Weight gain

[2122anne]

Hi everyone I just need some help I had my year post op appointment 2 weeks ago my consultant is happy with my bloods I asked him why I have gained so much weight when I haven't changed my eating habits he said it had nothing to do with them I am so confused about it all as the weight is causing me breathfullness I don't know what to do

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

2122anne

Can you please post your latest test results, along with their reference ranges, and we can then comment. Also tell us what thyroid meds you are taking.

Ideally we need results for

TSH

FT4

FT3

Thyroid antibodies

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

[2122anne in reply to SeasideSusie]

I'm due new blood tests soon my last TSH result I know was 0.05 that's all my doctor was interested in I have just finished a 3 month course of folic acid

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to 2122anne]

Always ask for a print out of your blood tests, it is our legal right to have our results here in the UK.

What about the tests the endo says he is happy with? What tests were done?

If you were prescribed folic acid then you must have been Folate deficient. Was B12 also tested, Folate and B12 work together. And there's a good chance other nutrients are deficient when there is a deficiency with one of them.

[shaws Administrator]

It could be due to levothyroxine for some people and I've read this more than once.

I also know that hypothyroidism can be the cause of weight gain due to not having sufficient hormones in our body but there's more than one cause.

rxisk.org/weight-gain-on-th...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/i...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Have you stopped taking T3 (in your previous post)

Blood tests should only be done after a constant dose for at least 6-8 weeks

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common

All thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Do not take Levothyroxine dose in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take immediately after blood draw. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

(If also on T3, make sure to take last dose EXACTLY 12 hours prior to test. Taking in ANY T3 will result in suppressed TSH. It's essential to test FT3 and FT4 )

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or vitamins

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

Many people after complete thyroidectomy need the addition of small dose of T3

Email Dionne at Thyroid Uk for list of recommended thyroid specialists, many will prescribe T3

Vitamin levels need to be optimal, not just within range

[2122anne in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you I didn't know any of this I really think may weight gain is related to my thyroidectomy doctors just don't want to know

[shaws Administrator in reply to 2122anne]

As you have no thyroid gland have you been prescribed T3/T4 combination? You should have as I have my gland and could not improve on T4 alone.

[2122anne in reply to shaws]

No I am on levo 150 Mon to Sat and 200 on Sunday

[MountainMel in reply to SlowDragon]

My internist told me not to stop taking my thyroid med before my TSH and T3 and ,T4 blood work. I had been waiting to take my LeBlanc vitamin D until after having the bloodwork drawn. I have Hashimotos. Everything I read on this website says to wait 24 hrs. before taking meds on day blood is drawn.. Are the English Drs. telling you this? I live in the U.S. Thanks.

[MountainMel in reply to MountainMel]

Levo not leblanc

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to MountainMel]

No, the English doctors don't generally tell us this. It's a patient to patient tip.

The reason for leaving off thyroid hormone replacement before a blood test is because if you take your dose too close to the blood draw then the result will reflect the dose recently taken so FT4 and FT3 will be showing a false high.

Recommended time gap between last dose and blood draw are:

Levo - 24 hours

T3 and NDT - 12 hours

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Many medics are well aware that many patients need addition of small dose of T3

But outrageous unjustified price increase has caused many to lose their longstanding T3 prescription or can not get prescribed

Endocrinologists are being pressured NOT to prescribe

The situation is completely unacceptable

Media coverage

thyroidtrust.org/media-cove...

mjauk.org/wp-content/upload...

New NHS England Liothyronine guidelines November 2018

sps.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploa...

Dossier presented to Lord O'Shaughnessy November 26th

drive.google.com/file/d/1c2...

Professor Toft recent article saying, T3 may be necessary for many. Note especially his comments on current inadequate treatment following thyroidectomy

rcpe.ac.uk/sites/default/fi...

You may find testing for DIO2 gene variation helpful

bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/t...

DIO2 gene test article

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

Roughly where in the UK are you?

Thyroid UK has list of recommended thyroid specialists

Email Dionne

[Nutty9toes]

I had Thyroidectomy a umber of.yesrs ago but have gained ten stone in weight in the last 10/11 years cant rememberhow many times l have asked my docter to refer me to an Endo and she refuses justv sends me for blood tests and they always come back as normal ts like hitting my head against a brick wall; hence antidepressants now

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Nutty9toes]

Nutty9toes

Then you need to bypass the GP and see a recommended thyroid specialist privately

But FIRST absolutely Essential to get full Thyroid and vitamin testing

Was thyroidectomy for Graves or thyroid cancer?

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 (plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies) tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if under medicated

All thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Do not take Levothyroxine dose in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take immediately after blood draw. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or vitamins

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, states in Pulse Magazine,

"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.

In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l.

Most patients will feel well in that circumstance. But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.

This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."

You can obtain a copy of the articles from Thyroid UK email print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor

 please email Dionne at

[e-mail]

Also request list of recommended thyroid specialists. Some can and do prescribe T3

Professor Toft recent article saying, T3 may be necessary for many otherwise we need high FT4 and suppressed TSH in order to have high enough FT3. Note especially his comments on current inadequate treatment following thyroidectomy

rcpe.ac.uk/sites/default/fi...

