Thyroid Cancer and Weight Loss

  • Hi all I am new to this site.

    I was diagnosed with hurthle Cell Carcinoma Sept 7, 2011. And since have had my thyroid removed and will be having the RIA in 6-8 weeks. I have always been overweight and would really like to lose weight now and diffently not gain any. I need your help and thoughts about what might have worked for you..

    Thanks so much....
  • I am in Cancer treatment, too, although a different type. I am not familiar with Hurtle Cell Carcinoma. I do not know what you mean by RIA treatment. Does that mean radiation? Depends on wht kind of treatment you are getting, it may affect your appetite or even make you ill. I think you will just have to wait and see how you react. I just went ahead and dieted as I normally would, by counting calories and eating healthy, nutritious food. I would, if I were you ask my doctors what they recommend for healthy dieting at this time.
  • Thank You
    thank you for responding.. RIA (Radioactive Isotope Ablation).. I will ask my endo when I see him Thursday as to what he reccomends... I will also see what the radiology oncologist has to say and see if I can try and figure this thing out... Thank you once again...
  • Good luck. Just follow the advice the doctors give you. They want the best for you.
  • I'm a thyroid cancer survivor! I had a TT in May 2010, and RIA in Dec 2010. I lost a good bit of weight when I went on the low-iodine diet in preparation for RIA. Good Luck!
  • Hello! I took radioactive iodine this past March following thyroid cancer. Now that you don't have a thyroid, its going to take a while for your docs to get your thyroid supplement meds to an acceptable level. I, too, was concerned with weight gain during this process.

    My doctor told me the best thing I could do to keep my weight stable or lose during the med regulation process is calorie count and exercise. I started calorie counting about 3 weeks following my radiation, and more or less continued to present. I also have exercised average 3 times per week throughout, despite the total fatigue of hypothyroidism. For a while (when my meds were way too low) I hit a weight plateau and even gained a little (5 pounds maybe?) but I kept up with my calorie counting and working out, and once they bumped my meds and I'm at a good level, the weight fell right off again. I think exercising had a lot to do with keeping my metabolism active through the whole process. It was tough, especially when I was really sick and wanted to sleep 24/7, but definitely worth it. Good luck to you!