Hypothyroid

[jennssm]

Hi all,

I'm looking to hear from anyone who is hypothyroid and how they did after surgery. Did the weight fall off easily or was it a slower than normal process? Did your energy increase? Any issues after surgery?

Thanks,
Jenn

[kenson]

Hi Jenn,
I am hypothyroid. I was sleeved in 2014. I've lost about 85 pounds. My starting weight was 240lbs. I stalled out around 155. I don't think I lost weight any slower than most. In fact, I was afraid this surgery would not work for me. My bariatric doctor assured me that the sleeve was perfect for people with hypothyroidsm--in fact, your meds will probably need to be adjusted. Feel free to pm me with any questions you may have. My energy level improved 1000%

[jennssm]

Hi Jenn,
I am hypothyroid. I was sleeved in 2014. I've lost about 85 pounds. My starting weight was 240lbs. I stalled out around 155. I don't think I lost weight any slower than most. In fact, I was afraid this surgery would not work for me. My bariatric doctor assured me that the sleeve was perfect for people with hypothyroidsm--in fact, your meds will probably need to be adjusted. Feel free to pm me with any questions you may have. My energy level improved 1000%

Thank you sooooo much! I would be happy with a weight around 155!

[Pam G]

Everyone is hypothyroid.

If you're taking supplemental thyroid hormone, there should be no difference. Hypothyroidism, once corrected, is not a reason for weight gain or slow loss, because, once it's corrected by supplemented hormones, you're no longer "hypo" thyroid.

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's in 1992, btw.

[RehabNurse]

I've been hypothyroid since 2005. I take Synthroid 112mcg daily. I had 100 pounds to lose when I was sleeved in 2015. It took me 17 months to lose the 100 pounds. Check out the signature block below this post to see my monthly weight losses.

However, I have been in maintenance for nearly 1 year and it's gone well. My weight has only fluctuated upward or downward by a pound or two, even when eating of 2000+ calories daily. This is the most weight-stable I've been in my adult life.

My new goal is body recomposition. I've recently resumed heavy weightlifting after a 20-month break, so I expect to gain weight in the upcoming months. But as long as my clothes still fit (or look better on me) and I gain muscle rather than fat, I won't worry about the number on the scale.

[kenson]

I beg to differ. My inability to lose weight was a direct result of my hypothyroidism. I consistently took my meds and the weight did not come off. I exercised and ate well, but the weight would not come off. My meds were carefully monitored by my physician. I also have a friend who is hyperthyroid. At one time she was losing weight like crazy! Not meaning to start a war here, just a difference of opinion. Like Rehab Nurse, I'm not longer concerned with the weight on the scale, but rather or not how my clothes fit. I've been at a pretty stable weight for three years--never ever thought I would be able to say that. Don't worry jennn. I had the same concerns before I was sleeved. I did not think it would work for me, but it did!

[Blove2012]

I am Hypothyroid and take 2 different meds. I do not think that it affected my weight loss after surgery, although I thought it affected my inability to lose before surgery. As others have mentioned, I would recommend getting blood work done on a regular basis to make sure that you are taking the proper meds. Best of luck to you!

[jennssm]

I beg to differ. My inability to lose weight was a direct result of my hypothyroidism. I consistently took my meds and the weight did not come off. I exercised and ate well, but the weight would not come off. My meds were carefully monitored by my physician. I also have a friend who is hyperthyroid. At one time she was losing weight like crazy! Not meaning to start a war here, just a difference of opinion. Like Rehab Nurse, I'm not longer concerned with the weight on the scale, but rather or not how my clothes fit. I've been at a pretty stable weight for three years--never ever thought I would be able to say that. Don't worry jennn. I had the same concerns before I was sleeved. I did not think it would work for me, but it did!

This is how I am. I have take my meds like clockwork, exercised and ate well and still cannot get the weight off.

[jennssm]

I am Hypothyroid and take 2 different meds. I do not think that it affected my weight loss after surgery, although I thought it affected my inability to lose before surgery. As others have mentioned, I would recommend getting blood work done on a regular basis to make sure that you are taking the proper meds. Best of luck to you!

Thanks for your reply. I get blood work every 6 months. My numbers have been good for a few years now. I've been on synthroid since I was 18 years old. I just cannot lose weight for anything.

[Ann2]

I've been diagnosed as hypothyroid (under-functioning thyroid) since my mid-thirties. I'm now 71 years old. Therefore, I've been taking thyroid medication(s) for half of my life now.

I was sleeved almost 3 years ago. I lost 19 pounds pre-op, another 74 pounds the first year post-op, and an additional 8 pounds the following 5 months. In other words, it took me 19 months to lose 100 pounds.

