Treatment FAQ

how much weight will i gain during hyperthyroid treatment and after

by Charity Tillman III Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

How much weight do you gain with hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism

Over production of hormones by the thyroid gland located at the front of neck.

? From the point at which the patients sought care to the end of their treatment followup, an increased in weight of 5% or more was measured in 65% of patients with hyperthyroidism, and more than one iin three (38%) experienced a weight gain of 10% or more over their usual body weight.

Average weight gain was about 11.8 lbs for patients who were treated with medication, 12.3 lbs for those who had RAI treatment without developing hypothyroidism, and 15.6 lbs for those who had RAI treatment and developed hypothyroidism.

Full Answer

How much weight will I gain after thyroid treatment?

Researchers have found that patients who undergo radioactive iodine ablation, thyroidectomy (4) or take hyperthyroid medication will gain on average anywhere from 10-25 pounds within the first 3 months of therapy.

Can hyperthyroidism cause weight gain?

Hyperthyroid patients can and do gain weight! You are NOT crazy if this is happening to you and it can be explained perfectly with science. Believe it or not, weight gain in hyperthyroid patients is actually quite common - with reports showing as many as 50% of patients who deal with this particular issue.

Do hyperthyroidism patients lose weight after treatment?

The key words are “after treatment.” Yes, hyperthyroidism patients lose weight before being treated but afterwards, when treatment is successfully administered, it is noted that a significant amount of patients gain weight. Why?

How long does it take for hyperthyroidism to increase?

That's a HUGE increase and the majority of this increase occurs within the first 2 years of diagnosis. First, when we refer to hyperthyroidism we are referring to a condition in which your body is naturally producing too much thyroid hormone.

How long does it take to gain weight back after hyperthyroidism?

“Experiencing steady weight gain is the most likely during the first six months after treatment,” and then may taper off somewhat, Dr. Boelaert says. But most people in the study experienced at least some level of weight gain for more than two years.

Will I gain weight once I start taking thyroid medication?

In most cases, levothyroxine causes some weight loss. According to the American Thyroid Association, when this medication is started, you may lose up to 10% of your weight. This weight is mainly water weight, since being hypothyroid makes you retain water. Levothyroxine is a medication to treat hypothyroidism.

How much weight do you gain on methimazole?

According to research, after starting Methimazole, the typical weight gain was approximately 12 pounds in 42 individuals with Graves' disease.

Is it normal to gain weight with hyperthyroidism?

Weight gain with hyperthyroidism isn't common, but it's possible. It usually happens after you start treatment for hyperthyroidism and gain back weight you previously lost from the disease. In rare cases, it can mean something more serious.

How long after starting thyroid medication will I lose weight?

The first barrier is getting the right dose of thyroid medication. Once you have reached your ideal dose, you may notice some weight loss after around three to six months of continuous use.

How long after starting thyroid medication will I see an improvement?

You should start to feel better a few days after you begin taking medicine. But it may take a few months for your thyroid hormone levels to get back to normal. If your levels get better, but you still have symptoms like fatigue and weight gain, your doctor may need to change your treatment.

Will I lose weight when I stop taking Carbimazole?

Once you start taking carbimazole, you will stop losing weight as your hormone levels stabilise. Once you are on the right dose of carbimazole, and your thyroid hormone levels have returned to normal, the treatment will no longer affect your weight.

Can you have hyperthyroidism and not lose weight?

Since hyperthyroidism also increases appetite, some patients may not lose weight, and some may actually gain weight, depending on how much they increase their caloric intake.

Will I lose weight once my thyroid is regulated?

Thyroid hormones have been used as a weight loss tool in the past. Many studies have shown that excess thyroid hormone treatment can help produce more weight loss than can be achieved by dieting alone. However, once the excess thyroid hormone is stopped, the excess weight loss is usually regained.

What is the best treatment for hyperthyroidism?

Another potential treatment for hyperthyroidism is the use of Beta blockers. These medications really only act to reduce the effects of circulating thyroid hormones by reducing T4 to T3 conversion (6) and blocking the receptor effects of thyroid hormone.

What causes hyperthyroidism?

What you may not realize is that most cases of hyperthyroidism are caused by an autoimmune disease. It's also even more interesting when you consider that most cases of hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's thyroiditis) are also caused by autoimmune disease!

Why do I need thyroid hormone replacement?

Because your body can no longer produce thyroid hormone on its own - you now need to supplement with thyroid hormone replacement. Patients who have had their thyroid removed or who have undergone RAI almost ALWAYS gain weight (usually at least 20 pounds) but sometimes even more.

What does it mean when your body isn't producing enough thyroid hormone?

This is the exact opposite of the condition hypothyroidism which means your body isn't producing ENOUGH thyroid hormone. Now things can obviously get more complex than this - for instance how your body is using the thyroid hormone floating around, but let's ignore that topic for a second.

How to improve antibody levels?

Address your diet: The first thing you will want to do is clean up your diet. That may include adopting a strict diet such as the paleo diet, the autoimmune paleo diet or a gluten-free diet. Believe it or not, making these simple changes can dramatically improve your symptoms and may improve your antibody levels.

What supplements can help with thyroid?

You can find a list of supplements below that can improve thyroid function and improve immune function in those with hyperthyroidism: Zinc: Zinc can improve T4 to T3 conversion while balancing immune function. Take up to 60mg per day. Liquid Vitamin D3: Vitamin D3 can improve immune function.