[2122anne]

I'm on antidepressants after thyroid cancer now having to cope with all this weight gain is a nightmare I'm not eating anything different or more my heads away

[Batty1]

2122anne

I'm 2yrs without a thyroid and I too had gained 50lbs without any changes to my diet or exercise and Endos will tell you it's You not the lack of thyroid since blood test are"perfect"...liars all of them. I even saw a nutritionist and she could find nothing wrong with my diet or exercise. I personally feel that I've been under medicated for very long time now and this is reason for fast weight gain... My body always looks bloated and I lack energy and riddle with pain...Prior to thyroidectomy I walked 60 miles per week and attended 3 exercise classes...its not you none of this weight gain is anything you've done its lack of thyroid and poor health treatment after surgery and will continue until it destroys us...I regret my surgery everyday.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Batty1]

Bet full private testing of vitamins and thyroid and see a T3 friendly endocrinologist

See my reply above to nutty9toes

[Hidden in reply to SlowDragon]

Slowdragon, After complaining repeatedly to Endo and GP I did my labs yesterday (No results yet) and I will post them here for review anyway, my labs I just did ....

FT3,FT4,TSH,t3,t4

Vit b12, folate,magnesium and calcium (first folate and mag test ever)

Iron binding (total),Iron binding capacity total,Iron saturation,Iron binding unsaturated and Ferrintin (never had these ever)

Comprehensive metabolic panel C-reactive Prot, ERS and CBC with diff

[2122anne]

I also regret surgery eventho I had cancer so I am now waiting on becoming diabetic due to obesity in a year I have gone from size 8/10 to 14

[Hidden in reply to 2122anne]

Hi Anne

I had thyroid cancer too. I've read alot of different sites over the course of two years and read alot of stories and some of these people without a thyroid for non-cancer reasons seem to not gain as much weight as those that had thyroid cancer, I'm not sure if this is normal or just a fluke or if its depression and improper medicine doses that seem to get those that had thyroid cancer.

I fight with my Endos every time I see them about being improperly medicated inspite the stupid lab results...Just like clothing that's mark "one size fits all" lab ranges also do not fit all we are human and all different and this thought that one size fits all lab ranges in my opinion create problems for alot of people.... The advice here is good and sympathetic and keeping track of every blood test noting issues you have goes along way to sticking up for yourself when doctors try to put you inside this one size fits all healthcare.

Don't give up, speak up and often and don't take the doctors explanation as golden. If you don't mind me asking how much weight have you gained and has this lead to antidepressant medication? Grace

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Interesting. I thought they gave higher doses to cancer patients?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I thought that too, sadly nope they love us to suffer.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Sorry you’re feeling poorly

[2122anne]

The doctors make you think they know better and they shouldn't be questioned I have not weighed myself don't want to know but I am at least 2 stone heavier than last Christmas I am on antidepressants after diagnosis

[Batty1 in reply to 2122anne]

Sadly I totally relate I no longer weigh myself since the only thing it does is give me anxiety...over the past 9 months for me have been absolutely sole crushing and I'm pretty much wondering what next. I try not to give up but I'm losing the battle so far.

[2122anne in reply to Batty1]

💔💔💔

[Gabriela71 in reply to Batty1]

Have you checked you thyroid antibodies? That will tell you if you have the autoimmune thyroid issues. I gained lots of weight myself over the years. I have Hashimoto's which 90% have if we have hypothyroidism.

From what I learned in the last couple of month working with two functional medical doctors, and reading online about what other functional medical doctors have to say on the issue, is that people like us have gut issues(in balance gut microbiome, bacterial infection, parasites, leaky gut), the liver pathways to eliminate toxins may be overburdened, we may have exasted adrenals, hormonal issues etc. Unfortunately I got all of those.

When I mentioned to the doctor that I am not losing any weight, she said that detoxification may help with that.

I did a six day detox but I gut a virus in the middle of it, so it was kind of redundant.

It is this American doctor, izabella wentz that published lots of good information about hashimoto.

I learned from her a lot more than I learned from these other doctors.

Look her up you'll be amazed of how much you can learn.

Also, it is this functional medical doctor Bryon Cocker that treats patients long distance, and his price is extremely reasonable compared with what I'm paying. His wife got hashimoto, and he treated her, learned a lot in the process, and now they try to help other women as well.

I hope that this info doesn't scare you, but motivates you not to give up, but continue looking for answers.

[Batty1 in reply to Gabriela71]

Hi

Prior to Thyroid cancer I have no idea if I had hashimoto's disease I suspect I did.

[Gabriela71 in reply to Batty1]

Probably you did. My understanding is that even if thyroid is gone, the autoimmune element is still there.

Detox and a clean diet may help you with weight gain.

I listened to lots of doctors, and read a lot lately.

It seems that all agree that healing your gut and supporting your liver are two key factors on the journey to healing. And detox

But you don't want to do this without supervision and guidance.

There are people that follow dr. Cocker hashimoto protocol just to loose weight, they don't even have the disease.

And the program has lots of food, I was amazed of how much you can eat.

Unfortunately for me I can follow the program just in part, because of some issues that I have, and cant eat some of the most healing foods.

A good probiotic makes a big difference. Izabella wentz explains it very well. From her I got the idea which probiotics may be best for me.

Anyway, it's so much to learn, sometimes can be overwhelming, but I'm not giving up yet. Still digging for some answers.

I lost only five pounds in the last couple of month, but I should have lost more. I suspect high toxicity is a big issue for me. judging by the symptoms, it screams toxic pathways clogged up.

I really hope that you'll find your way to heal your body.

[2122anne]

Thank you so much I didn't know about the autoimmune part I never had any issues prior to surgery my head is spinning with reading so much

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to 2122anne]

Getting full Thyroid and vitamin testing is first step

Come back with new post once you have results and ranges

[2122anne]

I am looking into private blood tests thanks everyone xx

[rejuvaaesthetica]

Don't drink water before meals. This can fill your stomach and make it harder to get in enough calories.

Eat more often. ...

Drink milk. ...

Try weight gainer shakes. ...

Use bigger plates. ...

Add cream to your coffee. ...

Take creatine. ...

Get quality sleep.