Hyperthyroid weight gain

[Blaqat]

Hi All, i was diagnosed with graves disease in December 2011, felt all the typical hyperthyroid symptoms, except I put on 6-8 kg between may to november 2011. I was put on 40mg neo mercazole in December, and my endo reduced it to 20mg/day in January, when my T3 and T4 were within normal range, except for very low TSH. I also had bulging eyes in December, which was reduced significantly by March 2012, when my T4 and TSH were normal, but T3 below normal. I also started developing hypothyroid symptoms, no appetite, slept well, losing hair, constipation and losing weight! My normal weight prior to diagnosis was between 56-58kg. Upon diagnosis of graves disease, I was 65-66kg. In January-February, i was 63-64 and now early April i am on 59kg! I found this very confusing, any similar story out there? Thank you!

[Blaqat]

Hi There!

I am glad to know someone out there has similar condition as me, although I am sorry that we are diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Yes I remembered my binge eating episode started sometime in march 2011 right through november 2011. I have someone who works with my parents and she is also diagnosed with hyperthyroidism around the same time as me, but she lost weight very quickly, has a goitre and no bulging eyes.

Despite feeling relief to have lost that monstrous apetite, I now find it difficult to think about food. I will be very happy to just nap all day and not eat at all. My endocrinologist scheduled to see me in 4 weeks, during which I am worried that I will turn into hypothyroidism. He did mentioned should that be the case (that my T3 keeps going down), he will have to prescribed a thyroid generating medication (I'm unsure what it will be) while still taking my neomercazole at 5mg once a day.

I hope I will achieve my healthy weight with healthy thyroid levels and I hope you will to!!

Cheers
B

[firefly7]

Additional - I searched this forum for hyperthyroidism and weight gain and got many results.   Seems it does happen to a few of us though we are the minority.

[firefly7]

I too have gained weight while hyper - I was just diagnosed within the last two weeks as likely having Graves so I'm still working things out.   My mother was hyperthyroid as well years ago and she too gained weight before her treatment.    It really seems to have delayed her and later my getting a diagnosis in a timely manner.   In most people's minds hyperthyroid means skinny, wasting away - my God what must we be eating!!!!  LOL   I haven't seen my endocrinologist yet, but I wonder how the discussion about my weight will go.    I have been gradually gaining weight for a number of years and I always blamed it on diet and exercise which I'm sure plays a part.   But in hindsight I believe I had a few hyper episodes in the past too - they just didn't get severe enough to get me a diagnosis.   I am encouraged you lost weight with treatment, hopefully I will too.   Good luck to you!