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Hypothyroid folks--what's your experience post-sleeve?



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Hey y'all:

I was sleeved April 18. I'm on my 3rd week-long stall since surgery and, in fact, have only lost 10 pounds since the 2nd week--so 10 pounds in a month. That's okay, but not what I expected post-sleeve. After a quick google, I noted that some people seem to need their meds adjusted UP (as in, their thyroid isn't working as well) after surgery.

For those of you who don't know, being hypothyroid means you don't have enough thyroid hormone to kick your body's metabolism into gear. It's almost impossible to lose weight if your thyroid isn't within normal levels. It's measured by checking thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)---if your thyroid isn't working, your thyroid stimulating hormone will be high, and you probably need thyroid replacement (Synthroid, levothyroxine, etc. etc.).

So I'm wondering now if my slow weight loss and frequent stalls, despite eating fewer than 500 calories a day (not by choice, believe me--my sleeve is exceptionally picky), might be due to a hormonal thing. I'm scheduling an appointment with my doc as soon as she can see me to get labs, but meanwhile, I thought I would ask this very experienced group of folks. Did your thyroid level change after surgery?

Thanks--

Meg

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I have been taking thyroid hormone since 1998--I had a TSH level done in March, 8 weeks after surgery, and again this month. Both were within limit for me (I do best under 1.0.) Rather than needing more, my PCP expects to lower the dosage as my body mass gets smaller. I have a sluggish metabolism but I have never had a stall, although it's true that some weeks I only lose a pound.

Hope you and your physician figure something out.

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I am scheduled for full labs including thyroid at 3 mos which is about 5 weeks from now. I was at a good level before surgery and I think my PCP expects that my will need to be lowered as I lose as well. I've had some days of stalls but nothing significant I've been mostly losing consistently.

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The thyroid will crash bang after trauma (and surgery is trauma) it may take awhile for it to get back up and running or it may stay down. Time will tell.

Get your thyroid numbers checked if in doubt...I will be getting mine checked every 3 months for a year.

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When i told my PCP that I was going to have surgery she automatically lowered my dose. I had my number done just before surgery and they were borderline but she felt that with losing weight I shouldn't take as high a dose so she brought it down.

I am currently in my week 3 stall I am guessing cause my weight hasn't changed at all this week. Will see how it goes, hoping my thyroid doesn't slow things down too much.

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