Can you have all the symptoms of Hashimoto except weight gain?

Posted by barberry @barberry, Oct 25, 2022

Can you have all the symptoms of Hashimoto Disease except weight loss instead of weight gain?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Autoimmune Diseases Support Group.

@barberry I see this is your first time posting here, welcome to Mayo Connect. If you have been reading for a few days, you already know we are a community of patients with a variety of conditions who support one another in our journeys. But we are not medical professionals and we cannot help diagnose you.

Here is what Mayo Clinic has to say about Hashimoto's disease:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hashimotos-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20351855
Symptoms of Hashimoto's Disease are similar to those of a number of other conditions. Have you had your thyroid levels tested? This is one of the first steps, along with a physical examination, for determining what is happening. It can be done by your primary care provider.
Sue

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Thank you so much for your message. It is exciting that there is a community like this connected to Mayo Clinic and each other. I did have all the usual thyroid tests and they were negative. I asked my primary what else the classic symptoms of thyroid might be caused by but he had no ideas. I think I will pursue trying to get the test specifically for Hashimoto. Thank you again and best to you. If I get nowhere with my primary care provider I'll be posting again.

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Welcome @barberry, I updated the title of your discussion to reflect that question you're asking and moved it to the Autoimmune Diseases group where members like @1chuchie @ellens @rarelybees2889 @astaingegerdm @campergirl411 @sparshall and more are talking about Hashimoto's disease.

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I'm really excited about that. I think the discussion there will be very helpful to see if I am possibly going in the right direction. Thank you so much for doing this. With much gratitude, Barbara

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I have Hashimotos and do not have weight gain. I see a functional medicine doctor. You have to have your thyroid antibodies tested.

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When I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism our trainer at my place of work said she could not believe it because I was so thin (She had formerly been a ICU nurse). I had a full "fatigue workup" at a teaching hospital clinic at that time. I even received a second opinion at the Mayo Clinic which confirmed hypothyroidism, in-spite of my slender frame. When in doubt don't forget the second opinion option.

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@linh

When I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism our trainer at my place of work said she could not believe it because I was so thin (She had formerly been a ICU nurse). I had a full "fatigue workup" at a teaching hospital clinic at that time. I even received a second opinion at the Mayo Clinic which confirmed hypothyroidism, in-spite of my slender frame. When in doubt don't forget the second opinion option.

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I also seem to have hypothyroidism though I am thin. My TSH is elevated at about 6, but the only symptoms I have so far are muscle spasms. I am curious: was your diagnosis based on the TSH results?

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@bpaul

I also seem to have hypothyroidism though I am thin. My TSH is elevated at about 6, but the only symptoms I have so far are muscle spasms. I am curious: was your diagnosis based on the TSH results?

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I remember presenting to the clinic because I had just finished a week of vacation and spent the lions share of it sleeping in bed. I had not felt rejuvenated afterwards. I was seen at a teaching hospital clinic where the Resident, or doctor in training had been given ample time to do the whole nine yards as far as interviewing and physical exam goes I recall. My TSH level returned in the 10 range (well beyond the lab's normal values). I was given a choice of starting Synthroid or holding off on doing so.

My hypothyroidism had not been detected by a preventative screening lab testing, I was symptomatic. If anyone is new to this diagnosis it is well worth one's time reading up on it: I am sure the Residents would have taken time to answer all my questions, but at that juncture I did not know what to ask. In wonderful hindsight I would have requested additional lab testing like my vitamin D level. It was later found to be too low for thyroid hormones to work effectively.

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@med08

I have Hashimotos and do not have weight gain. I see a functional medicine doctor. You have to have your thyroid antibodies tested.

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That is very helpful to know that weight gain does not have to be a symptom of Hashimoto and thus outruled. I wish I had been more assertive and asked for the thyroid antibodies test earlier. Many thanks.

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@linh

When I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism our trainer at my place of work said she could not believe it because I was so thin (She had formerly been a ICU nurse). I had a full "fatigue workup" at a teaching hospital clinic at that time. I even received a second opinion at the Mayo Clinic which confirmed hypothyroidism, in-spite of my slender frame. When in doubt don't forget the second opinion option.

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Thank you so much. That helps me pursue an answer for my symptoms. I wonder if my case is similar to others where if the standard tests for thyroid are normal, that's the end of the story.
med08's response and your response are helping me move forward and not stop at one doctor's visit.
I have a list of 16 Hashimoto symptoms from a Mayo Clinic site. The only ones I don't have are enlargement of the tongue, a puffy face and I'm well past menstruation. Best to you.

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