Can You Still Gain Weight With a Hyperthyroid?

According to the Mayo Clinic, Graves' disease is the most common form of hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism occurs when your immune system attacks your thyroid gland. Your thyroid begins overproducing metabolic hormones. Hyperthyroidism speeds up your metabolism causing unexplained weight loss.

Considerations

• The increase in metabolic rate causes your body to burn more calories. Some people can stop the weight loss by consuming more calories. According to the American Thyroid Association, if you don't increase the amount of calories you consume to match the excess calories burned by hyperthyroidism, then weight loss will ensue.

Misconception

• Not all medications work for hyperthyroidism.

  Initial treatment of hyperthyroidism may include the use of beta blocker medications. According to the Mayo Clinic, beta blockers relieve some symptoms of hyperthyroidism, but they don't stop your thyroid from overproducing thyroxine. Thyroxine is responsible for increased metabolism and weight loss.

Solution

• Weight gain will slowly happen.

  According to the American Thyroid Association, any weight lost prior to treating your hyperthyroid is normally gained back after the hyperthyroidism is treated. Since hyperthyroidism is an abnormal state causing abnormal weight loss, once normal thyroid function is restored your weight will return to normal.

Warning

• Anti-thyroid medications prevent your thyroid from producing too much thyroxine. These drugs can help you gain weight but can also cause serious liver damage. According to the Mayo Clinic, some people can't tolerate anti-thyroid medication.

Results

• Radioactive iodine treatment slowly destroys overactive thyroid cells. After treatment or surgery to destroy your thyroid, you will gain weight. Synthetic hormone therapy is necessary after hyperthyroidism treatment to regulate your metabolism.