Tumor on thyroid was benign , now what?? Lost some inches, no weight
Replies
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My two cents on this: get a different endo to get rechecked, there may be something else going on that's compounding the problem (and remember just because the numbers are normal, doesn't mean that they are normal FOR YOU) and a registered dietitian that specializes in patients with your issues.
Here's my story: I did all the fad diets for many years, would lose, gain it back, lose, gain it back.... Finally got smart, joined a gym and started working out, stopped the fad diets got on a food plan from one of the trainers... nothing. Went to an RD associated with a hospital bariatric program got on a 1700 calorie food plan. Weighed and measured EVERYTHING, tracked everything, worked out... gained 40 lbs in a year. All this time primary checking my TSH: normal. Finally went to endo, she did a full panel (thyroid, hormones, everything), I brought her copies of the last two TSH test so she would have that info. My TSH this time: through the roof, I was in a fluctuating pattern in my TSH, my thyroid was just starting to fail, the testing she did also revealed I am insulin resistant... So she started treating me with levothyroxine and metformin. Went back to RD for changes, she said keep it the same, so I kept on, it took me over a year but I lost 10 lbs. This January I started gaining again, no rhyme or reason. In under 6 months I gained 15 lbs. Doc checked my levels, everything was great, I had a needle biopsy of the two lumps on my thyroid (one is benign the other is inconclusive, I have to wait until Jan to get it rebiopsied), so I decided time to change to a new dietitian and did some research. I found an RD that specializes in patients with thyroid issues, insulin resistance and have been working with her for just over a month now. I've lost 4 lbs and am feeling better than I have in a long time, and all she had to do was change my food plan to lower carbs (the last one I was on was modeled on the American food pyramid with higher grain carbs).0 -
WarriorCupcakeBlydnsr wrote: »My two cents on this: get a different endo to get rechecked, there may be something else going on that's compounding the problem (and remember just because the numbers are normal, doesn't mean that they are normal FOR YOU) and a registered dietitian that specializes in patients with your issues.
Here's my story: I did all the fad diets for many years, would lose, gain it back, lose, gain it back.... Finally got smart, joined a gym and started working out, stopped the fad diets got on a food plan from one of the trainers... nothing. Went to an RD associated with a hospital bariatric program got on a 1700 calorie food plan. Weighed and measured EVERYTHING, tracked everything, worked out... gained 40 lbs in a year. All this time primary checking my TSH: normal. Finally went to endo, she did a full panel (thyroid, hormones, everything), I brought her copies of the last two TSH test so she would have that info. My TSH this time: through the roof, I was in a fluctuating pattern in my TSH, my thyroid was just starting to fail, the testing she did also revealed I am insulin resistant... So she started treating me with levothyroxine and metformin. Went back to RD for changes, she said keep it the same, so I kept on, it took me over a year but I lost 10 lbs. This January I started gaining again, no rhyme or reason. In under 6 months I gained 15 lbs. Doc checked my levels, everything was great, I had a needle biopsy of the two lumps on my thyroid (one is benign the other is inconclusive, I have to wait until Jan to get it rebiopsied), so I decided time to change to a new dietitian and did some research. I found an RD that specializes in patients with thyroid issues, insulin resistance and have been working with her for just over a month now. I've lost 4 lbs and am feeling better than I have in a long time, and all she had to do was change my food plan to lower carbs (the last one I was on was modeled on the American food pyramid with higher grain carbs).
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Diggergirl1996 wrote: »Diggergirl1996 wrote: »I'm getting frustrated by this losing inches, losing no weight argument. I have been working out 5 times a week, and watching calories, but no budge in the weight. Last year, I swam 5 times a week and lost 30 lbs in 3 months. I have been swimming now since February, and have only lost 10. I'm at a loss . I am so discouraged.
I've also undergone a biopsy of my thyroid after finding a goiter that was 3.5 cm. The endocrinologist is convinced there's nothing wrong. I found out that the tumor was benign, so yay, but what in the world would have caused this? The cells found in the goiter match up to Hashimotos, but he says no. Even if you have normal TSH, T3, and T4, you can still have this disease. The doctors have no answers. Honestly, I was hoping to blame my thyroid for these issues.
When dieting and exercise don't work, what really is the best answer? Has anyone experienced anything similar?
I suspect you will not like the answer, but diet and exercise always work. And you cannot gain weight because of your thyroid or other hormonal issues, with hormone levels being normal, sorry.
