It will be up to you to advocate for yourself! I don't practice medicine anymore and instead specialize in helping people like YOU who have thyroid problems, hormone imbalances, and weight loss resistance. Sign up to receive 20% off your first order. My thyroid function tests before and just after surgery were fine and are due to be checked again 6 weeks post op. Some studies have concluded that even mild hypothyroidism can lead to weight gain and changes in one's BMI. Last time, was diagnosed with borderline hypothyroidism started .025 mcg levothyroxine side effects to get over took me 9 weeks went back to dr for Hello, a functional doc just took my labs and it shows tsh is low, .848 and t4 is normal, 6.8 and t3 is normal,172. What types of therapies have you tried? I just got my blood test done, and my results came in today. 7th District AME Church: God First Holy Conference 2023 - Facebook . I'm also older now though but thyroid troubles are crap! But I've been chronically exhausted for YEARS, hair loss, weight that can't be lost, etc etc. Total Thyroidectomy: The most important consideration here is that you are on a hormone replacement for your thyroid and that it is being monitored to assure that you are in a good range. Weight Watchers and Thyroid Cancer - Smiley's Points I know this is a very past-dated post but I'm here so obviously people are still reading it. So I was prescribed a vitamin d pill and told to take b12 daily over the counter. What thyroid med are you taking and what is the daily dosage? The study concluded that the association between TSH and weight gain doesnt necessarily mean that one causes the other. 6. Instead, the researchers proposed that there could be a third factor involved. Her background includes caring for patients in womens health, critical care, pediatrics, allergy, and immunology. Overall, weight loss was modest, with a mean weight loss of 8.4 + 9 .7 lbs. There could be many things going on here. The treatment options are entirely different in both conditions, as are the symptoms. OMG, what kind of doctor would let his TT patient live with those symptoms and those lab results? Then you can build up to high-intensity cardio activities such as running and kick-boxing, as well as strength-training routines. Within a couple of months, there was a huge improvement in my energy. The efficiency at which it does this is called your basal metabolic rate (BMR). None of them had a thyroidectomysurgical removal of the thyroidwhich is another treatment option. Anyway, just try to do something daily. It certainly isnt fair but its better to know that this is the case than to not. I fought fatigue prior to having removal, but now I have extreme wicked fatigue. Aim to exercise for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Never disregard the medical advice of your physician or health professional, or delay in seeking such advice, because of something you read on this Site. So, dont worry its not your fault. Check your mailbox for your guide. After a total thyroidectomy and being on Levothyroxin, I was having head-meets-desk energy problems every day. People with hypothyroidism need to take thyroid hormone replacement medication to "replace" the hormone no longer made by the thyroid. I had gained a lot of weight during the years and ended up at 157 lbs before the hysterectomy. Symptom relief should be all important for you, not just test results. Im talking specifically about your thyroid medication dose. People lose about five to ten pounds on thyroid medication or less than 10% of their body weight. Triiodothyronine is one of the types of thyroid hormones, but it is not typically replaced with prescription hormones because it is not as prevalent. The researchers found that TSH levels increased as weight increased over time in both males and females. The thyroid gland produces hormones that balance all body functions, including your metabolism. I have had so many specialist appoinments (cardio, pulm, sleep, gi, pcp, neuro) and still cant get an answer besides "fatigue is not life threatening so you may have to just live with it". This study did find, however, that patients with lower levels of free T4 tended to have higher BMIs. Filter by condition. I have a herbalife shake in the morning with almond milk, a lean cusine for lunch, and fresh fruit, veggies, chicken, with rice or tortilla for dinner. They probably already attributed your weight gain to your age or some other issue even though the weight gain started RIGHT after your thyroid was removed. Insulin is considered a fat-building hormoneit increases the amount of fat around the abdominal organs, which is highly inflammatory and can raise your risk of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes. My levels last time I got labs were 1.84. Foods with a high fat or sugar content will make it more difficult to lose weight, even if you are on hormone replacements. Find inspiration for a healthy way to support your thyroid. Researchers arent exactly sure why this is, but low T3 levels and hormone resistance issues may play a role. One way to tell is if treatment has helped all of your other thyroid symptoms, but not your weight. Statements made, or products sold