Question:
HAS ANYONE GONE FROM HYPOTHYROIDISM TO....

HYPERTHYROIDISM? I NEVER KNEW THIS COULD HAPPEN TO WLS PATIENTS. BEFORE SURGERY I WAS HYPO AND ON 150MG. OF LEVOXYL. NO MY SURGEON THINS I AM HYPERTHYROIDISM BECAUSE I AM HUNGRY ALL THE TIME AND DON'T GET FULL. I HAD A UPPER GI, POUCH HASN'ST BEEN STRETCHED OR NOTHING. SO DR. IS SENDING ME FOR BLOOD WORD TO CHECK THIS. HE THINKS MY METABOLISM IS BURNING UP THE FOOD SO FAST THATS WHY I AM HUNGRY ALL THE TIME. HAVE LOST 75 POUNDS IN 4 MONTHS, AND THEN JUST STOPPED, AND AM HUNGRY CONSTANTLY. HAS THIS HAPPENED TO ANYONE ELSE.    — Gale G. (posted on January 16, 2003)

January 16, 2003
Hi Gale, I suffer from thyroid disease, for 6 years prior to WLS. I am on levoxyl (currently take 137 mcg) permanently. I have been told that I will always need it, but I can go from overactive to underactive easily. I see a specialist every six months, who checks my levels. When I was at my heaviest, I was up to 150 mcg. Then I lost a little weight and he put me on 137, where I've stayed for the past year. I have been hungry during the entire WLS journey, it will be one year for me on 1/31/03, and I am down 94 lbs (on a good day!). I have to work harder than most people on this site to lose weight, and I have to keep at it or I will gain. Anyone who thinks WLS is the easy way out is WRONG!! But I suggest you keep having your thyroid levels checked, maybe every six months or yearly, to make sure you stay on track. Good luck!
   — [Deactivated Member]

January 16, 2003
Hi Gale, I am concerned about my thyroid blood test too. I never had any problems with my thyroid but the latest blood work showed very elevated PHT....101. My calcium levels were normal so my endocrinologist says that with normal calcium levels it doesn't mean anything to have an elevated pht. ?????? I don't understand but hope he is correct. I have no symptoms of any thyroid problems however. I just don't know that much about it to give you any advice. How are your calcium levels? It appears that calcium and elevated pht are related. I will be watching for more answers to this interesting question. Thanks,
   — Mylou52

January 17, 2003
I went from hypo to hyper without surgery. The lab made a mistake on my thyroid reading and the Dr increased my meds. I began having problems, they retested, and then had to put me back on my original dose, problem solved. After surgery we lose a lot of weight, and sometimes the drug requirements vary based on weight. On the other hand someone who had distal might even need more thyroid medicine because they are absorbing less even while losing weight. My regular Dr has me come get stuck every three months to monitor my thyroid levels during and after weight loss to make sure the changes in my body aren't throwing off my meds. Good luck
   — Becky K.