Re: Use of T3 for Weight Loss?

[Guest guest]

Deborah,

Thyroid medication should never be used for weight loss. That said, I

will add I was on a T4/T3 dose for nearly 30 years.....and last I

looked it made no difference in controlling my weight. Mostly I put

weight on very easily. I could never lose a pound without a serious

effort in food control.

You will have a hard time finding a doctor who will give you T3 in

general, let alone to lose weight. The year after diagnosis can be

very difficult for weight loss. During the last 6 months you lost your

thyroid and went hypo. That is one heck of an insult to the body,

give it time to readjust to the thyroid meds and then find a good

sensible diet.

Gail

dx: 1968, TT, pap. & foll. well differentiated

w/hurthle cell, RAI, rad.neck dissection,lung surgery,

hashimoto, tg antibody 575, iodine resistant,existing

thyca nodules in lungs. Last surgery 1972

> I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in June, had my surgery in August

> and have gained 42lbs since June. The cancer has spread into my lung

> and I will have another lovely month of hypo hell to look forward to

> in May in order to get ready for my next RAI treatment. My

> endocrinologist said to expect another 10-15 lb gain during this

> period.

>

> A friend who has a Masters in Biochem and works with a lot of

> athletes asked me if I was taking T3 in conjuction with Thoroxin

> (which is a T4). He said that T3 is what some doctors give athletes

> (legally or not I can't say) to slim down before competition. He

> said T3 helps with quick weight loss.

>

> Does anyone know about this? I hadn't heard of this before and if

> it's legitimate I would have assumed my endocrinologist would have

> mentioned it to me. When I questioned him about it, he said most

> endocrinologists go with the tried and tested T4.

>

> Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

>

> Thanks!

>

> Deborah

[Guest guest]

Deborah,

Thyroid medication should never be used for weight loss. That said, I

will add I was on a T4/T3 dose for nearly 30 years.....and last I

looked it made no difference in controlling my weight. Mostly I put

weight on very easily. I could never lose a pound without a serious

effort in food control.

You will have a hard time finding a doctor who will give you T3 in

general, let alone to lose weight. The year after diagnosis can be

very difficult for weight loss. During the last 6 months you lost your

thyroid and went hypo. That is one heck of an insult to the body,

give it time to readjust to the thyroid meds and then find a good

sensible diet.

Gail

dx: 1968, TT, pap. & foll. well differentiated

w/hurthle cell, RAI, rad.neck dissection,lung surgery,

hashimoto, tg antibody 575, iodine resistant,existing

thyca nodules in lungs. Last surgery 1972

> I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in June, had my surgery in August

> and have gained 42lbs since June. The cancer has spread into my lung

> and I will have another lovely month of hypo hell to look forward to

> in May in order to get ready for my next RAI treatment. My

> endocrinologist said to expect another 10-15 lb gain during this

> period.

>

> A friend who has a Masters in Biochem and works with a lot of

> athletes asked me if I was taking T3 in conjuction with Thoroxin

> (which is a T4). He said that T3 is what some doctors give athletes

> (legally or not I can't say) to slim down before competition. He

> said T3 helps with quick weight loss.

>

> Does anyone know about this? I hadn't heard of this before and if

> it's legitimate I would have assumed my endocrinologist would have

> mentioned it to me. When I questioned him about it, he said most

> endocrinologists go with the tried and tested T4.

>

> Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

>

> Thanks!

>

> Deborah

[Guest guest]

Deborah,

Thyroid medication should never be used for weight loss. That said, I

will add I was on a T4/T3 dose for nearly 30 years.....and last I

looked it made no difference in controlling my weight. Mostly I put

weight on very easily. I could never lose a pound without a serious

effort in food control.

You will have a hard time finding a doctor who will give you T3 in

general, let alone to lose weight. The year after diagnosis can be

very difficult for weight loss. During the last 6 months you lost your

thyroid and went hypo. That is one heck of an insult to the body,

give it time to readjust to the thyroid meds and then find a good

sensible diet.

