Aa
Weight gain with sky high thyroid levels, isn't that supposed to be the other way?
Here's my story. I was diagnosed as hypo three years ago. At that time, my resting metabolic rate was 850 so that's what I consumed. I had another rmr test done this past February and it came back at 1650 (insert holy crap here). Since then, I have been increasing my calories intake slowly to reflect this new rmr. I gained a few pounds, but nothing too bad. All of a sudden last week I gained seven pounds. Off to the doctor I toddled, thinking I was low. Turns out, my thyroid has tripled over the last four weeks (I have been keeping a close eye on this). I feel terrible (and fat!) I don't know what to do. Isn't this supposed to be the other way around? I admit, I am at 1500 calories now with an rmr of 1850 (second holy crap here) and I am frightened to increase my calorie intake further. Do I take medication?? Skip it?? Anybody delt with this before?
Thanks!!
Free t4 27.92 ( ref range 12-22)
Free t3 8.0 ( ref range 3.1-6.8)
Tsh <.o2 (ref range .27-4.2) ( I am taking cytomel so this is always low)
Thanks!!
Free t4 27.92 ( ref range 12-22)
Free t3 8.0 ( ref range 3.1-6.8)
Tsh <.o2 (ref range .27-4.2) ( I am taking cytomel so this is always low)
Oh, and yes. I take my meds a minimum of one hour before breakfast. Usually two. All calcium, iron, supplements vitamins are taken at night. My Cytomel has been split equally three times per day, my synthroid has been split as 200/100.
I am not going to lie, it would be nice to only have to take one or two doses of medication so I can have yogurt for earlier in the day! lol
I am not going to lie, it would be nice to only have to take one or two doses of medication so I can have yogurt for earlier in the day! lol
Doc says to stay off meds for three days, as well. He doesn't really seem to have any interest at all in finding out why. He says to go on a lower dose of meds on Sunday.
The more I think about it, the more Hashimoto's is the only thing that makes sense.
Is it possible to have normal antibody levels when not in a spike or a dip, but for them to be elevated or depressed when in one? He says I had a test last time for the antibodies, but by looking at the paperwork, I did not. I have the results of all other tests but that one, so I am assuming he didn't do it?
I did have one when my thyroid first got straightened out, though, three years ago. It was normal. That's why I am wondering if it is possible to have different levels? I googled the test that I thought was Hashimoto's but it turns out it's a heart thing, not Hashi's. (I am guessing he gave me that because my heart rate is high)? It was looking at levels of HSCRP.
If it is possible to have different levels, that would explain A LOT!
Thanks so much for your help. It is REALLY appreciated!
The more I think about it, the more Hashimoto's is the only thing that makes sense.
Is it possible to have normal antibody levels when not in a spike or a dip, but for them to be elevated or depressed when in one? He says I had a test last time for the antibodies, but by looking at the paperwork, I did not. I have the results of all other tests but that one, so I am assuming he didn't do it?
I did have one when my thyroid first got straightened out, though, three years ago. It was normal. That's why I am wondering if it is possible to have different levels? I googled the test that I thought was Hashimoto's but it turns out it's a heart thing, not Hashi's. (I am guessing he gave me that because my heart rate is high)? It was looking at levels of HSCRP.
If it is possible to have different levels, that would explain A LOT!
Thanks so much for your help. It is REALLY appreciated!
Tough one, and it didn't help that I slept on it!
I could only come up with theories on what's going on, most of those theories probably pretty out there.
You said you were diagnosed three years ago, so I really doubt your thyroid function is kicking back in. Most temporary thyroiditis resolves in a couple of years, at most.
Also, as I said above, I think your current labs are much more consistent with the massive dose you've been taking than the low normal levels were. I don't know why you weren't absorbing previously, then suddenly started, but that is what happened. In fact, I think you're still not absorbing a good part of that 300/75. If you were absorbing well, I'd expect your levels to be even higher than they are now on that dose.
Speaking of absorption...you do take your T4 on an empty stomach and don't ingest anything for at least half an hour, correct? All other meds/supplements at least four hours away? I had to ask the question. You do split your dose of T3?
But, the question remains...where to from here?
You have to get your FT3 and FT4 down. If you've previously been comfortable with low normal FT3 and FT4, then you have a considerable way to go. I think you have to lower your dose of both T3 and T4, but I would do it somewhat gradually in case some of the super-absorption you're currently experiencing is a fluke. I think all you can do is let your symptoms be your guide.
Last time I was overmedicated, my endo advised me to stop all thyroid meds for three days, then resume at a lower dose. You might ask your doctor about that approach. It did relieve a lot of the hyper symptoms within the three days...a few tolerable ones lingered a while longer.
Speaking of your doctor...what does he say about all this?
I could only come up with theories on what's going on, most of those theories probably pretty out there.
You said you were diagnosed three years ago, so I really doubt your thyroid function is kicking back in. Most temporary thyroiditis resolves in a couple of years, at most.
Also, as I said above, I think your current labs are much more consistent with the massive dose you've been taking than the low normal levels were. I don't know why you weren't absorbing previously, then suddenly started, but that is what happened. In fact, I think you're still not absorbing a good part of that 300/75. If you were absorbing well, I'd expect your levels to be even higher than they are now on that dose.
Speaking of absorption...you do take your T4 on an empty stomach and don't ingest anything for at least half an hour, correct? All other meds/supplements at least four hours away? I had to ask the question. You do split your dose of T3?
But, the question remains...where to from here?
You have to get your FT3 and FT4 down. If you've previously been comfortable with low normal FT3 and FT4, then you have a considerable way to go. I think you have to lower your dose of both T3 and T4, but I would do it somewhat gradually in case some of the super-absorption you're currently experiencing is a fluke. I think all you can do is let your symptoms be your guide.
Last time I was overmedicated, my endo advised me to stop all thyroid meds for three days, then resume at a lower dose. You might ask your doctor about that approach. It did relieve a lot of the hyper symptoms within the three days...a few tolerable ones lingered a while longer.
Speaking of your doctor...what does he say about all this?
For the carbs, no. My usual daily balance sits at 30% each fat and carbs, 40% protein. (of course, that isn't perfect very day. Today is 28%carb, 25%fat, 47% protein. Protein is always my dominant nutrient (a habit left over from competition days). My grams of cabs have always been between 130-160 grams (I found one day in my food diary at 172 grams) per day.
As for symptoms, my resting heart rate is usual 53, now it is 74. I don't sleep. At all. I'm exhausted, haha! I'm very jittery and unfocused. I cant concentrate. I am unsocial and lazy. I dont want to do ANYTHING!!! I cry at the drop of a hat, and I go from that to being ANGRY (sooooo not like me!) I am retaining more water than the Hoover dam. I shift between being to hot, and being too cold. I can't even get up the energy to leave my house, much less workout (again, very unlike me) I am a VERY active person, and have been forcing myself to go though my normal routine, but it has been difficult. I have started napping. Only for five minutes around nine am, but I feel like I can't physically stay awake.
I am normally a very happy, peaceful person. I am active, have strong, healthy habits. I have lots of friends and a good social life. Right now, I can't even get up the gumption to see anyone. My house is a disaster and I feel horrible and guilty. The last few weeks have been deteriorating rapidly, with nothing changed on my side, except for the increased calorie intake.
My nutrient balances are good. My sugar and carbs aren't too high, sodium is in line with potassium. The difference now is that when I eat Greek yogurt, it is eight ounces instead of six, and has a full scoop of whey instead of half. It's the same food, just more of it.
Any ideas?
As for symptoms, my resting heart rate is usual 53, now it is 74. I don't sleep. At all. I'm exhausted, haha! I'm very jittery and unfocused. I cant concentrate. I am unsocial and lazy. I dont want to do ANYTHING!!! I cry at the drop of a hat, and I go from that to being ANGRY (sooooo not like me!) I am retaining more water than the Hoover dam. I shift between being to hot, and being too cold. I can't even get up the energy to leave my house, much less workout (again, very unlike me) I am a VERY active person, and have been forcing myself to go though my normal routine, but it has been difficult. I have started napping. Only for five minutes around nine am, but I feel like I can't physically stay awake.
I am normally a very happy, peaceful person. I am active, have strong, healthy habits. I have lots of friends and a good social life. Right now, I can't even get up the gumption to see anyone. My house is a disaster and I feel horrible and guilty. The last few weeks have been deteriorating rapidly, with nothing changed on my side, except for the increased calorie intake.
My nutrient balances are good. My sugar and carbs aren't too high, sodium is in line with potassium. The difference now is that when I eat Greek yogurt, it is eight ounces instead of six, and has a full scoop of whey instead of half. It's the same food, just more of it.
Any ideas?
Please list your symptoms.
Well, it's nearly impossible to "really" gain seven pounds in a week. We have to assume a lot of that is water. Have you increased carbs substantially as you increased calories?
Well, it's nearly impossible to "really" gain seven pounds in a week. We have to assume a lot of that is water. Have you increased carbs substantially as you increased calories?
I am definitely having hyper symptoms. I don't feel good at all. I am kind of having both hyper and hypo symptoms??
I have had the rmr test done several times over two countries, haha. It's the same (there was a varience of 28 and 53 calories respectively). I know that it is artificially high because of this spike in thyroid, but I wouldn't think it would make me gain? Not to mention, even if it was really off, I haven't eaten enough to gain seven pounds in a week. I weigh everything, so I know it isn't an off calculation with my intake.
I have taken time off of work (I am a group finess instructor). I just can't make it to the end of the class. The energy an positivity just isn't there.
