total thyroidectomy and weight gain

Hello! I have just come home from the hospital where I was for the preparation for the total thyroidectomy procedure I am about to have. Another patient whom I have met there told me that he gained a lot of weight since his operation. Is this true? Is there anybody with the similar experience?

Hi! Yes, I did gain weight after my total thyroidectomy. When I was talking to the doctor he told me this is because when there aren’t adequate levels of thyroid hormone, patients may feel very uncomfortable, may gain weight and feel very tired.

I had a total thyroidectomy 2 months ago and have been gaining weight consistently since then (9lbs). My TSH is 20.50. I have been going to Weight Watchers on the recomendation of my Doctor, but have only lost two lbs. in 4 weeks. I am not giving up. Have been going to the gym six days a week (aerobics and spinning). Am very tired but have noticed the exercise really helps. Am reading a great book, "Living Well with Hypothyroidism", by Mary J. Shomon. It has really answered so many of my questions.

If your TSH is 20, you will gain weight. It needs to be optimal (1-2) for you not to gain weight.

danita wrote:

Hello! I have just come home from the hospital where I was for the preparation for the total thyroidectomy procedure I am about to have. Another patient whom I have met there told me that he gained a lot of weight since his operation. Is this true? Is there anybody with the similar experience?

I too have gained weight after my thyroidectomy. Not sure what to do. My levels are just about right, but still gaining. Any ideas??


Thanks, Linda
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I wish I could help those who posted previously but I am in the same boat. I had my thyroid removed in 7/06; I began taking Synthroid in 9/06 and did not achieve a normal TSH level until mid-12/06. I gained 8 lbs after my surgery and in 9/06 began exercising 5x/week and eating an average of 1500 calories/day. I had not lost ANY weight by the end of 2/07. In 3/07, I had to stop my Synthroid for 7 wks in order to have another body scan, after which I gained 9 lbs, even though I continued with my "diet" and exercise regimen. I am so frustrated, I want to give up trying to lose weight. How long will it be before my metabolism will begin working again???? I feel very alone in this process. People with a thyroid complain of not being able to lose weight, but they have no idea what people who have no thyroid go through!

I am facing a total thyroidectomy soon. I am very concerned about weight gain and diabetes mellitus Type 2. I work very hard at keeping my blood sugar normal through diet and exercise. I do not take any medications and I am scared to death after the thyroidectomy, I will gain weight and my DM will be difficult to control. Does anyone have any input here.

I had my thyroid removed 8/06 because of papillary thryoid cancer had radioiodine therapy in oct. I put on 30 lbs during this process. The docs are constantly changing my synthroid. I was at 200mcg and felt pretty good and now they took my back down to 175 and said I was to high. Now, I can't lose any weight I hardly eat any carbs and I have a very active job and started back at the gym. This is so frustrating, I hate when the doctor's say the weight has to come off like normal weight, I don't believe it cause I never had problems losing weight like this before.;

I have had the same problem! Thyroidectomy in 2001, the doctor keeps lowering my meds, despite the fact that I tell him everytime he lowers it I feel more tired and gain more weight. I finally decided, on my own, to go back up to the last level he had me at (1300 mcg per week instead of the 1200mcg he wants me at) and I started to feel better and lost five pounds in a month. And yes, I have been excercising regularly and watching what I eat for the past year. He tells me the numbers say I need to reduce the meds, despite what I tell him. Why won't he listen to how I tell him I feel, rather than what the tests say?!

I never had a weight problem until my thyroid cancer and I am so frustrated, sometimes I just want to cry. (OK, I have cried! )

I had a thyroidectomy 12/06..I have since then put on 13 lbs. I can't fit into any of my jeans any longer. I've tried diet junk, and nothing seems to work...Do I jiust stop eating all together....When Does my metabolism kick in...or will it ever...?