Hypothyroidism/lap Band

May 13, 2005

Hello Everyone,

I Have Thyroid Issues And I Am Going Through The Loops To Be Banded, I Don't See To Much In My Research About This. Does Anyone Have Hypothyroidism Thats Had The Band And If So, What Has It Been Like For You

Thank You All On Your Input Greatly Accepted

sandie1958 · May 13, 2005

i take synthroid to keep my thyroid elavated/ i havent been banded yet but my information is on the way to the insurance comp. when i had my blood work from my pcp it showed to be off (thyroid) so she sent me to a specialist . when i went to the band surgeon he made me get another blood test done he said it had to come back normal before i could be considered so the med. helped. are you having trouble.. sandie

May 13, 2005

Hello,

When I Found Out My Level Was 120.0 Normal Is 03-3.0, I Take Levoxll For T4 And Cyomel For My T3, Even Thought I Take Med For T4 It Does Not Convert To T3,lucky Me, Dead Metabolism, Ha Hha Lol

itsyvonne · May 13, 2005

I was hypothyroid for years before I got the band. The only thing I have noticed is that my doctor reduced my dosage of synthroid recently, based upon blood tests. I do not know if there is a connection between my weight loss and the reduction in the dosage ... but I have lost 90 lbs so I am thinking perhaps there is a connection...

Does this answer your question? My hypothyroidism was a non-issue when considering the band...I'm not sure why it would have any bearing on whether or not you are a good candidate for the band.

-Yvonne

Alexandra · May 13, 2005

My hypothyroid was also a non-issue, as long as I'd stabilized on a good level of medication. Uncontrolled thyroid issues would probably cause a delay in surgery, but if your meds are good and working for you there shouldn't be any problem.

Yvonne, that's interesting that your meds were adjusted with weight loss. My levels have been tested but there doesn't seem to be any reason to change my meds. But maybe I should try again? How often do you have them tested?

itsyvonne · May 14, 2005

Well, I'm hesitant to say that the weight loss is why my dosage needed adjusting, because I don't know if that's why (I am wondering if other PCPs have just not noticed that it was off?). I get my TSH tested every time I get a physical, which is supposed to be once a year, but has actually been more sporadic.

My current PCP recently adjusted my synthroid based upon my TSH level. I was taking .1, and she adjusted it to .075. Then we did a follow up test a couple of months later and she adjusted it even lower, to .05!! I haven't had a follow up since then (this was about 4 months ago). I guess I should get it checked once more to see if it looks good now.

I am close to my goal weight ... I am 170 lbs and 5'8.5" tall. I was 290 back when I was originally diagnosed with hypothyroidism and put on the .1 synthroid dosage (about 8 years ago).

-Yvonne

Alexandra · May 14, 2005

Did you have any symptoms related to taking too much synthroid? I have my levels tested at least annually--I think it's been done twice in the last year, though, since my PCP did want to keep a closer eye on it as I lose weight. I've been taking .125 for a couple of years now. At the time of diagnosis I weighed 340. My hypothyroid was only diagnosed after my second pregnancy; before that it had always been normal. So maybe it never did have anything to do with my weight, either cause or effect, and so wouldn't react to weight loss.

itsyvonne · May 14, 2005

Hi Alex,

Do you have any idea what the symptoms would be of taking too much? I *was* super tired at one point which is why I asked my PCP to check it (I thought my dosage was too low, though ... lol). Hmmm, well the fact that your PCP is checking it while you lose weight lends credence to the idea that the dosage may need to be adjusted for weight loss. Maybe it becomes an issue more when you get closer to goal ... it seemed like this cropped up suddenly for me. I don't think that hypothyroid is *caused* by being overweight, but I think it can contribute at least slightly to causing weight gain (although I know not as much as what people tend to want to believe...lol).

-Yvonne