no weight loss prior to hyperthyroid diagnosis

[Kimceey]

I have seen may comments and questions about weight gain after starting treatment for hyperthyroidism but none about weight gain prior to that. I am recently diagnosed and have not lost any weight, In fact, I have gained weight. How does this happen with an over active thyroid? It doesn't make sense. I'm afraid to start treatment for fear of gaining even more weight. Any help would be appreciated!

[Kimceey]

I have an appointment with an endocrinologist  soon, so hopefully will get some answers then.I haven't  had a TSI test yet. I do have a nodule on my thyroid so my primary doctor believes it is either Grave's disease or nodules causing the problem.

I can't thank you enough for the help you have given me!

[goolarra]

It sound like your symptoms are fairly bothersome, so if I were you, I wouldn't delay treatment.

Have they tested TSI (thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin) to confirm Graves'?  If you have Graves', your symptoms are most likely going to worsen.  Hyper symptoms can be critical.  I think you'd feel a lot better on meds, and meds just might help the weight issue as well.  I think both your symptoms and your labs are telling you to treat this now before it gets any worse.

[Kimceey]

My blood pressure is high, my heart will race, don't sleep well so I'm fatigued. I have anxiety and heat intolerance. These bother me the most.

[goolarra]

It's FREE T3 you want to make sure they order from now on.  You can drop the total T4 and the T3U as they're obsolete.  The FREEs are what you want.

Generally, the first line of treatment is anti-thyroid meds (ATMs), like carbimazole, methimazole, Tapazole or PTU.  Those block your thyroid from producing so much hormone.  

If your symptoms are very mild, they might choose to just monitor you levels.  However, many of the symptoms of hyper have serious effects on the body, so it would depend which you had.  What are your symptoms?

[Kimceey]

oops forgot my TSH is 0.01 and the range is 0.40 - 4.50

[Kimceey]

Hi Goolaro,
Sorry for the delay. The reference ranges and lab results are as follows:

T4 is 15.5 range is 4.5-12mcg/dl

FT4 is 5.3 range is 1.4-3.8

T3U is 35 range is 22-35%

Thanks for the advice on asking for a total T3 from now on. Trying to wade through all the information is so confusing at first. Like I said I have some of the symptoms but not the weight loss. Do you know how they generally choose to treat with these type of numbers and symptoms? would they ever just monitor the numbers?

[goolarra]

Do you have the reference ranges on those?  Ranges vary lab to lab, so they have to come from your own lab report.  

Your symptoms sound very hyper.  Your doctor should also be testing FREE T3 from now on.  Total T4 is considered obsolete.  FREE T4 (FT4) provides much better information.  T3U is also considered obsolete.  Despite its name, it's an indirect measure of T4, and once again, FT4 gives better info.  Be sure to get copies of all your lab reports and keep your own history.

    

[Kimceey]

Thank you for the responses!

My labs say my TSH is 0.01, my T4 total is 15.7, free T4 is 5.3 and my T3 uptake is on the bubble at 35. I'm still learning what all these mean.

My other symptoms are fatigue,high heart rate and blood pressure, anxiety and heat intolerance.

[goolarra]

Weight gain can be a symptom of either hypo or hyper, although it's more typically hypo.  Some people tend to gain weight hypo or hyper, others lose it hypo or hyper.  More contributes to this obviously than just your thyroid hormones being high or low.  As WildMtn said, constant hunger can cause weight gain.

It's important to remember that the more you normalize and balance thyroid hormones, the less likely you are to have symptoms.  So, as your FT3 and FT4 come down, your symptom of weight gain may actually improve.  

Do you have labs to post with reference ranges?  Do you have other symptoms?  

[WildMtn]

I have just *barely* lost any weight (13 pounds over 6+ weeks) and I'm hyperthyroid, too, and I was trying to diet in the months prior, without success, because I'm obese.

I have read that up 5% of people who are hyper can gain instead of lose.  I don't know why, although I know I personally am constantly hungry and thirsty.