Gail

dx: 1968, TT, pap. & foll. well differentiated

w/hurthle cell, RAI, rad.neck dissection,lung surgery,

hashimoto, tg antibody 575, iodine resistant,existing

thyca nodules in lungs. Last surgery 1972

> I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in June, had my surgery in August

> and have gained 42lbs since June. The cancer has spread into my lung

> and I will have another lovely month of hypo hell to look forward to

> in May in order to get ready for my next RAI treatment. My

> endocrinologist said to expect another 10-15 lb gain during this

> period.

>

> A friend who has a Masters in Biochem and works with a lot of

> athletes asked me if I was taking T3 in conjuction with Thoroxin

> (which is a T4). He said that T3 is what some doctors give athletes

> (legally or not I can't say) to slim down before competition. He

> said T3 helps with quick weight loss.

>

> Does anyone know about this? I hadn't heard of this before and if

> it's legitimate I would have assumed my endocrinologist would have

> mentioned it to me. When I questioned him about it, he said most

> endocrinologists go with the tried and tested T4.

>

> Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

>

> Thanks!

>

> Deborah

[Guest guest]

I absolutely concur with all Gail said.

Also, I don't really think you should " expect " to gain 10-15 lbs while

hypo. Some folks do gain, others don't. And it can vary from one

hypo period to another. It certainly can happen, but it's not an

automatic " given " of hypodom.

Follow a low iodine diet for the last few weeks before your scan, and

eat the healthy things on the diet. In addition to it being a good

thing for your RAI uptake, many of us have found it will help offset

weight gain, at least to some degree.

Also, try to keep some level of exercise going during hypo (not always

easy, I know!). Exercise is a REALLY important component of weight

loss, too.

I know how frustrating this is and how hard it is to lose weight - but

it CAN be done.

Hang in there!

Cheers,

Alisa

Currently - 140mcg Levoxyl

2/15/2002: Nodule found 2/27/2002: FNA

3/4/2002: Hysterectomy/oopherectomy-possible ovarian cancer - BENIGN!!

4/9/2002: TT - Stage 2 pap 2.5 x 2 x 1.6 cm nodule, dx Hashimotos

5/28/2002: WBS (2 mCi) and 100 mCi RAI --- 6/6/2002: WBS - No mets

12/16/02: WBS (5 mCi): clean scan - no thyroid tissue in body!!!

Age: 49 -- Location: near Seattle WA --- Check out my posts:

Radioactive Girl - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Thyca/message/19472

My LID - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Thyca/message/15872

My RAI - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Thyca/message/15873

LID thoughts, tips, ideas -

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Thyca/message/25430

> > I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in June, had my surgery in

August

> > and have gained 42lbs since June. The cancer has spread into my

lung

> > and I will have another lovely month of hypo hell to look forward

to

> > in May in order to get ready for my next RAI treatment. My

> > endocrinologist said to expect another 10-15 lb gain during this

> > period.

> >

> > A friend who has a Masters in Biochem and works with a lot of

> > athletes asked me if I was taking T3 in conjuction with Thoroxin

> > (which is a T4). He said that T3 is what some doctors give

athletes

> > (legally or not I can't say) to slim down before competition. He

> > said T3 helps with quick weight loss.

> >

> > Does anyone know about this? I hadn't heard of this before and if

> > it's legitimate I would have assumed my endocrinologist would have

> > mentioned it to me. When I questioned him about it, he said most

> > endocrinologists go with the tried and tested T4.

> >

> > Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

> >

> > Thanks!

> >

> > Deborah

[Guest guest]

I absolutely concur with all Gail said.

Also, I don't really think you should " expect " to gain 10-15 lbs while

hypo. Some folks do gain, others don't. And it can vary from one

hypo period to another. It certainly can happen, but it's not an

automatic " given " of hypodom.