through this web site, have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Oops! However, getting plenty of protein, healthy fats, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables can ensure you get the macronutrients and micronutrients you need to feel good and stay healthy. Int J Mol Sci. And this is pretty standard, unfortunately. Most research does not show that thyroid medications like Synthroid help you lose adipose (fatty) tissue., In the past, some doctors prescribed thyroid medication to help people lose weight even if they did not have a thyroid condition. What has worked? Losing weight is difficult as it is, but it's an even bigger challenge after you've had a Thyroidectomy - which is a removal of your thyroid gland. I just had my levels checked on 6/4/2015 at Prolactin 31.7, T4,FREE 0.7, T3FREE 1.9, FSH 4.1, TSH 2.82, Estradiol 206, .can any of those cause complete lack of exhaustion, I want to sleep pretty much the entire day. Though scientists do know that thyroid hormones regulate your bodys metabolism, the exact relationship between thyroid hormones, metabolism, and weight changes is a complex one that isnt well understood. In addition to maintaining energy balance and metabolism, leptin also tells your hypothalamus when youve had enough to eat, stimulating thyroid hormone production to burn fat. The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of. I have Graves Disease and never had problems losing weight by just exercising and "watching" what I eat. American Thyroid Association. Finding the correct dose to balance your thyroid levels can be challenging and often requires titration over several weeks before you land on the best dose for you., If your dose is too high, you may be creating a hyperthyroid state because too much medication is in your system, so it is likely you could lose weight. The most important aspect of fat loss is your diet because you can easily consume MORE calories than you can burn. Read More Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Whether youve had a partial or full thyroidectomy, most likely youll need to be on thyroid replacement medication. kayleyann Posts: 2 Member. Not only can the wrong dose affect your weight, but it can throw off just about every system in your body., Regularthyroid function testswill be required after you have a thyroidectomy. Remember when I said that your thyroid controls and regulates your metabolism? Then this cancer diagnosis became everything and had to concentrate on that. Welcome to my website! I'm Westin Childs D.O. Since Free T3 largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions, it has been shown to correlate best with hypo symptoms. The second most important formula for fat loss success is exercise. Thyroid hormones heavily influence your metabolism, your body temperature, and your appetite regulation. Your weight will likely change after you have a thyroidectomy. Insulin is a hormone produced by your pancreas which keeps your blood sugar levels regulated. Step 4. This can take several weeks to optimize in many circumstances. Hyperthyroidism Weight Gain: Causes, Risk, and Statistics While synthetic thyroid hormones have been used this way in the past, research has shown that most people gain all the weight back once they stop using them. He went over my results and my vitamin D levels are super low, he actually figured out that I apparently have rickets which no one had ever tested before not even before my surgery. Another fat-storing hormone that is, in part, regulated by thyroid hormone is insulin. ", Most people cannot expect extreme weight loss once they start thyroid hormone replacement medication. Follow me on Youtube, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram for up-to-date thyroid tips, tricks, videos, and more. Generally, people begin to notice weight loss about three to six months after hitting a therapeutic dose of their medication. Gruzdeva O, Borodkina D, Uchasova E, Dyleva Y, Barbarash O. Leptin resistance: underlying mechanisms and diagnosis. This time, though . How Long After Starting Thyroid Medication Will I Lose Weight? This usually means that having cheat days from your healthy diet, at least in the beginning, is not really an option for you. With this change in thyroid hormone metabolism, its no wonder that thyroidectomy patients struggle with weight gain. If it was for hyperthyroidism then you probably lost a lot of weight before the surgery and now. I'm seeing a neurologist and a rheumatologist trying to find another cause, but I don't see how it could be anything but the thyroid issue. Thank you! You know, your metabolism, the same thing that controls how many calories you burn on a day-to-day basis which in turn regulates your appetite. You'll want to work with your healthcare provider to determine the best option based on your age, medical history, current health, underlying causes, and the severity.. FT3 and FT4 should be tested every time TSH is, and the three tests in order of importance are FT3, FT4 and TSH. I had a TT May 2014 and I have yet to get any energy back. If youre continually hitting roadblocks, talk to your healthcare provider about optimal treatment. . Your body also uses energy when