Hyperthyroidism..

[14isabella 3]

Yep. I am. I take my Methimazole regularily now, so my levels will be in the normal range before surgery(I won't get the okay from my PC doc if they're not..) I was just wondering if anyone else is HYPERthyroid and planning on getting the lap band..

[mattie7632 24]

HYPER? That is not normally associated with obesity, HYPOthyroidism or Hashimoto's disease is...are you sure that's not what you're talking about? I do have hypothyroidism, have the band, lost 30 lbs, and still have hypothyroidism....did you know you can take iodine for thyroid dysfunction? I think it's sold as potassium iodine....

[54Shirley 105]

If you mean hypothyroidism,,, I have it, and have been banded for almost 5 yrs.

For about 5 yrs. or so I have been on 2 different meds. none of which worked. So I went to a

Endocrinologist, and he said forget the past,,, we are starting out fresh, and he put me on

a Natural Medication called ARMOR THYROID. I see him next week, and see how I'm doing.

If it's still to low, he will up the strength, Or,, He could change it to see what works best.

[blooeyes68 0]

Yep. I am. I take my Methimazole regularily now, so my levels will be in the normal range before surgery(I won't get the okay from my PC doc if they're not..) I was just wondering if anyone else is HYPERthyroid and planning on getting the lap band..

hi,

i have been both hyper and hypo,i actually gained weight being hyper also.the Dr said there was a small chance that could happen and i was one of the lucky ones lol.

i had thyroid cancer when i was in my early 20's and will be on meds the rest of my life.As long as they can regulate your levels,it shouldnt be a problem at all. I have always been on sythroid and havent had a problem other than some Dr's over the years not knowing what theyre doing.

[mattie7632 24]

The problem with Synthroid is that it is a synthetic hormone that takes over leaving your actual thyroid sitting on the sidelines, and by taking it after time your body can't regain any actual thyroid function. So like most meds, it is treating the symptoms but destroying something else in the process. Anytime you can find a doctor that encourages natural remedies whenever possible, it is exponentially better for your body and your health.

[54Shirley 105]

This ARMOUR THYROID actually comes from the THYROID of another animal.

Like Porcupine

[vickyd 24]

The problem with Synthroid is that it is a synthetic hormone that takes over leaving your actual thyroid sitting on the sidelines, and by taking it after time your body can't regain any actual thyroid function. So like most meds, it is treating the symptoms but destroying something else in the process. Anytime you can find a doctor that encourages natural remedies whenever possible, it is exponentially better for your body and your health.

I take Synthroid and I don't have to worry about the impact on my thyroid because I had a total thyroidectomy 12 years ago so guess it really depends on why you need it . The few people I know who have tried natural remedies have not had good control of their hypothyroidism but natural remedies have changed over the years so there are probably some better ones on the market now...

[54Shirley 105]

Synthroid for me won't absorb into the system at all.

With Blood Tests I would be asked if I was even taking the Medication...

Of course I was, but, it did not show up.

So they put me on Generic Synthroid, and I felt terrible.

So with the blood work, they now said I have both Hyper, and Hypo Thyroid.

So I put it in the hands of a specialist, because it didn't sound good to me.

He seems to be a good Dr., but if this up and down keeps up, then I have a feeling that this Thyroid will someday come out.

[14isabella 3]

YES. HYPERthyroid. NOT HYPO. I know what I have(believe me-I've been dealing with this for over 4 years..lol..) and what I'm talking about. I realize that hypothyrodism is usually associated with the obese, yet there are more people than you think who are overweight and have hyperthyroidism.I REFUSE to take irraidiated iodine(which my doc NOW understands why I will not..) just to "kill" my thyroid and make me dependent on Synthroid for the rest of my life(also, I've seen and heard what can happen to a person with hypothyroid, who doesn't take their medication. I'll pass..) So, TRUST me guys, I KNOW what I have. I just wanted to know if anyone is dealing with it and what they've had to do to get their band. *sorry about the rather cranky tone, but it's frustrating that people assume I don't know my own diagnosis(and this happens ALOT..)just because they've never met an overweight person with hyper before..

tamp='1305766138' post='1615359']

HYPER? That is not normally associated with obesity, HYPOthyroidism or Hashimoto's disease is...are you sure that's not what you're talking about? I do have hypothyroidism, have the band, lost 30 lbs, and still have hypothyroidism....did you know you can take iodine for thyroid dysfunction? I think it's sold as potassium iodine....

[mattie7632 24]

Didn't mean to imply you didn't know what you were talking about, but a lot of people get the two names confused.

Synthroid also slowly kills the thyroid .....I've been on it about 10 years and mine's pretty much dead now, but when I was first diagnosed I could have still naturally improved it's function with iodine (not irradiated, I wouldn't take that either!!!!) and other supplements, but of course my doctor didn't discuss THAT with me. They never do offer healthy natural options, they are just drug dealers with Doctorates. Anyway, now I am dependent on Synthroid for life, as most peole become once diagnosed with sluggish or other thyroid disorders. Thanks to our wonderful modern medical profession and BigPharma

[54Shirley 105]

Just for the saying: Everyone that I ever new of. that had a HYPERTHYROID was so skinny it wasn't funny.