It is very easy, however, to overeat, to have the wrong idea about the portions sizes you are eating or to overestimate what you burn by exercising. Have you tried counting calories? If yes, how long have you been doing this and how are you measuring, using a scale or not?
I would have to respectfully disagree with you. My sister had thyroid issues, normal TSH, T3, and T4 values, and she gained 60 lbs. She's a vegetarian and works out 2 hours a day. It was determined that her thyroid was to blame, and she's now being treated with hormone replacement. She was diagnosed with Hashimotos. Your thyroid controls metabolism, and several diseases associated with the thyroid, including Hashimotos, can affect metabolism and lead to obesity.
I have been counting calories. In fact, even before I was using myfitnesspal, I was doing wight watchers, and I was weighing food. I also exercise 5 days a week, quite vigorously actually.
To have a growth on your thyroid at this size is just not normal. Plus, I didn't have tests in the afternoons to measure my T level, which at this time, typically the T-levels can vary. These tests are some of most inaccurate tests for thyroid levels. These tests are half the reason so many people go undiagnosed.
You have separate issues here:
1) You need a diagnosis. And if you cannot get answers, you need a new dr. You need someone to explain to you what is happening, what is the prognosis, what to expect. No doubt about any of this.
2) No one gains weight without being hypothyroid (normal T4) because of hypothyroidism. Sorry, makes no sense. Either you are hypothyroid, so your hormone levels are not normal, or you are not. You can have Hashimoto's and still have a functional thyroid. In which case, you are not hypothyroid yet.
3) If you do become hypothyroid, you lose energy, your life is affected in several ways, and because everything slows down, you do gain a bit of weight. Unless this goes on for a long time, and you end up unable ot get out of bed or to follow a conversation, you still do nto end up with a ton of extra weight. And if your hypothyroidism is that bad, then weight gain is honestly the least of your problems.0 -
Did you have a test for anti-thyroid antibodies? If you did, and you don't have the antibodies, then you don't have Hashimoto's thyroiditis. You can easily have a thyroid tumor without having Hashimoto's. They usually have nothing to do with each other. Are you having the tumor removed or leaving it there? I might want a second biopsy and a second opinion to make sure it's benign.
I was hoping that my thyroid was to blame for my being heavier than I wanted to be in my twenties, but getting thyroid medication didn't help me that much with weight loss. Not being depressed as a symptom of being hypothyroid made it easier for me to get my emotional eating under control, and lose weight the way that most people have to do it, by eating less. Ironically, the one thing I was willing to get out of bed for in those days was exercise, because it actually made me feel better.
You've lost 40 pounds. Celebrate, and then stick with the process. It gets harder and harder to lose weight as you get smaller, because of the physics of the thing. You just don't need as many calories to move and sustain a body that is 40 pounds lighter. It's normal to reach a plateau, and a lot of people give up and regain weight. Be a person who stays strong, and you will get to your goal.0 -
ThankDiggergirl1996 wrote: »WarriorCupcakeBlydnsr wrote: »My two cents on this: get a different endo to get rechecked, there may be something else going on that's compounding the problem (and remember just because the numbers are normal, doesn't mean that they are normal FOR YOU) and a registered dietitian that specializes in patients with your issues.
Here's my story: I did all the fad diets for many years, would lose, gain it back, lose, gain it back.... Finally got smart, joined a gym and started working out, stopped the fad diets got on a food plan from one of the trainers... nothing. Went to an RD associated with a hospital bariatric program got on a 1700 calorie food plan. Weighed and measured EVERYTHING, tracked everything, worked out... gained 40 lbs in a year. All this time primary checking my TSH: normal. Finally went to endo, she did a full panel (thyroid, hormones, everything), I brought her copies of the last two TSH test so she would have that info. My TSH this time: through the roof, I was in a fluctuating pattern in my TSH, my thyroid was just starting to fail, the testing she did also revealed I am insulin resistant... So she started treating me with levothyroxine and metformin. Went back to RD for changes, she said keep it the same, so I kept on, it took me over a year but I lost 10 lbs. This January I started gaining again, no rhyme or reason. In under 6 months I gained 15 lbs. Doc checked my levels, everything was great, I had a needle biopsy of the two lumps on my thyroid (one is benign the other is inconclusive, I have to wait until Jan to get it rebiopsied), so I decided time to change to a new dietitian and did some research. I found an RD that specializes in patients with thyroid issues, insulin resistance and have been working with her for just over a month now. I've lost 4 lbs and am feeling better than I have in a long time, and all she had to do was change my food plan to lower carbs (the last one I was on was modeled on the American food pyramid with higher grain carbs).Diggergirl1996 wrote: »Diggergirl1996 wrote: »I'm getting frustrated by this losing inches, losing no weight argument. I have been working out 5 times a week, and watching calories, but no budge in the weight. Last year, I swam 5 times a week and lost 30 lbs in 3 months. I have been swimming now since February, and have only lost 10. I'm at a loss . I am so discouraged.
