I have a dear friend who has Hashimoto disease. She has gained a lot of weight due to the effects of this.?

I am greatly concerned about her overall health. Apparently she is going to the gym daily to try to counteract the effects of a reduced metabolism. But she has gained about a hundred lbs. And I am worried about her heart or diabetic issues that might come up as a result.

Is it possible for her to beat this?

Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune disease. You start producing antibodies to your thyroid gland. The antibodies will start to do damage to the thyroid and you lose thyroid function. She should have been placed on thyroid hormone medication, which she will have to take for the rest of her life. The thyroid regulates metabolism and weight gain is part of it. So is brittle hair, hair falling out and cold intolerance. The meds stop this and can return you to a normal level. To diagnose Hashimoto's, you need to have a high level of antithyroid antibodies in your blood ( anti-microsomal and/or antithyroglobulin antibodies). Once you are diagnosed, you are usually put on meds and then closely followed by more blood tests for TSH ( thyroid stimulating hormone) - especially after diagnoses. Sometimes it takes a while to find the right dosage. Doctors always like to start at the low end and work up on the dosage, because of side effects. If she has put on this much weight, she needs to be re-evaluated. It sounds like she is still hypothyroid. It is very possible to find the right dosage. An endocrinologist may be able to help as well. She will never beat the Hashimoto's, but it can be controlled. It is not terminal. There is also the possibility that something else is going on. Tell her to get to a dr who will listen.

I have hypothyroidism which hashimoto disease can turn into. i gained 80 lbs. i was diagnosed 4 years ago and have yet to find anything to help me lose weight now matter how hard I try. I have had heart problems, nothing severe, but being that i am 22 years old with I guess any heart problems are not a good thing. As far as diabetes goes, I have been tested numerous times especially since this runs in my family, but luckily have not been positive. bascially, what i am trying to get out is that it sucks. Not only do you gain massive amounts of weight and really cannot do anything to lose any of it since any drug you want to take to aid in weight loss can counteract your medication, you dont have much that you can do. i have becaome depressed, am always tired, and am basically embarrassed to go anywhere. i was never thin, but a content weight and now that i have ballooned, you really feel crappy. there isn't much that she can do in regards to weight loss, but as her friend, support her. i don't know how she is feeling with this drasctic change, but if she is going to the gym daily, she probably isn't all that ok with it. Get her to talk to you make her feel that she is still beautiful and the same as she always has been. Not trying to act like a therapist or anything, but I know how much i wish i had a friend who would stand by me for who i am and not how i look and sometimes you just need to be reminded of how great you are especially when you dont feel it.

one more thing, about beating it, I'm not so sure about it when it is hashimoto disease, but if it turn to hypothyroidism, it is a life long disease which will require medication daily.