Gained weight during 1st month of MSD now diagnosed w/Hypothyroidism

[writegirl]

Hey Everyone,

A few new things have happened this month: I specified to my surgeon's office that I want the DS for certain (thank you to everyone on this board who helped me learn enough to feel confident in that choice!). I had my 1 month check-up on my MSD, which is *required* by BCBS and I gained weight. I gained weight on 1200 calories a day and I tracked my intake. My doctor was all like "What's changed?" and my answer was NOTHING, except that I'm now eating less.

I don't know what made me bother to bring it up again because every single physician I've ever had in my life has ignored me when I've said it and, instead, told me all about how I am doing everything wrong--must be my lifestyle, inactivity, etc. etc. etc.--you know the drill. But, I piped up and told her "I dunno, maybe it's my thyroid? I can't think of anything else. My dad has hypothyroidism, but every doctor I've ever had dismisses this when I've brought it up."

Maybe it was the challenge posed in my statement, the suggestion that she too would dismiss my questions about thyroid, but whatever it was worked. She agreed to test my thyroid. She also noted that my body temperature is about a half a degree to a degree lower, consistently, in my records. I didn't think much about that when she mentioned it. I've always been "cold"--cold hands, feet, easily chilled.

She called me yesterday. Sure enough, I have hypothyroidism and she said "adrenal fatigue." Interesting. I've gained 100lbs in a year and no doctor would even entertain the idea that my thyroid was out of whack.

My doctor said that my thyroid function is "substantially low" since my TSH came back at 4.56.

I'm getting my surgery no matter what, but this (I think) may be a big part of my weight puzzle. I started my thyroid medicine this morning. My doctor said I should start noticing a difference in how I feel, energy wise, in a week. I feel like, for the first time in my life, a doctor heard me and really listened. My surgeon's office recommended her--I can't help but note that I never would have found her if I hadn't pursued WLS. Amazing!

A beautiful day to all!
Tori

 

[southernlady]

Sorry you have a thyroid issue but great that someone finally listened. One thing I do with my thyroid meds (I take two) is take it in the middle of the night, esp with the DS as you have to wait for food/vitamins/ANY other med after taking it. Taking it in the middle of the night allows for that timing.

 

[Charris]

@southernlady i take mines at 4 am. When i was in the Hospital and nursing home and first started it that is when they gave it to me. Uggh so now regardless of the time i go to sleep every freaking day 4 or 430 am im up!

 

[Munchkin]

Good for you! Always speak up and advocate for yourself!

 

[Larra]

Good job! the good news here is that hypothyroid is readily treatable with meds, and you should soon feel better and be better able to lose weight. It won't fix the morbid obesity but will help you get through the pre-op phase and will also help post-op, in that even with the DS, it would be harder for you to lose weight with an under active thyroid. Your dose may need to be adjusted a few times to get to the right level, they usually start with a low dose and work up from there. So, if you're still not feeling great or still not losing weight, get your level checked again.

 

[galaxygrrl]

Good job indeed. I've been hypothyroid for 14 years and its so treatable. I was also very sick before I started the medication.

 

[writegirl]

Sorry you have a thyroid issue but great that someone finally listened. One thing I do with my thyroid meds (I take two) is take it in the middle of the night, esp with the DS as you have to wait for food/vitamins/ANY other med after taking it. Taking it in the middle of the night allows for that timing.

She has me taking just the one med so far but starting at 50 MCG. I've started taking it in the morning, first thing, but with the DS taking it at night makes much more sense. Thank you for the tip!

 

[writegirl]

@southernlady i take mines at 4 am. When i was in the Hospital and nursing home and first started it that is when they gave it to me. Uggh so now regardless of the time i go to sleep every freaking day 4 or 430 am im up!

I'm up between 5-7 every day. I hate mornings, too. But, that whole employment thing requires my presence lol.

