Weight gain and tapering

[Ndnd]

I am currently slow tapering at 6mg Pred after starting at 15 in July 2019. I also take 5 mg carbimazole for an over active thyroid & am still gaining weight despite being on a diet. Can anyone please advise on whether the weight will come off as I taper further down on Pred or will the thyroid medication still cause problems? I don’t have a review of thyroid until December but am feeling quite low about this and the other side effects of these tablets... thinning hair , bruising more easily etc. ny advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

[SheffieldJane]

Both medications are either slowing or changing your metabolic rate, compounding your problem. I have taken both Carbimazole and obv. Pred. I wonder if your thyroid function is under-active and could do with checking. Doctors always seem to err on the side of caution. I ended up having radio iodine treatment which knocked out the thyroid function. I now take 125 mic. Levothyroxine day day ( on this for life). The whole episode has made weight gain very easy.

With Pred, cutting out or severely restricting carbs is the most effective way to stabilise your weight, but you do have the double whammy. I would definitely want my bloods tested before December. You may even be able to stop Carbimazole. Others have found weight loss easier as they get to the really low doses of Pred. I was losing weight at 3 mgs - quite spontaneously ( only to be diagnosed with GCA and puff right up again). My thinning hair ( disguised by a good cut and clever products) recovered and is not falling out again, so far. The bruising phase was short lived and seems to be in the past too. Currently down to 15 mgs of Pred. from 40 mgs.

[Ndnd in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you. Bloods on April were all normal & doctor commented it was unlikely PMR as I have never had raised inflammation levels but all symptoms resolved within hours of taking first dose of Pred. I didn’t have any symptoms of over active thyroid either, it was picked up on routine blood tests. Consultant just says I’m on low dose of Carbimazole so review annually, whereas GP said if it was up to him he would stop Carbimazole then check me again in 3 months but he is reluctant to go against consultant. Bit confusing & depressing as I want to get off medication as soon as I can

[SheffieldJane in reply to Ndnd]

I am with your GP. The Carbimazole sounds unnecessary, it lowers the White Cell count and contributes to weight gain if I remember correctly. I was absolutely bonkers with hyperthyroidism, eating like a horse and as slim as a reed ( the only thing Carbimazole cured alas).

Don’t get in a knot, it just makes it worse. These things do have solutions, deep breath.

[SnazzyD]

What is your diet at the moment?

[Ndnd in reply to SnazzyD]

I try to keep low carb, so breakfast is usually slice of low carb bread toasted, or porridge made with water. Lunch is usually lettuce, tomatoes & either sardines or mackerel or low fat cottage cheese, then normal dinners with veg , a small potato & fish 3 times a week or maybe a grilled chop, steak or occasionally a low cal ready meal. I have full fat yoghurt or fruit mainly for desserts. Trying to get enough calcium as I don’t want to take alendronic acid. Had both hips replaced & now a dodgy knee so exercise is not too easy. Glass of white wine or G & T at weekends

[SnazzyD in reply to Ndnd]

You could be getting more carbs than you think here, eg. Low cal foods are often low fat but high carb and fruit too. Check the fruit yoghurts are not sweetened too. I know your situation is different but to prove that one can check weight in difficult conditions, I started on 60mg Pred and was unable to do any decent exercise for months. By cutting out all potato, maize, pasta, flours, rice, bread and of course sugars, I held it as have many others. Some of us really can’t take much carb at all without trouble. I allowed myself 2 small glasses of wine per week and two squares of 85% chocolate per day. Fruit in moderation but especially ate berries. My fat intake was moderate and protein was high for the Pred effect. I took calcium and vitamin D (really important for calcium absorption) and vitamin K2 for bones. I took a B complex supplement because of the loss of wholemeal cereals.

Interestingly, even down at 5mg I still couldn’t go back to normal and now, at almost 0mg my body will only allow some carbs before I put weight back on. I don’t miss it really and while the family eat carb padding with meals, I just don’t notice any more.

[Ndnd in reply to SnazzyD]

I think a good diary is what I need to do as you are probably right about the carbs. Difficult when managing other things but like avoiding foods that upset my stomach but I’m determined to lose some of this weight. Thanks for the support. It really helps

[SnazzyD in reply to Ndnd]

A diary is the way to go

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Ndnd]

Try keeping a diet diary - my suspicion would be you are eating a lot more carbs than you think you are and the only way to know is to look closely for a week or two and not cheat! You mention fruit - Snazzy and I don't lose weight until we are down in the 20g carbs realm and that is gone with a single apple or banana!

I commented the other day that a bowl of porridge, made with water and the usual ca, 50g oats for a small portion can be 30+g carbs. What low carb bread do you use? Then there's the tomatoes (5g in a medium sized one), a bit in cottage cheese depending on the portion size, veg, especially root veg, that spud, the yog and the fruit. In the words of a certain supermarket - every little helps!!!

[Ndnd in reply to PMRpro]

I think a food diary is a great idea, so will track everything I eat. I have to be careful with certain foods as they really don’t agree with me....peppers, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower etc so try to follow FODMaP when choosing foods which does make things bit complicated. I did lose 20 lbs before my hip op so I do have willpower. Sadly it’s back on now. Thank you for the support. It really helps

[Ndnd in reply to PMRpro]

I will certainly do a food diary. I lost 20 lbs before my hip op on weightwatchers so have got willpower, but this seems to need a different approach. Thank you for the support

[piglette in reply to Ndnd]

I have been using an App, MyNetDiary.com which tells you the nutrition in your food and the ideal amount per day. It really surprises me on a lot of things. The App is free, but does have an upgrade if you want, more graphs and nutrition measurements. but you do not have to have it.