thyroid issues, only gaining weight please help me

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shygurl4r
shygurl4r Posts: 3
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi
Im turning here because not to sound dramatic,I think ive lost hope and really need advice. I gave birth in april 2011. In jan 2012 I was diagnosed hyperthyroid because of tremors and losing 20 pounds. I was quickly placed on methimazole and tossed to the wind. Fast forward 1 year to today, I have gained 46 pounds despite every effort of my being. I eat around 1500 calories a day, I do zumba,power walk and strength train 5 days a week for 45 minutes. No matter what I just keep getting fatter. Im depressed because of this. Ive never been this big and every 2 months I have to buy new jeans. I feel tired,cold and achy all over. My last labs were this past Monday
Tsh 0.67
Free t3 3.07
Free t4 1.07
My doctor says my levels are good and i shouldnt be gaining. Ive gained 3 more pounds since then? She did check my cortisol and its low. She says that it makes no sense. Im a medical mystery? Please if anyone has any advice for me, I really need it. Im the incredible growing woman and theres no end in sight. She said keep taking my same dose of meds (2
5 mg)for 1 more month and then she wants me to stop and see if im in remission. When I stop the meds will things go back to normal? God I hope so
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Replies

  • Espressocycle
    Espressocycle Posts: 2,245 Member
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    Gosh, you've stumped me. I'm sure some people here will tell you to try eating more, but that's more for breaking a plateau... people don't usually GAIN on 1500 calories with daily exercise. You might as well wait and see if going off the meds helps. If not, I'd have to suspect something actually wrong.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
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    Edit: oops! I missed the last sentence. I can understand your frustration, but I'd hold out until you go off the meds and see what happens. Hang in there!!
  • Craigamears
    Craigamears Posts: 65 Member
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    Looks like you are overtraining by doing all of that exercise on 1500 calories. Your body will try to compensate for the energy you are expending by increasing the efficency of your metabolism. Google metabolic adaptation to get the skinny on it. Your cortisol levels probably reflect the physiological stress you are going through. They go up when you are stressed like through diet and overexercise. Your thyroid meds just compound all of the above. You may want to discuss this with another physician just to get a second opinion.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
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    Looks like you are overtraining by doing all of that exercise on 1500 calories. Your body will try to compensate for the energy you are expending by increasing the efficency of your metabolism. Google metabolic adaptation to get the skinny on it. Your cortisol levels probably reflect the physiological stress you are going through. They go up when you are stressed like through diet and overexercise. Your thyroid meds just compound all of the above. You may want to discuss this with another physician just to get a second opinion.

    In the OP it says her cortisol is low.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,019 Member
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    I'd go to an Endocrinologist if you have two hormones that are out of whack....who knows what's going on.

    .
  • doubleduofa
    doubleduofa Posts: 284 Member
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    Thyroid issues are terrible, aren't they? I know how frustrating this is.

    Have you had a thyroid scan lately? Do you have any nodules or tumors? Are you still being treated for hyperthyroid? It sounds like you are, I just want to make sure.

    Any other medical issues? Do you have trouble with missing periods (PCOS symptoms)? Any other autoimmune conditions? Are you on anti-depressants?

    What does your diet look like? What foods are you eating?

    I honestly have no idea why you would be gaining weight unless something else is off, which is why I've asked so many questions. I'm hypothyroid, have some food sensititivties (although not many), and have other autoimmune. I have to be very cognizant of my hormoes - what I put in or even on my body makes a difference - so I TOTALLY understand your frustration! Maybe with some more information, we can help steer you in the right direction - at least to the right doctor!
  • Ge0rgiana
    Ge0rgiana Posts: 1,649 Member
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    Low cortisol can cause edema, which is probably where your weight gain is coming from. It looks like your thyroid labs are ok, though not great. I'd make doc focus on that cortisol level right now. Make her fix that. If you're still having issues with weight gain after that, then look at the thyroid meds again. Good luck.

