Last October, I noticed I had started gaining weight -- a coat I bought a month prior no longer fit. Went in for a physical, etc - had the TSH levels checked and they came back normal. Over the winter, i noticed more weight gain, bloating ... starting to feel like I was perpetually one week away from giving birth to a 9 llb. baby. Then over the last month or so, SEVERE fatigue -- so much so that having a nap in the afternoon is compulsory. On a bad day, I can fall asleep driving a few blocks after lunch, I fell asleep while having dental work. This is not just tired, it's overhwhelming fatigue, like someone pulled a switch. I am normally a high energy person, don't sleep at all except at night and now I find myself sleeping a couple of times during the day if I can get away with it, and being exhausted at bedtime. As far as I know, Im sleeping well at night.
Back to the doc this week to discover I have gained 30 lbs. since last October, and my thyroid levels are STILL normal at 1.69. My parents and sister have been on thyroud meds for years.
I am 52 years old, in the middle of menopause I suppose, and had my past period about 9 months ago. Doc thinks this is menopausal related and we are trying 14 days of hormone replacement therapy to see if it helps.
From everything I read, it seems so much like thyroid. It seems like I have not metabolized anything in months, even though plumbing and evetything is working fine. What scares me is the weight gain is not levelling off , it just keeps climbing and climbing and climbing. I'm only 5 feet tall, so 30 lbs is already significant. If anyone has any insight, I would sure appreciate it! Thank you.