Bypassers, do you have Hypothyroidism?

[Snowcrystal]

Hypothyroidism or Under-active Thyroid

I found this and am a bit worried as I do have a metabolic condition (Hypothyroidism) but is well maintained by medication.

Every time I do more research I find something negative...This condition that I have has helped me to gain the weight and hindered me to lose it at times....but will this be seen as the main cause of my weight?

This is what I found:

Can I get a gastric bypass on the NHS?

Gastric bypass is recommended for people with a BMI in excess of 40, or over 35, if their weight is posing an extreme health risk.

You are aged over 18 years (and perhaps less than 60 years).
You have tried to lose weight by conventional methods but have been unsuccessful.

You don't have any pre-existing physiological or psychological contraindications (eg heart problems or body dysmorphia).

Your weight problem has not been caused by a problem with your metabolism.

You understand what it means to have a gastric bypass and are sufficiently motivated to cope with the changes in lifestyle.

In order to qualify for the surgery on the NHS, you will need the support of your GP.

In addition, you can contact your Primary Care Trust (PCT) and ask them where patients who fulfil the criteria for gastric bypass surgery are being treated.

If it is at a hospital outside of your area, your GP may need permission to refer you out of area.


Help!!! Please!!!

 

[Lisa J]

hi, i originally went to my doctor to see if i could have xenical he sent me for a routine blood test first, this came back saying i was hyperthyroid so he referred me to a thyroid consultant at the hospital, it was at this appointment that the consultant said that i should have a gastric bypass so cant see it being a problem cos if it wasnt for him i wouldnt be having my bypass in 5 days!!!! hope this helps.
lisa xxx

 

[tendersage]

I have Hypothroidism, and it is fact one condition that helps you get a Gastric bypass as you can have your medication reduced as a result of it. I am on 225mcg levothyroxine a day which is rather a lot lol so i am hoping that the weight loss will help me reduce it

 

[Brunetteandred]

I know of a couple of people on here who have it and are having or had bypass.

 

[Snowcrystal]

Thank you girls....I always get the answers here and it always puts my mind at rest.

I hope that the GP mentioned this on the forms.

I am on 150mcg of Levothyroxine per day and am due another blood test soon.

How often do you girls Lisa and Tendersage have your blood tests?

I was told when diagnosed that I would be on these drugs for the rest of my life...so I don't think that there is a cure for Hypothyroidism but to get the dosage down is always a good thing.

TY TY TY TY

xXx

 

[Lisa J]

hi, i was re-tested 4 wks later and my levels had come down quite alot, they didnt put me on medication as said they would monitor it but i havent been back since as appointments to see the consultant are every 6-8months!! i feel fine though.
lisa xxx

 

[tendersage]

Not had my first blood tests yet these will be in another 2 months as i am now just coming up for my 4th month anniversary. I do not expect to come off them altogether but i was told that weight does affect the amount you need.

 

[tubbyspud]

Hi, yes i have hypothyroidism 225mcg thyroxine, type 1 diabetes and i've had gastric bypass surgery. To be honest i wasnt sure whether they would do the surgery nor was my gp because of the weight gain caused by both conditions but yes they agreed to do it. Im now on half the insulin i was on before the op and have cut down to 200mcg thyroxine. xx

 

[Pandora_150]

I similarly have Hypothyroidism. I was diagnosed at the age of 16. I am now 22 and I was refered for bariatric surgery in January 2009. I am currently on 200mg of Thyroxine.

Similar to some of the other sufferes I was told that the surgery (I am going for a Bypass) would help me to reduce my Thyroxine intake. I was also told it would help to control the symptoms associate with the disorder.

I usually go back for blood tests every 6 weeks to 3 months, depending on how stable my specialist believes my results are. Once I told him I was going in for Bypass surgery he said to keep going for my regular blood tests and consultations until I had my surgery. This was mainly because I had no idea how long it would take to finally get my surgery date (still waiting - but good news is that I have a second apointment with him a week today!!!). However, the specialist recomended coming back into hospital for a blood test 3 weeks post-op. I think it depends on your specialist/GP as to how soon post-op you go back and have it checked.

xxx

 

[Snowcrystal]

Thank you everyone for your replies...very helpful.

Tendersage great new picture...you have lost so much weight...well done.

xXx

 

[tendersage]

Thanks snow ;-) i have not had a TFT since my pre-op one, maybe i should follow up on how frequent it should be but my consultant says my tests are every 6 months for the full works. Having had Hypothrodism since my mid 20's it was stabalised until just before oct on my annual check leading to my dose being uped, making me very aware of the difficulties i was facing in my lifestyle. This was one main factor that prompted me into getting my loan and having the bypass.

 

[jaynefrances]

I too have hypothyroidism ( diagnosed 20 yrs ago aged 16) and this is not always stable - currently on 250mcg. i also have PCOS, and the insulin resistance from this is also a factor in my weight issues. Neither my GP, PCT weight management team or weight loss surgery team have considered this to be a problem and i have been put forward for surgery, so i wouldn't worry about it.
Good luck x x

 

[Snowcrystal]

Thank you Jayne

I do feel a little bit better about it all now.

I am getting so impatient...I want to go and ask the GP how things are progressing...but I don't want to be a pest...plus I dread being disappointed that nothing has even started.

Should I be putting any pressure on yet?...Is there anything I can do to try speed up this drawn out process?

Any suggestions please would be sooo appreciated.

xXx

 

[Pandora_150]

I think it all depends on your PCT and your doctor as to how long you should wait before 'pestering' people. For example, it depends on your PCT as whether you are refered to a surgeon first or for funding first. Similarly, if your doctor has had experiance of refering people along then your appliction (to either the doctor or surgeon) should go quicker. Both of these things will have impact on your waiting times.