But now mine has been diagnose as both from the PCP. I will find out what he has to say about that.

I'm not saying you don't know whats wrong with you ! I thought it was just a mistake... I apologise... But again I never heard of anyone with that condition being over weight.

[jen_ngah 0]

Not sure if you have already gotten your surgery, but I have HYPERTHYROIDISM as well. I was actually diagnosed a few weeks before my surgery after a iodine uptake test. Like you I am on methimazole as well, and don't want the radioactive iodine because of it's risks to fertility. I already have two children, but am young and not ready to completley say adios to my fertility.

My doctor didn't have a problem doing the surgery with the hyperthyroidism but wouldn't do it unless the "symptoms" of the disease were under control (I have trouble keeping my heart rate under 90). Because of that my surgery was postponed from May 12th to May 26th. Now I am banded, and dealing with the struggles of that and the struggles of having an overactive thyroid.

Keep your chin up, I think it might have been smarter to have the thyroid under control first, then you only have to focus on the new banded you!

[14isabella 3]

Hey Jen.. Welcome to the club!..lol.. Yes. "we" are quite rare. I've been on Methimazole(off and on really..) for over 4 years, and I'm currently at normal levels(yea!). When I take it regularily, levels become normal. When I don't, they go right back to high-that's why repeated blood tests are SO important. I would NOT recommend taking the iodine. Once that's done, a person would (more often than not..) become hypothyroid, and then on Synthroid(or some other thyroid replacement) for the rest of their life. We are the only developed nation where its doctors push the iodine first, instead of anti-thyroid drugs to (hopefully) normailze the thyroid. Having a "hyper" patient is just alot more work for them.One thing I know is that if I(and I can only speak for me..)don't take my Methimazole, I might speed up a bit, but no other physical changes. If I was Hypothyroid, and missed a few weeks of thyroid replacement meds?...Whoa. I've heard some horror stories. But again, it's a personal choice. I don't advise it, and MANY have regretted it. Good luck with your thyroid, and your brand new band!!

quote name='jen_ngah' timestamp='1308160615' post='1626463']

Not sure if you have already gotten your surgery, but I have HYPERTHYROIDISM as well. I was actually diagnosed a few weeks before my surgery after a iodine uptake test. Like you I am on methimazole as well, and don't want the radioactive iodine because of it's risks to fertility. I already have two children, but am young and not ready to completley say adios to my fertility.

My doctor didn't have a problem doing the surgery with the hyperthyroidism but wouldn't do it unless the "symptoms" of the disease were under control (I have trouble keeping my heart rate under 90). Because of that my surgery was postponed from May 12th to May 26th. Now I am banded, and dealing with the struggles of that and the struggles of having an overactive thyroid.

Keep your chin up, I think it might have been smarter to have the thyroid under control first, then you only have to focus on the new banded you!

[kaydin81 8]

I'm the crazy one who actually gives people radioactive iodine for a living . Its not as bad as it sounds. A lot of times the "anti" thyroid medicines don't cut it and eventually the thyroid will work so hard it actually goes hypo, sometimes inactive. So, by giving the radioactive iodine, we just speed up the process and it typically makes people feel a whole lot better, sooner. I'm a thyroid patient myself.

YES, the stereotypical hyperthyroid patients are skinny, but we see many many people with the opposite. One iodine treatment isn't going to impact fertility. Especially for hyperthyroid. Our cancer patients get 15-20 times the amount and there still isn't much of a risk. There's ALWAYS a slight risk with any kind of medical procedure. Its just radiation sounds so terrible, people are usually afraid of it. Most people don't think twice about traveling on an airplane, going to the mountains, spending a day out in the sun, etc. You get more radiation doing some of those things than what you would get with a treatment.

I'm thinking the doctor wants it under control before surgery because the thyroid controls so many things. Its probably best this way, even though it puts your surgery off, which stinks!!!

[bdonahueweedman 0]

I literally just this second came up with this page off of a "Bing" search.....I was fat, then about 6 years ago was diagnosed with Graves, lost a ton of weight, looked like a Supermodel, got my thyroid fixed and now I am huge. Throw in a hysterectomy and menopause, and I cannot lose weight no mater what I do. Weight Watchers, Exercise, diets, prayer and I've had it. I'm one of those people who is street smart but not booksmart (I even have the "Thyroid For Dummies" book), yet I do not understand my Thyroid. I had the Radioactive Iodine, and I take 1 mg Estradiol and for the most part I feel okay even though I have alligator skin. My husband just got a job with good Insurance and I'm now thinking about a lap band. (I typed Hyperthyroid and Lapband into Bing and this is where I came!). My husband and I are newleyweds, first time for both, we're in our late 40's, and even though God Bless him he says "Honey I don't care what you look like I just want YOU to be happy/I'll support whatever you want to do" etc etc. But the scale is just creeping up and up and up and I just can't handle it anymore. I did some peeking around and many folks on these boards say "If your Thyroid is functioning correctly you shouldn't have any problem losing weight" and to them I say "Please move in with me for 3 months and show me what I'm doing wrong!" My levels are good, by 3 different doctors opinions, so my question is, has anyone out there had a LapBand kind of for the same reason? The Post-Graves-Weight? Thank You.......

Beth in Nashville