 

[writegirl]

Good job! the good news here is that hypothyroid is readily treatable with meds, and you should soon feel better and be better able to lose weight. It won't fix the morbid obesity but will help you get through the pre-op phase and will also help post-op, in that even with the DS, it would be harder for you to lose weight with an under active thyroid. Your dose may need to be adjusted a few times to get to the right level, they usually start with a low dose and work up from there. So, if you're still not feeling great or still not losing weight, get your level checked again.

I'm lucky that on my pre-op MSD there is no requirement that I actually lose weight. I'm a state employee, so our plan is different (and better) than the standard issue BCBS. I'm so glad I got this answer. It will be great if it helps me shed some weight, but I am so used to making zero progress that I don't expect much. I feel like this will help support my body in a positive way as I do the one thing that will really help me solve the weight issue--the WLS is my only hope for a normal life and I realize that.

 

[writegirl]

**TMI warning**

I never expected such an immediate reaction to the levothyroxine but a few hours after taking my first dose, I got my first period since having a miscarriage in November. After reading about hyppthyroidism, I have to wonder whether it was the reason I miscarried. My OBGYN chalked it up to age and stress from the unexpected, unplanned, less-than welcome news of pregnancy. After the mis, she said that my body might take a few months to reset. Then it became "You're possibly pre-maturely menopausal" because of the miscarriage. All this while, my stomach kept bloating and I gained like 10-20 lbs a month. No one would listen to me that this was not "normal' for me and I was not shoveling food down my face every five seconds. All that time I had no period--and it was always regular--like clockwork, my entire life.

Now that I'm learning about hypothyroidism, every single one of these symptoms, including losing the pregnancy, could be due to having a low functioning thyroid.

While I am relieved to have what I now believe is the answer--I am furious that my doctors did not listen to me and did not suspect my thyroid. I can't even believe that one dose of thyroid medicine jump-started my cycle. I didn't need to suffer for all these months and, now that I know that, I am pissed!

 

[bearmom]

When I was first put on levothyroxine, I continually needed to have my dose raised every single time I was checked for several years. That is partly due to them starting with a low dose and working up from there, but the other thing that made a huge difference (enough to get my dose cut in half, and I've stayed at the same dose since) is the chew the tab up. I also take it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. It's a bitty thing, and just tastes like slightly sweet chalk.

Even if it's a little victory, we take em all!

 

[DSRIGGS]

Sorry you have a thyroid issue but great that someone finally listened. One thing I do with my thyroid meds (I take two) is take it in the middle of the night, esp with the DS as you have to wait for food/vitamins/ANY other med after taking it. Taking it in the middle of the night allows for that timing.

And thanks to your advice I do that as well. That being said I don't think this refill where they gave me a different manufacturer for the generic, is working like the first one was.

 

[writegirl]

When I was first put on levothyroxine, I continually needed to have my dose raised every single time I was checked for several years. That is partly due to them starting with a low dose and working up from there, but the other thing that made a huge difference (enough to get my dose cut in half, and I've stayed at the same dose since) is the chew the tab up. I also take it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. It's a bitty thing, and just tastes like slightly sweet chalk.

Even if it's a little victory, we take em all!

It never occurred to me to chew it up. What does that do, exactly? I mean, why would it result in your getting your dose cut in half? I'm not sure I understand what a low dose of levothryoxine is compared to a high dose. I'm on 50 MCG and not sure where that falls in the low/high spectrum. Thank you for the advice! And, yes, I'll take the small victory

 

[southernlady]

It never occurred to me to chew it up. What does that do, exactly? I mean, why would it result in your getting your dose cut in half? I'm not sure I understand what a low dose of levothryoxine is compared to a high dose. I'm on 50 MCG and not sure where that falls in the low/high spectrum. Thank you for the advice! And, yes, I'll take the small victory

Chewing it helps it dissolve faster and esp with our designer guts, it's easier to get the full dose of what we take.

As far as where the 50mcg stands...that is considered on the low end.

 

[OrganicLife]

Why not put the pill under your tongue. Would that help, being that the DS changes the way food and pills get digested.?