Weight gain prevention just after total thyroidectomy?

Hi, I'm writing this post because like so many others I spent hours trawling through information on weight gain after thyroidectomy in the run up to my operation. I was terrified that I would gain a lot of weight and it really worried me. I'm 33 years old and suffered with graves from 5 years before my total thyroidectomy. I am now 16 months post op and have not gained a single pound. I am around 9 stone and this has remained the same. I don't eat as much as I used to, purely because I don't feel hungry constantly like I did when I had graves,  I eat a normal amount, I don't restrict myself from anything I want. The only negatives since my surgery are a) my calcium levels have never recovered and probably never will so i take 7 tablets of calcium a day and b) I get very tired at times, so much so that I have to sleep, even if its just 15 minutes in the middle of the day, its like my body wants to shut down. I hope this helps on the weight gain subject, everyone is different but you won't necessarily gain weight, it doesn't happen to everyone. 

Hi there! I'm a 30 year old female that had a full Thyroidectomy on February 7th. I'm an avid runner and gym rat :-). The only thing I've dealt with so far is water retention. It's annoying, yes, but from what I understand, my body will adjust after the medication has been in my system for a few months. I'm averaging a 5-10 lb weight difference, sometimes daily! I'm trying to hang in there, but it's hard. My biggest piece of advice is to read, read, read! I just got a book from my doc called "Overcoming Thyroid Disorders" by Dr. Brownstein. Even though we don't have our thyroids anymore, the information is still necessary. I've been researching thyroid information for 3 years now and, wow! Also, make sure to ask your doctor if you are a good converter of T4. That's super important so you have the necessary amount of T3 in your body as well. It's one involved and major organ, and I'm still learning about it. I really hope this helps you!

Hello everyone.  I feel your pain.  I am 5 years post total thyroidectomy and RAI.  I am 5'2" and very petite.  At my very heaviest after the TT I was 136.8 pounds.  The least I have ever weighed was about 100 pounds many moons ago.  I was so frustrated with my doctor telling me that's just the way it is; you are going to have to get used to the extra weight and eat less.  I tried Armour, generic armour, cytomel and synthroid of course.  Armour and it's generic was a disaster roller coster ride.  I could never get the right dose and I had to stop after a valient 6 month trial.  I finally found the key!  I take synthroid with a very small dose of cytomel AT THE SAME time in the morninge and I joined Weight Watchers in June 2013.  I believe the combination of these 2 facts kick started my weight loss.  I have lost almost 30 pounds!  I am 108 now and in danger of being kicked out of Weight Watchers without a doctor's note because my weight is dropping too LOW but now but I am working hard to stabilze my weight a bit higher.  The program taught me proper portion control and healthy food choices.   Plus, I don't work out like a maniac.  I do very light stretching and just move around more; that's it! Before my TT I could eat whatever I wanted and I would not have a problem but after whoa!  A whole different story as you all know.  Anyway, that's my 2 cents for all those going through the fun.  It worked for me, it might work for you.  Everyone is different so you'll have to experiment and find out.  I feel so much better.  No more accupuncture to stop the neck pain from my heavy chest.  I have gone down at least 2 bra sizes and I went from a size 12 to a size 4.  I can actually buy clothes off the rack now.  It's a great feeling!  I wish you all well on your journeys and don't give up!

Hi guys. I am an example of the long term as well. I am 38 and had a total thyroidectomy 6 years ago. The same year I also had a total hysterectomy due to ovarian cancer. I have been 108 pounds for 15 years at 5'4". Now, after 6 years, I am 128 pounds. As a small person my whole life it is weird for me. I am not overweight, but just not the same. Although I am technically in menopause which is a weight-gainer, I really feel like it's the thyroid. I started on levothyroxine and moved to synthroid since it is measured on a more accurate level according to my doc. I started at something like 125 and have steadily moved down to my current 77mcg. I have been working out hard for 6 weeks. NO CHANGE IN WEIGHT. It's weird. I am eating far fewer calories and trying to gain muscle. I know muscle is heavier than fat but it's so hard to stand on that scale and not see any change. :(

My trainer suggests I discuss my workout regimen with the doc. The reason they keep moving my dosage down is due to bone density questions, though I haven't had a bone density test yet. Trainer thinks if I discuss the workout and protein I'm ingesting it would be a good argument for moving that dosage back up since I'm strengthening my bones working out. 

I haven't tried it yet, but thought I'd share that in case anyone else had tried that with their doc.

 

Hillary

I've had total thyroidectomy in 2012 and gained fifty pounds even when I don't eat a lot. It's just really difficult maybe because my body's metabolism isn't like how it was used to be. The weight gain can be quite frustrating. I hope there's something out there that can help people who've had thyroidectomy. The weight gain may be a case to case basis, but most people who've had thyroidectomy has gained a lot of weight.