I've also undergone a biopsy of my thyroid after finding a goiter that was 3.5 cm. The endocrinologist is convinced there's nothing wrong. I found out that the tumor was benign, so yay, but what in the world would have caused this? The cells found in the goiter match up to Hashimotos, but he says no. Even if you have normal TSH, T3, and T4, you can still have this disease. The doctors have no answers. Honestly, I was hoping to blame my thyroid for these issues.
When dieting and exercise don't work, what really is the best answer? Has anyone experienced anything similar?
I suspect you will not like the answer, but diet and exercise always work. And you cannot gain weight because of your thyroid or other hormonal issues, with hormone levels being normal, sorry.
It is very easy, however, to overeat, to have the wrong idea about the portions sizes you are eating or to overestimate what you burn by exercising. Have you tried counting calories? If yes, how long have you been doing this and how are you measuring, using a scale or not?
I would have to respectfully disagree with you. My sister had thyroid issues, normal TSH, T3, and T4 values, and she gained 60 lbs. She's a vegetarian and works out 2 hours a day. It was determined that her thyroid was to blame, and she's now being treated with hormone replacement. She was diagnosed with Hashimotos. Your thyroid controls metabolism, and several diseases associated with the thyroid, including Hashimotos, can affect metabolism and lead to obesity.
I have been counting calories. In fact, even before I was using myfitnesspal, I was doing wight watchers, and I was weighing food. I also exercise 5 days a week, quite vigorously actually.
To have a growth on your thyroid at this size is just not normal. Plus, I didn't have tests in the afternoons to measure my T level, which at this time, typically the T-levels can vary. These tests are some of most inaccurate tests for thyroid levels. These tests are half the reason so many people go undiagnosed.
You have separate issues here:
1) You need a diagnosis. And if you cannot get answers, you need a new dr. You need someone to explain to you what is happening, what is the prognosis, what to expect. No doubt about any of this.
2) No one gains weight without being hypothyroid (normal T4) because of hypothyroidism. Sorry, makes no sense. Either you are hypothyroid, so your hormone levels are not normal, or you are not. You can have Hashimoto's and still have a functional thyroid. In which case, you are not hypothyroid yet.
3) If you do become hypothyroid, you lose energy, your life is affected in several ways, and because everything slows down, you do gain a bit of weight. Unless this goes on for a long time, and you end up unable ot get out of bed or to follow a conversation, you still do nto end up with a ton of extra weight. And if your hypothyroidism is that bad, then weight gain is honestly the least of your problems.
Thank you for that information. There are so many variables at play here, and I have just begun to seek out a new endocrinologist. I have been told that gluten may be to blame. When I was in China in February fro business, I only ate vegetables, rice, and protein. No gluten of any kind. I lost 10 plus in ten days, which was beyond surprising to me. Then, I returned home and tried to mimic the foods I was eating. I lost about 4 lbs, then I stopped completely. So, the positive thing is that my body did respond to a change in diet. Interesting thing was, I was less active there.
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lithezebra wrote: »Did you have a test for anti-thyroid antibodies? If you did, and you don't have the antibodies, then you don't have Hashimoto's thyroiditis. You can easily have a thyroid tumor without having Hashimoto's. They usually have nothing to do with each other. Are you having the tumor removed or leaving it there? I might want a second biopsy and a second opinion to make sure it's benign.
I was hoping that my thyroid was to blame for my being heavier than I wanted to be in my twenties, but getting thyroid medication didn't help me that much with weight loss. Not being depressed as a symptom of being hypothyroid made it easier for me to get my emotional eating under control, and lose weight the way that most people have to do it, by eating less. Ironically, the one thing I was willing to get out of bed for in those days was exercise, because it actually made me feel better.
You've lost 40 pounds. Celebrate, and then stick with the process. It gets harder and harder to lose weight as you get smaller, because of the physics of the thing. You just don't need as many calories to move and sustain a body that is 40 pounds lighter. It's normal to reach a plateau, and a lot of people give up and regain weight. Be a person who stays strong, and you will get to your goal.
