[gravesgirl]

Hello everyone! I'm going to spill my whole story and it might be a little lengthy. Sorry!

Three months ago I went to my general practitioner in hopes of finding a treatment for my severe migraines. The nurse noticed that my pulse was extremely high at resting (155) and very low blood pressure. This led to blood tests and more visits, resulting in a diagnosis of Graves' disease induced hyperthyroidism. Blood work revealed that my T3 and T4 hormone levels were three times the norm. My doctor believes that the disease presented during puberty and has gone in diagnosed until this year because the changes that came with the thyroid issues were dismissed as hormonal changes from puberty. I rarely get ill so I have not been to the doctor for a very long time until now.

Besides the thyroidtoxicosis causing damage to my heart I had none of the traditional symptoms of Graves' disease, possibly because my body acclimated to increased hormone levels. I am 5 foot 4 inches and have always has a rock steady body weight at 130. Not scrawny, but normal and healthy, and never fluctuating.

After being on propanolol (120 mg/day) and methimazole (10mg/day) for three months my heart rate has come down to 80 bpm and my blood pressure has come up into the healthy range. However, my doctor is pushing RAI treatment next month because of some relatively severe side effects I am experiencing from one of the drugs (extreme insomnia, edema, and nausea).

Since being on the beta blocker and hormone pill my formerly steady weight shot up 10 pounds in the first month. My exercise regimen has been sporadic at best in the past ( I did not feel the need to exercise regularly because I thought I was healthy and loved the way I looked) at once to twice a week. When I hit 140 I realized that wasn't cutting it and started working out for a half an hour three times a week. My weight continued to climb to 156, so I upped my workouts to an hour five times a week. The gain has ground to a halt, but I am not losing. My diet is was very consistent prediagnosis and remained so until a month ago. I am a vegetarian and very health conscious. I tried a diet change when I upped my workouts too so now I am at 1400 calories a day.

Yesterday my endocrinologist said that RAI was the way to go, and after the research I've done I trust him. However when I told him that my pulse hops back up to 150 when I do my cardio he almost choked and said I had to cut down my intensity. I have a full time job and there simply isn't enough time in my day to work off the same amount of calories at low intensity.

Doc suggested that I not look at the scale for a year. He said getting my hormones level was the first priority and I can lose the weight later. Of course I'm going to have the treatment. I need it for my heart and my health. Not having a heart attack or stroke is much more important to me than my figure, but keeping up with a steady exercise and diet plan will help me come back down more easily right?

Can anyone recommend a thyroid specific diet or exercise program that will help me to keep the weight down after the treatment and lose it when I'm balanced out? After reading all these forums I could really use a success story. I already am very uncomfortable with the weight I have gained and I realize there might be more. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my long, dry post. I would greatly appreciate any advice you have to offer.

Thank you!

[prouddogmum]

Hi graves! I just wanted to let you know that I understand what you're going through. I was put on propanolol and methimazole in November of last year for my overactive thyroid. Before then I could eat whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, and not gain a pound (although life was not always like that when I was younger). I was a happy 118 pounds. My workouts were pretty sporadic, as I was like you, happy with my weight. But since I was put on my meds, I have gained approximately 10 pounds - and my thyroid is still hyperactive. I know that I have some pretty poor eating habits, but for the past fews weeks I have been trying to eat better. Despite my efforts, though, I'm still gaining weight. I find it tough to do any strenuous physical activity due to my fibromyalgia (and, I won't lie, being really out of shape). To be quite frank, sometimes I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle. I feel really uncomfortable with the weight I've gained as well (most of my clothes barely fit anymore - and my family has even commented on my weight gain). I really don't want this to get out of control, but I don't know what to do.

[PumpkinField]

I have a friend with graves and she does yoga everyday. She has lost weight and she is able to do yoga because it's not high intensity but it does work your whole body. She says it makes her feel good too. I personally find yoga relaxing and helps my body aches. I have watched my friend go un diagnosed for years not knowing what was causing some very tragic events with her body. After diagnosis and thyroid removal I have seen a big difference in her weight and lifestyle. Good luck to you!

[Crimzon]

I don't have graves but I do have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis which is an auto-immune condition. I think Graves is as well. If you google Chris Kessar and thyroid/gluten connection you will come across his interesting blog post. My naturopath recommended going gluten free - as well as some other things. She also recommended some supplements for thyroid support (not iodine). I was pretty much gluten free anyway but more diligent now. I've given up dairy which was recommended in a book on Hashi's that suggests an anti-inflammatory protocol. I'm also reading about the AIP or auto-immune protocol. It's on the web. Stop the Thyroid Madness is a good reference. Mary Shomon has some books out and is the About dot com expert.

Gaining weight stinks. I'm uncomfortable too. Since giving up dairy I've lost a few pounds FWIW which has made me a little bit optimistic that I'm doing the right thing. Keep in touch.