I have had the rmr test done several times over two countries, haha. It's the same (there was a varience of 28 and 53 calories respectively). I know that it is artificially high because of this spike in thyroid, but I wouldn't think it would make me gain? Not to mention, even if it was really off, I haven't eaten enough to gain seven pounds in a week. I weigh everything, so I know it isn't an off calculation with my intake.
I have taken time off of work (I am a group finess instructor). I just can't make it to the end of the class. The energy an positivity just isn't there.
Do you have any hyper symptoms?
BTW, some people gain weight hypo or hyper, some lose hypo or hyper and some actually behave the way it's supposed to work.
" I am at 1500 calories now with an rmr of 1850..." What jumps out at me here is that you said you've slowly increased calories. You're not nearly to 1850, yet you're gaining weight. Perhaps the RMR lies??? I've heard it's very subjective and has much to do with the skill of the person administering.
BTW, some people gain weight hypo or hyper, some lose hypo or hyper and some actually behave the way it's supposed to work.
" I am at 1500 calories now with an rmr of 1850..." What jumps out at me here is that you said you've slowly increased calories. You're not nearly to 1850, yet you're gaining weight. Perhaps the RMR lies??? I've heard it's very subjective and has much to do with the skill of the person administering.
A good thyroid doctor once told me that dosage was irrelevant, that the only thing that mattered was the clinical response.
Also, even with those huge doses I have always been at the LOW end of normal. I have just tried to live with the fact that I don't work the way everyone else does?
Lol, I know. HUGE doses! But now what? The only that has changed is an increased calorie intake. I'm one of those crazy whole foods people, and the content of my diet hasn't changed, just the quantity.
I haven't been able to find ANYTHING on this. I am a wee bit lost! Lol
I haven't been able to find ANYTHING on this. I am a wee bit lost! Lol
Perhaps your thyroid has kicked back in (there are several types of "temporary" hypo), but I think the real question here is not why your numbers are high now, but why they haven't been previously. 300 mcg Synthroid and 75 mcg Cytomel is a HUGE (did I emphasize HUGE? LOL) dose. In fact half that (150 mcg Synthroid and 37.5 mcg Cytomel) would be a pretty hefty dose.
So, my question would be what changed and made you suddenly start absorbing all those meds? If you had been absorbing properly previously, 300/75 should have had your FT3 and FT4 sky high even if you have zero thyroid function left.
So, my question would be what changed and made you suddenly start absorbing all those meds? If you had been absorbing properly previously, 300/75 should have had your FT3 and FT4 sky high even if you have zero thyroid function left.
I didn't have an antibody test when this started, but had one two years ago, then five weeks ago and it came back normal. I honestly think it started from extreme stress. There was no real diagnosis as to why, but I have been steadily increasing medication over the last three years. I was up to 3 mg synthroid and 75 mcg cytomel. All of a sudden I came back as getting higher (but still normal) five weeks ago. I cut back to 250 mg synthroid and 50 mcg cytomel. At that time I was:
Free T4- 19.9 (ref range 12-22)
Free T3 5.92 (ref range 3.1-6.8)
Tsh <.02
This was the first time I have ever seen thyroid levels over low normal. It has actually been five weeks since that test, not four. I was expecting it to be too little. To be that much higher after cutting meds has baffled me. I can only think that it is the increase in food that has stimulated my natural thyroid.
I didn't take my medication this morning, and I do feel a bit better without the cytomel but don't quite know how to proceed. I am dealing with a family doctor as I live in Canada and it is six months before I can see an endo (it's not an emergency that I feel fat, haha)
Tks
Free T4- 19.9 (ref range 12-22)
Free T3 5.92 (ref range 3.1-6.8)
Tsh <.02
This was the first time I have ever seen thyroid levels over low normal. It has actually been five weeks since that test, not four. I was expecting it to be too little. To be that much higher after cutting meds has baffled me. I can only think that it is the increase in food that has stimulated my natural thyroid.
I didn't take my medication this morning, and I do feel a bit better without the cytomel but don't quite know how to proceed. I am dealing with a family doctor as I live in Canada and it is six months before I can see an endo (it's not an emergency that I feel fat, haha)
Tks
Honestly that was three years ago and I don't have the info anymore. Do you think I need it?
What was diagnosed as the cause for you being hypothyroid three years ago? What is your dosage of Cytomel? Is that your only thyroid medication?
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Once you have antibodies, you have them for life. They may rise and fall (and they do wildly daily), but they're always there. TPOab (thyroid peroxidase antibodies, also called "microsomal" on some lab reports) and TGab (thyroglobulin antibodies) are the two that, when elevated, indicate Hashi's. You have to test both as some of us are TPOab positive, some TGab positive, and us lucky ones both.
I think your doctor's right (also rare for me!)...right now you have to respond to what's happening. Why it happened might be unknowable and irrelevant. No matter the cause, you have to deal with what's happening now. What you do from here is going to be the same, regardless of why it happened...