Re: GRAVES' DISEASE

Posted By jeannie on October 12, 1998 at 16:40:45:

In Reply to: Re: GRAVES' DISEASE posted by CCF CARDIO MD - MTR on October 12, 1998 at 08:27:58:







  Everything i've been told or have read on graves'
says it causes weight loss[hyperthyroidism]....
so why is it that i know of at least 5 other people
besides myself that have weight gain and is extremely difficult to loose????
I have lost the weight but it was extremely difficult to do(lost 100lbs.) I just don't understand
why one of the symptoms isn't weight gain instead of
weight loss? I also posted the question in the general forum and so far 2 other people have replied
with the same problem...I know of no one that has had weight loss from this disease!! I have been on tapazol and propranolol,and am currently on
propylthouracil(something like that not sure of the spelling,it's the generic form of tapazole i believe)
    





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Dear Jeannie, thank you for your question.  Graves' Disease is an autoimmune disorder of the thyroid gland that causes hyperthyroidism.  Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include heat intolerance, dry skin, insomnia, heart rhythm disturbances, and sometimes, weight loss.   However, weight loss doesn't necessarily accompany hyperthyroidism and this problem should not be treated by allowing the hyperthyroidism to run unchecked.  Weight gain is a complicated problem that has many causative factors and does not respond to short-term interventions.  The only way to lose weight and keep it off for the long-term is to eat less and exercise daily (30-45 minutes of moderate intensity exercise).   If you are having difficulty losing weight, then you should speak with your physician who should be able to help in some way.  Also, it may help to find out how you are being treated for Graves' disease.
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.   The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.