WEIGHT AND THRYOIDS

[stella5349]

There seems to be a flood of posts on weight loss-gain lately on the forum regarding thyroid issues.

I don't think the new posters are looking at the problem as a whole. Thyroid disease whether hyper or Hypo controls alot of body issues. It causes anywhere from minor to MAJOR problems and for many can be very life changing if it not appropriately taken care of -

Your weight issues are a minor problem - but our society makes it a major obsession. It is obsessive  at your first diagnois of this disease. WILL I GET FAT ? is the biggest worry - when in actually - WILL I GET SICK ? should be the concern.

YES weight changes WILL happen - your metabolism will change and you WILL most likely see a difference in your weight - but other very life threatening situations will happen if you don't take care of yourself. Or play around with this disease and medications.

In my teens and twenties I was anorexia and bulimiac. I was obsessed to no end to improve  my looks and weight. I damaged myself ............and through research --- I found that because of my radical behavior I probably brought this disease on. I am now 42 and could be looking at cancer from a nodule and needing surgery.

Was that weight loss so important now??

First diagnoised I was Hyperthyroid. I was losing weight and was at a proud  weight of my 102 pounds at 5'6". I love my skinny body and got dozens of compliments on how I looked. Then it all changed. I thyroid stormed and almost died from heart failure. My hair was falling out (WHICH MY HAIR WAS ALWAYS PERFECT) I slept max 2 hrs a night I had no period and was going to die. I underwent radio active iodine (NUCLEAR MEDICINE) to kill my gland.

After two months of altering the gland with this pill I shot up 45 pounds. I was weak - tired- and very ill. I didn't care at that time about being ill -- JUST FAT!!!!  I begged the endo to help me and I never got results. I got so depressed and ill - I lost my job and became a vegetable at home. STILL GAINING WEIGHT.  Then I crashed into a close call with a thryroid coma - I wasn't getting the proper meds after RAI to keep me alive.

Finally I realized - I was sick - I overlooked the new fat me and wanted help to get better to LIVE. I found a much better doctor now and finally medically I feel better even though I could be looking at cancer right now and need to have my neck cut open. and have a scar. Yep - still a little vein on that thought.

I don't mean to be rude -- but get over it !!!! Deal with the weight when you get better. That little gland you are messing with doesn't care if you are fat or skinny. It's function is to keep you alive. The good news is - once you get your thyroid under control and there are many ways to achieve this - you can alter your outlook on your physical appearance and work to the goal. In the end you will feel better medically and well as physically.

AND - yes. since I grew up and took control of my health - I am now starting to lose that nasty weight I gained. Very slowely - but it is finally coming off. :)

I hope you all understand I am no different than you. I am one person who struggles with appearances to this day - I just have decided to continue to Live as a person instead of a magazine model.

I hope you all  who read this recieve this has a wake up call and get better. :)

[DLA]

Amen!!!  You preach it, sister!  I'm right there with ya.

[krss60]

I have been worried about wt. gain also.  And still am.  But with all I have read i have not completely realized how bad it can be to be either hypo/hyper.  I know there will be a body shock if i have to have the RAI, And don't really know all the ends and outs. But  I have learned that I need to be just as concerned about other body systems as well.  I will be so glad when I talk to my doc. he can explain what i am facing.  He has already mention the RAI, even before I was finally dx with Graves.  
Thanks AR-10

[stella5349]

This weight thing is tough - but I think we have grown to understand that we want to get better - then tackle the weight.

I was reading a post from someone earlier today stating her doc gave her Thyroid meds to lose weight. I couldn't believe it - or didn't want to. It seemed alot of posts this AM was from newbie's that were more worried  about gaining weight then there actual Dx of thyroid disease. I was one of them when I first was Dx'd with Graves. -

Gaining 40 pounds bothered me - but after the illnesses I got and almost dying - I realized I better rethink my views and get healthy first. I hope these new posters start to take their health serious instead of the worry of gaining a few pounds

[DLA]

I gained 70 lbs in less than 6 months when my Graves' first got really bad.  Was hard at the time NOT to consentrate on the weight, it hurt coming on that fast.  ugh  So I do understand where they're coming from.  But hopefully they will be able to come to terms with it also.

Use to want a T-shirt that said "I DIDN'T DO THIS TO MYSELF!  MY THYROID DID!"  Some times I'd still like that T-shirt when I run into people and they don't recognize me.  But now when they don't recognize me I just tell them,  "Yeah, I know.  It's the weight."  and let it go.  If they ask, I'll be more than happy to tell them about thyroid and how bad it can be when it gets sick.  Otherwise, I just let it go.

My huge goal is just to be healthy and have a "normal"--if there is such a thing--and happy life.  =+)

[hollyberrys6]

Hi I'm Hyperthyroid and had a ED from the time I was 13 to 35 ,when my Dr said I'm hyperthroid ( Graves ) my eating disorder came back I'm 5"5" and weigh 86 pds I'm small boned and am having a hard time eating anything I'm now 53 years old and think will my ED ever stop  and really throught I was over my ED ,I also wonder is my ED caused me to have graves ,I wish I knew the answer my Dr knows I had and now have the  ED and is worried about my wt ,right now ,my Dr said that he thought my ED would come back again cause of being hyper , he is pushing for Surgery cause I have been in 4 thyroid Storms already ,he does not know how to help me out ,D
My Thyroid levels are still high

[Cynnieb4]

My weight has fluctuated off an on over the years. From a size 5 to 18. I am pretty emotional as my hashi's is getting under control. I am starting to feel somewhat normal. Once the swelling and tissue go down. I should be able to concentrate more on the weight. But for me feeling human again is the first step. I am going to get an exercise bike on top of my wii fit.