Hi all,

I am in desperate need of advice/guidance. I successfully lost 120lbs on Ideal Protein last year, and was able to keep my weight within 5lbs for about four months. Then I had an unexpected and unexplained 20lbs weight gain in about two weeks. I went back on the program (using alternatives), and lost most of that just before the holidays. Yay!

After the holidays, I was up 20lbs again, so went back on the program. Since then have gained another 25lbs in two months -- all while on Phase 1.

I saw my doctor back in October when the initial unexplained weight gain happened, and he told me that was definitely not normal, ran a bunch of blood tests as he suspected thyroid issues given my laundry list of other recent symptoms, but everything came back clean.

Given the dramatic increase of weight, even while on a calorie-reduced diet, I have made another appointment (had to be persistent as he says 'everything is fine and I shouldn't worry').

Apart from thyroid issues, what else could this be? I'm hoping most of it is water weight, as I feel swollen (although don't necessarily look it), and my stomach is so distended most days now that I look about 6 months pregnant.

Has anyone else experienced something like this, and how did you get it resolved?

I'm sorry you are experiencing this gain. You've done fabulously! I never heard of this happening. If your doctor doesn't investigate further, I would definitely get a second opinion from an endocrinologist. There are a lot of reasons for retaining fluid, which it sounds like you are experiencing.

Something is going on besides eating back some weight, so I would avoid P1 and try your maintenance plan that worked for that first 4 months. If you gained back a bit of weight from holiday treats, it might be better to address that after you know what else is going on.

Fwiw....when I phased off, I had some weight gain (from eating too much). It scared me back to P1, and then I began a crazy restrict-binge cycle. I had to stop doing P1 for good to stop bingeing.

I hope you get this figured out soon. You did an incredible job of getting to a healthy weight. Hopefully this is just a little bump in the road to a comfortable maintenance for you.

Doctors are notorious for ignoring thyroid symptoms if the blood work numbers (TSH) come back within a "normal range" - which is generally between 1.0 - 4.5 - what was your last TSH? Are you currently medicated for hypothyroid?

Did they do a comprehensive T3 / T4 - including T3 Free / T4 Free?

Have you talked to anyone about adrenal fatigue? Here is a website with a comprehensive listing of blood testing that can help determine if it is adrenal related:

http://adrenalfatiguesolution.com/te...renal-fatigue/

For the severity and quickness of the weight gain, I think it really could be adrenal burnout...but we are all different when it comes to what thyroid level actually works best for our needs. I personally function best with a TSH <1.0 - usually right around 0.75, which is just about hyperthyroid - but it's where my body is most comfortable.

Thanks for the support Sundove. I am thinking I'll need to get off P1 while I try and get this corrected. Hopefully I can get this sorted out soon.

hysteria - It was a full thyroid workup, but I don't have a copy of my results to determine what my levels actually were. They went straight to my doctor. I plan on asking for the specific numbers at my appointment with him, and determine if I was at all boarder line in any way.

I had wondered about adrenal fatigue as well. Another thing on my list to as my doctor about.

Really hoping he doesn't brush me off and I don't have to fight to have him investigate further what's going on.

I urge you to keep seeking out a medical doctor until you find one that is willing to get to the bottom of this with you. Hysteria is right, they are so quick to right you off if your numbers are "normal".

You know something is not right and don't rest until you get resolution.

I agree with not doing P1 right now. It could mess with test results, etc...

after being really strict I can put 15 pounds on like there is no tomorrow. A week on vacation is always a solid 10-15 pounds for me.

I agree - I have had thyroid issues forever and finally I have found doctors that are willing to say I have subclinical thyroid (that means it doesn’t show up on tests) and treat it. When I was being given too much thyroid, I felt it within a day or so - very revved and fast heartbeat - so for me it’s very clear when I am having enough but not too much.

Also I agree with sundove it’s been similar to me - after going into maintenance, strict P1 is really not working for me - it somehow is messing with metabolism - and my mind thinks it is a crutch. So there is both a behavioral and physical part.

Also I am 47 and about 2 years ago went into peri menopause and that is really crazy - I have to keep changing hormones. My doctor finally told me today to raise my maintenance weight 10 lbs while I’m on birth control and just know whenever in the future I go off of it, that 10 lbs will go back off…

However, I am just sharing my individual story in case any tidbit rings a bell of something that might help - we have all been through so much during this process, and it’s all very individual.

I will be curious to hear what you figure out.

I would ask for an ultrasound of your abdomen. The fact that your tummy is distended like your pregnant and all your bloodwork is normal makes me worried that you may have something going on internally. I have know of two women recently who have had large growths removed from their abdomens. Same symptoms. It would have nothing to do with IP or your recent weight loss.

I don't want to scare you but better safe than sorry!