TSH 0.1 Weight loss doctor added 3 x's .1 generic to my .125 synthroid phen.

[squawk]

Recent blood work done by my general practictioner found great blood work except my TSH was .1 which he said was barely discernible.  He asked what medicines my weightloss clinic used so I dropped them off.  It turns out in addtion to the phentermine I was taking a "thyroid" booster which my doctor now tells me was a generic synthroid.  I did not recognize the generic and it was described as a thryroid booster to be taken at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  This adds up to .3 addtional thyroid medicine combined with my normal dose of .125 so it looks like I have been taking .426 of combined synthroid and generic for nine months.

My general practicioner has advised dropping both the extra generic AND the weight loss clinic.  I am not sure what to do.  I have gone from a size 16 to a size six and am 130 pounds and 5 feet three inches...I wanted to lose fifteen more pounds but my general practictioner was pretty adamant that the weight loss guy is a quack....he might be a quack but he is the only quack in town who was successful at getting me to lose 40+ pounds.  So, what is the deal with the clinic using thyroid medication like this.  Now, I do see the problem with calling the generic just a "thyroid booster" (clinic also owns pharmacy) but this guy has been in business for decades.  Why would he jeopardize his practice by over-perscribing thyroid medicine if it WAS in fact quack medicine.  Is there anything to his method other than money making maddness?

[squawk]

The GP does blood work annually before renewing my perscriptions.  I had been on .125 previously and had been for two decades.  GP put thyroid test in with the usual panel he orders.  I have a call into the weightloss clinic for an explanation about the triple dose of thyroid.  I did fill out a meds. list noting synthroid and lipitor so the weightloss doctor knew I was already on thyroid medication.  I have a call into the clinc asking for an explanation and have not received an answer as of this morning.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Thyroid meds should NOT be used for weight loss.  Typically, medication-induced weight loss reverses when the meds are stopped and these meds are only temporizing manouvers in the management of weight.  Ie, they delay the patient's initiation of changes in diet/exercise that induce long-term weight loss.  Would consider reporting the doctor to the state dept of health if thyroid meds were used and not clearly labeled as such and followed appropriately as thyroid toxicity can caused fatal heart problems.

[squawk]

It was labeled as the generic:  levothyroxine 0.1 MG but I didn't recognize the name as a generic synthroid.  The patient information didn't indicate it was a generic just the dosage directions and that it was used to boost the metabolism. At no time did the physician or assistants refer to the levothyroxine as a generic synthroid.  It was only called a metabolism booster which sounded fairly benign to me. I thought it was just a thyroid enhancer like the ones advertised on the internet. Ironicaly, my bloodwork, except for the TSH never looked better, bad cholesterol was 43 and good was 67.  Except for the thyroid toxicity factor...I'd have said the weight loss clinic was a "life saver".  However your comments will be added motivation to change my diet and exercise habits...weight lost at such a potentially high price is worth the effort to keep off. Frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if my GP reports the clinic...he was that angry...not at me but at the clinic. Thank you for your quick response.