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Why am I gaining weight with Graves disease?

I was diagnosed with Graves disease about a month ago. I am so confused though. Instead of losing weight like others with hyperthyroidism, I have gained 50lbs! I am miserable. I hide out in my home because of the weight gain. I diet and exercise and it does work. I am afraid to take meds such as Methimazole because they will increase my weight even more. I don't know what to do. I suffer from depression, anxiety and insomnia.  I know it is because of the condition but what can I do. I REFUSE TO GAIN ANOTHER POUND!  230 IS BIG ENOUGH!  Please help! I feel like just ending it most days, but I have 2 children. I don't want them in therapy for the rest of their lives. But I just don't know what to do.
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Avatar universal
I hope THIS isn't too old. I was diagnosed with Grave's 2 years ago in November. I gained a few pounds but had edema so I was puffy all over. I received the radioactive iodine because my numbers for Grave's were 4 times the high and I was worried about my heart. I immediately went in to hypo mode and gained another 17 pounds (I am very active, I play soccer, work out 5 days a week etc.) After 2 years of trying balance synthroid I am finally feeling normal and have lost the 17. Make sure you read all the information about Grave's and the potential hazards. Having the extra weight was miserable, depressing and uncomfortable but I'm still here!
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Hi it is 2022 and I am going through this now. What helped you if anything did you lose weight and how? Thank you so much.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
What are your Free T4 and Free T3 levels and reference ranges shown on the lab report?  Also, what other symptoms, if any, do you have?  Are you taking Methimazole and if so, how much daily?
Avatar universal
If your NOT taking the Methimazole than your weight gain is not from the medication it is is from something other than Hyperthyroidism. If you have hyperthyroidism isn't it to say you will lose weight? I began gaining back a 50 pound loss (in a 2 month period) ONLY after I began Methimazole!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was just researching graves weight gain and came across all this info, i see all posts are from years ago but maybe someone will be able to answer my question. I have always been between 95 and 120lbs even after i got up to 160 with water weight and helps syndrome with my first child. When i got pregnant 8 years later with my 2nd child i wad 116 and gained 20 pounds. So at 136 i had my 2nd child. I am now 154...gained all that while breastfeeding. 8 momths later i was diagnosed with post pregnancy graves. Meds make me have horrible hives for weeks till they said was from meds. Now 2 years later i have not tried meds again. But i can feel all my rib bones and hip bones...so my problem is im only fat in my stomach and face...why?? Someone please tell me why?!
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Have you had cortisol levels tested?  Cortisol makes us store fat in your stomach.  Insulin and/or blood glucose imbalance can also cause abdominal fat storage.  

