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Thyroid Cancer, Nodules & Hyperthyroidism (Expert Forum)
extreme hunger
Answered by
Mark Lupo, M.D. - Thyroid Nodules, Thyroid Cancer, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Thyroid Ultrasound
Thyroid & Endocrine Center of Florida
Sarasota - FL
Questions in the Thyroid forum are answered by Mark Lupo, MD. Topics covered include Goiter, Graves Disease, Hyperthyroid, Parathyroid/Calcium Problems, Thyroid Cancer, Thyroid Nodules/Cysts, Thyroiditis, Thyroid & Pregnancy, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Thyroid Tests, and Thyroid Surgery.
extreme hunger
by ammmanda, Dec 05, 2005 12:00AM
First of all I have been reading your forum and am very impress.
I was told a 6 weeks ago by my endocrinologist that I have hashimito disease my labs were close to normal except my antibodies were at 300 high cholesterol 300 also and tryglicerides at 536 this has been a long journey to come to this diagnosis, gall bladder removed, liver biopsy ( fatty liver )heart test stress test ect. but here is my question I was placed on armour thyroid and natural female hormone replacement( had hysterectomy when I was 28 now 38) any how started me out at 15mg of armour thyroid low dosage feel alot better then I felt in years I was living on imitrex for my 10 to 15 migraines a month not all symtom gone but much improved but with these meds I have extreme hunger is that normal I have not gained weight bounce back and fourth 2 or three pounds even though I am always hungry. before my diagnosis I had put on 25 pounds so dont get me wrong I am definitely over weight. How will I ever get this weight off if i cant control my hunger. Is it safe to go on a low carb diet I am considering it or go to a weight doctor the weight is driving me crazy
I was told a 6 weeks ago by my endocrinologist that I have hashimito disease my labs were close to normal except my antibodies were at 300 high cholesterol 300 also and tryglicerides at 536 this has been a long journey to come to this diagnosis, gall bladder removed, liver biopsy ( fatty liver )heart test stress test ect. but here is my question I was placed on armour thyroid and natural female hormone replacement( had hysterectomy when I was 28 now 38) any how started me out at 15mg of armour thyroid low dosage feel alot better then I felt in years I was living on imitrex for my 10 to 15 migraines a month not all symtom gone but much improved but with these meds I have extreme hunger is that normal I have not gained weight bounce back and fourth 2 or three pounds even though I am always hungry. before my diagnosis I had put on 25 pounds so dont get me wrong I am definitely over weight. How will I ever get this weight off if i cant control my hunger. Is it safe to go on a low carb diet I am considering it or go to a weight doctor the weight is driving me crazy
Doctor's Answer
by Mark Lupo, M.D., Dec 05, 2005 12:00AM
, Dec 05, 2005 12:00AM
Thyroid hormone treatment (of any variety) can increase appetite -- it can also increase (restore to normal for that individual) metabolic rate -- the problem sometimes is that the increase in hunger excedes the increase in metabolic rate causing weight gain. A low carb diet is not a advisable with the high cholesterol - it may work in some cases, but a traditional low fat diet combined with avoiding simple sugars (ie, the obvious plus excessive rice, bread, pasta, potato) is recommended -- also it is more sustainable than some of the well-marketed fad diets --- above all, calories still count!
While some may suggest that the armour dose be increased until symptoms resolve independent of labs, I do not endorse this practice and would prefer to see the TSH level around 1.0 in my hashimoto patients.
Hope that helps -- sounds like the weight is a major problem and with the fatty liver & high triglycerides I would ask your doc about "insulin resistance" and consider aggressive screening (ie, glucose tolerance test) for diabetes or pre-diabetes.
While some may suggest that the armour dose be increased until symptoms resolve independent of labs, I do not endorse this practice and would prefer to see the TSH level around 1.0 in my hashimoto patients.
Hope that helps -- sounds like the weight is a major problem and with the fatty liver & high triglycerides I would ask your doc about "insulin resistance" and consider aggressive screening (ie, glucose tolerance test) for diabetes or pre-diabetes.
Member Comments (2)
by Chocobabe, Dec 05, 2005 12:00AM
To: ammmanda
It's been a few months, but I remember a girl on the natural thyroid group I belong to who also had extreme hunger when she started armour. I think it was recommended to her that she start doing her Armour sublingually (either under the tongue or between inner cheek and gums)to keep it out of her stomach, and also start raising since 15 mg. was eventually going to cause her hypo to return (i.e. it was underdosing her). I don't remember if she switched to eating a low carb diet, but I personally like low carb diets when trying to lose weight! Armour is going to raise your metabolism and that's good! Good luck!