I did not actually have them tested, and I'm now wondering why they never were. I am not having the tumor removed. At least, they said I should not unless it causes any issues. Right now, my voice has changed, so my hunch is that the tumor is hitting a nerve to my voice box. The cells that were found in the biopsy match pun to what is normally associated with Hashimotos. I followed up the old endo and they said this was not true. I followed up again with my best friend, who is an ER doctor, and she, like many of you, urged me to get a second and third opinion. Because to accept that there's no reasoning for a growth that large directly on your thyroid is irresponsible by the endo.
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Too many variables in what causes benign tumors. The cells simply don't die as programmed. Who made the diagnosis that the tumor cells match up to Hashimoto's?
If you have a thyroid disorder or any metabolic disorder, this doesn't cause one to gain weight (other than the initial ~10lbs from cellular uptake) - eating more than you burn does. Your metabolism may decrease, but only to a marginal degree and on a macro scale. Bottom line if you are gaining weight you are eating more than your body needs.
You will also have a problem balancing your hormones simply by being overweight - signal hormones get overproduced in serum due to increased mass and this creates a terminal cascade.
Look to your logging first - this is what you have immediate control over. Continue pushing your doctor - or find a new one willing to work with you. Present them with data and peer reviewed articles. Show them your MFP diet and activity log. Doctors don't deal well with relative data, so help them in your diagnosis and provide objective evidence and start eliminating the variables.
I've been diagnosed since 2000 and put on ~75 lbs over the last 15 years. Once I started logging last year and aware of my intake/output I lost >50 lbs.
The endo and my ER doctor looked at the tests and said that it's true, the cells do occur in Hashimoto patients, but that's not to say that I do in fact have the disease. I have been log gin the past 10 days, and I have taken the necessary steps to reduce some hidden calories. I am also doing trial and error with the gluten thing since I had o much success in China with zero gluten. This week my body finally let go of .6 lbs. I'm trying to stay positive since it's a lose, albeit a small one. I upped my exercise and change the types of exercises I did everyday. I also started counting my steps. I am up to 5000 a day just with walking, but I'm also swimming. I'm going to add Taebo and Zumba this week to shake it up.
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Diggergirl1996 wrote: »lithezebra wrote: »Did you have a test for anti-thyroid antibodies? If you did, and you don't have the antibodies, then you don't have Hashimoto's thyroiditis. You can easily have a thyroid tumor without having Hashimoto's. They usually have nothing to do with each other. Are you having the tumor removed or leaving it there? I might want a second biopsy and a second opinion to make sure it's benign.
I was hoping that my thyroid was to blame for my being heavier than I wanted to be in my twenties, but getting thyroid medication didn't help me that much with weight loss. Not being depressed as a symptom of being hypothyroid made it easier for me to get my emotional eating under control, and lose weight the way that most people have to do it, by eating less. Ironically, the one thing I was willing to get out of bed for in those days was exercise, because it actually made me feel better.
You've lost 40 pounds. Celebrate, and then stick with the process. It gets harder and harder to lose weight as you get smaller, because of the physics of the thing. You just don't need as many calories to move and sustain a body that is 40 pounds lighter. It's normal to reach a plateau, and a lot of people give up and regain weight. Be a person who stays strong, and you will get to your goal.
I did not actually have them tested, and I'm now wondering why they never were. I am not having the tumor removed. At least, they said I should not unless it causes any issues. Right now, my voice has changed, so my hunch is that the tumor is hitting a nerve to my voice box. The cells that were found in the biopsy match pun to what is normally associated with Hashimotos. I followed up the old endo and they said this was not true. I followed up again with my best friend, who is an ER doctor, and she, like many of you, urged me to get a second and third opinion. Because to accept that there's no reasoning for a growth that large directly on your thyroid is irresponsible by the endo.
You need that antibody test. The doc can't say that you don't have Hashi's without doing the test. At the very least, you're going to want to have a TSH test every year if you have anti-thyroid antibodies in your system. My mom had a huge benign growth on her thyroid that caused sleep apnea. (My mom also had Hashimoto's, as do I). If the tumor is affecting your voice, it seems like a good reason for it to go, now, before it gets bigger.
Did the endo tell you whether the tumor could be removed, or whether you'd have to have your whole thyroid removed? That's another consideration.