youre resting. People who have a thyroidectomy are well-acquainted with having a hyperactive (overactive) thyroid. I was switched to synthroid the non generic form because there is a guaranteed consistancy with them compared to levothyroxine which my Dr. Told me doesnt only differ from pharmacy, but can actually fluctuate up to 20mcg up or down from what the dosage was supposed to be from pill to pill. If you have questions regarding your health you should seek qualified information from a medical professional or your doctor. Doing well, as well as to be expected. That's it. You should be aware of these reasons because the chances are high that your doctor will most likely ignore them. I don't want to give in to this. The thyroid gland is responsible for controlling about 60% of your entire metabolism(2), give or take a few percentage points based on the person. Ideally you should do BOTH aerobic AND anaerobic exercise. Related articles: Why Am I Losing Weight After Thyroidectomy? My TSH was very low even though I was hypo. Adthyza Thyroid Medication Review: Should You Use it? #3. Win Prizes. Thus, excess thyroid hormones or taking a larger dose of thyroid medication is unlikely to lead to dramatic weight changes. It's just so easy and that's why we have to watch what you eat. Move Your Body. How much of the thyroid gland is removed during thyroidectomy depends on the reason for surgery. Melatonin has so many beneficial health benefits and one of them is weight loss. And yet this is exactly what most endocrinologists do. When I talk about diet, Im really talking about healthy eating. But when your thyroid gets removed your doctor puts you on 100% T4 thyroid hormone and neglects to add in the T3. However, this is not always the case. Thyroid Cancer and weight loss. - Thyroid cancer - Inspire Diet drugs may pose special problems for people with hypothyroidism because of drug interactions. Has anyone had success with weight loss after total Thyroidectomy Because you will have hypothyroidism after your thyroid gland is removed, many thyroid patients assume they will experience weight gain. Hey! Mary Shomon is a writer and hormonal health and thyroid advocate. Read our, Leptin, rT3, and Weight Gain With Hypothyroidism, Why Your Thyroid Hormone Levels May Be Fluctuating. its the #1 most endorsed symptom by women with low thyroid function, endocrinologists and other thyroid doctors, normal healthy free T3 levels after thyroid surgery, supplements designed to help thyroid hormone do its job, Treating Hashimotos Without Medication: Heres How, Product & Supplement Updates: Reformulations, Updated Product Bundles & More, The 5 Best Breads For Hashimotos Thyroiditis, 10 Hashimotos Facts That Every Patient Should Know, 8 Ways Hypothyroidism Can Change Your Face. Physical therapists and endocrinologists alike suggest low-impact cardio exercise, especially to start out. Win Prizes. I can say that the one lucky thing I got from the whole thing is finally a great doctor who is super accurate about everything. After a total thyroidectomy and being on Levothyroxin, I was having head-meets-desk energy problems every day. weight loss after a thyroidectomy - Thyroid diseases - Inspire How to Lose Weight with Hypothyroidism I saw much improvement after reducing my synthroid and adding a very low dose cytomel. so I have tried to cut out carbs. Thank you! Your thyroid gland controls and regulates the majority of your metabolism. Meeting your weight loss goals with a thyroid condition often requires you to approach your weight from many angles. I was on cytomel 5 mg for a period of 3 months with no change, but gave me cystic acne - I have gone to 2 endos asking for help on how I can lose weight with no help..I've also read it is harder to process carbs without a thyroid? She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Regis University in Denver and a Bachelor of Arts in the History of Medicine from the University of Colorado-Boulder. The Content on this Site is presented in a summary fashion, and is intended to be used for educational and entertainment purposes only. I am now becoming more tired and lethargic and am constantly yawning. The main difference with a partial thyroidectomy is you sill have SOME of your thyroid gland and thus, youll need a lower dose of thyroid medication. With this change in thyroid hormone metabolism, it's no wonder that thyroidectomy patients struggle with weight gain. Consider triiodothyronine, or T3, hormone replacements. They will also have to try about twice as hard as the average person. Thyroidectomy: What It Is, Complications & Recovery - Cleveland Clinic Learn how thyroid removal can impact weight loss in this article. Will Taking Thyroid Medication Cause A Heart Attack? Why is Weight Loss so Difficult After Thyroid Removal? And the reason is due to a slower metabolism because of a change in hormones. On the other hand, the lowered metabolic rate in those with hypothyroidism causes them to gain weight. Not surprisingly, thyroid hormone can play a significant role in weight. