Extreme Weight Gain After Thyroid Ablation

[Haaheo]

Aloha, I would like some advice on how to lose weight now that my thyroid is fully ablated.  I received radioactive iodine treatment in 2001 after diagnosis of Graves disease.  From there I was prescribed synthroid, then later levothroid, and now levothyroxine.  In a year's time I gained 100 lbs despite working out in the gym 2 hours, 5x/week and eating normally.  The extreme weight gain affected my back and hip to the point that it is difficult for me to walk a normal distance and to stand for long periods.  I also experienced very low energy, fatigue, and exhaustion.  My menstrual periods which had been normal prior to thyroid condition became erratic and unpredictable: characterized as non-stop heavy flow for 1-2 months, severe blood loss to the point of going to emergency room, to very little flow over the course of 2 weeks, to skipped periods altogether. Over the past 7 years I have gained a total of 150 lbs and am unable to lose weight.  My physical activity levels have reduced significantly due to back and hip pain.  I now swim laps 2-3 times/week for 30-45 minutes at the local pool to ease back and hip pain, and see a chiropracter to try to increase my mobility and ease of walking and standing.  My question is, are the books and other literature on thyroid diets applicable to me for weight loss or does the lack of a thyroid through ablation disqualify me from improving my metabolism?  Please advise.  Mahalo!

[gimel]

You've attached your post to a very old thread (2008).  I seriously doubt that  RavingMad even monitors this Forum any more.  As an alternative, I would like to request that you allow us to review your thyroid related test results, along with their reference ranges shown on the lab report, and give you our assessment of your status, and what actions might help you.

Also, I wanted to mention that I expect that your greatest need is a good thyroid doctor.  A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels.  You can get some good insight into clinical treatment from this letter written by a good thyroid doctor for patients that he sometimes consults with after initial tests and evaluation.  The letter is then sent to the participating doctor of the patient to help guide treatment.  In the letter, please note the statement, "the ultimate criterion for dose adjustment must always be the clinical response of the patient."

http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf

[Thyroid_cancer_survuver]

Hi , I'm sorry hear you've went through such hardship and I hope everything is stabilized now. I'm going through some problems myself with the weight gain after having a total thyroidectomy because of thyroid cancer. I was wondering if you wouldn't mind sharing the titles of the books you mentioned that were helpful. I would greatly appreciate it. You can write to me at ***@****

Thank you,
Albina

[RavingMad]

I had a TT & became hypo Jan 07. I have gone from 48kgs (hyper) to 67kgs (hypo). Since I became hypo, I've started exercising & been on a strict diet  - thinking that I would start to lose weight or atleast my weight would stabilize. I continued to gain weight at a rate of 1.5 - 2kgs every few months. To make matters worse, I injured my back in Oct 07 - so it's been like a double whammy as far as trying to lose weight!

I too had a constant period (since about 2003) while I was hyper (undiagnosed & unaware). I had my daughter in 2004 & bled through the entire pregnancy - so much to the point where I didn't know I was pregnant till 5 months - I was 50kgs, having long heavy periods with breakthrough bleeding & more than halfway through my pregnancy!  

At 26 weeks I got rushed to hospital as my cervix was open & they thought I'd go into early labour. I was there for a week until my cervix closed back up, so while I was in hospital they investigated the bleeding & couldn't find a reason why (they didn't do a thyroid bloodtest though!). I continued to bleed until I had my daughter by emerg c section (at 37 weeks & 5 days), as the cord was around her neck. I breastfed straight away, had no periods/breakthrough bleeding at all. Stopped breastfeeding at 6 months, my periods & breakthrough bleeding came back with a vengence.  

Since then I've been to GPs, a gynae/obs, an endo, tried 2 different contraceptive pills, had an internal pelvic ultrasound, pap smears - everything came back 'all clear'.  I did alot of research on thyroid disorders during this time & am positive that my period problems were hormonal. I had been undiagnosed/unaware hyper possibly for years, then had a TT & commenced taking synthetic T4 - which I never tolerated well, so kept upping my dose.

About 3 - 4 weeks ago I came off throxine (synthetic T4) & switched medications to Natural Thyroid Extract, after 2 weeks my period stopped & I actually had a break! I've also lost nearly 3kgs & all my other yucky hypo symptoms are slowly decreasing. I'm really hoping that this keeps up, as I generally feel so much better.

Not long after my TT, I purchased 2 books relating to thyroid diets & metabolism. They are my bibles. I'm not sure if we are allowed to promote books - so I won't print them, but if you or anyone else is interested  - send me a note & I'll get back to you. Hope this helps & that you're feeling better soon.