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What Causes Sudden Weight Gain And Fatigue?

Posted on Tue, 9 Feb 2016

Question: My lab work is under the normal ranges for thyroid. TSH 1.28 TSH 7.10 , i continue to gain weight and not able to lose no mater what I have do from diet and exercise. I am tired and frustrated about it; starting to be depressing. Since my weight is not obese the dr will not send me to the endocrinologist.

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Weight gain

Detailed Answer:
Sorry to note your challenges with weight gain.

I have reviewed the attached laboratory results. The TSH is normal. Although you have typed 7.1 as the TSH value again, I can see it is an inadvertent error. You were referring to the Total T4 that is 7.1 and completely normal too.

So clearly your thyroid is working fine.

I see your doctor ran a few other hormone tests which also appear to be normal.

However there are couple other uncommon hormone related conditions called Acromegaly and Cushings disease which can cause weight gain.

Request your doctor to consider ordering tests for these.

IGF1 is a good way to screen for Acromegaly. It is a blood test. Fasting is not required and it can be done at any time of the day.

A midnight saliva cortisol test is helpful when Cushing's disease is suspected.

When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:

CBC
Electrolytes
Calcium
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your 3 month glucose average)
Liver function tests
Kidney function tests
25 hydroxy Vitamin D

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (2 minutes later)

Is there any chance of insulin resistance?

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up

Detailed Answer:
Yes there is however contrary to popular perception , it is not insulin resistance that leads to weight gain, but the other way around ie weight (fat) gain causes insulin resistance. It typically leads to pre diabetes or diabetes which I have recommended testing for above via the HbA1c test

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (55 minutes later)

I have recently had done and was normal level. I am not on birrh control pills and also have extreme breast fullness and tenderness , at least 2 weeks before perios and only anout a week of not suring the wholw time.this just started only a few years.

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Second follow up

Detailed Answer:
Good to note your normal A1c.

Kindly see a gynecologist for breast tenderness.

Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar