med dosage

[jmtalbot]

I had Graves disease and took radioactive iodine about 6 years ago. Since then I have been on levothyroxine. They recently increase my dosage from .1MG to 125mcg I'm gaining weight and the doctor told me weight gain is unlikely so I have just quit eatting. Does this mean he slowed my metabolism? Should I see a different doctor? I'm swelling up and need some advice, it's not from eatting thats for sure.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Usually increasing the dose will help a bit with weight/swelling - but most weight problems are not from the thyroid.  metabolism is poorly understood and only in part from thyroid.  Would give the higher dose some more time -- if the weight/swelling happened only after the increase, then look into other causes with a general internist as well and make sure the TSH level is appropriate (around 1.0).

[Maggie2007]

Hi,
Sorry you are feeling like this. Why did he increase your meds? Are you on a brand name or generic? I felt awful on generic and have felt better on Levoxyl. I was on 100mcg for over two months and not feeling better. When I went to a new doc, he lowered my dose to 88mcg right away and I have felt sooo much better since..almost like my old self.
It is unfortunate that your doctor is not taking your notice of weight gain seriously. I wish some doctors would realize that some people are affected differently by medication. I also don't think that not eating is the answer...you'll just feel worse with less energy and your metabolism would eventually slow down. Are you seeing an endocrinologist for this? You may want to get a second opinion. Good luck. Keep us posted.

[pjgovitz]

If he just raised your dosage it may take some tome to normalize your levels again, you must have went more hypo-thyroid on the 100, it may take a few weeks for your metabolism to increase again, the weight gain and swelling to improve. Not eating can harm your immune system more and it's be better to eat very healthy foods for now than to starve yourself, as this will greatly slow your metabolism down causing what little you do eat to make you gain too, and lowere your energy level. Try to walk daily, preferably in the morning. Also did he check your blood sugar levels as this can cause weight gain as age, activity level. I've had thyroid problems for 20 years and my weight has fluctuated between 125 and 150, and often weeks after a med change my energy level will increase and my weight will come down. Due to thyroid, I think so, but not all docs agree. I had RAI on May 18 and have gained 5 lbs,due to going more hypo, and energy levels being down for a bit, also, I had lost while hyper so am probably gaing back what I lost.