Hyperthyroidism Support Group

Hi:

I am assuming you are not on any meds? About 15% of people with Graves' Disease (or HypERthyrodism) will gain weight when their thyroid levels are wrong. You mentioned you were feeling sluggish, did you mean you were hypOthyroid instead?

Your doctor is likely not to prescribe you any weight loss drug because weight loss drugs speeds up the metabolism. This means it can make one even more hypER, if you are hypER.

What is the game plan for you now with your doctor? Did she check your thyroid levels? Will you get put on meds? How are your labs? Get the Free T3, Free T4 and TSH done especially. You can post your labs together with the ranges here and we'll help you decipher them.

Thanks and take care... :-)

Hi Ive read many articles on hyperthyroidism and Ive read that sometimes you go a hypo b4 Hyper rears its ugly head. Did all this happen after you had the baby? Ive also read about postpartum thyroid issues and sometimes once on the meds for a while it will correct itself but u need to be treated ..I agree MM no good dr will prescribe weightloss pills to any1 w/ hyperthyroidism~ TAke CAre

Thanks guys for responding so quickly! MMZTCASS: I have no idea how to read these results! This is all it says: T4=15.8 with the reference range of 4.5-12.5 mcg/dL & the TSH=0.06 with the reference range of 0.40-0.50 mIU. It doesn't say anything about the T3. My doctor thinks she may refer me to the endocrinologist. No meds yet. It's very frustrating to deal with this. My family thinks that the hypERthyroidism isn't the problem of my weight gain. Thanks again.

trying2smile:Yes this has been going on since the birth of my daughter. I used to eat whatever i wanted & my weight always remained constant, I would even lose weight . Not sure what to do. Any help is GREATLY appreciated! ;)

Hi:

Ask for the 'Free' T3 and the 'Free' T4. You don't have the 'right' T4 test. But, if I were to go by your TSH reading, then I would see that you are hypER. Do go and see and Endo soon. When you see the Endo, ask that the thyroid antibodies of TRAb (Thyroid Receptors antibodies), TSI (Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulins) and TPO (Thyroid Peroxidase) be done.

{{{hugs}}} and take care... :-)

Hi there!! I have no real advice for you, Isy.. just to add that I, too, have NOT lost a pound being "very hyper", and having Graves disease!! I am flustered as well, because I had the ablation done in February,2009 (which my labs show has NOT worked yet), and I havent lost a pound!! When I asked my Endo WHY.. he simply stated "You may GAIN 20 pounds after the ablation"!?? So.. that was the stupid answer I got!! I have always been overweight, so the symptoms of being "hyper" is even worse, with the heart pounding, etc! I am not very happy with my Endo, so I may be shopping for another one.. I like to have ANSWERS! lol. Well, good luck to you, and keep us posted how you're feeling! :) Take care!! ** Kara **

Hi isy3eli, I am going through the same thing!! I am hyperactive and I have also gained 30 pounds. I am tired ALL the time, I feel dead in the morning whens I wake up. My doctor and family have said the same and think that its my own fault for gaining the weight. I haven't had any lifestyles changes to gain this weight. Its so frustrating & its nice to know that I am not the only one. I am starting this week by really really watching what I am putting in my body and documenting it and I'm going to start exercising more frequently (despite feeling sluggish!!). If it doesn't work and I have proof, I'm going back to my doctor and demand some advice. I hope this helps!

FPanzer04: I'm so relieved to hear it's not just me! I just went to the doc the other day & she once again wants to test my levels. She said she has never heard of anything where you "GAIN" weight due to HYPERthyroidism. I can't figure any other reason. I eat the same if not less than I did before I caught this change, nothing in my life has changed. This has been going on since the birth of my daughter...so about a year now & we just picked it up a couple of months ago. I think this may be the "post partum" version, people say can take place. What plans does your doctor have for you? My doctor seems llike her head is up her butt (& thats putting it nicely!) I just feel helpless & it upsets me even more when my family says its impossible not to lose weight with diet & exercise. I disagree! It's not for everyone! I wake up feeling the same as you, tired, sometimes I wake up with a pounding headache. I am irratated very easily! I have the shakes, & very often I find myself, nervous for no reason. I found out those are all symptoms. Let me know the progression of charting your eating & exercising. Good Luck!

Hi isy3eli. I have had simlar problems, but opposite. I have a TSH of over 15 but have all the symptoms of hyPER. I have lost over 50lbs since the birth of my son, 7 months ago, jitters, heart racing etc. My doctors are all so confused. I have had every test imaginable, MRI's, I123 uptakes, puititary tests everything. So, hang in there. I know you are frustrated. I have gained some weight since i started the meds, but he keeps changing mine, so hopefully it will settle down toon. I keep trying exercise, but my energy level isn't great. Will keep watching to see everyone elses' advice.

I am fighting the same battle. When I went to the doctor to be tested I was sure I was Hypothyroid and i was shocked to hear that I was Hyperthyroid. I was gaining weight and tired, but I did have the racing heart and nervous feeling (I was assuming it was due to a family illness). My blood work was all over the place and I have finally settled into a dosage of Tapazole that keeps me in "normal" range. I have not been able to lose any of the weight I had gained, but do gain weight quickly if I am not careful. I exercise enough to burn more calories than I consume and still can not lose an ounce! I am now on a waiting list to see a thyroid specialist at the Mayo Clinic here and I hope he can help me figure out why my body is so resistant to losing weight. If I get any information I will post again and share it with you. In the mean time please take care and good luck.

Definitely let us know what you find out warpony. All of this is so strange. I just knew that I was underactive because of the internet research that I found, so I was baffled when she said I was overactive. I asked her why I'm gaining weight and she said shes not sure, shes never heard of that...which makes me think, its my fault. Im going to see her next Friday, im going to ask again & see if I can see someone else about the weight loss? I have been documenting everything I've been eating & how much exercise I've been doing. I will say that the exercise has made me feel a bit better, as far as energy goes. But I refuse to get on that scale anytime soon.