Graves disease - weight gain

[vanbr]

I have Graves disease . I'm taking Carbimazole 20 mg for the past 3 weeks. I thought all the symptoms were due the menopause. But since the diagnose, I have paying more attention to the symptoms like feeling hungry all the time, hands tremor, diarrhoea.

I'm waiting for the endocrinologist appointment . Any advice?

Thank you,

Vanbr

[PurpleNails]

Welcome to forum.

It may take around 6 weeks for carbimazole to bring levels down to a level where symptoms start to reduce. 

It’s important to retest thyroid function at 6 weeks to adjust the dose level.  In most cases the dose is reduced to prevent you becoming too low (hypothyroid) 

Important FT4 & FT3 is tested as TSH isn’t reliable. 

Do you have your results?  They won’t automatically be given to you, you need to set up online access or request printed copies. (With reference range)

Has TRab or TSI antibodies been tested to confirm Graves?

 I gained weight when hyper, (it’s the appetite / low energy). Most loose weight.  & once levels were under control I did loose weight.

The Graves forum has a few active member but if you post on the main thyroid forum there’s many helpful members.  

[vanbr in reply to PurpleNails]

Thank you for your reply ;). I'm waiting to see the doctor and have the test done. Hope I will be able to lose weigh.

[PurpleNails in reply to vanbr]

Once we see what test you have had we can advise more, doctors don’t always do a full test, and sometimes carbimazole isn’t needed very long.

That’s why the antibodies confirmation is important.

Some conditions cause transient hyper.

[pennyannie]

Hello Vanbr and welcome to the forum :

Looking at your bio it reads as though your health changed in 2016 when you started putting weight on and presumed it was the menopause but now you are taking Carbimazole which is generally prescribed when there is a diagnosis of Graves Disease.

When metabolism is not running exactly right you can experience symptoms of an overactive or an underactive thyroid - hyperthyroid or hypothyroid - both health issues equally disabling with some symptoms sitting in both extremes of thyroid malfunction.

You may well feel exhausted though telling yourself to go run a marathon, eating for England and loosing weight or gaining weight, having little control with a brain/body sort of disconnect, feeling anxious, nervous, and or just uncomfortable in your skin

The Carbimazole is an Anti Thyroid drug that will block your own daily thyroid hormone production and slowly your over range T3 and T4 readings should start to fall back down into range and your symptoms relieved, and hopefully you will soon feel more comfortable.

If there is no obvious visual swelling of the neck, and your breathing and swallowing not restricted and as normal - there are 2 auto immune diseases that can attack the thyroid causing you to seek medical attention.

Both are issues with your immune system having been triggered to attack your body, rather than defend it - and both these AI diseases Graves and Hashimoto's start off the same way and there must be an antibody blood test to distinguish between these 2 AI disease as they are not medically treated the same way.

Graves is treated with Carbimazole and you must have confirmed the antibodies unique to Graves Disease - namely either a TR ab - a Thyroid Receptor Blocking antibody or a TSI - a Thyroid Stimulating immunoglobulin :

Hashimoto's is not treated with an Anti Thyroid drug and the antibodies positive for this AI disease are written as either a TPO - a Thyroid Peroxidase or a TgAG - a Thyroglobulin antibody.

I was 56 when diagnosed Graves from my very first blood test result and prescribed Carbimazole within around 48 hours -

My only new symptom was insomnia and I had a fine tremor on my middle finger and now realise I have been dealing with hypothyroidism since a child.

Everyone's journey with Graves is unique to them - you might like to read around on elaine-moore.com.

Do you have any blood test results and ranges to share with forum members so we can advise you better and can you see any print outs detailing antibodies found positive and over range ?

Do you have online access to your medical records held at your surgery ?

This makes tracking information much more easy and less time consuming than keep asking the receptionist as you can view your blood test readings and ranges whenever you choose ?

It is now your legal right and I think you just need to ask at the reception desk for the necessary paperwork to complete and hand back in.