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Original poster

Dramatic weight loss

59 replies

slightlyinsane · 03/10/2016 09:20

My oh and I have had a stupidly rocky patch recently. Due to this I have only seen him fully clothed and haven't had any physical contact.
The other day I gave him a hug. The shock is something I can't really describe apart from, shit!
He's lost a massive amount of weight (when pushed he thinks it's 32kg) in around 4 months looking back at photos. He could have done with loosing some but this is stupid, he's also lost muscle mass too.
He said he's changed a couple of things but in my opinion not enough to result in the huge loss.
He doesn't think he's any more stressed than he's ever been before.
What conditions can cause such a dramatic loss??
Drs appointment has been booked

OP posts:
Original poster
slightlyinsane · 03/10/2016 22:02

Thanks violet, xpost

OP posts:
RockinHippy · 03/10/2016 22:03

Sorry just spotted your update where the doctor thinks its HyperThyroid

Thats an autoimmune condition as is PA/B12 deficiency & they apparently are linked & basically they CAN come in gangs. Diabetes is linked to it too

I don't know if thyroid lowers immunity, but PA can & other things such as Folate deficiency & low Potassium & iron are all linked because as the PP says it knocks your metabolism out of whack, so yes, there is a chance he is more vulnerable to picking up bugs.

booox · 03/10/2016 22:05

I don't know about the jabs Confused I didn't know the spray was an issue. Ask GP.

He unfortunately may need time off work if not now then in the future. Oc health would be supportive. But chat to GP too. What does he do?

Do buy that book off amazon prime if possible!

devilinmyshoes · 03/10/2016 22:08

It's an autoimmune condition (Graves) in about 80% of cases of hyperthyroidism in U.K. I think, there are some other things it could be. Endocrinology will get to the bottom of it, they'll test for lots of things and get some images etc

Original poster
slightlyinsane · 03/10/2016 22:10

He's in retail management, he's off for half term next week anyway and more than happy to take time off if he needs to. Just a bit funny about his employees knowing to keep an eye on him when he doesn't even know half their names

OP posts:
booox · 03/10/2016 22:10

I wouldn't have thought he's compromised from an immune POV at the moment but he will feel like shit and extra shit on top with flu. But in reality he could pick that up anywhere.

Focus on doing what the GP says and getting through the next few weeks and months.

If it's caused by autoimmune disease it can go in a couple if different directions with different treatment outcomes. The Toft book describes these very well including radioactive treatment etc. It's worth getting your head around it all to help him understand it too.

RockinHippy · 03/10/2016 22:11

Talk to your GP about flu vaccines, though to be honest, even with low immunity I avoid them now as they made me more ill than any virus I have picked up

Just as an aside, we have PA, DDs thyroid & liver results were both out of whack before treatment with B12 injections - its all normal again since have B12 treatment.

devilinmyshoes · 03/10/2016 22:16

He does need to take it seriously, thyroid storm is very rare but when it happens it's often fatal. My mum has Graves and it went undiagnosed for too long leading to heart problems and a stroke.

Not to be scaremongery, because it's very treatable and livable with but potentially serious.

Original poster
slightlyinsane · 03/10/2016 22:41

I think he kind of gets it now.
Before he went to the Drs he thought I was making a mountain out of a mole hill over his weight and shaking, assumed he'd be bringing some antibiotics home and all would be fine.
He's done a bit of reading around the topic tonight and it will all gradually sink in.
I think the dr refusing to let him leave until he'd taken his beta blocker also helped.

OP posts:
Original poster
slightlyinsane · 06/10/2016 20:22

Things seem to be happening quickly, very unsettling, not sure if it's a good or bad thing. The consultant has bumped him to the top of the list and will be seen within the next few weeks rather than the typical 12. He's been put on some heavy duty meds (he can't remember their names, find out tomorrow when I pick them up.

OP posts:
booox · 07/10/2016 07:22

It's a good thing but indicates how severe it can be. Big hugs.

Please do get the Toft book; it will explain things in much better detail.

Things will get better but it can be a bit of slog at first to get things under control. Flowers

booox · 07/10/2016 07:22

Patient leaflet

www.btf-thyroid.org/information/quick-guides/104-hyperthyroidism

devilinmyshoes · 07/10/2016 08:12

Is it carbimazole? It was 4 weeks before I saw the endocrinologist and I took that as a sign there was no great rush after all, given my GP had initially called me in such a panic about the blood results. I had to have a scan before that endo appointment though. He described what we were doing with the meds as an 'emergency stop'. They sometimes block and replace the thyroxine, I do second that book recommendation. You can get a digital copy for the kindle app. Hope your husband is feeling better soon.

devilinmyshoes · 07/10/2016 08:32

It's a great tragedy that we don't get free prescriptions though unlike the underactive thyroid people, unless or until it goes underactive.

booox · 07/10/2016 09:28

I didn't know that - what a fucker. Angry

booox · 07/10/2016 09:29

Possibly as its possible to recover where as the hypothyroid is chronically for life?

devilinmyshoes · 07/10/2016 09:33

Yeah exactly. I think around half of people go into remission for long periods of time. Me! I hope!

devilinmyshoes · 07/10/2016 09:44

Unfortunately they know nothing (yet) about who goes into remission and who doesn't. I found it all very vague and unscientific.

I do find the thyroid chat on here about TSH levels odd too, have seen posters insist many times 'it needs to be 1 or under' whether or not people have a thyroid disease whereas I feel much better since it crept up from absolutely nothing to somewhere in the middle (2-3).

Original poster
slightlyinsane · 07/10/2016 09:47

Devil, no it's not. He's going on a different beta blocker (possibly propranolol sp.)
And maybe predisolone, both heavy duty in terms of side effects, 1 of them is going to interfere (destroy?) his white blood cells leaving him at risk of illness and infection. Which means I really do need to push for the flu jab for the kids.
He has been told that if they have an appointment before the end of 4 weeks they'll phone him and he has to attend, no matter how short notice it is.
The gp said the consultant was going to go for iodine or removal over drugs, they seem concerned over its size and number of nodules on it.
We are very lucky we get free prescriptions in Scotland

OP posts:
devilinmyshoes · 07/10/2016 10:02

Oh nodules, I don't have those, they do sometimes come with Graves but could mean something else. Thyroids are so weird. Thank goodness they are on the case now and will sort him out! I feel for you all, it's scary when something like this happens.

I had (still have) propranolol and carbimazole (an anti thyroid thing).

devilinmyshoes · 07/10/2016 10:07

Can you get flu jab from Boots or somewhere like that?

booox · 07/10/2016 10:12

Beta blockers are ok; I was on them for anxiety and had to increase my thyroxine as a result.

Prednisone- how much and how long? Again asthmatics or those with bad arthritis etc have to take; I think it can affect thyroid function which might be why.

My understanding of the infection side of it was mostly chicken pox - have they had?

Original poster
slightlyinsane · 07/10/2016 10:15

The flu jab is for the germ infested kids, nowhere will do under 16's. I'll get his gp on the case with the vaccine coordinator now to put our case across

OP posts:
booox · 07/10/2016 10:18

Toft book says steroids are to support eyes after radio active iodine. Does this sound right?

Had he developed issues with his eyes?

booox · 07/10/2016 10:18

*has

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