Weight gain with hyperthyrodism?

[mom3776]

Is it normal to gain weight with hyperthyrodism? I always thought that this only happened with hypo. I've gained about 35pounds. Will it come off after I start meds?

[medicmommy]

Unfortunately, it sometimes works that way...It increases you appetite too...(How unfair, huh?LOL) Mine flipped to hypothyroid a few weeks ago, and I'm now losing weight without having changed anything..So, maybe with just finding that "happy place", will do it for you...
Be sure to get a glucose tolerance test done, just to make sure you aren't becoming diabetic as well...An off-balance thyroid mucks with your entire body...Good luck...~MM

[medicmommy]

-I forgot to mention that, when my hyperthyroid went hypo, I was started on thyroid meds which seem to be starting to regulate my levels a bit...(I feel way better and am not "starving" all the time..) ((((((((((((((((((HUGZ)))))))))I know how frustrating this is...~MM

[Joni65]

Hi

Just thought I would let ya know that I have gained 22 pounds from being hyperthyroid.  I thought I would lose weight!!!   I get so hungry sometimes I feel like I could eat the wallpaper off the walls.  HA HA HA.  I hope I start losing some of it soon!

Joni

[mom3776]

Fortunantly and unfortunantly I now know that I'm not alone. I am always hungry two. In fact I'm eating again now! LOL On a serious note this is really affecting me. I don't even like to buy anything since I won't fit into it for long.

[mom3776]

I'm sorry to hear about your ups and downs. I hope you can stay at an even level and feel good again. Thanks for your advice,

[Calif_Chris]

I was very upset to discover I had hyper when I've had trouble losing 5-7 lbs. I imagined I was going to be a real chubster.
I have been on meds now nearly three weeks and I've lost a little! I've been eating a bit less, omitting diet drinks, and have not been as hungry.

I also noticed there is a link between aspartame and thyroid disorders so I stopped diet drinks cold turkey. I was pounding caffeine-free Diet Pepsi all day long, too much!

Go to Oprah's site and read her story...she was diagnosed with hyper and not losing weight either.

[Linda1068]

I had a partial thyroidectomy (left side taken out) due to a nodule. A very long story with much frustration. Since my surgery 2 1/2 mos ago, I have gained about 15 lbs. My TSH was .6, which I guess means I am hyper.  The Endo is having me take Synthroid, low dose, 25 mcg.  I knew something had to be wrong with me starting about 4 yrs ago when I started putting on the weight at what I thought was a fast rate. In the past year alone, I put on 25 lbs. I don't overeat, but I do like good food. Are you taking meds? Are you going to try a special diet and exercise program? I've tried to find a site on the web, but no such luck. At least no info for free that is.

[HyperT77]

I initally lost 13 pounds very quickly.  Once on medication to control the Hyper T I started gaining.  Asked  my Endo to "help", not wanting to gain weight.  He put me on a diet that he puts his Diabetic patients on.  It works!  Also have to walk at least 4 times a week.  Will admit that most days I have to make myself walk but afterwards I feel better.  The diet stopped me from continuing to gain weight and am actually losing again.  Need to lose about 15 pounds but am on the way......

[Linda1068]

Thanks for the info. I will look online for some info on diabetic diets. Glad to know you are walking.  I need to start that myself.  Funny thing, when I told my Endo about my weight gain and could it have something to do with my thyroid, he looked at me and suggested I not eat so much. Kinda rude and not the answer I was looking for. Unfortunately I live in a small town and he's the only Endo covered by my insurance. He may be the only Endo in town.?

[graveswoman]

You are most definitely not alone, i am graver and have gained 20 lbs. did lose when they first put me on meds, but didn't last long.