I'm still hypothyroid. And still taking my thyroid meds every day.

I've been maintaining at this 100-pound loss incredibly stably for the last year and a half. As RehabNurse said, this is the most stable my weight has EVER been in my life! And believe me when I say that's an even bigger win for me than losing the 100 pounds was.

In maintenance my average caloric intake is 1,700 calories. Although I am not a very active, avid runner like Rehab Nurse, I do exercise at least 5 days a week and am much more active than I used to be.

In my humble opinion, this whole weight loss surgery dealio is not based on woo-woo magic, but based on (gasp!) calories in/calories out. You eat a lot less (during the weight losing phases) and you lose weight. To maintain your weight, you eat in moderation and move your ass a lot more than you used to. Yes, it's true that some calories (e.g., protein, fibrous veggies, whole grains) are more valuable and burn up faster than other calories (e.g., sugar, highly processed carbohydrates, lots of alcohol, slider foods).

Everyone has to find out (through experimentation with eyes wide open) how much food and what kinds of food make them healthy, feel great, and don't pack on regain pounds. By the time you get to maintenance you will have learned a lot about how your body responds to specific foods. It'll then be your obligation to believe what your body has told you and to give it what it needs.

And, as always, others' mileage may vary!

[azladyrider]

Honestly and this is just me and my experience but i've had doctors tell me all of my life that I had hypothyroidism. I never took the meds until the last few years. Every single freaking time I took them I gained a few pounds and as soon as I stopped the pounds went POOF; gone. I've gone to battle with 2 morons...er doctors over the last few years. Both of whom are former doctors now. When I complain of a small weight gain I get the "well then stop eating - it's not the meds" Screw you! It IS the meds and you have no clue what I am eating. Or "well the meds should do the opposite - they should allow you to lose weight" well I don't give a flying rat's ass what they "should" be doing, I am telling you what they are doing.... This last time I had a change of doctors in the medical center I go to - my old doctor acknowledged my concerns and put me on Naturethroid but even that didn't help. I took an instant dislike to the new doctor they assigned to me for various reasons. Then of course the talk turned to my hypothyroidism which was off the charts the last time I had blood work done. I told her I wanted a referral to a specialist which I never got. So anyway I went back on the synthroid and told her flat out that if I gained so much as 5 pounds I was not taking them. She poo pooed me and told me to not be concerned - um sorry lady but don't tell me what my concerns should be. So at my last followup I pointed out 18 pounds of weight gain and of course I got the standard "well that is your fault and your eating the wrong stuff" (GRRR) and "the meds do NOT cause weight gain" at which point I pulled up about 10000 sites with discussions stating the opposite reaction. When she sighed and rolled her eyes (really? I am the wrong person to roll your eyes at trust me) and then the next thing out of her mouth was "you need to stop being so obsessed with your weight" OMG I swear my head spun around like Linda Blair as I stood up and tossed the meds in the trash and as a parting shot I told her if she was happy and content with being overweight that's great (she has tons to lose) but I am not content with it and oh by the way if you need the name of some really good weight loss surgery doctors just let me know, I'll be more than happy to give you some referrals. End of discussion. Off the meds and weight is alll dropped off again.

This is how I am. I have take my meds like clockwork, exercised and ate well and still cannot get the weight off.

[jennssm]

Honestly and this is just me and my experience but i've had doctors tell me all of my life that I had hypothyroidism. I never took the meds until the last few years. Every single freaking time I took them I gained a few pounds and as soon as I stopped the pounds went POOF; gone. I've gone to battle with 2 morons...er doctors over the last few years. Both of whom are former doctors now. When I complain of a small weight gain I get the "well then stop eating - it's not the meds" Screw you! It IS the meds and you have no clue what I am eating. Or "well the meds should do the opposite - they should allow you to lose weight" well I don't give a flying rat's ass what they "should" be doing, I am telling you what they are doing.... This last time I had a change of doctors in the medical center I go to - my old doctor acknowledged my concerns and put me on Naturethroid but even that didn't help. I took an instant dislike to the new doctor they assigned to me for various reasons. Then of course the talk turned to my hypothyroidism which was off the charts the last time I had blood work done. I told her I wanted a referral to a specialist which I never got. So anyway I went back on the synthroid and told her flat out that if I gained so much as 5 pounds I was not taking them. She poo pooed me and told me to not be concerned - um sorry lady but don't tell me what my concerns should be. So at my last followup I pointed out 18 pounds of weight gain and of course I got the standard "well that is your fault and your eating the wrong stuff" (GRRR) and "the meds do NOT cause weight gain" at which point I pulled up about 10000 sites with discussions stating the opposite reaction. When she sighed and rolled her eyes (really? I am the wrong person to roll your eyes at trust me) and then the next thing out of her mouth was "you need to stop being so obsessed with your weight" OMG I swear my head spun around like Linda Blair as I stood up and tossed the meds in the trash and as a parting shot I told her if she was happy and content with being overweight that's great (she has tons to lose) but I am not content with it and oh by the way if you need the name of some really good weight loss surgery doctors just let me know, I'll be more than happy to give you some referrals. End of discussion. Off the meds and weight is alll dropped off again.

