Question:
Is my PCP mis-informed?

   — Pamela H. (posted on April 17, 2003)

April 17, 2003
Hello, I have been getting my thyroid checked since I was about 8 yrs old. Now, having an underactive thyroid can be the cause of some of the weight gain, but now all! There is no way an underactive thyroid can cause you to gain the amount of weight that would cause obesity! Hope this helps.
   — kellyparrett

April 17, 2003
You might have PCOS as well like my wife Jen. Insulin resistance is common in MOs.<P> Do ask your PCP this question and post the response. <P>How many patients have they had at least 100 pounds overweight that lost the weight and kept it off for 5 years? My PCP says never ever had one. This helped me decide on WLS. The BEST decision I EVER made.
   — bob-haller

April 17, 2003
I have had an underactive thyroid thru "thick and thin". As another person posted, it can cause some wt gain but not the amt it would take to become morbidly obese. Right before my Lap RNY, I was what my doctor described as "borderline diabetic". She had been warning me for years to do something about my wt since there was a history of diabetes in my family. Since my surgery and only at a loss of 40 lbs, my lab tests regarding diabetes have come back normal. (Same for hypertension, which I also was on the "borderline" for right before surgery.) Good luck! Lisa
   — Lisa I.

April 17, 2003
Well first of all my surgeon told me that the surgery is reversible. I am also insulin resistant I am on Glucophage for that and was told that I am overweight because of it but I have it because I am overweight like you said which one is it I haven't found one specific answer but my pcp said that, that is a reason to have the surgery. If I stay this way and the problem keeps up I will develop diabetes real soon. Well I hope I could help in some way.
   — jnmcneil

April 17, 2003
Isn't it funny how people differ, my PCP said everything the exact opposite of what yours did. She said dieting would never work and that she had had many patients will much success!! I think that you dr may just be against it, do what you feel is best for you and you will be happy!
   — Saxbyd

April 18, 2003
I wonder if those patients your doc referred to who had the surgery and have multiple health problems would have had these problems anyways (cancer, heart disease etc). There could be any number of reasons they have problems and perhaps totally unrelated to the surgery . I did want to comment on the reversible issue. My surgeon told us it was reversible. It is not as easy a surgery as the bypass but it can be done if it has to be reversed.
   — Cindy R.