I have recently been looking back over Posts relating to Carbimazole and weight gain,which is a situation I find myself in. I am currently on 5mg maintenance dose ,and Well..It took a long time to diagnose my Hyperthyroidism, due to vague symptoms.No increase in appetite,or weight loss,which according to my Endo is very common in older people..(I was in my 50s..) My symptoms were related to high blood pressure and anxiety. My weight has increased by about 2stone since the start of my journey..There are many Academic studies documenting evidence for weight gain on Carb..I have a will of steel,otherwise it would be a lot more..No added sugar..ie cakes biscuits,fizzy drinks, alcohol..No fried food ,Everything cooked from scratch.I walk everywhere and Work Out regularly.. Currently managing to lose the odd pound by cutting down on portion size further. I feel for everyone in the same boat..I don't feel like me ,the way I look..and if I'm vain,I take that. Just want to emphasise that this isn't due to 'my body stabilising' or 'getting used to eating more'...It is purely and simply down to medication. D.x
Carbimazole and weight gain: I have recently been... - Thyroid UK
Carbimazole and weight gain
I think it’s a year since you last posted… can you share your most recent thyroid blood test results and ranges? Have you tested key vitamins recently (ferritin, folate, B12 and vit D)? Did you have the knee op you mentioned previously?
Hi..To be honest, I haven't had my thyroid tested for ages...I've been well and lots ov other stuff going on...I need to get it done by my GP soon..Was seeing an Endo privately, but was costing me a fortune as he insisted I had my Blood Tests at the Private Clinic. Last time I saw him, he put my Carb down from 10mg to 5mg.. He wanted me to have RI on my thyroid ..I read a lot of posts on here,and researched,and decided that I absolutely don't want that..so Im sticking where I am,and I've requested a Thyroid test from my doctor.Knee Op was done in the summer..I did all the required exercises before and after Surgery and recovered really quickly...I'm very happy with the result...I've been able to get back to lots of walking and exercising again.D.x
Glad knee op went ok! I would 100% get TSH, FT3 and FT4 tested, alongside key thyroid vitamins, before considering making any adjustments to your thyroid medication. If GP cannot access full thyroid tests, do look to do this privately, as many members (myself included) do
Hi...I will get my bloods done ASAP.Im not looking at changing my Meds anyway. I'm feeling well where I am...I was getting my Thyroid meds checked privately, but it was costing me £300 every couple of months, to get Tests done,and for Private Consultant to read them. To me that's a lot!...
Far cheaper to first get thyroid/ key vitamin tests completed with Blue Horizon, Medichecks (or similar) and post results in the forum first, for further advice and support. Tests at private hospitals invariably cost more.
thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...
Thankyou...I hadn't realised that was an option.D.x
Looking over your previous posts, you’ve not confirmed positive TRAb or TSI antibodies to verify you have Graves.
I know you said your endocrinologist confirmed graves with antibodies & he is trusted, but what often happens is drs test for thyroid autoimmune antibodies & judge hyper by TSH. However only TRab & TSI are specific to Graves.
Your FT4 & FT3 have been elevated in past, but often with Graves levels can become very high & require much higher doses of antithyroid to control levels than what you have been given.
You describe relapses, which you’d see with Graves but there are other reasons for levels to fluctuate & if your levels gradually increase the underlying reason may not be Graves.
while drs look to treat high levels & replace low levels without accounting for the cause, it can help decide how you want to treat long term & what additional associated issues may become relevant.
Your TSH, FT4 & FT3 levels are really what’s going to tell you of your treated appropriately. If drs / labs aren’t testing fully please consider a private test to get a foul picture.
Weight issues & thyroid are very individual, there’s lots of people who say the opposite of what others experience.
I have a nodule which causes elevated levels, my theory is elevated levels tends to increase appetite & affects energy levels causing the weight gain while very high levels speeds metabolism more significantly causing the weight loss.
article about hyper & weight gain
healthline.com/health/hyper...
Hi.I understand what you are saying..I was seeing an extremely well respected Endo many years ago .He was working for the NHS alsobut I saw him at a Private Hospital..He was insistent that tests were done privately so that he could get a full picture..All tests were done Privately and after analysis Graves was diagnosed. I never had weight loss,and my food intake is measured to the letter... I eat 1200 calories a day ,not relating to appetite. Friends I have been on holiday with are amazed I'm not like a stick considering what I eat!! As I say,I have willpower of steel! Now I'm retired I cannot pay £300 every couple of months to get my thyroid tested and looked at by the Endo..which is what it costs in the ukD.x
your FT3 could be low, that can cause weight gain, even if TSH & FT4 look good.
Most have private test arranged directly, sample taken by DIY fingerprick. Results posted on here & members can advise.
See link for private companies with discounts with many packages & options.
thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...
Medichecks thyroid advanced is as good option. (10 biomarkers, funtion TPO TG & nutrients ) currently has discount offered. If no discount, Thyroid UK has one.
Thankyou so much for that...I will look at one of the tests through Thyroid UKD.x
Hey there again ;
I really do think you owe it to yourself to have it confirmed that you do have Graves Disease -
It reads as though you have Graves antibodies ' blocking ' your thyroid hormone production and with too little T3 circulating in your blood stream causing slowed metabolism and why your issue is this weight gain.
This issue is not resolved by cutting calories -
as your body then senses you going into starvation mode and automatically slows down your metabolism further and your body will then have trouble extracting key nutrient through you food no matter how ' clean ' you eat and this will make you more unwell -
and for optimal thyroid support and health we need optimal levels of ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D - so we need these measured and probably need to supplement as needed to build back up the body to enable better thyroid function and overall health and well being.
The dosing and monitoring of the AT drug should be every 6-8 weeks -
My issues were similar to yours but eventually when on the Carbimazole I did experiencing a period of weight loss and amazing energy while eating for England and the best I'd felt since a child - but then I was due the RAI and then back to hypothyroidism as seems to be what I have been dealing with all my life.
If you still have a lot of stress and anxiety going on in your life this will likely be hindering your recovery - somehow you need to find time for your ' self ' and be kind to your ' self ' -
I now self source my own thyroid hormone replacement and am much improved and to feel well need my T3 right at the top , if not just 10% over of the T3 range.
Recommend you test thyroid including BOTH TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins
Exactly what vitamin supplements are you taking
Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing
Medichecks Thyroid plus BOTH TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins
medichecks.com/products/adv...
Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies, cortisol and vitamins
bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...
Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee
Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.
Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test
support.medichecks.com/hc/e...
come back with new post once you get results
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