Question:
Bad thyroid levels only after 11 months post op?

Has anyone else been told that they have a thyroid problem after WLS? My thyroid level is 7.798 now, but it was normal before my surgery. I just wonder if this is actually caused by the major changes that are going on in our bodies. After all, I did just lose 150 pounds within the past year not counting the fact that I just had another major surgery (TT and Arms) and my body is still adjusting. I don't think I should just jump on the bandwagon and start taking meds until I am sure that this won't pass. Shouldn't I monitor it over the next 6 months to a year to see what the tests say? Has anyone else been through this? Also, would this make me hyperthyroid or hypothyroid? I should say that this was confirmed by an associate of my PCP (not my PCP) so I intend to wait until he gets back from vacation to get his take on the issues. Thank you, Mary Beth    — Beffy W. (posted on April 4, 2003)

April 3, 2003
Mary Beth, I hope you have seen your doctor about your thyroid problems. I am hypothyroidism which is low or no thyroid. I have to take medication everyday. One time they took me off the medication and I gained over 50 lbs in one month. Don't play around with it, go see your doctor and he will tell you what type you have. Hyper thyroidism is over thyroid and you are nervious and jittery which is also bad. See your doctor, please. Paul
   — Paul B.

April 4, 2003
Thank you Paul. I plan to see my doctor as soon as he gets back from his vaction next week. I was just hoping that someone else could give me there thoughts before I see him. If I need to be on meds than I will do that, but I think it is really odd that it should just change like that and I would like to make sure that it isn't from all the trauma that my body has endured over the past year. Good luck with you surgery next week! Sincerely, Mary Beth
   — Beffy W.

April 4, 2003
Mary Beth, I doubt surgery had anything to do with your thyroid problem. If that number is your TSH, that's pretty high. Most women feel best when their TSH is between 1 and 2. I can tell you that my normal TSH was about 1.17, but when I started having symptoms, it only was up to 2.96 but I felt like death - extreme fatigue, muscle aches, brain fog, hair falling out, weight gain, depression - the works. Thank God I found an absolutely wonderful endocrinologist who listened and believed me and started me on the appropriate amount of medication! (My PCP wanted to treat my symptoms with NSAIDs and anti-depressants, and a trial of thyroid medication 1/3 the amount the endo started me on!) I believe hypothyroidism in women is terribly undertreated, so be glad you found someone interested in it! (TSH = Thyroid Stimulating Hormone. Your pituitary is working overtime to try and get your thyroid gland to produce more hormones, that's why the number is high.)Get it treated. I will be on Levoxyl the rest of my life, but I don't care, as long as I never feel like that again.
   — koogy

April 4, 2003
MaryBeth, The surgery is not the likely culprit here. But anything is possible. You need to get the treatment, though. DO NOT IGNORE a thyroid problem! The physical symptoms are bad, yes, but results of hypothyroidism, for example, can lead to blindness or heart attack, even. SO, it is very important to pay attention to the issue!!!! And you will likely have to change medication levels often if you are losing rapidly still. I had hypothyroidism prior to surgery, and after surgery, my levels have changed 6 or 7 times in the last 1 1/2 yrs. Less and less meds needed, in fact. Prior to surgery, my meds were steadily increasing. Best of luck to you. Lisa Kellogg RNY 8/29/01 (294-174)
   — lisachris

April 4, 2003
Thanks all. I will discuss all of my concerns with the Dr, I guess if it isn't the surgery then I will need to be on meds.
   — Beffy W.

April 4, 2003
Thyroid disease is very serious. I was diagnosed when I was 9 with underactive thyroids, and my tsh has been as high as 28. I spent a few days in the hospital having it brought down... Not fun. If not treated, it can cause blindness and heart problems. I get my tsh checked like clockwork every 6 weeks.
   — mellyhudel