    I have the same problem with swelling and growing. Monday I'll be asking my doctor if we can go ahead and do the 24hr saliva test. I can't decide if I think my cortisol is high or low, but I suspect that's my issue.
  • STC189
    STC189 Posts: 34 Member
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    When you have thyroid issues, low cortisol can be a problem. Generally it means that your adrenal glands are all wonky. I'd find an endo that really knows their stuff. Thyroid issues really suck. Just now getting mine under control, I was diagnosed 2 years ago.
  • Espressocycle
    Espressocycle Posts: 2,245 Member
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    Also rule out sleep eating! :wink:

    person-sleeps-after-eating.jpg
  • sbbhbm
    sbbhbm Posts: 1,312 Member
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    I concur with seeing an endo. My GP was stumped by my conditions long enough for me to gain over 100 pounds. The level range that endos use is different- I don't know why but I know that it is. Waiting a month just to see if anything changes seems like it's just another month of being miserable.

    Don't get discouraged. It's difficult, I know, I've been there. Feel free to add me.
  • islandmonkey
    islandmonkey Posts: 546 Member
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    Im turning here because not to sound dramatic,I think ive lost hope and really need advice. I gave birth in april 2011. In jan 2012 I was diagnosed hyperthyroid because of tremors and losing 20 pounds. I was quickly placed on methimazole and tossed to the wind.

    It's quite common for women to develop thyroid issues either during pregnancy or post-partum. Something about the hormone changes seems to trigger it.

    It's also quite common for thyroid issues to start as hyper in the first few months post-partum, and then to drop into hypothyroid.
    Fast forward 1 year to today, I have gained 46 pounds despite every effort of my being. I eat around 1500 calories a day, I do zumba,power walk and strength train 5 days a week for 45 minutes. No matter what I just keep getting fatter. Im depressed because of this. Ive never been this big and every 2 months I have to buy new jeans. I feel tired,cold and achy all over. My last labs were this past Monday
    Tsh 0.67
    Free t3 3.07
    Free t4 1.07
    My doctor says my levels are good and i shouldnt be gaining. Ive gained 3 more pounds since then? She did check my cortisol and its low. She says that it makes no sense. Im a medical mystery? Please if anyone has any advice for me, I really need it. Im the incredible growing woman and theres no end in sight. She said keep taking my same dose of meds (2
    5 mg)for 1 more month and then she wants me to stop and see if im in remission. When I stop the meds will things go back to normal? God I hope so

    I would feel pretty hypo with those levels. (I was previously hyperthyroid, now hypo due to thyroidectomy).

    Low cortisol absolutely makes sense for someone medicated to hypothyroid. I personally wouldn't want to continue anti-thyroid meds when you are already a bit hypo, but if you stop them I'd encourage you to watch your symptoms and get your levels checked.

    Sometimes when people are medicated into hypothyroid things get "stuck" and levels don't rise again. As well, if you were actually only hyperthyroid post-partum then your levels wouldn't rise on their own and you'd actually need thyroid replacement. Unfortunately it's difficult to tell.

    Has she ever tested you for Hashimoto's antibodies? (anti-TPO antibodies)
  • TooTatToTrot
    TooTatToTrot Posts: 81 Member
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    I think that your thyroid is pretty much regulated and you may be in remission. I first got diagnosed in October 2012 and am really bad about taking my meds so I am not in remission though my doctor thinks I should be. I just got a new dosage today (60mg per day because im stupid and havent taken meds and over a month) and my Endo wants me back down to 15mg per day of Methimazole again in 2 weeks. I have been avid about my weight loss, I am insulin resistant, so she said as soon as the thyroid begins regulating itself the dosage must be lowered or i'll end up gaining. She said taking the meds while in remission will have you starting symptoms of hypo, first and the usual one is gaining weight,
  • shygurl4r
    shygurl4r Posts: 3
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    Hi,yes they are terrible! Umm lets see,I am still being treated for hyperthyroid. My menstrual cycle has become very heavy with really bad cramps, it was almost nonexsistant before meds. Im not taking any other medicine. I did have a scan and it came back normal and tested positjve for graves in the beginning but now no antibodies are present! I just recieved news that my fasting cortisol is 12 so doc says no adrenal problems...thats good news! I woke up this morning and gained another 3 pounds overnight.I do currently see my second endo, I already fired one :)
    No other things going on that im aware of and hopefully im not sleep eating lol. Im at a loss. My honest opinion is they have made me hypo,last months tsh was 2.57. I know its not techinically hypo but everyone is different and it was hypo for me! I wonder if it was postpartum thyroiditus? she keeps saying your levels are good you shouldnt be gaining weight..ughh im so TIRED of hearing that. The last doctor said thyroid doesnt affect your weight exercise more! They're clueless