Follow a low iodine diet for the last few weeks before your scan, and

eat the healthy things on the diet. In addition to it being a good

thing for your RAI uptake, many of us have found it will help offset

weight gain, at least to some degree.

Also, try to keep some level of exercise going during hypo (not always

easy, I know!). Exercise is a REALLY important component of weight

loss, too.

I know how frustrating this is and how hard it is to lose weight - but

it CAN be done.

Hang in there!

Cheers,

Alisa

Currently - 140mcg Levoxyl

2/15/2002: Nodule found 2/27/2002: FNA

3/4/2002: Hysterectomy/oopherectomy-possible ovarian cancer - BENIGN!!

4/9/2002: TT - Stage 2 pap 2.5 x 2 x 1.6 cm nodule, dx Hashimotos

5/28/2002: WBS (2 mCi) and 100 mCi RAI --- 6/6/2002: WBS - No mets

12/16/02: WBS (5 mCi): clean scan - no thyroid tissue in body!!!

Age: 49 -- Location: near Seattle WA --- Check out my posts:

Radioactive Girl - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Thyca/message/19472

My LID - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Thyca/message/15872

My RAI - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Thyca/message/15873

LID thoughts, tips, ideas -

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Thyca/message/25430

> > I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in June, had my surgery in

August

> > and have gained 42lbs since June. The cancer has spread into my

lung

> > and I will have another lovely month of hypo hell to look forward

to

> > in May in order to get ready for my next RAI treatment. My

> > endocrinologist said to expect another 10-15 lb gain during this

> > period.

> >

> > A friend who has a Masters in Biochem and works with a lot of

> > athletes asked me if I was taking T3 in conjuction with Thoroxin

> > (which is a T4). He said that T3 is what some doctors give

athletes

> > (legally or not I can't say) to slim down before competition. He

> > said T3 helps with quick weight loss.

> >

> > Does anyone know about this? I hadn't heard of this before and if

> > it's legitimate I would have assumed my endocrinologist would have

> > mentioned it to me. When I questioned him about it, he said most

> > endocrinologists go with the tried and tested T4.

> >

> > Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

> >

> > Thanks!

> >

> > Deborah

[Guest guest]

I absolutely concur with all Gail said.

Also, I don't really think you should " expect " to gain 10-15 lbs while

hypo. Some folks do gain, others don't. And it can vary from one

hypo period to another. It certainly can happen, but it's not an

automatic " given " of hypodom.

Follow a low iodine diet for the last few weeks before your scan, and

eat the healthy things on the diet. In addition to it being a good

thing for your RAI uptake, many of us have found it will help offset

weight gain, at least to some degree.

Also, try to keep some level of exercise going during hypo (not always

easy, I know!). Exercise is a REALLY important component of weight

loss, too.

I know how frustrating this is and how hard it is to lose weight - but

it CAN be done.

Hang in there!

Cheers,

Alisa

Currently - 140mcg Levoxyl

2/15/2002: Nodule found 2/27/2002: FNA

3/4/2002: Hysterectomy/oopherectomy-possible ovarian cancer - BENIGN!!

4/9/2002: TT - Stage 2 pap 2.5 x 2 x 1.6 cm nodule, dx Hashimotos

5/28/2002: WBS (2 mCi) and 100 mCi RAI --- 6/6/2002: WBS - No mets

12/16/02: WBS (5 mCi): clean scan - no thyroid tissue in body!!!

Age: 49 -- Location: near Seattle WA --- Check out my posts:

Radioactive Girl - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Thyca/message/19472

My LID - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Thyca/message/15872

My RAI - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Thyca/message/15873

LID thoughts, tips, ideas -

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Thyca/message/25430

> > I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in June, had my surgery in

August

> > and have gained 42lbs since June. The cancer has spread into my

lung

> > and I will have another lovely month of hypo hell to look forward

to

> > in May in order to get ready for my next RAI treatment. My

> > endocrinologist said to expect another 10-15 lb gain during this

> > period.

