Brain aneurysms prolactinoma weight gain

[Claireoh]

Hi x I'm Claire x 52 female with eight operated on brain aneurysm s xca prolactinoma n I've put ten stone on in weight ... Is this normal for these complaints n any advice on how to loose it x kind regards

[shaws Administrator]

Welcome to our forum Caireoh. Have you been diagnosed with hypothyroidism?

Unexplained weight gain can be caused by undiagnosed hypothyroidism and I am very sorry you have had to have operations on your brain which must be very scary for you. I have no idea if there is a connection with brain problems and hypothyroidism but I do know the brain needs plenty of thyroid hormones as does our whole body so that it can function optimally.

I would suggest you get a private blood test if you can afford it, i.e. TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies. I shall give you a link just for information because I understand if you are not able to work you may not be able to get one.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks have a special offer every Thursday but both Blue Horizon and Medichecks have similar tests. These are home pin-prick ones and you must be well hydrated a couple of days before blood is drawn.

First, I would ask GP to test all of the above (he or lab may not do so as it is thought by them that TSH and T4 are sufficient. No they aren't.

GP should definitely test your B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate.

The blood test should be at the very earliest fasting (you can drink water and if you were taking thyroid hormones you'd allow a gap of 24 hours between dose and test.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Get a print-out of your results with the ranges and post on a new question and members will respond.

[Mandy2007 in reply to shaws]

Hi.......I'm new to this forum. I am certainly not in a position to give you advice on your Thyroid, but I can pass on what has worked for me (so far) with loosing weight. I have carried an excess of around 3-5 stone for the best part of 20 years. Definitely since getting diagnosed with Hypothyroidism at age 26. Over the years I managed to loose weight but only through drastic (eating next to nothing) measures. Recently I developed a candida overgrow following 3 x antibiotics. It was uncomfortable and worrying. I put on 10lb in just 3 days. I looked 8 months pregnant! So, after much reading up & researching I put together my own plan to change eating habits. Something that would work for me, and can be a "forever" way to eat. The main changes I made are:

-Cut out all processed food

-Eat as close to nature / natural as possible, fresh, free range, farm shop, butchers

-Make up bone broth/vegetable stocks for soups (freeze some to have handy)

-Cut out gluten (make a point of checking/asking when eating out) make better choices

-Replaced sugar with brown rice syrup for the odd occasions I need to add sweetness

-Not eating chocolate, cakes, pastries etc week to week...but do have the very "odd" treat once in a few weeks

-Take apple cider vinegar (2 tsp) with water twice a day

-Try not to eat after 7:30 pm

-Drink only lactose free milk (I actually prefer it) or almond milk

-Restricted fruit intake, low GI fruit like berries, grapefruit, peaches, pears

-Drink at least 2L bottled water per day

-Cook with coconut oil only

They are "my" changes that may or may not work for you, but I started these changes on 1st August and I have so far lost 16lb. No exercise, although I am an active person. Exercise inflames the body which can interfere with weight loss. I don't feel deprived or hungry and it is very sustainable long term. I even had a weeks holiday away in Spain in that time too. I don't drink much alcohol week to week but I do enjoy a glass of bubbles or cocktail if out with friends or on holiday. Of all the things I have tried over the years this is how I see myself from now on.

Every now and then change it up a bit....maybe meal planning will help you to keep in track, it helps me. Another thing is...if it's not accessible you can't eat it!! I know a lot of people could easily loose 16lb in eight weeks, but I have done this with eating healthier, no exercise, not gone hungry, not gone "without" alcohol, have odd treats, plus I am going through the menopause (age 49) and I have Hypothyroidism!! I think not bad 👍😜 I will continue on this journey and if I plateau I will change one or two things. Once I have lost a certain amount of fat I will start some exercise (mainly weights and short bursts rather than lengthy cardio). I hope this helps you, if nothing else, to know you are not alone and you can loose weight "your way". It has to be realistic for YOU 🤗 Good luck & always pleased to help you along the way. Mandy

[shaws Administrator in reply to Mandy2007]

Well done Mandy on your method of improving your health substantially.

Weight gain which wont resolve causes a lot of anxiety in many members.

I am glad you have managed to resolve yours by your steps given above.

[BadHare]

Hi Claire,

I have a pituitary micro-adenoma, so have not needed surgery. I was diagnosed with this 4 years ago, but have had most symptoms of hypothyroidism (secondary, in this case) for 40 years. I joined the Pituitary Foundation for help, & showed a symptom list to the endocrinologists I was seeing, who were dismissive as my blood test results were "normal" despite having a goitre. The more extensive lists on TUK & other thyroid websites were also ignored. I spent a lot of time reading posts & replies on here, & researching my condition. I couldn't afford the private blood tests many people have done, so did the Barnes basal body temperature test & found my temperature was consistently low. I've now been self-medicating with thyroid hormones for just over two years. I'm not thin, but now eat a normal amount of food each day & can produce body heat. Prior to taking thyroid hormones, I was always cold unless there was a heatwave, & a weekend of eating normally would cause a weight increase of 2-3kg. I'm not suggesting you self-medicate, but the possibility that you have secondary hypothyroidism as a cause of your weight gain may be something to discuss with your GP, endocrinologists & other consultants. Hopefully, you'll be under the care of medics that are able to diagnose & treat this condition.

I tried several weight loss strategies, some things I still adhere to. Restrictive eating times suit me & my medication & supplement times. I rarely eat before 11am or after 7pm. Eating a high protein breakfast/brunch, & making sure I have about 45-50g of protein a day. Avoiding processed foods, especially artificial sweeteners. High fat/low starch, ie, not eating a lot of starchy foods & getting plenty of good fats from nuts & seeds. Eating kefir for probiotics for good gut health & bone density. Making sure I have enough iron & magnesium, & vitamins C, D, B12, folate, & Bs for thyroid hormone conversion & absorption.

I've been following this pro-paleo doctor for several years, though I stick to a non-paleo vegetarian diet. All of his articles & e-books are free.

chriskresser.com/5-thyroid-...

my.chriskresser.com/ebook/t...

my.chriskresser.com/ebook/g...

my.chriskresser.com/ebook/a...

Lots more might be helpful.

Mel