Weight Frustration

[KnottedYet]

It might be a good idea to get your thyroid checked.

Mine got checked when my celiac last flared up, just in case. I think it was just a blood test for me.

[SalsaMTB]

Definitely go get checked out. I would recommend going to a general practitioner or something like that if you have one. If you don't have anything medically wrong, it will at least clear your mind and hopefully your doctor can recommend you to a nutritionist. 40 lbs in one year seems like an awful lot.

Something I've learned recently is not to trust one doctors opinion, listen to your body and take charge.

[makbike]

I'd also encourage you to see another doctor and have them test your thyroid. It took me two years to have my thyroid condition diagnosed and only after I found an endrocrinologist who would see me without a referral from my GP. You might request they also test you for antibodies that are associated with Hashimoto's disease - my TSH was normal but my antibodies were sky high. Just a suggestion of course.

I too gained a lot of weight though my eating habits had not changed and I was exercising on a daily basis for at least 40 minutes. I was extremely tired (literally fell asleep talking to students and could not drive to Louisville because I could not stay awake), my skin was extremely dry, I was always cold and I had a very hard time staying focused. It was a huge relief to finally find a doctor who would listen to me and not base everything on numbers on a lab report. It was even a bigger relief to find out I was not crazy nor was I depressed as had been suggested by my GP. My life has improved 1000% since I started taking my medication for my thyroid disease and I gladly take that little pink pill every morning. Oh what a difference it has made.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[mtbdarby]

Meaux, I'll chime in on getting your thyroid tested as well, but go in PREPARED! Please read these forums and print off pages, take notes, etc BEFORE seeing another doctor, especially an endo. http://mediboard.com/groupee/forums

Best of luck and keep us posted.

[Popoki_Nui]

Oh how I wish someone would send some real doctors out to this island! I've been going down this road for years, and got the same tired old story: "your TSH numbers are fine...your thyroid is fine, go away". From my GP, Endo, OB/Gyn. Probably friggin Santa Claus, too. But there is a shortage of doctors here, and one just can't go to another doctor; none are taking new patients.
And like many, I have all those symptoms; I'm more active now than I have been since I was 17, I eat less (and better) than anytime in my life, and still can't lose weight or feel better. I too know there is something weird going on in my body, but.....
And yes, I did print out some thyroid facts to take to my doctors to attempt to have a meaningful discussion. Well! I was treated like something unpleasant they stepped in out in the back forty. That "who do you think you are with all that fancy information?" attitude. We are doctors, you are one of the great unwashed.

Ack. That turned into a rant....I'm so sorry. I do wish you luck is getting to the bottom of your weight gain! Please do as the other ladies have suggested: hammer away until you get answers. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. But not around here.
Best wishes and {{{{{Meaux}}}}} to you! Let us know how it goes.

[Meaux]

Yeah, 40 pounds is a lot. Tell me about it. I'm glad that this is not in my head and that there could be a real reason for all of this. Honestly, my doctor is a guy, and I can't help but think that may have something to do with it. I've been thinking about finding a new GP, my other one was great, but when I mentioned something about my libido taking a nosedive, he seemed a little uncomfortable and changed the subject. Thanks again for the help, ladies. I'll do some more research. If anyone can think of anything else to help, let me know.

[salsabike]

Meaux, when I developed fibromyalgia 15 or so years ago, the only med that helped with what was at that time severe muscle pain was amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant that in low doses interferes with spinal pain pathways. I gained a TON of weight, and have been working to get it off ever since I stopped the meds for good, around 8 years ago. So antidepressants can certainly cause significant weight gain and the docs don't always seem to be clued in about that. They can also affect libido and this doc should know that.

If you can, you need to see a good primary care doc who understands autoimmune syndromes--someone recently trained. Or a ditto endocrinologist.

[velogirl]

Oh how I wish someone would send some real doctors out to this island! I've been going down this road for years, and got the same tired old story: "your TSH numbers are fine...your thyroid is fine, go away". From my GP, Endo, OB/Gyn. Probably friggin Santa Claus, too. But there is a shortage of doctors here, and one just can't go to another doctor; none are taking new patients.
And like many, I have all those symptoms; I'm more active now than I have been since I was 17, I eat less (and better) than anytime in my life, and still can't lose weight or feel better. I too know there is something weird going on in my body, but.....
And yes, I did print out some thyroid facts to take to my doctors to attempt to have a meaningful discussion. Well! I was treated like something unpleasant they stepped in out in the back forty. That "who do you think you are with all that fancy information?" attitude. We are doctors, you are one of the great unwashed.

Ack. That turned into a rant....I'm so sorry. I do wish you luck is getting to the bottom of your weight gain! Please do as the other ladies have suggested: hammer away until you get answers. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. But not around here.
Best wishes and {{{{{Meaux}}}}} to you! Let us know how it goes.

TSH is not the only test necessary to diagnose thyroid disorders. You should also test Thyroid Antibodies (can help diagnose auto-immune disorders like Hashi's and Graves), free T3 and free T4. I was mis-diagnosed for many years. Had all the symptoms mentioned and then some, including almost 50 pounds of weight gain although I ride my bike 15-20 hours a week (and eat right). Had scans and RIU and ultrasounds. My doc was a dork and didn't even read the test results. Fired him, got a new endo and she immediately knew I had thyroid cancer. I also had undiagnosed Hashi's so I was was super-hypo and my original doc was treating me as though I was hyper.

You need to take responsibility for your own healthcare. Be tough. I know how hard that can be when you're sick. Find a doc who listens and don't give up until you have an answer.

My thyroid issues were debilitating. I'm finally, two-years post surgery, losing the last of the weight and feeling like myself again.