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Rapid weight gain post-treatment

Paintslinger's picture
Paintslinger
Posts: 70
Joined: Jun 2012
Oct 02, 2012 - 7:48 pm

Hey guys,
I just got back from seeing my chemo-therapist. Looks like we got it all. I'm almost a year post-treatment and I'm picking up weight FAST. Sounds good until you consider the fact that I'm not eating enough to put on THIS much weight (this rapidly, anyway). The doc says the treatments may have affected my thyroid glands; he's going to check my thyroid function after the holidays. Anyone else experience this?
Skiffin16's picture
Skiffin16
Posts: 6848
 Joined: Sep 2009
Oct 02, 2012 - 9:06 pm
Slinger ~ Yes, No, Maybe...

Yes, I have gained weight...over three years out...

No, it's because I eat at the wrong times, and...well, umm at this point, food tastes so damn good.

Maybe, you have thyroid problems..., it's very common if you had rads. Many here have had to go on Synthroid or similar synthetic drugs, but it's usually easily treated and maintained.

Actually, your MD's should have been aware and ordered TSH and Free T4 blood labs when you have your routine blood draws post Tx.

My TSH levels were high for nearly three years, the last nine months or so, they have fallen back in to normal ranges.

Anyways, if it's thyroid related, they should be able to see it and come up with a plan fairly fast.

Best,
John
osmotar's picture
osmotar
Posts: 833
 Joined: Jul 2011
Oct 02, 2012 - 9:45 pm
Agreed

I agree with John get your thyroid checked, I had an under active thyroid prior to any treatments, one of the things they kept an eye during treatments.
longtermsurvivor's picture
longtermsurvivor
Posts: 1450
 Joined: Mar 2010
Oct 02, 2012 - 9:49 pm
my thyroid failed

before I was even done with rads. It is true most gain weight when this happens. I lost weight. Go figure.
Skiffin16's picture
Skiffin16
Posts: 6848
 Joined: Sep 2009
Oct 02, 2012 - 9:53 pm
Abi-Normal

We are just bass ackwards people Pat....

JG
Paintslinger's picture
Paintslinger
Posts: 70
 Joined: Jun 2012
Oct 03, 2012 - 6:23 pm
:)!

Ya think?! :)!I've known that I was wired up all wrong (especially north of the neck) for years!
phrannie51's picture
phrannie51
Posts: 2379
 Joined: Mar 2012
Oct 02, 2012 - 10:46 pm
I was told to expect my thryroid to get out of whack....

so they'll be checking mine every few months. For sure get yours checked...a non-working thyroid is another gift from rads :).

p
CivilMatt's picture
CivilMatt
Posts: 1602
 Joined: May 2012
Oct 02, 2012 - 11:09 pm
low thyroid, watch your step

Hi Denis,

I got a call today from my GP office today and they said my thyroid was low and that they wanted to recheck it in two weeks. Thyroid low, here I thought it was around my neck (it must have slipped down)?

Steady at 174 LBS

Best,

Matt
Paintslinger's picture
Paintslinger
Posts: 70
 Joined: Jun 2012
Oct 03, 2012 - 10:49 am
:)!

See what I mean? And you call Skiffin the comedian! Maybe I'll wear a choker to keep them from slipping! :)!
Pam M's picture
Pam M
Posts: 2182
 Joined: Nov 2009
Oct 03, 2012 - 1:25 am
Been There, Done That

Once I started gaining weight after treatment, it came back with a vengeance. Doc checked the thyroid levels,and let me know I needed to start medication. It's common - you'll see many folks here with thyroid issues post-treatment.
hwt
Posts: 943
 Joined: Jun 2012
Oct 03, 2012 - 3:50 pm
ONC

I asked my ONC about thyroid testing and she said she doesn't do it for a year following tx. Can't recall her reasoning.
Paintslinger's picture
Paintslinger
Posts: 70
 Joined: Jun 2012
Oct 03, 2012 - 6:19 pm
Thanks

Thanks for all of the feedback, guys. Extremely helpful as usual!

Skiffin16's picture
Skiffin16
Posts: 6848
 Joined: Sep 2009
Oct 04, 2012 - 10:29 am
Testing...

It takes awhile and progressively goes out, usually not recvoering once damaged. Very easy to have the test added....

Actually if you have any of your complete blood profile (as I have kept every one of mine, near 25 or so)... It might even have the test results on there.

TSH
Free T-4

JG
Paintslinger's picture
Paintslinger
Posts: 70
 Joined: Jun 2012
Oct 05, 2012 - 7:24 pm
?!

What?!
Debi16043
Posts: 22
 Joined: Aug 2011
Oct 07, 2012 - 3:16 pm
Thyroid numbers

I gained 8 pounds in 2weeks and was so tired couldnt drag myself out of bed. My tsh was 7.5 and doctor put me on medicine. What was some out theres tsh number? Just wondering how high some of you had.
Skiffin16's picture
Skiffin16
Posts: 6848
 Joined: Sep 2009
Oct 07, 2012 - 7:53 pm
Also 7+

I think mine at the highest was nearly 7.4, but in reality, that's not extreme I think I remember a few people well over 10 on here. Which still may not be that high, relativel