Hi, all!

I'm soon to be banded (hopefully if my insurance complies), but I've been reading a lot about if you have a metabolic disorder, you may not be a good candidate for WLS.

I have CONTROLLED hypothyroidsim. Presently, I'm on Synthroid .112 mgs. My doctor says I am a candidate for WLS even with this disorder.

Why would all the literature say that I'm not? I know several people with this disorder who've had WLS. I'm just trying to understand why having hypothyroidsim would stop someone from the surgery (according to the literature).

Any thoughts?

Thanks--

Hi Dana!

I think that any thyroid disorder would count as a metabolic disorder.

I don't know that it would or would not make you a candidate for WLS, but have a theory that it will affect your weight loss rate. It is possible that a specific doctor wouldn't want to take you on because you might skew his or her data. I think some docs are motivated by having "good" weight loss result numbers, such as "my patients typically lose X pounds in Y months." Because you might lose slower than someone with normal thyroid fuction you could lower those percentages.

I have Cushing's, a rare metabolic disorder. The band is not going to help me lose weight, but it has greatly imporved my overall health.

Hey, Vines!

I think you're right--it definitely could skew the doctors's data to have a slow loser.

I just wanted to make sure that it was safe to have the surgery with hypothyroidism--not just a matter of if the band would actually work or not.

Cushing's--that's when you have high levels of cortisol, right? Do they know what is causing your level to be elevated? If you get it treated, can you resume losing weight?

I hope for you a solution to this--I know it's so difficult for me to lose weight with my thyroid problem--even when on my meds and with my TSH normal. It's so frustrating, but we march on. :confused:

Thanks for responding to my message.

I take Synthroid, .1 mg. It was no problem with my doctor. I was told that as long as these things are controlled, they will not deter your weightloss. I was almost turned down because of depression seen in the psyc tests. But they gave me a few more weeks on the Efexor I had been taking for only 4 weeks and then retested me. I was still depressed, but what a change for the better. I was diagnosed as being severely depressed but in remission. LOL

Something else to remember as we lose weight is to keep tabs on the levels we take. The weight change could change what we require.

Dana, I too am on Synthroid, .125 mg for me. It's only uncontrolled hypothyroidism that would disqualify anyone for banding. That's one of the reasons there is so much pre-op testing, because if such a condition exists it must be treated first. Well-controlled hypothyroidism, diabetes, hypertension are not reasons to stay away from the band at all.

Thank you all for your posts--This makes sense to me now.

By the way, my PCP and OBGYN do not agree on normal TSH levels. My OBGYN says women my age (31) should have a TSH of NO HIGHER than 2, preferably between 1 and 2. My PCP is happy with my TSH at 2.55. What have you all been told?

I also am on synthroid .2 the Dr. didn't see that as a problem.

Glad to see all the positive posts and to know that others have this question, I take Synthroid as well ( 0.05 MG ), and I had my first consultation with my surgeon last week. He didn't express any concern over the hypothyroidism.., but I had also wondered if it would make my weight loss slower after I get the band..... It's amazing how much everyone has in common on this board, I'm always running across threads on here that I never thought I would see!

I wonder if I've always had thyroid problems--since early childhood, I mean. I wonder if my TSH has always been on the edge, making it easier for me to gain weight.

I remember being sluggish as a child--tired a lot, too. I've been overweight as long as I can remember. I'm not blaming my thyroid for all my weight gain, but I am a very active person now--and I have such a difficult time losing weight--even when on my meds.

But--with my TSH regulated, with regular exercise, and with a major decrease in calories (hopefully due to the band), I believe I will be successful at weight loss. I really don't care if it takes me 2-3 years to lose it all--as long as it happens.

Blessings to you all on this weight loss/health journey.

Hi Dana,

I am on synthroid. For years my GP said my levels were fine and I finally complained about being so tired so I went to see a specialist and he said my levels were too high! I'm down to a TSH of .60 down from 5.0, 6 months ago. I feel so much better, but I have a hard time losing weight. I'm not banded yet, am going through the process, but I wonder if the thyroid issues will cause me to be a non-loser.

I was told by my thyroid doctor that once levels are in line, you can't blame lack of weight loss on your thyroid. I'm going to see him again on Monday and am mentioning the band to see what he has to say. He wanted me to target a loss of 1lb per month, since I started seeing him, I've gained 10 :omg: !

I'm hoping that once I get banded it'll help me get this weight off. Who knows, maybe I have some other metabolic issues going on?

lildarlin,

I know your struggle. I really do believe it's harder to lose weight with hypothyroidism--not impossible, but harder.

I'm praying the band does help me get the weight off. I believe it will!

Good luck--

I have been on synthroid for years and I just got approved for my surgery. I think my doctor actually put that in my letter to persuade the insurance comapny to o.k. it. Good luck to you!

That's a good thought AlyCat...I think I might ask my endo doctor if he'll write a letter supporting my decision and letting my insurance know that I've gotten levels in order. The more the better to encourage the insurance to approve!!!