However, saying this don't be worried about getting in touch with people about your application! I know from personal experiance as my surgeons secretery was suppose to call me regarding a group meeting that is mandatory for my PCT and after I didn't hear anything for 2 weeks. I got in touch and they had forgotten to call me and tell me that I was due to attend a meeting the very next night!!! Although I realise this is later on in the process than you are at the moment, but I still think the same applies. What is the worst that can happen if you check up on it?

Remember the only thing you can do is be well informed about the process in your area, and try and keep in touch with the people who are 'looking after' you.

Oh, and being a 'pest' in my books is only a good thing as it can get you places! I know people within my PCT who have been waiting months and months to hear anything after they saw the surgeon and they are still waiting; however, I have been in touch with everyone about everything and I am seeing the surgeon for the second time on Friday with all my tests done - all within 8 weeks of my first appointment!

Good Luck!!!

 

[Snowcrystal]

Thanks for your reply Pandora ...Good luck for Friday....8 weeks sounds pretty good to me...How long from GP to the stage your at now?

I did worry about going into the GP and taking up his time when there were other patients needing him too. I got told off about that by the GP (and my Husband too prior to that, that's why my husband went to see the Doc on my behalf first).

You see we were about to go private...I had got the referral letter from my GP for a private surgeon...Just as I was about to make the appointment to see the surgeon my Husband got made redundant...My Husband was still willing to go that route but there was no way I could let us get in a muddle for that.

It's tough when I think that I could have been finished by now but I had to prioritize...but anyhow, I guess I'll have to learn to be patient.

Thanks again

xXx


Hi Pandora...I can now see why you thought that my GP was mean to me...
I had written above that:

"I did worry about going into the GP and taking up his time when there were other patients needing him too". I got told off about that by the GP (and my Husband too prior to that, that's why my husband went to see the Doc on my behalf first).

It was me that was worried about taking up his time when there are other patients needing him with perhaps more important things....It was the GP that told me off for feeling that way...he said that I should never feel like my problems are any less than anyone else.


~~~X~~~

 

[sassyp81]

Hi I am treated for hypothyroidism, currently on 150mcg of thyroxine, had bypass on nhs in March and having blood test soon to check levels
xx Good luck

 

[Snowcrystal]

Hi Sassy

Well done on the weight loss so far...

Did your doc say that your levels of Thyroxine could be lowered?

xXx

 

[Pandora_150]

Hey Snowcrystal,

Sorry I haven’t replied quickly as RL tends to get in the way at this time of year! I have just finished all my exams in my undergraduate degree - woot for me. Only my Masters and Doctorate to go!

I was initially referred mid-January for the surgery and I had my acceptance letter of funding three weeks later. From then on there was a slight mess up with my application, which simply reinforced my need to check up on things more often. I was referred to the wrong department and after waiting 4 weeks for my first appointment with a surgeon I got a letter saying it would be another 9 weeks. You can imagine my surprise! It was at that time that I found out another lady on here who came from the same area as me was offered a choice of hospitals, and more specifically the one hospital that I wanted to attend: Elland Spire (Halifax). So after speaking to my GP, Calderdale PALS, and the woman who arranges funding for all NHS operations I was re-referred to Elland Spire instead.

I can't believe your GP told you that you were wasting his/her time! That is what they are there for! If you need to speak to them then you can also ring them up and ask them to call you back about things. The whole re-referral bit I went through was done completely through the phone.

You will still need to be patient throughout this process because no matter what happens you will still be waiting a while for this operation. How long you wait will be out of your hands 95% of the time.

xxx

 

[Snowcrystal]

Hey Snowcrystal,

Sorry I haven’t replied quickly as RL tends to get in the way at this time of year! I have just finished all my exams in my undergraduate degree - woot for me. Only my Masters and Doctorate to go!

I was initially referred mid-January for the surgery and I had my acceptance letter of funding three weeks later. From then on there was a slight mess up with my application, which simply reinforced my need to check up on things more often. I was referred to the wrong department and after waiting 4 weeks for my first appointment with a surgeon I got a letter saying it would be another 9 weeks. You can imagine my surprise! It was at that time that I found out another lady on here who came from the same area as me was offered a choice of hospitals, and more specifically the one hospital that I wanted to attend: Elland Spire (Halifax). So after speaking to my GP, Calderdale PALS, and the woman who arranges funding for all NHS operations I was re-referred to Elland Spire instead.

I can't believe your GP told you that you were wasting his/her time! That is what they are there for! If you need to speak to them then you can also ring them up and ask them to call you back about things. The whole re-referral bit I went through was done completely through the phone.

You will still need to be patient throughout this process because no matter what happens you will still be waiting a while for this operation. How long you wait will be out of your hands 95% of the time.

xxx

Hi Pandora

I was wondering if you got me mixed up with someone else...my GP would never say that...he is very good...and very respectful too.

Maybe you mis-read what I had said about 'Me' not wanting to waste his time as this is what I was afraid of...I'm kinda that way...lol.

Anyway, it looked like you had some problems with your application...I am so glad you got it sorted in the end with the Hospital you want......now perhaps you will get a date very soon...I hope so...Keep us informed.


~~~X~~~

 

[Gail-michelle]

Hi Lisa, what date did your doctor refer you to a consultant for a gastric bypass and how long from beginning to the end. as I am soooooooooooo anxious. Gail Michelle

hi, i originally went to my doctor to see if i could have xenical he sent me for a routine blood test first, this came back saying i was hyperthyroid so he referred me to a thyroid consultant at the hospital, it was at this appointment that the consultant said that i should have a gastric bypass so cant see it being a problem cos if it wasnt for him i wouldnt be having my bypass in 5 days!!!! hope this helps.
lisa xxx