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Hi, I would continue to have my thyroid levels checked. Hashimoto's does cause fluctuation in thyroid hormones at times. If you are at the beginning, your thyroid levels may be normal but if you have Hashimoto's, you will eventually become hypothyroid. So I would get them checked every 6 months. Absolutely have your thyroid antibodies tested - antithyroglobulin antibodies and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO); even if your thyroid levels are normal, the thyroid antibodies may be elevated if you have Hashimotos.
When I was about 18, I had a goiter, but my thyroid levels were normal. About 1 or 2 years later, they were very abnormal. I didn't know at that time that I needed any follow-up (they found the goiter on my physical for college) so it was really bad when finally diagnosed - fatigue - could hardly get out of bed, depression, slowed thinking, etc. Absolutely get follow up labs and get your thyroid antibodies checked. Your sister having it definitely increases your chance of having it as well.
Good luck.0 -
lithezebra wrote: »Diggergirl1996 wrote: »lithezebra wrote: »Did you have a test for anti-thyroid antibodies? If you did, and you don't have the antibodies, then you don't have Hashimoto's thyroiditis. You can easily have a thyroid tumor without having Hashimoto's. They usually have nothing to do with each other. Are you having the tumor removed or leaving it there? I might want a second biopsy and a second opinion to make sure it's benign.
I was hoping that my thyroid was to blame for my being heavier than I wanted to be in my twenties, but getting thyroid medication didn't help me that much with weight loss. Not being depressed as a symptom of being hypothyroid made it easier for me to get my emotional eating under control, and lose weight the way that most people have to do it, by eating less. Ironically, the one thing I was willing to get out of bed for in those days was exercise, because it actually made me feel better.
You've lost 40 pounds. Celebrate, and then stick with the process. It gets harder and harder to lose weight as you get smaller, because of the physics of the thing. You just don't need as many calories to move and sustain a body that is 40 pounds lighter. It's normal to reach a plateau, and a lot of people give up and regain weight. Be a person who stays strong, and you will get to your goal.
I did not actually have them tested, and I'm now wondering why they never were. I am not having the tumor removed. At least, they said I should not unless it causes any issues. Right now, my voice has changed, so my hunch is that the tumor is hitting a nerve to my voice box. The cells that were found in the biopsy match pun to what is normally associated with Hashimotos. I followed up the old endo and they said this was not true. I followed up again with my best friend, who is an ER doctor, and she, like many of you, urged me to get a second and third opinion. Because to accept that there's no reasoning for a growth that large directly on your thyroid is irresponsible by the endo.
You need that antibody test. The doc can't say that you don't have Hashi's without doing the test. At the very least, you're going to want to have a TSH test every year if you have anti-thyroid antibodies in your system. My mom had a huge benign growth on her thyroid that caused sleep apnea. (My mom also had Hashimoto's, as do I). If the tumor is affecting your voice, it seems like a good reason for it to go, now, before it gets bigger.
Did the endo tell you whether the tumor could be removed, or whether you'd have to have your whole thyroid removed? That's another consideration.
Believe it or not, both my parents have sleep apnea. I also get the same fatigue they did which hinders my ability to even work in the afternoons. I will get this scheduled ASAP. I will go to a different doctor though. Thank you for that. The doctor said I didn't need it, the growth, out unless I wanted it out.0 -
luvsunshine1 wrote: »Hi, I would continue to have my thyroid levels checked. Hashimoto's does cause fluctuation in thyroid hormones at times. If you are at the beginning, your thyroid levels may be normal but if you have Hashimoto's, you will eventually become hypothyroid. So I would get them checked every 6 months. Absolutely have your thyroid antibodies tested - antithyroglobulin antibodies and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO); even if your thyroid levels are normal, the thyroid antibodies may be elevated if you have Hashimotos.
When I was about 18, I had a goiter, but my thyroid levels were normal. About 1 or 2 years later, they were very abnormal. I didn't know at that time that I needed any follow-up (they found the goiter on my physical for college) so it was really bad when finally diagnosed - fatigue - could hardly get out of bed, depression, slowed thinking, etc. Absolutely get follow up labs and get your thyroid antibodies checked. Your sister having it definitely increases your chance of having it as well.
Good luck.
I have another T-level test scheduled in the next 6 months. I will demand that I want these antibody tests as well. Yes, the fatigue is horrible. I can't concentrate when it comes on, and even people talking gets on my nerves.0 -
Diggergirl1996 wrote: »Diggergirl1996 wrote: »I'm getting frustrated by this losing inches, losing no weight argument. I have been working out 5 times a week, and watching calories, but no budge in the weight. Last year, I swam 5 times a week and lost 30 lbs in 3 months. I have been swimming now since February, and have only lost 10. I'm at a loss . I am so discouraged.