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. In that case, ourthyroid physiciansare ready to help you find an answer. Hey There! The study concluded that the association between TSH and weight gain doesn't necessarily mean that one causes the other. Check your mailbox for your guide. I had RAI to kill my thyroid and afterwards became very ill because my dr was just testing TSH and T4. Once you are normalized, then you are just like anyone else trying to lose weight. MedHelp is not a medical or healthcare provider and your use of this Site does not create a doctor / patient relationship. I have been on Levothryoxine since the surgery. You have to realize that's all it is - an excuse and don't let it become one. Whenever you have excess energythe result of eating more food than your body can usethis energy gets stored in fat cells and you gain weight. 'How I Lost 50 Pounds Despite My Thyroid Condition' - Women's Health Deficiency of B12 can cause the most excruciating fatigue I've ever experienced. The bad news is that its often very difficult to lose weight once your thyroid has been removed and thats exactly what we are going to discuss now. As you can see, hormones really do control everything. But, moderate exercise several times a week is important for keeping your body and mind healthy. Extreme Fatigue post thyroidectomy - Thyroid Disorders - MedHelp Since switching at the end on January my tsh is now .03 which was awesome. There have been those that haven't had a weight gain problem, but those are few and far imbetween. I am at risk of losing my job because I can barely stay awake and have a very foggy mind all of the time. Typically, the more severe the hypothyroidism, the greater the weight gain, but usually its between 5 and 10 pounds. Restart Medical LLC. 3 Great Reasons To Try Our New Eating for Impact Plan. Once your thyroid is removed you are now considered to be HYPOTHYROID. Losing weight is difficult as it is, but its an even bigger challenge after youve had a Thyroidectomy which is a removal of your thyroid gland. read more about my own personal health journey, free thyroid downloads, resources, and PDFs here. Instead, focus on diets that include healthy whole foods such as the paleo diet, whole30, or any other version such as that. Now I take armour thyroid and feel great. Likewise, if your dose is too low, you may gain weight after a thyroidectomy., As you can see, the correct dose of thyroid medication is paramount. It is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as medical advice or a diagnosis of any health or fitness problem, condition or disease; or a recommendation for a specific test, doctor, care provider, procedure, treatment plan, product, or course of action. She is the author of "The Thyroid Diet Revolution. Unusual changes in your weight can occur after surgery if you are on the incorrect dose of thyroid hormone replacement medication. These tests will measure your TSH, T3, and T4 levels. Lots and lots of healthy fat help bring up your calorie consumption. It was benign. I too was having a great deal of problems with swallowing and choking. People with autoimmune diseases may benefit from trying theautoimmune protocol, a temporary elimination diet. If you have your thyroid removed and you do not replace your thyroid levels adequately, it sets the stage for the development of a condition known as leptin resistance. Finding the right dose of thyroid medication, Additional steps to manage your weight after a thyroidectomy, Thyroidectomy: Reasons, Procedure, And Recovery. For 30 minutes, I would do a workout video from the 21-Day Fix program at home. I have personally helped many patients without a thyroid lose weight and, at the very least, start to feel like themselves again. I take Armour and while it's better than Synthroid (which seriously made me bipolar), I am still a shell of my former self. . Because your thyroid can no longer produce thyroid hormone on its own, you will need to pay close attention to what type of thyroid medication you are using and how much you are using. It works by telling your cells to absorb the excess sugar, or glucose, in your blood after you eat and to use it for energy. However, since thyroid hormones control your body's ability to use energy, removing it reduces your resistance to infections and increases the risk of developing diabetes. Hyperthyroidism is frequently the result of an autoimmune disorder called Graves' disease. The top inflammation food culprits are gluten, processed foods, refined sugar, and caffeine. In that case, your thyroid may still work normally after surgery. Conversely, when your thyroid is producing too many hormones (hyperthyroidism), your metabolism goes into overdrive, burning more calories than normal and likely resulting in weight loss. Do not make the mistake of thinking that taking a couple of supplements will help you lose weight because that is not the case. Consult with a doctor before engaging in higher-intensity strength training. 