Hi guys,

I've been diagnosed with PCOS for many years, but just recently had a thyroid condition added called Hashimoto's. Does the Lap-band really help with all the PCOS symptoms?

Yes it does. I had un-diagnosed PCOS for 30+ years. When it was finally spotted and treated the Metformin and hormone troche together meant that I dropped 20+kg without changing my diet. Then the thyroid went and my TSH was off the scale almost at 57, I thought I was dying. The result after 18 months with no thyroid was that my weight had gone up and over my previous untreated PCOS maximum and was at 138kg. I am now down to 105kg since my op in Aug 09.

The band, with some restriction, stops me feeling hungry early in the day then lunch-time onwards I just eat the normal low GI food that is best for PCOS folks anyway. The weight loss helps with the insulin resistance which in my case has turned into type 2 diabetes due to the thyroid collapse, I think I am now back down to just plain old fashioned IR again now. :-)

I thought like you that it wouldn't be any benefit but once I hit 138kg, after fighting the insulin resistance weight gain all my life and then having the thyroid do so much to add to that side of it, my GP recommended it and I said...but I am overweight because of medical conditions that will still be there working against me even with a band and I felt very mis-understood by them. I talked to a top diabetes expert and my trusted endocrinologist (who had diagnosed the very obvious PCOS missed by my Gp's for so many years) between us we decided that at 45 years of age I did not want to spend the next 3 years trying to get my weight back to where it had been before my thyroid packed up.

My life was wasting away and I decided after much research and heartache that I did not want to die of a heartattack while I undid the damage from the PCOS and Hashimotos. I felt cheated, like it wasn't my fault and why did I have to have the operation. I also struggle with the pre and post op care as no one reads my records and assumes I am a junk food addict that sits on my butt watching TV and stuffing my face all day and that's why I am overweight!

If your excess weight is due to the IR then so long as you are having Metformin for it, hormone treatment for the excess androgens and Oroxine or whatever (none generic, go for the full price brand,,,there is a difference!) for the Hashimotos it should benefit you.

Make sure your T3 & T4 are at the high end of the range and your TSH at the lowest end to get the best benefit from your thyroid meds.

PCOS is hard to deal with as it is a collection of symptoms that are too often attributed to other things.

The PCOS symptoms are related to an excess of androgens and Insulin Resistance. These need to be treated by a doctor with specialist knowledge. Menstruation needs hormones to regulate it. The body hair is the wrong sort, male hair not the softer velus female hair, hair growth can slow down and lighten if hormone and hair treatments are used at the same time. Excess body weight, probably carried centrally - small bum, skinny legs and big round belly, is caused by Insulin Resistance which prevents you from using and causes you to store too much of the energy you consume, Metformin deals with this and then the band will give you the best help to get rid of the excess weight you have probably amassed throughout the years.

Both Hashimotos and PCOS are autoimmune type conditions. Auto Immunes tend to run in packs!! Most people that are diagnosed with one have or end up with more than one.

Good luck with your decision and journey.

I would say that the band in conjunction with Thyroid treatment and PCOS management will take you where you want to be. I'll see you when you get there :-)

Jalomum,

I'm in the uk too! (just thought I'd mention that!) So, wondering if you can answer something for me. I know I can get liquid metformin, but am wondering if I can get levothyroxine in liquid form too? My doctor said no....what do you think?

Wow, I can only just remember writing that post :-) all true though. I am now down to 92kg.

I have no idea which thyroid meds are available in liquids although I should think an internet search will tell you pretty fast.

Just for the record...I was in the UK. I'm in Oz now and have been for 10 years :-) lovin it!!

Good luck with your search and journey :-)

Hi guys,

I've been diagnosed with PCOS for many years, but just recently had a thyroid condition added called Hashimoto's. Does the Lap-band® really help with all the PCOS symptoms?

i also have pcos hashimotos and hypothyroidism, i have had the band for not to long now but all my docters said that it would be the best idea and it would help the pcos.

I just saw this post. I have both PCOS and had Hashimotos. I actually had my thyroid removed about 4 years ago. My dr. also diagnosed me with something called NASH and we found out that I have a fatty liver. I am scheduled to get banded on 09/08 (only 4 days to go). I'd like to know how you all are doing now?

You guys asked some great questions.

I wonder for those of us who have had subclinical hypothyroid then get banded and have pcos, if the thyroid can just tap out after fast weight loss?

I dropped almost 76 pounds in six months my first year. Then things just stalled. I'm almost 3 years out and I can't get the last 50 or so off. I'm pissed and frustrated. I'm not doing very well with my thyroid either I feel menapausal and i'm only in my early 30's. not to mention the Water retention and the mood swings. I just want to get back to normal.

When they regulate the thyroid does the weight loss take back off or are we just "stuck" in limbo?

I really would like to find a answer to the question about the Thyroid as I have been at the same weight for a few and can't seem to get my last 40 lbs off unless I starve my self it seems and I refuse to do that because I have learned to eat healthier and what amounts , so hopefully we will find out thyroid problems are hard , my oldest son is 31 I had thyroid problems before he was born then my second came along 10 yrs later and my thyroid seemed to be fine , now right before the banding in 2012 when they ran the labs it popped up again that it was back and I have been taking the syntroid but I just can't seem to get the last 4olbs off I wing weight & then it just stopped I have lost 110lbs which I am grateful for but I really thought I would be at least by yr, 2 , my clothes are smaller the inches are coming off but the weight won't move and I stick with what I have been doing , but it may take a little longer for me and anyone who has thyroid problems but I will get there.