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Just thought I’d add my little bit of info here. The only time I gained any significant amount of weight with Graves’ was when I was taking PTU. At that time I gained about 15 pounds and was very uncomfortable physically during the entire time I was taking it. I was MUCH more irritable and irrational, depressed and generally felt as if someone had pumped my body full of air. As soon as I stopped taking the PTU and had RAI, I lost the weight. I have always been extremely careful about food; no sugar, no red meat, balanced meals and lots of exercise (martial arts). Just as an aside, found notes I took jsut before I took the PTU from the Physician’s Desk Reference Guide for medication and “side effects” of PTU include: “headache, depression, vertigo, drowsiness,numbness in the limbs, rash, skin discoloration, heartburn and diahreah(sp?)”. Just thought some of you taking it might like this info. I have read on the board before about people experiencing some of these things and wondering if it was due to Graves’, espeically the vertigo. It is more likely that it’s from the medication if you are taking PTU. I assume other ATDs have similar side effects but didn’t look that up in the Guide. Take Care. Sydna
I’m new to the board and I’m looking for help concerning weight loss and diet. I’m an avid walker (25-30 miles per wk) and occassional runner.I am careful what I eat, and have been under a nutritionist care and also weight watchers over the past several years. I started w/ Graves Disease in 1991, was treated w/ radioactive iodine and gained about 30 lbs that I can’t seem to get rid of. I’m looking for any help or ideas.
I can relate to others concerns about weight gain. I eat fruit and vegetables every day, drink ample water and eat a well balanced supper.I has taken me several months to lose a few pounds.It is frustrating,however my dose is now increased and my TSH went from 11.8 to 3.4 in 100 days.
I feel better most of the time and the weight will come off eventually. That’s life, it could be much worse.My metabolism has definitely slowed down since before I had Graves, but I’m physically active and do weight training regularly, since muscle increases resting metabolism. I have less trouble now than I did during the adjustment phase for replacement hormone, and it is definitely possible to keep my weight down, just more difficult than before. I’ve lost nearly 20 pounds since my worst times, but the last 8-10 pounds is being stubborn.
One of the theories is that people on thyroid replacement are no longer are able to “waste” extra calories as “normal” people do. I’ve found that as long as I don’t overindulge except on RARE occasion, I can maintain my weight.
I think this is another aspect of Graves’ that affects people differently. Some have no problem at all, and others definitely do, but regardless, I don’t believe it’s inevitable that we gain a lot of weight, with good nutrition and regular exercise.
Dianne W
I am hyper and have been taking PTU for 6 months without good results.
Met with endo yest. and he is concerned re: low blood count on red and white cells and hemaglobin and hemacrat(?) has been dropping with each blood test. I was ref. to a Hematologist to see if I can cont. on meds or issurgery is in order here. I was wondering whatinfoyou might have on this and if many others have had similiar problems.
Thanks in advanceOne of the possible (fortunately, rare) side effects of the antithyroid drugs (either one) is interference with the functioning of the bone marrow. Bone marrow produces blood cells. It is possible for the drug to cause a significant, and therefore dangerous, lowering of the white blood cell count. It is dangerous because these cells are vital in fighting off disease. So, if this happens, if the drug DOES cause our cell counts to lower, then we usually have to stop the ATDs and choose one of the other treatment options.
Bobbi — NGDF Online Facilitator
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