Weight Gain, that I can not explain.

[needsanswers09]

I'm 21 years old and from the time I turned 14 until October of 2010, I weighed 115lbs even. Since October I now weigh 160lbs. My diet has not changed. I eat the same. I exercise the same. I'm just as active now as I was then. The only variables in my life that have changed is that I'm now using the Mirena IUD. My doctor doesn't know personally why I've gained so much weight. I've had blood tests run, I have had all kinds of tests. Anyone else have any clue or suggestions?

[Josiecatgrl]

I agree that metabolism changes with age, but it shouldn't change that drastically in such a short period of time (since Oct. 2010). Metabolism shouldn't slow so much that it causes a 45 lb gain, even into middle age - that would be too much. Also, there is no way that she could gain 45 lbs. of muscle, unless she were a male bodybuilder on steroids. I'm very athletic and I know that it's really hard for women to put on a lot of muscle, even with hard training. That kind of rapid weight gain, with no change in activity level or diet, strongly suggests a medical problem.

[Jacobsmom1]

You may have a change in your metabolism. I have thyroidism and therefore it's really hard to lose weight. I exercise all the time and eat healthy. From the time we're teenagers to adults there are a lot of changes that happen to our bodies and so that's all it could be. Now is it weight that's changed or the shape of your body? Cause muscle weighs more than fat so it could just be that...

[Josiecatgrl]

If you haven't already, definitely get your thyroid checked. Hypothyroidism can cause weight gain, with no change in diet. You may also want to ask your doctor if the lab they use still goes by the old standards for flagging high TSH. Many labs still use the old standards and many GPs aren't really aware of the changes. Unfortunately, this is leaving lots of people with untreated hypothyroidism.
It could also be related to the Mirena IUD. Weight gain can be a side effect of synthetic hormones & if I'm not mistaken, the Mirena IUD releases hormones into your system.

[taurian3]

Have your thyroid checked. I would also say check the carbs you eat because as a person ages your metobolism could change. Look on the internet and look at the mederterainan diet. I have found that by giving up packaged foods, white sugar and white flour I have been able to lose the unwanted extra pound and most of all I feel so much healtherier.