[dizzie lizzy]

My friend was recently diagnosed with Graves. She has the eye bulging and other typical signs but has gained about 50 pounds rapidly. If she is hyperthyroid shouldn't she be losing weight?

[rumpled]

I know a lady on the yahoo list that has both graves AND hashimoto's antibodies - so while it is unusual, it can happen at the same time.
Or while it may not be another thyroid issue, it could be another endocrine or or auto-immune issue. Too often, the doctors find one thing and think "eureka" when the body is going "hey, I am NOT finished".
Case in point, I had a pituitary tumor and some thyroid nodules and hashimoto's. The docs decided that the only problem I had was hypothyroid. Thought a couple pills and I would be golden. It just did not work out that way.
With complete testing, turns out I had PCOS, Cushing's, Prolactinoma, Hashimoto's, Vit D deficiency, Ferretin Deficiency, etc. etc. etc.
If the doc stops at the thyroid - other things can go, well, uncovered.

[legzzalot]

Originally Posted by dizzie lizzy

My friend was recently diagnosed with Graves. She has the eye bulging and other typical signs but has gained about 50 pounds rapidly. If she is hyperthyroid shouldn't she be losing weight?

YES! I will speak form first hand experience. I was dx with Graves back in 99, after about 5 years of yo yo weight up and down. I actually dropped 70 lbs in about 6 months time and my resting heart rate was over 120 bpm, which led to hospitalization, extensive bloodwork, the whole kit and kaboodle. Came back as Graves.

Then I had my daughter and shortly there after received a radioactive iodine treatment that was supposed to kill of my thyroid, or at least a part of it, which has now gone into hypothyroid disorder so yes, it is possible and there are a lot of reasons for this. Her body could naturally be over compensating.

I did just find out however that I actually have MS too. So mine could be from a combination of both. The best advise I can offer is to find a good endocrinologist and keep her treatments consistent which is something I did not do and I am now starting over from scratch.