> >

> > A friend who has a Masters in Biochem and works with a lot of

> > athletes asked me if I was taking T3 in conjuction with Thoroxin

> > (which is a T4). He said that T3 is what some doctors give

athletes

> > (legally or not I can't say) to slim down before competition. He

> > said T3 helps with quick weight loss.

> >

> > Does anyone know about this? I hadn't heard of this before and if

> > it's legitimate I would have assumed my endocrinologist would have

> > mentioned it to me. When I questioned him about it, he said most

> > endocrinologists go with the tried and tested T4.

> >

> > Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

> >

> > Thanks!

> >

> > Deborah

[Guest guest]

When I first started learning about my cancer, I was talking to a friend who

used to work in California around models and movie people. He said, " Oh yeah -

T3. That's what the girls would take to keep their weight down. " I also know

of a friend who's sister had a TT and is now on Synthroid, but she's concerned

about her because she's popping T3 to keep her weight down. I believe the

excessive use of T3 can prompt the onset of early osteoporosis as well as heart

disease, and is definitely not a good idea for long term use.

mb

Use of T3 for Weight Loss?

I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in June, had my surgery in August

and have gained 42lbs since June. The cancer has spread into my lung

and I will have another lovely month of hypo hell to look forward to

in May in order to get ready for my next RAI treatment. My

endocrinologist said to expect another 10-15 lb gain during this

period.

A friend who has a Masters in Biochem and works with a lot of

athletes asked me if I was taking T3 in conjuction with Thoroxin

(which is a T4). He said that T3 is what some doctors give athletes

(legally or not I can't say) to slim down before competition. He

said T3 helps with quick weight loss.

Does anyone know about this? I hadn't heard of this before and if

it's legitimate I would have assumed my endocrinologist would have

mentioned it to me. When I questioned him about it, he said most

endocrinologists go with the tried and tested T4.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Deborah

[Guest guest]

When I first started learning about my cancer, I was talking to a friend who

used to work in California around models and movie people. He said, " Oh yeah -

T3. That's what the girls would take to keep their weight down. " I also know

of a friend who's sister had a TT and is now on Synthroid, but she's concerned

about her because she's popping T3 to keep her weight down. I believe the

excessive use of T3 can prompt the onset of early osteoporosis as well as heart

disease, and is definitely not a good idea for long term use.

mb

Use of T3 for Weight Loss?

I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in June, had my surgery in August

and have gained 42lbs since June. The cancer has spread into my lung

and I will have another lovely month of hypo hell to look forward to

in May in order to get ready for my next RAI treatment. My

endocrinologist said to expect another 10-15 lb gain during this

period.

A friend who has a Masters in Biochem and works with a lot of

athletes asked me if I was taking T3 in conjuction with Thoroxin

(which is a T4). He said that T3 is what some doctors give athletes

(legally or not I can't say) to slim down before competition. He

said T3 helps with quick weight loss.

Does anyone know about this? I hadn't heard of this before and if

it's legitimate I would have assumed my endocrinologist would have

mentioned it to me. When I questioned him about it, he said most

endocrinologists go with the tried and tested T4.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Deborah

[Guest guest]

When I first started learning about my cancer, I was talking to a friend who

used to work in California around models and movie people. He said, " Oh yeah -

T3. That's what the girls would take to keep their weight down. " I also know

of a friend who's sister had a TT and is now on Synthroid, but she's concerned

about her because she's popping T3 to keep her weight down. I believe the

excessive use of T3 can prompt the onset of early osteoporosis as well as heart

disease, and is definitely not a good idea for long term use.

mb

Use of T3 for Weight Loss?

I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in June, had my surgery in August

and have gained 42lbs since June. The cancer has spread into my lung

and I will have another lovely month of hypo hell to look forward to

in May in order to get ready for my next RAI treatment. My

endocrinologist said to expect another 10-15 lb gain during this

period.

