Thyriod Problems AFTER WLS

I went to my PCP today, had to have a complete physical and bloodwork done prior to starting my surgical technologist classes. Anyway, he glanced at me lab results from 6 months ago and realized my thyriod was slightly low and now he is ordering a whole work up done. I admit i am tired often but I just assumed it was probably my B vitamins and he would have me increase them, but my thyriod? I have had it checked every year for the pass 4 years and it has been normal. I am 20 months post op and lost all the extra weight without too much trouble and I am doing pretty well at keeping it off. I went from 244 lbs to 113 lbs. Yes, I have thyriod problems tat run inthe family but why would it start to show up now when I am doing so well? I would love to hear anyone's experinece or thoughts on this. I am just waiting for bloodwork results to come back for now.

Jeannine, I too have recently gone thru the same thing. At the end of December (and being 28 months post op) I found out I have thyroid problems too. I am understanding that this is a common thing after having this surgery. I never had thyroid problems pre-op nor does it run in my family so it was a bit unusual for me to hear this was happening. Although I did one MAJOR thing wrong. I thought after 2 years post op I didn't need to have blood work as often. WRONG! That is when it all broke loose on me. I should have continued going every six months for blood work and didn't. Thankfully you are, because I did myself more damage than good. When your thyroid starts shutting down it also reeks havoc on the rest of your body and organs! I ended up spending 5 months in and out of hospitals, having blood transfusions, and iron IV's done! It wasn't a fun journey but thankfully I'm getting myself back on track. Worst part of it all.....I've gained 40 pounds back and not sure how to get back on track. I mean I know how, but the will power just isn't there anymore. I'm scared of gaining all the weight back, but now that I'm able to start working out again it will hopefully get better soon again! Good luck and I hope all your blood work comes back ok! ~Carole~

My thyroid died within 3 months of being post-op. I'm still going through the deal of trying to get the right dosage. Good luck with it all! Sherri

I am 5 weeks post-op and went into the WLS with a HYPERactive thyroid. Right before I was diagnosed, I had lost 150 lbs. in 6 months and then ended up in the hospital with a thyroid storm that threw me into congestive heart failure and left me with afib flutter. Good news is that my heart is still strong and healthy (I was lucky). Bad news is that I quickly gained all of that 150 lbs. back (within 1 1/2 years) ... thus the reason for the WLS. I also have nodules on either side of my thyroid that store thyroid hormones and whenever my pituatary gland gets "in the mood" it directs the nodules to release vast amounts of those hormones at will. I have had three thyroid 'storms' (not fun) and been in and out of hospitals over the past 2 years for various complications resulting from them. I take 5 mg daily of Methimazole to keep my thyroid numbers as normal as they can be. When you said your numbers were 'low' ... do you realize that means that you are probably hyperthyroid rather than hypothyroid? Your weight loss has been incredible and your thyroid may have helped that along as well. Stay on top of it and do whatever your docs tell you to. If I were you, I would find an Endocrinologist (I have been going to one for the past two years and she is GREAT ... she was ecstatic when she found out I was having WLS) to treat the thyroid conditions (if you are diagnosed with them). A lot of times your PCP just isn't as savvy about endocrine problems as a specialist would be. Good Luck ... I wish you well and you will be in my thoughts and prayers. PS: 5 wks out = 30 lbs. lost! Johanna (better known as Jenny)