years ago and was doing really well, this was at the beginning of me being diagnosed with Graves and when I didn’t loose weight for a couple of weeks – the leader of this particular group said I was at a platue – so this was discouraging to me and quit a few weeks later. I really have to find a way to get to the gym but also a more healthy diet.

Good luck with everything and it is nice to know that we aren’t alone.

[MRHabetz]

#1070990

Good Luck everyone!! I know that being newly diagnosed, this is my worst fear! I’m already at my heaviest weight ever and the doctor told me that its going to be very very easy to gain weight throughout the treatment and getting the levels right. I can’t live being fat!! I’m scared to death!!!

[ewmb]

#1070991

Just wanted to say to you that I have been there. Before I had Graves I had weight issues after two kids and it was hard to loose. I did do it and then during the Graves lost weight without trying and then gained quite a lot back. I will say that I am irritated about weight gain too as it’s uncomfortable and costly when you have to get knew clothes but…….. I just had RAI about a month ago and I already feel better than I have in a while and right now I’d rather be feeling better at any weight than feeling so sick again. Being healthy and feeling like I can function again are pushing the extra pounds out of my mind. The extra weight isn’t an issue for my doctor either at this point. Wonder why your doctor is telling you it’s very easy to gain weight when there really isn’t any way to tell who will and who won’t.

It sounds like you might be scared of all the new experiences that come with Graves and the treatments not just the "possible" weight gain. I was too. There are lots of people who didn’t gain weight after treatment and lots who did but then were able to get things under control when they felt better. It took two years for me to get to the point of RAI and I know I made the right decision for myself now.

Try to let the weight issue go if you can and just get healthy.

ewmb

[Kimberly]

#1070992

brendacoble wrote: I even tried Weight Watchers a few years ago and was doing really well, this was at the beginning of me being diagnosed with Graves and when I didn’t loose weight for a couple of weeks.

It’s odd that your leader referred to a couple of weeks of stalled weight loss as a "plateau", as it usually takes a longer period of time before you can determine you are in a "plateau". Regardless, stalled or slowed weight loss can definitely be discouraging and frustrating, but the thing to keep in mind is that it is *not* permanent. Often, changing things up (different foods, different activities) to get the body’s attention can get your weight loss headed in the right direction again.

Also, have you had recent labs…and discussed your extreme fatigue with your doctor? The fatigue is definitely the first issue to tackle. Weight loss is never *easy*, but it should at least be a little bit *easier* when you have some energy back.

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