I have tried a lot also and someone told me about try gluten free eating (homemade gluten free). That is the only way I can lose weight since my partial thyroidectomy. I stay away from sugar also. I feel so much better when I am gluten free and sugar free. It sounds hard, but once you get a few yummy recipes, it gets easier.

Im 34 yrs old, had a total thyroidectomy almost 2 yrs ago, have gained 30 lbs since. Exercise has not helped. Cutting carbs has not helped. Cutting calories hasn't helped. I plan on increasing my levels of exercise now that the kids are in school and see what happens.

Good luck. I had a total thyroidectomy with papillary cancer in 9/14. Never knew I had any thyroid problems before going to an allergist and while he was running some test, found my levels were too low. I had been going to the gym daily and it had took 4 long years of me working hard to get 60 pounds off. I had the surgery, only missed 6 days going to the gym. I walk 5-6 miles a day and some days cycle and do the rowing machine also. It is most depressing to steadily gain weight each week. Three months later, I have gained 16 pounds with no stopping in sight. I was given 88mg of Synthroid post surgery and did not see the Endo for 2 months. She said my levels were too low and increased my meds to 100mg. I was hoping that would help. One month later and I am still gaining weight. Not supposed to see her again until March. I shudder to think how much more I will gain before my next appointment. No amount of exercising and dieting does any good.

I'd love to hear an update on how you are doing now.. I had a partial thyroidectomy (full lobectomy on the right and partial on the left) a little over a year ago. The first three months, I felt like I couldn't keep weight on me. Then, month four rolls around, and it has been almost a non-stop gain. I increased my physical activity, gave up all carbs (just for 3 months since it seemed to do nothing), ate less red meat and pork, ate more fish, don't eat dairy of any kind, always drinking water, etc. I have kept my weight gain to a minimum (at least compared to others in the same situation), and have only gained 10-15 lbs since the surgery. For the first six months after surgery, my levels were great, so there was no need for medication. It's time for my levels to get tested again, and I hope they are out of whack so I can try medication. Maybe this will have an affect on my weight.

I'm a 41 year old female, I had a total removal of my thyroid and several nodes over a year ago due to cancer. I've had a huge rollercoaster ride of recovery and when I look back I've come a long way but am far from a fully functional person. I have gained 10kg (approx 20 pounds) and yes this has come as quite a shock, feel like this strange lady has invaded our house and photos. I am also finding allergies coming back, cant even wear earings. I hope to find my way out of this and I agree you can to be your own advocate/health lead. I made a shift to Whole Thyroid plus Synthroid and the change has been dramatic, I now feel like I'm feeling myself again, the blues I had has lifted and I lost 3kg in 3 weeks (the continuous gain has been stopped). However I haven't lost more so some I will be checking for more level adjustments. To do this I had to connect with a Dr will provide whole thyroid and she works with my Endo. Also probiotic has really helped after radio active iodine treatment and still does. I hope reading some of this may help others like me, I heart goes out to you always keep hope. Andrea NZ

Your doctor lied!

Excuse me! Most of these stories are correct! I know because I am one who had my thyroidectomy since I was 25 and I am now 50+ I've been active and eating healthy for years and it does NOT matter you will reach a platue or just continue to gain weight!! Their diets are not horrible. You just wait you will be saying the same thing in a few more months to come.. you just had you little surgery... but wait you'll see what we are all experiencing! The nerve of you to say we are eating horrible. You think you know it all ... just wait and see!

Hi Andrea, I was just wondering who/where in NZ (if that's where you are from) you can get whole thyroid? And any updates in the last few months?

I had a total thyroidectomy and then neck dissection for thyroid cancer over a year and half ago. I am 39 now. I initially lost weight in the beginning but after about 8 months the weight started creeping on. I exercise 5 days a week at a very intense level, I eat very healthy and my thyroid levels are perfect but I have gained 45 lbs. It doesn't seem to be slowing down and I am at my wits end on what to do. A friend of mine works out the same as me and eats what I do and she dropped 30 lbs and just won her first fitness competition. If anyone has any ideas on how to stop this madness please let me know.

I've had a thyroidectomy 5 months ago. I have had to make sure to keep tabs on my micronutrients by using a phone app called "my fitness plan" as well as a fitbit wrist band that keeps track of all the necessary healthy habits to stay on track. They are both synchronized and means to take all the gues work out to make things so much easier user friendly and straight forward. Allthough I've only been using it for two weeks I feel reassured and healthy inside and out as it gives a guidance on what you need and how much macronutrients you should take to lose weight, check it out!!. Highly recommended.