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Unfortunately, our doctors don’t seem to give us much guidance when it comes to optimizing our diet. You will want to be careful with your iodine intake (seaweed, fish, dairy) while you are hyperthyroid. Our bodies convert iodine into thyroid hormone…which is the last thing you need while hyper…it’s like throwing gasoline on a fire!
Personally, I feel best when I eat a variety of whole foods (fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean meats, limited dairy). I try to minimize processed foods with ingredients that I can’t pronounce, as I figure my body doesn’t need any more aggravation.
” title=”Very Happy” /> Also, I count Weight Watchers POINTS every day, as it’s definitely been a struggle to keep my weight in check throughout this process.
Best of luck!
Kimberly
I have read that birth control pills can bind or "inactivate" our thyroid hormone, which could potentially lower your Free T4. I agree that regular blood work and a chat with your pharmacist is a good idea.
On the diet issue, I do agree that we need extra protein to rebuild lost muscle mass. However, in popular culture, some people interpret the Atkins diet to mean "all you can eat bacon, eggs, and steak" — I probably wouldn’t go that route.
” title=”Razz” /> I personally find that I do best with a lowfat diet that includes a variety of whole, unprocessed foods…lots of fruits, veggies, lean meats, and whole grains. I do consume some dairy, but I have cut way back due to the iodine content. Also, I read the label on everything that I buy, and if there are ingredients that I can’t pronounce, I (usually) put the package back on the shelf.
Best of luck!
A quick note on Methimazole – the FDA bulletin that I read did indicate that there had been 5 cases of liver failure (3 resulting in death) in patients on Methimazole since the FDA started tracking "adverse events" in 1969.
PTU had 32 reported "adverse events" during that time frame, which resulted in 13 deaths and 11 liver transplants. About 1/3 of the patients were children, which is probably what resulted in this latest warning.
So the "adverse events" occur to one person about every 4 years on methimazole and one person every year or two on PTU. Pretty small odds, although it sucks if you’re the one!
I’ve heard speculation on another board that the number of serious cases could be significantly reduced if more doctors based dosing on Free T3/T4 instead of TSH. Because TSH is a lagging indicator, dosing off of TSH can result in patients taking too high of a dose for too long.
By the way, the FDA article mentioned that the American Thyroid Association plans to "update" its treatment guidelines for Graves sometime in the next few months. (Hey, thanks for thinking of us!
)Hello – I have heard that many Graves patients already have elevated liver enzymes…it has something to do with our metabolic rate being out of whack. The reason they run a baseline test is to see if your levels get *worse* while taking the drug.
On the weight issue, yep, that’s definitly a challenge. I don’t know if it’s the Graves, the drugs, or what, but I find that if I get a little off track with my food plan, I put on weight about 5 times more quickly than I used to…and it’s 10 times harder to get rid of.
Your #1 priority for now is to get your thyroid levels in balance…but keeping a journal to track your food intake can be helpful in minimizing any weight gain. You will definitly have to eat less than you did when you were hyper…and you may even find that you have to eat less than you did BEFORE all this started to maintain a specific weight. (Like me
). Also, once your levels are stabilized (NOT while you are still hyper), doing some activity to re-build your lean muscle mass can help as well.Best of luck!
ewmb – Sounds like you are on the right track…keep up the great work!
Brenda – Wow, no wonder you were exhausted! Are you getting your Free T3 and Free T4 tested now? I find that doctors who base dosing solely from TSH don’t reduce our ATD dose quickly enough, as TSH is a lagging indicator. This sends us plummeting towards (or into) hypo territory. While it’s more expensive to test the "Frees", they are MUCH better markers to determine proper dosing. Hopefully, you will start to see your energy rebound without the meds. Keep an eye out for hyper symptoms, though…some folks will see their levels creep up again when the meds are suddenly reduced.
Peggy – You didn’t mention if you were currently hyper or hypo. I *totally* understand about the weight frustrations, but either way, it’s critical that you get your thyroid levels regulated. If you are unhappy with your doctor’s advice, speak up, ask questions, and negotiate until you end up with a treatment plan that you believe in. Once your levels are under control, the weight loss should be at least a little easier.
Michelle – Since you have given yourself a year or so before pursuing the medically assisted weight loss again, you might consider some additional research on whether that is the right approach for you at this point in your life. A few questions I would research (or ask the doctor’s office) are:
1. Graves is not just a thyroid disorder, but an autoimmune disease. We are genetically predisposed to getting an autoimmune disease, but some sort of "trigger" generally sets it off. The "trigger" can be a number of things, including physical injury, emotional stress, or something in the environment. Has the medically assisted weight loss program been used on anyone else with an autoimmune condition? Some of us can speculate on what our "trigger" was, but others will never know for sure. My personal approach is to err on the safe side and try not to bring any extra chemicals into my system (food, meds, etc.) unless it’s absolutely necessary.
2. Does the program assist with habits and emotional/behavioral issues surrounding food? I know people who have had "quick fixes" with a number of different weight loss programs, but if we return to old habits, the weight tends to return as well.
3. Does the program have a maintenance plan to help you switch from "losing" mode to "maintenance" mode — and figure out approximately how much food or how many calories you will need to maintain your weight?
You are 100% correct in focusing first on getting your thyroid levels stabilized…these are just a few more things to think about with everything else on your plate.
” title=”Razz” /> I had another "at goal" weigh in at my Weight Watchers meeting this week. YAY! However, I am heading to Europe soon for a 3 week vacation…so I’m sure I will be fighting the battle again as soon as I get back. I find that I put on weight MUCH quicker now…and I plan to indulge in some gelato, tiramisu, pasta, fish & chips, sachertorte, and strawberries & cream. My goal is to try a little of everything, but NOT eat until I am stuffed…otherwise, I know I will pay dearly when I get back home.
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