    Oh my diet, ive changed so much. Trying so hard to be healthy. Yogurt for breakfast tons of water and veggies throughout the day and then dinner with my family, i eat what they eat usually just less. I am in the habit of having a glass of chocolate milk( its my coffee) and I do fight sweet cravings all day long and occasionally allow myself a hershey miniature. No soda, no caffeine,not much fruit either. Its crazy,im doing all they say is right and its not working! I guess im thinking i should just accept the new me being all sad about it isnt changing anything.Thank you everyone
  • small4me
    small4me Posts: 46 Member
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    Google ~~Hyperthyroid & what foods to eat

    Then google ~ Hypothyroid and what foods to eat -

    There may be some of the same foods that are better for you and some that are not good at all.

    I have been hypo since 1992 and I am still learning how to eat the foods that help, not hurt my thyroid, it is a challenge at times as my doses always change. Right now - for the past year- alternate between 2 doses on odd/even days - my thyroid does not cooperate very often, so I am always looking for better healthy ways to control how I feel.
  • islandmonkey
    islandmonkey Posts: 546 Member
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    My honest opinion is they have made me hypo,last months tsh was 2.57. I know its not techinically hypo but everyone is different and it was hypo for me! I wonder if it was postpartum thyroiditus?

    I absolutely think you have been overmedicated into hypo.

    A TSH of 2.57 might be technically "within normal range" but I personally would barely be able to get out of bed with a TSH that high.

    I would ask to be tested for anti-TPO antibodies. It's not that uncommon to have both Graves and Hashimoto's, and with Hashi's the classic post-partum cycle is to go hyper first and then go hypo.

    I also absolutely do NOT think you need to just get used to this.
  • jjkale
    jjkale Posts: 18 Member
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    You could also ask your Doctor to refer you to a specialist. Sometimes a specialist knows a little more than a General Physician.
    I also have thyroid problems. I started on myfitnesspal only 10 days ago; I am usually under the 1200 calorie mark and I generally walk on the treadmill at least 45 minutes/day. When I started 10 days ago I also started taking the green coffee bean supplement.
    When I weighed myself after one week, I had lost 2 pounds. I'm hoping week 2 will bring a bigger weight loss. Good luck, be my friend and keep me posted. I'm very interested in your story. jjkale
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
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    Are you using a food scale and do you meticulously track and record absolutely everything including condiments?
  • karentcampbell
    karentcampbell Posts: 18 Member
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    I have graves disease, Also triggered due to pregnancy. Also went on Meds, also gained a lot of weight. My first advice, find a specialist to take care of you. A General Practitioner, though helpful does not know the complete picture with Graves disease. I have been in Remission for 6 months now. No meds, and doing well. Though I have blood tests every month and at any time it can come back. It is a tiring disease. I have lost in total 30 pounds, it is a battle. The meds slow down production of the TSH etc. So your metabolism goes way down. I could eat flawlessly, exercise religiously, and gain weight. The one bit of info I learned from my Endo is that 15 % of people with a over active thyroid gain weight and then even after meds can gain or be unable to lose it. He told me I had to work twice as hard as everyone else, and at that moment at 180 pounds I cried. Then I determined I was not going to be a victim. I asked about foods to avoid that triggered my thyroid to over produce, and he gave me a list. I avoid Sodium ( mostly because in the West Iodine is added), fast food literally makes me sick for days, I watch how much soy products I eat, as they also make me sick. I don't advocate for removing groups of food from your diet, but learn what makes you feel "hyper" and limit it. I have learned to listen to my body, and to work twice as hard as any body else. Eat well, exercise and once your levels are stable for a period of time you will notice a difference in weight. Good luck, be patient, it has been a year for me and I am still struggling.
  • islandmonkey
    islandmonkey Posts: 546 Member
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    Are you using a food scale and do you meticulously track and record absolutely everything including condiments?

    I think it's more important at this point for her medical condition to be properly treated.
  • BoomstickChick
    BoomstickChick Posts: 428 Member
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    My lab work is coming out "normal" too, but I still wasn't losing weight like I should and still felt like crap. I think it's complete crap that people say once you're evened out, you'll lose the weight easily. It's not true. It's hard work no matter what with thyroid conditions. Feel free to add, I'm hypo too.

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