Question for all of you more experienced people....

I saw my doctor yesterday for my 4 month check up (a week late because they had to postpone me) and he was looking over my labs and he said my thyroid is too low (it was 0.02 -- that's like non existant huh)? Anyone else have that problem POST OP? I thought that was weird! Lord knows no one ever told me that BEFORE surgery cuz I kept wishing I'd had a low thyroid to blame my weight on. I'm guessing this must have been brought on by the surgery because I KNOW it wasn't that low before. Anyway they are sending me to an endocrinologist to have more tests done... yadda yadda. He also told me that I need to supplement my Iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin D, because they were all low (not under range yet, just low), so he gave me a list of dosages to take, etc. My B's were perfect though. Glad something is! They only had me taking a multi vitamin until my labs were done because they say you shouldn't take other supplements until you need them. (But I was taking B complex too, anyway.) I also have to see a nutritionish because I'm still not eating enough solid food and he "didn't want me to depend on protein shakes for the rest of my life or become malnourished"... I knew that one too, but I told him I kinda thought me not having an appetite and being replused by almost all food (except chocolate which I don't eat for obvious reasons) was only temporary. I know a lot of you who are a year out say you miss those days when you couldn't eat, so I'm not in any hurry to get my appetite or my desire for food back!! Anyway, he said maybe the NUT could help me find foods that appeal to me so that I can start getting more SOLID food in me... I'm willing to try, but I'm down 80 lbs and I still have almost 70 to go so I am not letting anyone stuff me with food just yet!!! Any advice? Vi

Thyroid problems are classied as autoimmune diseases. I don't think it has anything to do with having had WLS. Seeing an endocrinologist is the best thing you can do right now. He should be able to answer all these questions for you. I'm not sure if that level means that you are hyperactive or hypoactive, but either way the endo should be able to treat it. I hope it turns out to be ok. Joanne

Thanks for the input.

Hi Vi, I was pretty much repulsed by most foods (except cheese, salad, and fruit****il I was about 6 months out.....before that eating was something I almost hated to think about....which was something I never thought I would say. And now at 10 months out, I am eating more of a variety.....I think we are all so individual in our cases....but truly eating was just something I knew I had to do. Now....I have to stop myself from snacking....so give it some time...it's still very new. Congratulations on a terrific weight loss. Janean

Hi Janean, I'm glad to hear it's normal. He made me feel like I should be concerned and I really wasn't because I figured it would pass after a few months! Thanks! Vi

Vi, I have the underactive thyroid myself and I know that just having the surgery should not have done that but if you say all your level were fine before I wonder how it changed so quickly? Your endo wil be able to let ya know. I thought I would have problems after surgery but my level are doing good still. Hun as long as your getting your nutrition then all is good. when you are ready you will add more foods back in, I know for a while foods did not taste the same and it was tiring to have to chew everything, even just the taste of things changed but it started to come back about 5-6 months out. I hope all goes well for you at the Endo.... ~hugs~ Please keep us posted. Debra P

Thanks Debra, I'm sure it will be fine and as for the food, I'm just happy to hear that it's normal and I don't need to try so hard to eat more so long as I get adequate nutrition! (I really didn't want to start forcing myself!!) Hugs, Vi

Reduced metabolic rate and reduced thermogenesis, are recognized compensatory physiological responses to starvation and calorie restriction, and are probably mediated by reduced central stimulus to release of thyroid hormone. Since the operation produces severe calorie restriction, some patients appear to manifest a persistent hypometabolic response following bypass, beginning within 1 - 2 months, and sometimes persisting even when weight has stabilized. Symptoms may include reduced energy, lethargy, cold intolerance, and slow weight loss. Laboratory evaluation should include evaluation of free-T3. Patients thus afflicted appear to respond to replacement-level doses of thyroid hormone, instituted in a stepwise dosage regimen Copied this from a website. THe endo doc will be able to test you and let you know more. As far as food goes, i basically live on cheese, chicken and eggs. Not much else appeals to me, and when i do try some things like the atkins granola bar yesturday what kinds of foods do you eat? I try different things with the foods i can tolerate. Give us some ideas as to what you can eat and maybe people can give you suggestions to do with that. I hope some of this helps. LisaMarie

Wow, Lisa, that makes so much sense! Thanks for finding that for me! I know another woman who had the same problem after her surgery and I was convinced it had to be related, so I'm glad to read that! As for food, I eat cheese, mixed nuts, pistachios and some berries (on occasion). I'll also do tuna over romaine and tomatoes with a little dressing. Sometimes I toss a salad and put some cold cuts into it (chicken and cheese mostly) to make my own kind of "chef salad". My problem is the same as most, I get bored with what I eat. Thank goodness I still like my Dymatize Elite Choc Mint shake because I live off those! I've tried eating crackers, whole wheat bread and even pasta, but none of that stuff agrees with me. I take a bite or two and I'm done! But I'm kind of glad since I don't really want to start craving that stuff anyway, you know? I'm just relieved to know that this will pass. I Figured it would, but he made me a little nervous and I figured I better find out for myself! Thanks for all the great information! Hugs, Vi

Would you like some of my food Idea's ? lol Pigs feet,....... calfs liver,........... tripe,......... to name a very few.. Alberto