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Thyroid (Expert Forum)
Hyperthyroidism and weight loss (or lack there of)
Answered by
Mark Lupo, M.D. - Thyroid Nodules, Thyroid Cancer, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Thyroid Ultrasound
Thyroid & Endocrine Center of Florida
Sarasota - FL
Questions in the Thyroid forum are answered by Dr. Mark Lupo. Topics covered include goiter, graves disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, hyperthyroid, hypothyroid, thyroid cancers, thyroiditis, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
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Hyperthyroidism and weight loss (or lack there of)
by hawkfan, Oct 26, 2006 12:00AM
I had thyroid cancer and due to that a total thyroidectomy. Because of this I am considered hypothyroid (I think). My TSH is less than .03. My problem is that no matter what I do I can not lose weight and eventually gain it. I started at a gym and a lower caloric diet and really watching what goes in my mouth, but I gradually go up on the scale. I am 5'2" on a good day and weigh 182. 5 years ago I weighed 130. What will help? If I can't find something I am only going to get bigger and bigger and then I will have to deal with all of the side effects of that. Is there anything proven to help?
Doctor's Answer
by Mark Lupo, M.D., Oct 29, 2006 12:00AM
, Oct 29, 2006 12:00AM
You have post-surgical hypothyroidism, but your current thyroid dose is making you hyper (TSH <0.03). Some people gain weight with hyper -- the thought is increased appetite/food intake -- if this is not the case, I am not sure what to suggest. There is not a proven method to help this situation. A combo of T4/T3 may be worth a trial, but is not considered a "weight-loss" approach. Avoid armour as this may make the thyroglobulin dificult to interpret in cancer follow-up.
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I was always told if you are kept within normal thyroid levels that weight gain should not occur. For me this has held true, whether on ATD's or replacement. I had a TT in December of '04 and weigh a few pounds less than before surgery. I did gain a few post surgery. A year or so later and one Christmas binge later I found myself up about 6 lbs then totally changed the way I eat following the South Beach plan. I actually lost 11 lbs in the first 2 weeks and have leveled out at 8 lbs weight loss due to diet modification without killing myself. I follow the principal now rather than the diet exactly. I believe age, the fact that your metabolism has changed a bit and activity levels may also come into play. Looking at they types of foods that you eat rather than the caloric content is worth examining.
I'm not telling you this to rub your face in it, I'm hoping you can see that it might take a total adjustment in the way you eat. Good luck to you both.
Also ask your doctors to run a FT-3 and FT-4 to confirm that you are converting your replacement properly.