Question:
Gastric Bypass after a total Throidectomy

Has anyone had Gastric Bypass surgery after having there thyroid removed? I had mine taken out 3 yrs ago because of cancer and my levels fluctuate every 3 mo. so my synthroid has to be adjusted, just wanted to know if that can make weight loss harder or slower after the surgery?    — skylarblu (posted on January 22, 2007)

January 22, 2007
I did not have my thyroid removed, but did have it radiated and destroyed, I have no thyroid left at all and depend on synthroid for hormorne replacement for the rest of my life due to graves disease. I had this done about 8 years ago and my rny about 18 mos ago. I had a huge problem and got really sick the first 6 months after my surgery which we belive to be related to rapid weight loss and not testing and adjusting my levels fast enough. When they finaly ckd my level in the middle of my sickest time, I was getting way too much hrmone. After it was finaly adjusted, I started getting better with my symptoms. There is no way to know for sure how much of this was why I was so sick, but I personally think it had a lot to do with it. I stopped losing weight once I wasnt drug induced hyperthyroid anymore for an entire year and just recently started losing some again. I have only lost 60 pounds and have 30 to 40 more to go, which I don't think I will ever lose. I started out as a "lightweight" @ 237 lbs. I got a little off subject there, but to answer your question, I think in my case, my lack of a thyroid has greatly hindered my weight loss and feel I wasted the surgery and suffered many, many months of sickness for minimal results. I have a lot less energy than I did before surgery and I really don't know why....lack of nutrition....starvation?? I do not get over 1000 calories at 18 mons out and maintain at 177 lbs....it doesn't add up! One doctor told me that you lose 3 hormones when you lose your thyroid and synthroid only replaces one of them....perhaps he was on to something??? Please contact me if you like. OHHH....this statement was not to discourage you in any way... it is just my personal experience,,, Good Luck!!
   — teresagrooms

January 22, 2007
Hi. I, too, had a total thyroidectomy about three years ago due to many nodules that they could not say if they were cancer or not... Thank god it wasn't, but I am also on synthroid for the rest of my life. I had lap rny in April of 2006, and have lost 102 pounds thus far, in a little over ten months. My synthroid amount has not changed, but I do get tested every three months to make sure that I am at the proper levels. I do not feel that the thyroidectomy has slowed my weight loss at all. I started out as a "lightweight", weighing 147. I now weigh 145, and am in the "normal" range for the first time in my life on the bmi scale! I only have five more pounds to reach my personal goal! I went from a size 22, that was tight, to a size 4-6! Good luck!
   — earthangel

January 23, 2007
I had RNY on November 21,2005. So far I have lost 125 pounds and have 15 more to lose. I had my thyroid destroyed with radioactive iodine in 1998 and I have been on and will remain on synthroid for the rest of my life. I discussed this with my surgeon before weight loss surgery and he assured me that I would be fine and that I should have my levels checked more often than I had been. About 4 months postop I had my levels checked and they were elevated. After I had my medication changed my weight loss increased. Up until that time I was not losing very much but once I was regulated I was fine. My weight loss has slowed significantly now and I am overdue for bloodwork so I may be low now. I can usually tell when my levels are fluctuating just by the way I feel. Good luck in your decision. If you have any other questions please feel free to contact me.
   — dksws

January 23, 2007
I had my thyroid removed in 1991 due to cancer also. I have been on synthroid since. I had WLS 4/10/06 and I am down 100lbs. Just make sure that you have your levels check often so you can adjust your synthroid if need be. I think I am in a funk right now. It has been a few months and I have not lost anymore weight and I still have a good bit to go. Right now I know that my levels are off because I have not been able to take my synthroid at all in a few months. I need to get back on track.
   — MMasr190

January 23, 2007
Hello everyone, hope this post finds everyone in good health and happy. I haven't been approved for my surgery yet, but feel sure that I will be. I have a total thyroidectomy in 1994 and have gained 100 lbs. since. After reading your posts I'm now a little worried. I am glad everyone seems to be doing well. If anyone has anymore info please contact me...thanks Christa
   — cjblue

February 5, 2007
I also had my thyroid destroyed with radioactive iodine in 1998 and I have been on and will remain on synthroid for the rest of my life. I had RNY 3/15/04, lost 100 lbs, and also stopped losing around the 10 month mark. At 1 year post op, my levels began to rise, and I had to go up to the highest milligram of synthroid 2mg, and my endo thinks its the malaborption of the gastric bypass. I get checked every 3 months, and this last year has been just fine. Good luck with your decision.
   — SJWendy