Hypothroidism and WLS

I was told there are several people on this board with hypothroidism that have had WLS. I was hoping that I could get some information from you. I have had hypothroid symptoms for several years but my doctors have never paid any attention to them because my thyroid tests have always come back normal, low normal but normal. I was recently diagnosed with a goiter and NOW they are telling me that I am hypothroid. My doctor started to write me a prescription for Snythroid, I then asked him if it was safe to take Synthroid since I have an arryhthmia. He then proceeded to tear up the prescription and threw it away. He knows I am going to have WLS so I guess he assumes I will lose weight then. My question is this, will I still lose weight with the WLS even if my hypothroidism is left untreated. Thanks any info would be greatly appreciated. Darlene Phillips

Darlene, RUN, do not walk, to another doctor ASAP. A doctor who KNOWS you are hypothyroid, and then throws away the prescription without any further instruction is a travesty. You really need to see a good endocrinologist to get your thyroid condition treated, especially if you have a goiter. I became hypothyroid after having part of my thyroid removed in 2000, and had weight loss surgery in 2002. I was started on Synthroid a few months after thyroid surgery. Sometimes thyroid problems can cause arrythmias. You need to see someone who will look at more than just your TSH. A good place to go for information is www.about.com and go to the thyroid forum under diseases. My TSH only got to 2.96, still with in "normal" range, but MY normal was about 1.17. I finally saw a great endocrinologist who treated me and I felt so much better! When I was hypothyroid, I had muscle and joint aches (weird places - like my elbows), I was depressed, didn't want to socialize, had "brain fog", and was soooooo tired. I had been walking, but gradually "lost ground", had increase pain in my legs and feet, and stopped exercising! I have a desk job, and I could hardly wait to get home to my couch after work! I greatly improved after I started on Synthroid, but had to change to Levoxyl after about 6 months (developed a blistery rash between my fingers). You really need to have your thyroid condition treated, and then monitored after you have weight loss surgery. Even if being hypothyroid doesn't affect your weight loss after surgery, it may make you feel better all over to have it properly treated so you have energy to exercise after you have WLS, to maximize the benefit as much as possible. All the best to you! Sue

Sue I have been to 2 endos. When I went to the first one my goiter was not evident, only a few nodules. Then second endo is the doctor that threw the prescription away. My cardiologist feels that the arrhythmia is weight related and I agree with him. They are hoping that once I lose weight the arrhythmia will go away. I have an appt. on May 13, with the endo and I am going to discuss some of these issues with him. I have had fibromyalgia all my life so I always feel lethargic but lately it is getting worse. I have always tried to live my life as normal as possible by pushing myself but it is really overwhelming at this point and I feel that most of it is contributed by the untreated thyroid condition. I still want to have my WLS done before addressing the thyroid issue because my arrhythmia is under control now and I don't want to do anything that would prevent my surgery. The endo feels that the Synthroid would make my cardiac problems worse. Thanks for you advice I appreciate your response. Darlene Phillips

Just like any other prescription medication that we take, synthroid can have side effects. They are, however, very rare. I work with a man who has had 2 heart attacks, but takes synthroid with no problem (synthroid was started after heart attacks). Most WLS surgeons (and insurance companies) will require that hypothroidism be under control before they will even perform WLS. If I were you, I'd post this question on the main board and see how many people who take synthroid have also been diagnosed with arrhythemia's. Normally, taking synthroid will not cause you to lose much weight (I was told that only 5-10 pounds of excess weight can be attributed to hypothyroidism), however, an untreated underactive thyroid can inhibit weight loss. To treat it won't cause you lose weight, but to not treat it can cause you to NOT lose weight. Yes, you will definitely lose weight with WLS. However, at some point, the hypothyroidism will cause that loss to slow down or stop if left untreated. My doc has adjusted my synthroid (I'm not happy about it, but my labs are "normal" - I'm hoping he'll change it back after my most recent labs come back) and I've only lost 9 pounds since Dec. 15 and I'm currently 10.5 months post-op. So, from months 6-10.5, I've lost a whopping 9 pounds on less than 1200 calories a day. My heart rate is slow (60 or less) and I blame that and my lack of weight loss on too little synthroid. Good Luck -