I've also undergone a biopsy of my thyroid after finding a goiter that was 3.5 cm. The endocrinologist is convinced there's nothing wrong. I found out that the tumor was benign, so yay, but what in the world would have caused this? The cells found in the goiter match up to Hashimotos, but he says no. Even if you have normal TSH, T3, and T4, you can still have this disease. The doctors have no answers. Honestly, I was hoping to blame my thyroid for these issues.
When dieting and exercise don't work, what really is the best answer? Has anyone experienced anything similar?
I suspect you will not like the answer, but diet and exercise always work. And you cannot gain weight because of your thyroid or other hormonal issues, with hormone levels being normal, sorry.
It is very easy, however, to overeat, to have the wrong idea about the portions sizes you are eating or to overestimate what you burn by exercising. Have you tried counting calories? If yes, how long have you been doing this and how are you measuring, using a scale or not?
I would have to respectfully disagree with you. My sister had thyroid issues, normal TSH, T3, and T4 values, and she gained 60 lbs. She's a vegetarian and works out 2 hours a day. It was determined that her thyroid was to blame, and she's now being treated with hormone replacement. She was diagnosed with Hashimotos. Your thyroid controls metabolism, and several diseases associated with the thyroid, including Hashimotos, can affect metabolism and lead to obesity.
I have been counting calories. In fact, even before I was using myfitnesspal, I was doing wight watchers, and I was weighing food. I also exercise 5 days a week, quite vigorously actually.
To have a growth on your thyroid at this size is just not normal. Plus, I didn't have tests in the afternoons to measure my T level, which at this time, typically the T-levels can vary. These tests are some of most inaccurate tests for thyroid levels. These tests are half the reason so many people go undiagnosed.
You have separate issues here:
1) You need a diagnosis. And if you cannot get answers, you need a new dr. You need someone to explain to you what is happening, what is the prognosis, what to expect. No doubt about any of this.
2) No one gains weight without being hypothyroid (normal T4) because of hypothyroidism. Sorry, makes no sense. Either you are hypothyroid, so your hormone levels are not normal, or you are not. You can have Hashimoto's and still have a functional thyroid. In which case, you are not hypothyroid yet.
3) If you do become hypothyroid, you lose energy, your life is affected in several ways, and because everything slows down, you do gain a bit of weight. Unless this goes on for a long time, and you end up unable ot get out of bed or to follow a conversation, you still do nto end up with a ton of extra weight. And if your hypothyroidism is that bad, then weight gain is honestly the least of your problems.
QFT.
You can have antibodies to a disease without the disease being in an active state, in other words. So you may have Hashi's antibodies, but if you're not hypothyroid, it's not a thyroid issue.
For example, I carry Crohn's antibodies, but I do not have Crohn's disease.
A lot of people who think they are counting calories are not doing so accurately.
Are you using a food scale? Are you weighing your food in grams? Are you verifying data base entries? How many of your exercise calories are you eating back?
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Diggergirl1996 wrote: »luvsunshine1 wrote: »Hi, I would continue to have my thyroid levels checked. Hashimoto's does cause fluctuation in thyroid hormones at times. If you are at the beginning, your thyroid levels may be normal but if you have Hashimoto's, you will eventually become hypothyroid. So I would get them checked every 6 months. Absolutely have your thyroid antibodies tested - antithyroglobulin antibodies and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO); even if your thyroid levels are normal, the thyroid antibodies may be elevated if you have Hashimotos.
When I was about 18, I had a goiter, but my thyroid levels were normal. About 1 or 2 years later, they were very abnormal. I didn't know at that time that I needed any follow-up (they found the goiter on my physical for college) so it was really bad when finally diagnosed - fatigue - could hardly get out of bed, depression, slowed thinking, etc. Absolutely get follow up labs and get your thyroid antibodies checked. Your sister having it definitely increases your chance of having it as well.
Good luck.
I have another T-level test scheduled in the next 6 months. I will demand that I want these antibody tests as well. Yes, the fatigue is horrible. I can't concentrate when it comes on, and even people talking gets on my nerves.
Do you know what your level was?
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Hi there. My story is similar. About two years ago i discovered a lump which looked like a egg. Went to gp who sent me to hospital. Turns out
i had a benign tumour about 4cm. Had it and the right side of my thyroid removed. Op was pretty straightforward and recovery was good.
