I’ve gained about about 25-30 lbs over the last 5 years – I’ve attributed 10 lbs to “post-newlywed syndrome” and the rest to Graves’ disease. My endocrinologist hypothesized that although my thyroid was VERY hyperactive when I was diagnosed w/ Graves, my increased appetite overtook my high metabolism and allowed me to gain weight – despite the “standard” symptom of unexplained weight loss. I don’t necessarily agree with this hypothesis but in light of all of my other symptoms, I felt the weight gain was the least of my worries. I just wanted the blurred vision, nausea, dizziness, irritability, heart palp’s, heat intolerance, and insomnia alternating with extreme fatigue to go away.
Other than the weight gain/loss issue, to some extent I had all of the other “standard” signs & symptoms listed for an overactive thyroid in the pamphlets the endocrinologist gave me…plus a few more I haven’t mentioned.
While anti-thyroid med plus a beta blocker relieved me of some of my symptoms, I developed others (discuss this possibility with your doctor) that are on the “standard” hypothyroid signs & symptoms list that I’ve seen. So there have been many occasions that I have questioned my hyper-/hypo- status. But regular blood tests up until my second RAI treatment (a month ago) still indicated hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease.
I guess my point is that you’re not alone (as others have posted), that we’re all different (also repeatedly posted) and that while signs & symptoms can lead a doctor TOWARDS a diagnosis, testing (e.g., blood tests) should be done to CONFIRM/refute a diagnosis and to determine the extent of the diagnosis and progress of treatment.
Hope this is helpful, I’ve never posted on a BB before.
tj