Can you post your most current thyroid blood labs, with reference ranges?  That would help us a lot...
Avatar universal
I have Graves as well. I lost a lot of weight when I first got it and then they put me on Methimazole. I gained alot of weight initially, but I kept taking it and kept up with doing moderate exercise and healthy diet and found that after about a year when the meds were balanced and I was balanced that the weight leveled off and came back to my initial weight from before I got Graves. The medicine is trying to level your thyroid out but when you first take them it doesn't quite know how to react.... so you gain alot of weight until you balance out. Don't be afraid of taking your meds. Not taking them will only make it harder to balance out and for the Doctors to find the right ratio. Take them and then also keep up with your blood tests so they can keep an eye on your levels. Stick to it!! It will turn out in the end!!!!
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
I know this is old, but just diagnosed with Graves.  Dr wants to put me on Methimazole.  I’m afraid if it because I keep reading about hair loss.  Did you have hair loss?  Thanks!
From what I understand, hair loss is a symptom of Graves’ disease or rather your thyroid being off... just as heart rate, nausea, hot flashes, lack of focus, etc. are symptoms.  The medicine isn’t the reason for it. For example I had hair loss before I was diagnosed, when my thyroid was way off. Since I’ve been balanced my hair has been fine. I’ve been on the same meds and basically the same dose for 18 years and still have a full head of hair. That being said everyone reacts differently and you should consult your endocrinologist if you have any concerns as they will have a more thorough answer I’m sure.
Avatar universal
Hi I was just diagnosed with hyper and new something was wrong for the last 20years with symptoms but about 5yrs ago I started gaining and haven't been able to really stop I used to weigh 125 and now I bounce between 189 - 208 so I understand and I'm with you I stay hidden and feel very insecure about myself I don't know if the new meds will make me gain or loose so I'm also very nervous. Your not alone sister keep plugging away and remember your beautiful kids and smile. Things can always be worse trust me.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Have you had any thyroid related tests done?  If so, please post results and reference ranges shown on the lab report.  What symptoms do you have besides the weight gain?
Avatar universal
Do you suspect having a thyroid problem?
Helpful - 0
393685 tn?1425812522
Hi Michelle, It's not too old but best to start your own thread. It's all about balance with the metobolism and thyroid function. If your PTU has stalled you into hypo most likely that is why you are seeing weight gain. Inflammation is hard on us too with both thyroid issues and patients can see 10 to 20 pounds of water retention until things settle down. Cortisol also releases and is another big problem with weight gain. Vit C and Vit B is great to combat that.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I don't know what to do. I was on weight watchers for 1 1/2 yrs lost 40 lbs. was very pleased with myself. Then I was diagnosed with Graves, only with weight gain. I hardly eat because I don't know if I don't have an appetite or is because it's a mental thing and I'm afraid of eating because I'll gain weight. Of course weight watchers tells you that you must eat to loose. I'm afraid of doing more damage. I won't look at the scale at home or Dr.s office. I don't want to know how much I've gained but I can tell because I'm in my fat clothes again. I'm too tired to exercise and I can sleep all day.
Can you shed a little light on this subject. I have been on every mg. of Tapazol and my levels are either too high or low, never where they should be. I may have to do radioactive iodine. Can weight loss be achieved with this treatment?
I hope you can answer this for me. I hope this site isn't too old. I just found it.
Thank you in advance.
Michelle
Helpful - 0
393685 tn?1425812522
Thyroid weight change is very common and like said both conditions react differently in everyone. I was the weight loser when hyper and gained hypo but stabilizing is very important to put the body back together so you can achieve a stable weight. This is regardless of being hyper and hypo conditions.

In hyper and gaining, most patients find out the body's fat cells go into a "stall" or starvation mode and even through you are putting in calories for energy your cells are not letting go during metobolism to burn.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Monica Ga. Sorry to hear what you are going thru I went thru the same thing myself for the last 4 years gaining 70 or more lbs no matter how much I exercise and eat healthy including vegetables, fruits and fish taking all the vitimins pill I can find alone with iron pills and nothing happens.  I hide from all my friends I hate shopping I hate going on vacation and most time I want nothing do do with anyone including boyfriends etc. So please understand its not your fault its a medical condition and as hard as it is to hear you are not alone. If it was not for my now 17years old daughter I would have have done something very damn because its like no one understands what you are going thru.
Helpful - 0
4 Comments
You took the words right out of my mouth Mia you feel so alone and nobody understands.
No one understands!! Not even family. And doctors do not believe anything I say about what has been going on with my body, my symptoms, and my weight. With the weight gain from graves' and graves' eye disease..I don't want to be seen or go out and run into people.
No one understands!! Not even family. And doctors do not believe anything I say about what has been going on with my body, my symptoms, and my weight. With the weight gain from graves and graves; eye disease..I do not want to be seen or go out and run into people.
Have you been tested for Graves'?  The definitive test is for Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin (TSI)?  Also have you been tested for the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T4 and Free T3?
1202943 tn?1347840652
I've read about others who gain weight when Hyper.  I would start treating it and it may help. Good luck!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I gained weight when hyper and lost when hypo.  Everyone is different, believe it or not.  My levels have recently started to stabilize a little bit.  I even CLEANED my house for a couple hours today which is honestly remarkable consider the past 365 days I've had.  It will get better with the proper treatment.  Make sure you have a good doctor.
Helpful - 0
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