A friend who has a Masters in Biochem and works with a lot of

athletes asked me if I was taking T3 in conjuction with Thoroxin

(which is a T4). He said that T3 is what some doctors give athletes

(legally or not I can't say) to slim down before competition. He

said T3 helps with quick weight loss.

Does anyone know about this? I hadn't heard of this before and if

it's legitimate I would have assumed my endocrinologist would have

mentioned it to me. When I questioned him about it, he said most

endocrinologists go with the tried and tested T4.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Deborah

[Guest guest]

Thanks Gail & Alisa for your response. It is frustrating not being

able to lose the weight. My oncologist and endo both told my family

after surgery (I was apparently in recovery) that I would lose quite

a bit of weight. It's been 5 months since surgery and 10 weeks since

RAI and my self esteem is taking a beating LOL. I have a good sense

of humour about it, but as I stated it is frustrating. I'm hanging

in there...literally.

Thanks again for your reply.

Deborah - Toronto, Canada

> > I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in June, had my surgery in

August

> > and have gained 42lbs since June. The cancer has spread into my

lung

> > and I will have another lovely month of hypo hell to look forward

to

> > in May in order to get ready for my next RAI treatment. My

> > endocrinologist said to expect another 10-15 lb gain during this

> > period.

> >

> > A friend who has a Masters in Biochem and works with a lot of

> > athletes asked me if I was taking T3 in conjuction with Thoroxin

> > (which is a T4). He said that T3 is what some doctors give

athletes

> > (legally or not I can't say) to slim down before competition. He

> > said T3 helps with quick weight loss.

> >

> > Does anyone know about this? I hadn't heard of this before and

if

> > it's legitimate I would have assumed my endocrinologist would

have

> > mentioned it to me. When I questioned him about it, he said most

> > endocrinologists go with the tried and tested T4.

> >

> > Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

> >

> > Thanks!

> >

> > Deborah

[Guest guest]

> Thanks Gail & Alisa for your response. It is frustrating not being

> able to lose the weight. My oncologist and endo both told my family

> after surgery (I was apparently in recovery) that I would lose quite

> a bit of weight. It's been 5 months since surgery and 10 weeks

since

> RAI and my self esteem is taking a beating LOL. I have a good sense

> of humour about it, but as I stated it is frustrating. I'm hanging

> in there...literally.

>

> Thanks again for your reply.

>

> Deborah - Toronto, Canada

They said you would LOSE weight? Being HYPO? Deborah, do NOT let

your self esteem be kicked by this (and I understand how it can). 10

weeks past RAI, you MAY be getting to a point of not being hypo any

more. Do you know what your current TSH is? If not, I'd call the

endo's office and find out. Thycans should have their TSH suppressed

to being slightly hyperthyroid - <0.1 .

While a symptom of being hyper is often weight loss, that can be

offset for some of us (I'm convinced it's only those of us who WANT to

lose weight :-)) by being hungry all the time when suppressed, making

it a bit more of a struggle to fight the weight battle.

Hang in there, Deborah - don't let this get to you - YOU are not your

weight!!

Cheers,

Alisa

Currently - 140mcg Levoxyl

2/15/2002: Nodule found 2/27/2002: FNA

3/4/2002: Hysterectomy/oopherectomy-possible ovarian cancer - BENIGN!!

4/9/2002: TT - Stage 2 pap 2.5 x 2 x 1.6 cm nodule, dx Hashimotos

5/28/2002: WBS (2 mCi) and 100 mCi RAI --- 6/6/2002: WBS - No mets

12/16/02: WBS (5 mCi): clean scan - no thyroid tissue in body!!!

Age: 49 -- Location: near Seattle WA --- Check out my posts:

Radioactive Girl - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Thyca/message/19472

My LID - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Thyca/message/15872

My RAI - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Thyca/message/15873

LID thoughts, tips, ideas -

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Thyca/message/25430

Meg's friend Jody Meyers - member of choir and 's french tutor

Currently - TSH 0.06, 140mcg Levoxyl

TSH on 12/16/02 99.63