So you had the surgery and still don't take your thyroid meds? And did you gain weight after your surgery when you were taking the meds or was this before your surgery?

[kenson]

Honestly and this is just me and my experience but i've had doctors tell me all of my life that I had hypothyroidism. I never took the meds until the last few years. Every single freaking time I took them I gained a few pounds and as soon as I stopped the pounds went POOF; gone. I've gone to battle with 2 morons...er doctors over the last few years. Both of whom are former doctors now. When I complain of a small weight gain I get the "well then stop eating - it's not the meds" Screw you! It IS the meds and you have no clue what I am eating. Or "well the meds should do the opposite - they should allow you to lose weight" well I don't give a flying rat's ass what they "should" be doing, I am telling you what they are doing.... This last time I had a change of doctors in the medical center I go to - my old doctor acknowledged my concerns and put me on Naturethroid but even that didn't help. I took an instant dislike to the new doctor they assigned to me for various reasons. Then of course the talk turned to my hypothyroidism which was off the charts the last time I had blood work done. I told her I wanted a referral to a specialist which I never got. So anyway I went back on the synthroid and told her flat out that if I gained so much as 5 pounds I was not taking them. She poo pooed me and told me to not be concerned - um sorry lady but don't tell me what my concerns should be. So at my last followup I pointed out 18 pounds of weight gain and of course I got the standard "well that is your fault and your eating the wrong stuff" (GRRR) and "the meds do NOT cause weight gain" at which point I pulled up about 10000 sites with discussions stating the opposite reaction. When she sighed and rolled her eyes (really? I am the wrong person to roll your eyes at trust me) and then the next thing out of her mouth was "you need to stop being so obsessed with your weight" OMG I swear my head spun around like Linda Blair as I stood up and tossed the meds in the trash and as a parting shot I told her if she was happy and content with being overweight that's great (she has tons to lose) but I am not content with it and oh by the way if you need the name of some really good weight loss surgery doctors just let me know, I'll be more than happy to give you some referrals. End of discussion. Off the meds and weight is alll dropped off again.

Love this!

I have always felt that the meds were not working.

[Sallynmichigan]

Honestly and this is just me and my experience but i've had doctors tell me all of my life that I had hypothyroidism. I never took the meds until the last few years. Every single freaking time I took them I gained a few pounds and as soon as I stopped the pounds went POOF; gone. I've gone to battle with 2 morons...er doctors over the last few years. Both of whom are former doctors now. When I complain of a small weight gain I get the "well then stop eating - it's not the meds" Screw you! It IS the meds and you have no clue what I am eating. Or "well the meds should do the opposite - they should allow you to lose weight" well I don't give a flying rat's ass what they "should" be doing, I am telling you what they are doing.... This last time I had a change of doctors in the medical center I go to - my old doctor acknowledged my concerns and put me on Naturethroid but even that didn't help. I took an instant dislike to the new doctor they assigned to me for various reasons. Then of course the talk turned to my hypothyroidism which was off the charts the last time I had blood work done. I told her I wanted a referral to a specialist which I never got. So anyway I went back on the synthroid and told her flat out that if I gained so much as 5 pounds I was not taking them. She poo pooed me and told me to not be concerned - um sorry lady but don't tell me what my concerns should be. So at my last followup I pointed out 18 pounds of weight gain and of course I got the standard "well that is your fault and your eating the wrong stuff" (GRRR) and "the meds do NOT cause weight gain" at which point I pulled up about 10000 sites with discussions stating the opposite reaction. When she sighed and rolled her eyes (really? I am the wrong person to roll your eyes at trust me) and then the next thing out of her mouth was "you need to stop being so obsessed with your weight" OMG I swear my head spun around like Linda Blair as I stood up and tossed the meds in the trash and as a parting shot I told her if she was happy and content with being overweight that's great (she has tons to lose) but I am not content with it and oh by the way if you need the name of some really good weight loss surgery doctors just let me know, I'll be more than happy to give you some referrals. End of discussion. Off the meds and weight is alll dropped off again.

LOL! This made my day!

[yolymarie]

I am glad you stuck up for yourself.