Confused, tired and gaining weight.

[mags1909]

Hi, I had the radioactive iodine treatment in May ( toxic nodules), I was then prescribed 75mg of Thyroxine but after several weeks I had to stop taking the medication due to the fact it was making me so so tired. Just had bloods taken last week after 4 weeks of no medication and go back to the doctor next week to discuss. I have put on a stone since having this procedure done and nothing I do takes the weight off. I am still very tired to the point that my head feels fuzzy, but this seems to improve in the evening? If I am honest, at the moment I am deeply regretting having the procedure done! Don't see the consultant at the hospital until September, but is there anything I should be asking the doctor when I go back. My husband and I are married 30 years comes October, we have a cruise booked and if I keep putting on weight I will have nothing to wear as my clothes don't fit me now !!!

[shaws Administrator]

Due to your treatment, I wonder if you may now be hypothyroid and the fact you were prescribed levothyroxine.

Hypothyroidism slows our metabolism so much that weight is usually gained until you reach an optimum dose of medication which should then reduce it. Tiredeness/fatigue is also another clinical symptom. If hypothyroid medication is now a life-long treatment.

I don't know if this excerpt will be helpful which was part of an article by Dr Toft ex of the British Thyroid Association. Although the second last para may be hopeful.:

5 Patients with hyperthyroidism often ask for advice on drug treatment versus radioiodine therapy. Can you summarise the pros and cons of each?

The three treatments for hyperthyroidism of Graves’ disease – antithyroid drugs, iodine-131 and surgery – are effective but none is perfect.

Iodine-131 will almost certainly cause hypothyroidism, usually within the first year of treatment, as will surgery, given the move towards total rather than subtotal thyroidectomy.

There is no consensus among endocrinologists about the correct dose of thyroid hormone replacement so patients may prefer to opt for long-term treatment with carbimazole. Standard practice is that carbimazole is given for 18 months in those destined to have just one episode of hyperthyroidism lasting a few months.

But there’s no reason why carbimazole shouldn’t be used for many years in those who do relapse. Any adverse effects such as urticarial rash or agranulocytosis will have occurred within a few weeks of starting the first course.

Iodine-131 treatment for toxic multinodular goitre is the most appropriate choice as hypothyroidism is uncommon. Surgery would be reserved for those with very large goitres and mediastinal compression.

Once hyperthyroidism has developed in a patient with a multinodular goitre, it will not remit and any antithyroid therapy would have to be lifelong.