Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum.  ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Thyroid  (Expert Forum)
 | 
Thyroid and wieght gain
Answered by
Mark Lupo, M.D. - Thyroid Nodules, Thyroid Cancer, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Thyroid Ultrasound
Thyroid & Endocrine Center of Florida Sarasota - FL
Questions in the Thyroid forum are answered by Dr. Mark Lupo. Topics covered include goiter, graves disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, hyperthyroid, hypothyroid, thyroid cancers, thyroiditis, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
Post a Question Back to Forum
MedHelp Member's Question

Thyroid and wieght gain

by Tracie Dawn, May 22, 2007 12:00AM
I was diagnosed in my mid teens with a mild thryoid problem that was not yet underactive. I was told that after I had my first child that it would probably act up and I would have an under active thyroid. After I had my son that did not happen. Now that I am 39 years old and my metobolism is at an all time low as it is I was finally diagnosed with hypothyroidism. My doctor tested me and put me on 50mg of Lexothryoxin. Approximatley 8 weeks later my doctor called and asked if I had been taking my medication and I told her yes every day. She then told me my numbers were higher then the first time I had been tested and she needed to up my dosage. My thyroid was more underactive then when the first test was taken. Now that I have been taking the 75mgs of Levothyroxin for the past several months nothing has changed. I still feel fatigued and my weight is still climbing. I have been exercising more then I have in the past three years and eat very good.
My question is what type of weight loss medication or supplement can I take with Lexothyroxin to help me?
What is the highest level of Levothyroxin I can take before it should start taking effect?
Is Levothyroxin a steroid or a hormone?
What can I do to help my self loose weight while having hypothyroidism?
Doctor's Answer

by Mark Lupo, M.D., May 23, 2007 12:00AM
I do not recommend any weight loss presciption or non-prescription med.

The dose of levothyroxine (thyroid hormone) may simply still be too low, also the generic version may not be as reliable.  Would opt for a brand (synthroid or levoxy) and testing every 5-6 weeks with dose titration until the TSH is around 1.0.  

There may be a weight benefit with optimizing thyroid treatment, but the old 'eat less and exercise more' has been shown to be the most accurate advice available.
Member Comments (7)

by garnet31, May 22, 2007 12:00AM
Ah, welcome to our semi-exclusive club of weight-gainers on thyroid medicine! I'm 40, female and also had goiter during my teens. I had no problems on Synthroid for a month or so back then (mid-'80s). I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's in early 2003 and despite my constant complaints of weight gain while on Synthroid, my doc would always say "It's not the Synthroid." I went to another doc after gaining 30 pounds and was told the same thing. He suggested I see a bariatric doc (the ones for obese people). I went from 140 to 170 at 5-foot-4, so I'm not hugely overweight but am uncomfy. It took me a month to lose three pounds by cutting out a lot of food and exercising 30-45 minutes a day. This is what you have to deal with--it's three times harder to lose the weight, even though you (nor I) put it on by being a slacker.  Anyway, I also read something about how synthetic T4 can somehow affect T3 production, with T3 being the one that controls metabolism. So, while you're suppressing Hashimoto's anitbodies (as I am), you're also bringing your metabolism to a screeching halt. After my upcoming biopsy I plan to go to yet another endo, despite the fact that these first two are among the best in this area. I know it's upsetting and sometimes downright frustrating and depressing, but you'll find a way to muddle through. Educate yourself on your condition. Look into eating plans that reduce your starches/sugars---try contacting a professional nutritionist/dietician to get you started, too. I did mainly to help with my high cholesterol side effects (from Hashimoto's). Just keep educating yourself on your condition, don't be afraid to ask your doc stuff and get the best answers you can and if you don't think you're getting them, keep asking around. Best of luck to you!

by Tracie Dawn, May 23, 2007 12:00AM
Thanks.....I only lost three pounds myself and that was it. In the past two years I gained 50 lbs and only found out recently why. I went from 150 to 204. I am so uncomfortable and depressed about it. I wonder if there is anything that I can take to help lose the weight without it hurting my health or interfering with the medication? Thats why I am here.

by kathys7721, May 23, 2007 12:00AM
I have been on Levothyroxin for the past few years.  I am 5'6" and weight 123 consistently.  Like a dufus, I went off my meds that and HCTZ for hypertension for the last 4 weeks and in one week, due to water retention and not going to the gym for a month - taking care of our dog, I gained about 6 lbs.  I am now back on my meds and the water retention is starting to go away.  This was just a test to see how I would feel off the meds - LET ME TELL YOU - DON'T DO IT!!!  You may think you are just fine, but there is a reason you are on them.  I went to the gym Monday night and did step aerobics for 45 minutes and then lifted a little and some floor work for another 45 minutes - I overheated because I don't sweat and had a hard time getting my heart rate back to normal.  It's only been a couple days that I've been back on the meds and feel better.  It's amazing how it catches up with you in a short amount of time!!!

by kitcurious, May 23, 2007 12:00AM
You said you were exercising more but I thought I'd mention that I just finsished a Fitness and Wellness course in school and I believe , according to the text,in order to lose weight, a person needs to exercise 60-90 minutes a day 4-5 times a week.

by Tracie Dawn, May 23, 2007 12:00AM
No....I used to only do 30 minutes of cardio and 20 minutes of weights and I was in PLIM....PLAM....POW....good shape. Now that I have this issue with my thyroid I am going to have to do more then what I thought. My body is not the same as 5 years ago.

by staceyspaceman, May 24, 2007 12:00AM
Hi everyone :)
I am new to this forum thing and have found it v interesting!!
I had an episode of post partum thyroiditis after the birth of my second child in 2003 which showed with a lovely juicy goiter!!  This rectified itself within a couple of months but I was taking thyroxine until that happened (approx 4 months).  Since my levels returned to 'normal' (woteva that is?)  I have never been the same since having this problem and have seen my doctor intermittently probably every 3 or so months complaining of feeling tired, gaining weight (even tho I work out 4x a week doing serious bootcamp type training and training for half triathlons.....and diet's not too bad).  I have been so frustrated by their lack of interest and even the endocrinologist was dismissive of me and basically said 'there is nothing wrong with you....'.  Anyway the other day I ran into a lady I hadn't seen for abt 12m and she looked fantastic.  Gone was the bloaty, tired looking lady and hello good lookin' mama!!!   She had totally transformed.  Not just the superficial, but her skin and hair were just glowing - she looked 10 years younger.   I asked her how she was etc....  she told me she had seen a doctor here in Western Australia who diagnosed and  treated her for Hashi's.  I have now seen him and just awaiting results from extensive blood tests and saliva tests (which mainstream doc would never suggest) and am hoping for some answers..... Will keep u posted!!  I would love to be my old self again!!!  Thanks for listening - have a good day :)
Back to Forum
Continue discussion
Expert Activity
Surgery for Snoring and Obstructive...
Nov 20 by Steven Y Park, MD
Tired of Being Tired? A Primer on U...
Nov 19 by Steven Y Park, MD
Me First and the Gimmie Gimmies*
Nov 18 by Rebecca Resnik, PsyD