I am so confused!! PLEASE HELP ME

[confused3078]

My doctor told me he is pretty sure I have Graves Disease with hyperactive thyroid-ism. I have gained 100lbs in a year, but have the shaking of the hands, sensitivity to heat, can't sleep and my Thyroid is swollen and I am having trouble swallowing. I just yesterday went to the hospital do take the radioactive pill and going back today to finish the test, but I need to know the following. How did I gain weight if my Thyroid is Hyperactive? He also told me he did not want to take it out, but I can't swallow and my voice is a little deeper than it was. What do I do?

[Rite760]

I'm really sorry I'm not much good at this stuff especially RAI, but I just wanted to say wait for all the more experienced people here to see your post they will really help you. As for the weight issue, although it is classic to lose weight when hyperthyroid and gain weight when hypothyroid, this isn't always the case for some people. I mayself have sufffered this year from a high and low thyroid, but it is mostly hypothyroid and yet I have lost tons of weight as did my sister.

[lilypad300]

best of luck with all that you are going through.
did you have the RAI or are you having a nuclear medicine scan?
I had graves disease, and just had surgery for it on the 4th.
I too didn't lose any weight with the graves, but my doctor said that not everyone does, and if the GD was causing an increase in appetite I may have been taking in more calories and off-setting any weight loss that possibly could have happened.
Now post-surgery, I'm trying to lose the 45 pounds (plus the extra that I should have lost prior to GD) I put on prior to the surgery.

Hang in there!!!
Be Well!

[cutiepants97]

I agree with Lillipad I was Hyper as well as initially lost weight but after being put on medication for the hyper I gained a lot of weight. My appetite was crazy.  I just had my thyroid out on July 31, 2008 2 years after originally being diagnosed with Graves.  Besides the hyperthyrpoidism you may want your doctors to look into an addrenal problem as well as Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome.  Both can cause weight gain. Now with my thyrod out I try to watch what I eat and move around more. I need to lose around 45 pounds as well but would be happy with 20.  I feel good and am sorry I didn't take out the thyroid sooner.  The surgery was easy and the pain was minimal.  If you get to that point after you exhausted every other possibilty I would take it out.  

Good Luck and have faith,

Sheri

[Pamelot]

Wow I can't imagine this is going to be an easy disease to figure out. I am hyperthyroid with a TSH level of .11 and the t-4 and t-3 are within the normal range. I had originally gained weight and I successfully lost about 20 pounds but still battle with headaches and the other symptoms associated with the disease. I exercise and eat pretty well... but it is still a daily battle. I am curious to know how Potassium plays a role in all of this. I asked my doctor about Adrenal burnout and she said she didn't think that had anything to do with it. I was put on a low dose of antithyroid medication and now I fear the weight gain. I hope you find the answers you seek. Keep us posted - I want to know everything I can about this crazy disease.

Love, Pamela