Thyroid cancer & weight gain

[bet643]

Hi Dr. Lupo,   Since my dx of thyroid cancer in 2005, all of my labs have come back within normal range accept my tsh on the high side.  I am still taking 150 mg levothyroxine on M. W. & F. and 125 mgs on all the other days.  I have prolems with losing weight, though I diet and I am on a 1400 cal a day. Before the cancer, I was 120 lbs. now at a whopping 190. Ready to jump off a bridge.  Doctor says I need portion control. I plan on trying 1000 cal. a day with or without his permission. Nothing works. I excercise daily and walk 2 miles a day, and thats with a knee injury.  What should I do? I am ready to start starvation and hope that my organs don't shut down?

[gimel]

Just wanted to let you know that doctor seems to have the "Immaculate TSH Belief".  He was directly questioned during a Webinar  about relying on TSH so heavily, instead of treating a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4, as necessary to relieve symptoms.  It was also pointed out to him that there was much evidence that TSH did not correlate well with either Free T4 or Free T3, much less with symptoms.  His response was that type of treatment was a personal decision and that if a person wanted to be treated clinically he should seek a doctor practicing alternative medicine, not an Endocrinologist..  He continues to promote that TSH is the best measure of thyroid status, even though there is no evidence that I can find that validly supports that belief.  Also I know of Endocrinologists that disagree with the primacy of TSH, and treat hypo patients clinically.

Many of our members are here because of doctors that also have the "immaculate TSH Belief".  In reality, TSH is totally inadequate as a diagnostic by which to medicate a hypo  patient, and I can give you numerous links to studies that make the same conclusion.  I would not have posted this info here, but I found I could not send a PM to you, and I wanted to make sure that you understand what a good thyroid doctor can do for you and encourage you to find one.

[bet643]

Thanks so much.  Been a member since 2008, just returning; searching for answers. Everyone seems to have the same problem. But that is why I am back.  My doctor just drives me crazy.  Asked my primary to take over because I am done.  Atleast my primary care doc listens, and is trying to find me another endo that's with our insurance. Others were not, and I paid dearly, in more ways than one. There are only two board certified endos on my insurance within my area. (what a joke) None of which specialize in thyroid cancer/disorders.  So that is why I must depend on Dr. Lupo. Take care friends.

[gimel]

Have a look at this post I made earlier tonight for another member.  I think you will find some useful info for yourself.




To: havingfaith11
I think you will really enjoy reading this old post from pickdaisies.

pickdaisies |  Apr 18, 2009

You know your body best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was having some major problems with my metabolism.  I am a nurse and I thoroughly researched all the scientific research on the internet and at the medical library.  I, too was going to see doctors who would not help me.  Fortunately, I found a doctor who gave me armour thyroid despite "normal" levels. I brought him a RMR test that showed my BMR in 750-900 range which is very low, I was cold all the time. I was fatigued. When you have to get in the tub 2-3 times a day to warm up your body, you got a problem  I have fake nails and suddenly I wasn't needing to go as normally to have them filled they had really slowed in growth. I put together my own research on my body.   I started taking the medication as prescribed and he adjusted accordingly until I was free of symptoms.  I documented all the thyroid lab work before and after treatment.  I went and had metabolic testing to test my bmr and it measured normal for my age and weight and I was symptom free.  I then tapered myself off the thyroid and within 2 months all symptoms returned and metabolic testing once again was done, and BMR was extremely low. Back on meds. normal. You know your body best and I am not afraid to put the research in front of a doctor's face.  The human body is not black and white.
______________________
This is not an isolated case.  Many of our members report the same problems with low metabolism and other hypo symptoms, until their Free t3 is in the upper end of the reference range.  You may not recall this info from this link I gave you earlier.   http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf

"The ultimate criterion for dose adjustment must always be the clinical response. I have prescribed natural dessicated thyroid for your patient (Armour or Nature-Throid). These contain T4 and T3 (40mcg and 9mcg respectively per 60mg). They are more effective than T4 therapy for most patients. Since they provide more T3 than the thyroid gland produces, the well-replaced patient’s free T4 will be around the middle of its range or lower, and the FT3 will be high-“normal” or slightly high before the AM dose."
________________________________

I also suggest reading the entire link above.  

[bet643]

Thanks,  I had joined the thyroid community years back and had left it for quite some time.  I still have contact with friends in the community, just looking for some new info, anything that I have not already heard. Even the doctors in my family can't explain everything since it's not their specialty. I had gone through 4 endocrinologist. Not one seems to have the time and will not run the labs that I want them to run. They were a bit offended that I  came to medhelp for help. So I told them that I would  no longer be needing their services because I need someone that has time, willing to listen and show that they even give a rats behind.  Thyroid cancer is not something to overlook. I need a real endo that knows about thyroid cancer, and not one that handles mainly diabetics. But thanks for your concern. After a few bouts with cancer, what the heck would I know? Other than I had spent many thousands of dollars out of my own pocket, just to get nothing accomplished other than flat broke. Thanks, take care.

[Brucergoldberg]

I'm sorry that i suggested you repost your question to Dr. Lupo, but when you post on someone else's thread, it can get quite confusing.  I will tell you that the folks on this side of the computer monitor can offer a lot of guidance as well as these are folks that actually went through all of the craziness that you (and I for that matter) are dealing with.

bruce

[bet643]

Sorry,  did not pay close enough attention to where I was posting my question.  Just looking to see if anything new is going on in the thyroid community.  I have been away for quite some time. I will make sure to post in the experts forum.  Thanks

[Barb135]

This is not an expert forum and Dr Lupo does not monitor it, so it's unlikely that he will respond.  You can try posting your question in the expert forum, if you like.

Weight issues often go hand in hand with hypo symptoms.  Most of us find that when our thyroid levels are where we need them to be, we can lose weight, even though we may have to work at it.

If you would post your current thyroid lab results, members can help assess your situation and possible make comments/suggestions regarding the adequacy of your current treatment.

Remember, cutting calories too much, is just as bad as eating too many, since your body may go into "starvation mode", and hold onto existing fat stores, if there's not enough food coming in.