Can methimazole cause weight gain?

That means it's easy to either over treat (causing hypothyroidism and weight gain) or undertreat (leaving you with symptoms of hyperthyroidism). Because of these issues, methimazole generally isn't used long term which leads to thyroidectomy (thyroid removal) or RAI (ablation of the thyroid gland).

How much weight gain after reactive iodine treatment?

The mean weight increase after reactive iodine therapy reached a maximum of 3.87 kg (5%) at 24 months after treatment.

How long does it take for weight gain after iodine?

Weight seemed to stabilize in the long-term setting, with minimal increases between 8 and 12 months and at 24 months after radioactive iodine treatment. The clinical significance of weight gain from the time of diagnosis of hyperthyroidism to 2 years after radioactive iodine therapy is unclear.

What are the factors that contribute to weight gain?

There are multiple factors that are implicated in the weight gain which include pre-existing obesity (BMI greater than 25 kg/m2) , patients with Graves' disease, and in patient's younger than 30 years of age.into studies female sex had previously been identified as a risk factor ...

Does hyperthyroidism cause weight gain?

Weight gain is a common complaint in patients who have been treated for hyperthyroidism. There were reports of up to 79% patient's increasing week after hyperthyroid treatment. Several studies show changes in body mass index, total fat mass, and totally mass after initiation of treatment for hyperthyroidism.

Does T3 increase weight?

On average all patients gain weight after treatment and the serum T3 level at the time of diagnosis of hyperthyroidism was the most significant predictor of this weight gain, with higher levels of T3 associated with higher weight gain. Male sex and African American or Hispanic raise are all found to be independent predictors of weight gain.

How does thyroid affect weight?

How thyroid function can affect your weight. Thyroid hormone helps regulate your metabolism. Your metabolism is how much energy your body uses and at what rate. This means that thyroid hormone also affects your basal metabolic rate. This is how much energy your body uses to keep functioning while it’s at rest.

What are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism?

See a doctor if you develop any of these symptoms. If you’re gaining weight and have symptoms of hyperthyroidism, such as nervousness, increased sweating, and trouble sleeping , it’s still a good idea to see your doctor. They can help you find the right diagnosis and treatment.

What is the name of the condition where your body makes more thyroid hormone than it needs?

Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) is a condition where your body makes more thyroid hormone than it needs. The condition affects about 1 percent of people in the United States and is more common in women. Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck. The thyroid hormones it makes help control how your body uses energy.

How do you know if you have thyroid problems?

Weight gain alone is generally not a sign of a thyroid problem. But weight gain alongside the following symptoms can indicate hypothyroidism: 1 fatigue 2 achiness 3 depression 4 dry skin 5 constipation

What is the most common type of thyroiditis?

The most common type of thyroiditis is Hashimoto disease. It’s also the most common cause of hypothyroidism. In some rare cases, the immune response to Graves disease — the most common type of hyperthyroidism — can continue long enough to attack the thyroid and lead to inflammation. Therefore, it can cause Hashimoto disease, ...

Does thyroid cause weight gain?

However, in some cases, hyperthyroidism can actually lead to weight gain.

Is weight gain a sign of thyroid problems?

Talk to your doctor about finding the right course of treatment for you. Weight gain alone is generally not a sign of a thyroid problem.

Hyperthyroidism Weight Gain Statistics

For their study, Dr. Boelaert and colleagues used the Thyroid Clinic Database at the University Hospitals Birmingham National Health Service Foundation Trust. They examined data on all adults with hyperthyroidism who were treated with either antithyroid drugs; radioiodine (131-I), also called radioactive iodine (RAI); or both between 2000 and 2014.

What Causes Excess Weight Gain After Hyperthyroidism Treatment?

It’s not completely clear why individuals who are treated with antithyroid drugs or radioactive iodine to reverse their hyperthyroidism show a tendency to gain back the lost weight plus more. “It appears something in the disease process or perhaps from the treatment makes them end up heavier,” Dr. Boelaert says.

Hyperthyroidism Weight Gain and Heart Disease

Dr. Boelaert says she worries about the adverse effects that are associated with overweight, which compound risks that are already experienced by people with thyroid disorders.

How to Safely Address Weight Gain from Hyperthyroidism Treatment

If you are being treated for an overactive thyroid, these strategies can help you minimize excess weight gain without putting your health at risk:

How is weight gain related to the thyroid?

Thyroid hormones have MANY functions in your body and can influence every cell in your body ( 1 ). These include:

Thyroid Hormone Replacement

There are different forms of thyroid hormone replacement. I am not a pharmacist, so I will just give the basics of what different kinds are available. For more information, see the American Thyroid Association.

Weight Changes During Treatment

There are several aspects to thyroid cancer treatment that can have an effect on your weight.

Weight Changes Beyond Active Treatment

Theoretically, you never “stop” being treated for your thyroid cancer, as you will likely be monitored for a long time and require hormone replacement.

So, is Weight Gain Inevitable?

This is a tricky question. The research out there is not conclusive. Anecdotal evidence from talking with thyroid cancer survivors will lead you to think it is inevitable.

How to Avoid Weight Gain After Thyroid Removal

There are several steps I would recommend to avoiding weight gain after thyroid removal.

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