3. We disclaim all responsibility for the professional qualifications and licensing of, and services provided by, any physician or other health providers posting on or otherwise referred to on this Site and/or any Third Party Site. Metabolism is determined by measuring the amount of oxygen used by the body over a specific amount of time. As discussed above, the simplistic explanation is that having an underactive thyroid often causes people to gain weight because their bodies stop using calories efficiently. Throw in aging and stress and now things get a bit more challenging. These medications are the go-to medications for most endocrinologists and other thyroid doctors. Like I said if you haven't already request a consult to a reputual endocrinologist to do a good work up on you and rule in/out any other thyroid or endocrine issues. Test your thyroid levels from home and know your levels in days. Hypothyroidism is characterized by a general slowing of body systems. I had my TT in 09/16 it;s just now going on about 9 months. Also, if tested for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, please post those as well. For example, you can walk in the morning for 20-30 minutes and do weights in the afternoon for 20-30 minutes. How To Lose Weight After Thyroidectomy | Dr. Sam Robbins What is Hashimoto's Thyroiditis? - Cleveland Clinic People who produce too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) have a faster metabolism, which generally makes it hard to gain weight.. I agree that you must get the Free T3 and FREE T4 tested. For people who are already using levothyroxine, increasing the dose above whats needed can lead to more weight loss, but its usually not significant and those pounds are often gained back once the dose is decreased again. Thyroid and weight FAQs. The AIP diet helps you identify which foods may be causing inflammatory markers to wreak havoc on your system., Working with your thyroid doctor, nutritionist, trainer, and even therapist can help you attack your weight gain from all angles. Therefore, its absence will cause your body to turn to stored fat for fuel which in turn leads to weight gain. They may need to look at the adrenal gland to see if they're producing appropriate mineral and corticosteroids. The "Thyroidectomy" Challenge. Ahh, no I wont. I had my antibodies tested, vitamin d and t3/t4 as well as a bunch of other tests. You should be aware that each patient is a little bit different. Women without a thyroid tend to develop insulin resistance and leptin resistance over time if their thyroid is not treated adequately. Once on meds, TSH, which should be a screening test at best, is completely inadequate to base dosing changes on. A diet high in sugar and unhealthy fats will surely slow you down and make you unwell. If your parathyroid glands also are removed, you'll need medication to keep your blood calcium levels normal. Your submission has been received! Treatment options for thyroid cancer might include: There are several treatment options for hyperthyroidism. So I was wondering of a success story out there because all my research now shows weight gain after weight gain even if you exercise and eat right. Suffice it to say, I'm not that svelt size 2 any longer. Be very vocal if a doc/pharmacist tries to switch to a generic or your "normal" meds. Any successful weight loss tips after full thyroidectomy? Learn The Facts. User Reviews for Synthroid to treat Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal. 3. I love to write and share what I've learned over the years. This is why when women are menstruating or they're menopausal, they gain weight - in all the wrong places - HORMONES. But when your thyroid gets removed your doctor almost always will put you on only ONE type of thyroid hormone. Taking the correct dose of thyroid medication is key to being at a healthy weight after thyroidectomy. If you arent familiar with T3 thyroid medications then I would recommend you look at both Cytomel and liothyronine. I gained a lot of weight before due to my thyroid trouble, for over 9 years. How this happens isnt exactly clear, but one thing is certain: It isnt thyroid hormones alone that play a role in how much energy your body uses. The variance in study results further illustrates how intricate the relationship between thyroid hormones and weight really is. Why Is Weight Loss So Difficult After Thyroid Removal? Your thyroid works closely with your hypothalamus, a small area of your brain, to maintain both your weight and your energy balancewhats left after you eat and your body uses the calories it needs. The Relationship Between Thyroid Hormones, Metabolism, and Weight. This explains why patients gain weight after a complete thyroidectomy. If you are new to exercising, try walking as often as you can. In fact, the weight lifting is more important for FAT loss because the extra muscle burns fat all day long and helps give shape to your body. Why does this happen and is there anything that you can do about it? She believes managing chronic illnesses requires a balance of medical interventions and lifestyle adjustments. And if you are not replacing it adequately you will continually gain weight and/or have difficulty losing weight (usually both). Even though it is a biased measure, BMI is still widely used in the medical community because its an inexpensive and quick way to analyze a persons potential health status and outcomes. I dont feel i have any energy. Ahead, determine how much weight you can expect to lose once you start taking thyroid medication and if it is a sustainable solution.