Graves' Disease Support Group

Hi and welcome:

Yes, about 15% of people with Graves' Disease will gain weght instead of losing it. If you get your thyroid levels of the Free T3 and the Free T4 corrected and at mid ranges, the weight may come off.

Are you taking a beta blocker to lower your heart rate and hypER symptoms besides taking a PTU? It will likely take you several months to normalize before you get a doctor's okay to exercise.

Get labs in six weeks to recheck: Free T3, Free T4, and TSH, at least.

Take care... :-

Yup I am on the antelol. 75mg daily, but it still beats you down! Thank you for replying.

Sorry, atenolol, 75 mg, I can never remember that stuff. But it has helped,
I am also going back in September to the endocrinologist. Hopefully everything starts going back to normal.

(Hugs) & I'm sorry you just got your diagnosis. I know how scary and frustrating it can be.

Some people gain weight because us Graves' patience have an increase in appetite and often when those extra calories are consumed we can gain weight.

At the time I was loosing weight I was doing Billy Blanks video. However I would start the DVD and then a panic attack would come on and I couldn't catch my breath. I love working out and as the panic attacks became more prevelant. I remember eating ALL the time, I'm certain if I hadn't been doing the Billy Blanks I may too have gained weight.

However I haven't worked out since My diagnosis in April for fear of the panic attacks. I have begin to gain weight back. I think I'll start up again slowly next week.

Yikes see what this Graves' does.... As the panic attacks became more prevelant I finally went to see my GP and then about a week later got my diagnosis....

I tried the Wii active on the weekend, Almost killed me! I have no strength in my legs so it was hard to do the running and lunges. I also couldn't catch my breath after 5 minutes. At least now I know why.

Hiya! I, too have gained weight and am currently waiting for my RAI procedure to become effective. Had the RAI done Feb, 2009, labs still showing not much change. I have probably gained about 25 pounds, and I can sure feel it too. I work full time in a very physical job, and the weight gain, combined with the rapid heart rate is wearing me down daily. So, don't think you are alone, with the weight problem, I suppose we just have to be patient, waiting for medication to straighten us out? Take care!
*Kara*

Hello,
My best advice is to maintain for now. Any weight loss efforts will be futile until you are euthryoid (neither hyper or hypo thyroid)

Do not eat any refined carbohydrates.
Try and stick with fruits, veggies and lean meats.

It is possible to not gain weight while hypo because usualy your appatite is decreased.

Reserch your options well and give your self time. There is no need to rush in to RAI or surgery. Give your self at least a year or more on ATD's to figure out what is right for you.

I'm another of the ones who gained weight and I know what you mean about the weakness. It gets very frustrating at times. I agree with the waiting to make up your mind about surgery or RAI. I had the RAI 8 years ago and am still waiting for it to work :). My niece just had a new procedure using pellets to block the arteries in the thyroid gland which can be removed at a later date if her thyroid starts to even out production. This might be another option to look into.

You might try just stopping your sugar intake. I am a sugar freak but am at the end of my rope with trying to lose 20 pounds. So, my next step (and it's huge for me) is to give up sugar. Additionally, it should make us feel better to. Wish me luck, and good luck to you. I've had GD for several years and the weight has always been an issue. Sad that, as we age, the brain cells go but the fat cells stay.......
Make it a GREAT day!!!