Graves' Disease Support Group
Graves-Basedow disease is a medical disorder that may manifest several different conditions including hyperthyroidism (over activity of thyroid hormone production), infiltrative exophthalmos (protruberance of one or both eyes and associated problems) and infiltrative dermopathy (a skin condition usually of the lower extremities). This disorder is the most common cause of...
I was diagnosed with Graves and severe HypER in Dec and was immediately put on MMi (started at 40 mg now down to 10 mg) and Propranolol. I had most of the symptoms of a thyroid storm and ended up in the ER several times. My T4 is down from 7.8 ng/dL to 1.4 but my TSH is still <0.01 uIU/mL.
When I first went on the MMl, I felt great! My symptoms went away BUT I've always had gastrointestinal upset with the MMi and crazy bloating.
Lately, I'm all over the place. Achy and fatigued but I've also gained 25 lbs in 5 weeks. I've been eating small, mostly low carb meals. Everything else I can deal with but I work in a high end boutique and not a single pair of of my pants (work or other) fit. Most of the weight have gained is in my belly and hips.
Every single morning I'm in tears because I have a whole wardrobe of designer clothes that I can no longer fit into. I'm 15 lbs heavier than I was when I was healthy. I exercise daily if my energy and aches aren't bad but still nothing works.
Does the weight gain last or is there anything I can do? I'm not a tall person and that's a lot of weight to gain in a short time. I know it's kind of a stupid thing to be worried about but with my medical bills, I have no spare cash to spend on new clothes.
I am sorry you are having issues. It sounds like that perhaps you are over medicated (hypO) to have the weight gain happening and dose reductions are needed.
What are the lab reference ranges for the Free T4? The TSH cannot be used to dose when there are positive thyroid antibodies affecting the TSH to keep it low.
Have you ever had another thyroid lab test of the Free T3 to see how this is for the Propranolol that is being taken?
Most people do better with taking just enough MMI to keep the Free T4 at more towards the upper third range of the lab reference range. The Free T3 is best kept at mid range. So if the Propranolol is taken for the T3, it could be time for a dose reduction.
Once the labs are where one feels best there at for the least amounts of meds, the weight should come off.
{{{hugs}}}