I wasnt put on thyroxine as ent doctor said he thought my remaining thyroid would cope. That was june. By October i was dead on my feet. My hair was falling out i just couldn't stay awake. They did a blood test reluctantly and i was quite out. I started levothyroxine and pretty much have returned to normal apart from large weight gain.
I am hoping too loose and love this app. I actually think thyroxine makes you eat more x0 -
PeachyCarol wrote: »Diggergirl1996 wrote: »luvsunshine1 wrote: »Hi, I would continue to have my thyroid levels checked. Hashimoto's does cause fluctuation in thyroid hormones at times. If you are at the beginning, your thyroid levels may be normal but if you have Hashimoto's, you will eventually become hypothyroid. So I would get them checked every 6 months. Absolutely have your thyroid antibodies tested - antithyroglobulin antibodies and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO); even if your thyroid levels are normal, the thyroid antibodies may be elevated if you have Hashimotos.
When I was about 18, I had a goiter, but my thyroid levels were normal. About 1 or 2 years later, they were very abnormal. I didn't know at that time that I needed any follow-up (they found the goiter on my physical for college) so it was really bad when finally diagnosed - fatigue - could hardly get out of bed, depression, slowed thinking, etc. Absolutely get follow up labs and get your thyroid antibodies checked. Your sister having it definitely increases your chance of having it as well.
Good luck.
I have another T-level test scheduled in the next 6 months. I will demand that I want these antibody tests as well. Yes, the fatigue is horrible. I can't concentrate when it comes on, and even people talking gets on my nerves.
Do you know what your level was?
T4 1ng/dl
TSH 1.99mIU/L
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PeachyCarol wrote: »Diggergirl1996 wrote: »Diggergirl1996 wrote: »I'm getting frustrated by this losing inches, losing no weight argument. I have been working out 5 times a week, and watching calories, but no budge in the weight. Last year, I swam 5 times a week and lost 30 lbs in 3 months. I have been swimming now since February, and have only lost 10. I'm at a loss . I am so discouraged.
I've also undergone a biopsy of my thyroid after finding a goiter that was 3.5 cm. The endocrinologist is convinced there's nothing wrong. I found out that the tumor was benign, so yay, but what in the world would have caused this? The cells found in the goiter match up to Hashimotos, but he says no. Even if you have normal TSH, T3, and T4, you can still have this disease. The doctors have no answers. Honestly, I was hoping to blame my thyroid for these issues.
When dieting and exercise don't work, what really is the best answer? Has anyone experienced anything similar?
I suspect you will not like the answer, but diet and exercise always work. And you cannot gain weight because of your thyroid or other hormonal issues, with hormone levels being normal, sorry.
It is very easy, however, to overeat, to have the wrong idea about the portions sizes you are eating or to overestimate what you burn by exercising. Have you tried counting calories? If yes, how long have you been doing this and how are you measuring, using a scale or not?
I would have to respectfully disagree with you. My sister had thyroid issues, normal TSH, T3, and T4 values, and she gained 60 lbs. She's a vegetarian and works out 2 hours a day. It was determined that her thyroid was to blame, and she's now being treated with hormone replacement. She was diagnosed with Hashimotos. Your thyroid controls metabolism, and several diseases associated with the thyroid, including Hashimotos, can affect metabolism and lead to obesity.
I have been counting calories. In fact, even before I was using myfitnesspal, I was doing wight watchers, and I was weighing food. I also exercise 5 days a week, quite vigorously actually.
To have a growth on your thyroid at this size is just not normal. Plus, I didn't have tests in the afternoons to measure my T level, which at this time, typically the T-levels can vary. These tests are some of most inaccurate tests for thyroid levels. These tests are half the reason so many people go undiagnosed.
You have separate issues here:
1) You need a diagnosis. And if you cannot get answers, you need a new dr. You need someone to explain to you what is happening, what is the prognosis, what to expect. No doubt about any of this.
2) No one gains weight without being hypothyroid (normal T4) because of hypothyroidism. Sorry, makes no sense. Either you are hypothyroid, so your hormone levels are not normal, or you are not. You can have Hashimoto's and still have a functional thyroid. In which case, you are not hypothyroid yet.
3) If you do become hypothyroid, you lose energy, your life is affected in several ways, and because everything slows down, you do gain a bit of weight. Unless this goes on for a long time, and you end up unable ot get out of bed or to follow a conversation, you still do nto end up with a ton of extra weight. And if your hypothyroidism is that bad, then weight gain is honestly the least of your problems.