I am wishing for the loss as well, can't keep up with the clothing. getting a big expensive.

keep in touch

hyperT77 share your diabetic diet????

graveswoman

[mom3776]

Sorry it took so long to answer everyone! Been busy with kids but was able to do my first Uptake and Scan today. I guess I have Acute Thyrioditid too. My Doctor failed to mention that so the RN at the hospital told me. I am not taking any meds yet. Doctor won't give them to me until she finishes my tests. As far as the diet sgo, my husband is a bodybuilder and gave my a diet in the past that works very good. I have done it three times. 1st time lost 60pounds, 2nd and 3rd time 40. It takes a lot of dedication. I'm just sooooo tired of dieting and can tell you that I'm completly addicted to Diet Cokes and know I need to stop. Anyway, if any is interested in the diet let me know and I'll pass it along.

[Linda1068]

What's the diet plan? You can pass it along to me. I used to wear jeans size 4-6 , now size 12 fits just right. UUUUGGGGHHHHH!!!!

[Tamara300]

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Disease in October of 2008 but started noticing the symptoms in 2007.  When I mentioned my concerns, the primary care doctor decided to "monitor" my "increasing levels" for a year and finally I had to insist on seeng a specialist as my weight continued to increase in spite of a careful diet and at times, extreme exercise. I was also having problems with anemia, and my blood pressure and cholesterol were rising (which was very unusual for me.)

I used to be a size 4-6 before this started and now my size 10s are tight--I should probably buy bigger clothes again, but I just can't bring myself to do it.  I'm fearful of how much longer this weight gain will continue and where I am going to end up.  I can't seem to control the weight gain at all.  I think if I had to live with being larger than I want, I could do that if I knew I had some CONTROL and it felt like a choice.  But I don't feel in control.  I don't want to buy new clothes all the time, particularly as I don't feel anything looks good anymore, nothing fits right, and it gets expensive.  

When I saw an endocrinologist, he diagnosed me with Hashimoto's and noticed some lumps growing on my thyroid. He prescribed some medication and the medication started to work at first, then my doctor decreased my dose and the weight came back plus more.  When I told my doctor that my symptoms were returning (weight gain and fatigue) he said I must be overeating, this was not due to my Hashimoto's as my "levels were fine."  When I asked about the continued fatigue, he said maybe I was depressed and should see the doctor for antidepressants!  He said neither symptom had to do with my Hashimoto's as my "levels" were fine.

I changed doctors (found a top-rated endo on the web) and the new doctor took blood tests and based on the results, put me on a much higher dose of Synthroid than I was on before--as his tests showed my levels were really bad (high?).  Although the steady increase in meds has noticibly helped the fatigue, the weight gain is getting scary.  I am now 30 pounds above my typical average weight.  And frankly, I am getting a little depressed now, but it is because of how I look and this weight gain and my seeming inability to do anything that works or lasts.  I even tried decreasing my diet to less than 500 cals per day, and I didn't lose weight--I just stayed the same and felt shaky and nauseous.  Most recently I attended some health and fitness classes and bought about $500 worth of pills and a herbal bath that were supposed to "detox" my body.  They haven't helped at all and I would caution against buying these based on my experience.  Although I sometimes wonder if the detox medication and Synthroid could be working against each other.

I'll ask my endo about the T3 and research the Xenecal.  Has anyone tried a naturepath?  I have considered that too, but haven't tried it yet.  

[Smilerdeb]

I gained 16kgs (approx 35lbs) when I was Hyper with Graves.
After RAI and TT, I started on a T4 med and have slowly lost 10kgs.
Prior to RAI, I was on the treadmill twice a day and gained !

I very rarely get on it now and as soon as my levels started to stabalise, I lost the weight.
It was my thyroid levels making me fat...both hyper and hypo.
Until your levels have stabilised and stayed that way for a few months, you wont see any change.

Worry about the thyroid first and the weight later...as the weight will take care of itself when the levels are stable.
Being Hyper is dangerous and so too is dieting whilst Hyper.
Most diet formulas contain Iodine...something you should avoid at all costs when Hyper.