QFT.
You can have antibodies to a disease without the disease being in an active state, in other words. So you may have Hashi's antibodies, but if you're not hypothyroid, it's not a thyroid issue.
For example, I carry Crohn's antibodies, but I do not have Crohn's disease.
A lot of people who think they are counting calories are not doing so accurately.
Are you using a food scale? Are you weighing your food in grams? Are you verifying data base entries? How many of your exercise calories are you eating back?
I admit, I don't use a scale all of the time, however I do my best to verify my entries. There are only a few days in which I ate back my exercise calories. This week, I had hundreds of calories left on each day, with the exception of Friday.
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Diggergirl1996 wrote: »PeachyCarol wrote: »Diggergirl1996 wrote: »luvsunshine1 wrote: »Hi, I would continue to have my thyroid levels checked. Hashimoto's does cause fluctuation in thyroid hormones at times. If you are at the beginning, your thyroid levels may be normal but if you have Hashimoto's, you will eventually become hypothyroid. So I would get them checked every 6 months. Absolutely have your thyroid antibodies tested - antithyroglobulin antibodies and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO); even if your thyroid levels are normal, the thyroid antibodies may be elevated if you have Hashimotos.
When I was about 18, I had a goiter, but my thyroid levels were normal. About 1 or 2 years later, they were very abnormal. I didn't know at that time that I needed any follow-up (they found the goiter on my physical for college) so it was really bad when finally diagnosed - fatigue - could hardly get out of bed, depression, slowed thinking, etc. Absolutely get follow up labs and get your thyroid antibodies checked. Your sister having it definitely increases your chance of having it as well.
Good luck.
I have another T-level test scheduled in the next 6 months. I will demand that I want these antibody tests as well. Yes, the fatigue is horrible. I can't concentrate when it comes on, and even people talking gets on my nerves.
Do you know what your level was?
T4 1ng/dl
TSH 1.99mIU/L
That's a comfortable optimum level, though for me personally, it would be the upper limits of what's good for me and I'd likely be symptomatic.
There are two issues here. One is that from you mentioning fatigue, it does sound like your thyroid might be bothering you.
The other is your weight.
Hypothyroidism may slow your metabolism, but you can still lose weight with it being just marginally off (as you likely are).
Speak to your doctor specifically about your symptoms. Most enlightened endocrinologists will treat a patient for her symptoms, not her numbers. If yours won't? Find one who will.
Regarding the weight issue, perhaps if you opened your diary, some of us could spot some issues where you might be running into some difficulty.
What are your stats? (Age, height, current weight, goal weight, type of training) Are you eating the correct number of calories for example?
Additionally, though a few people mentioned LOW carb up thread, I'd like to take the opportunity to mention that while it is not necessary, some people with hypothyroidism do benefit from LOWERING their carb intake from the MFP suggested level to something more like 35%-40% of calories.
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burgervnlady wrote: »Hi there. My story is similar. About two years ago i discovered a lump which looked like a egg. Went to gp who sent me to hospital. Turns out
i had a benign tumour about 4cm. Had it and the right side of my thyroid removed. Op was pretty straightforward and recovery was good.
I wasnt put on thyroxine as ent doctor said he thought my remaining thyroid would cope. That was june. By October i was dead on my feet. My hair was falling out i just couldn't stay awake. They did a blood test reluctantly and i was quite out. I started levothyroxine and pretty much have returned to normal apart from large weight gain.
I am hoping too loose and love this app. I actually think thyroxine makes you eat more x
Thank you for letting me know your story. I have heard that as well with the levothyroxine. I think that's the main reason why the doctor didn't want to prescribe anything.
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I'm on 200 mcg of levothyroxine and have lost almost 60 pounds. It doesn't make you gain weight.
Extra calories make you gain weight.0 -
burgervnlady wrote: »I actually think thyroxine makes you eat more.
I thought I was gaining weight for no good reason, and I continued to gain on Synthroid. Learning to log everything I eat & drink accurately & honestly showed me I was eating way too much.
Hashimoto's made me hungry—not my meds.0 -
Some people eat more when they get thyroid meds and have more energy for things like getting out of bed, cooking a meal, or going out with friends, and generally taking pleasure in life.0
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I don't understand what the mystery is here. You were told that you have a thyroid mass that is not functional and not malignant. You have a thyroid adenoma or cyst. This is not a medical mystery. Get re-tested if you like, but in the mean time, eat less. Guaranteed effective.0
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