Can weight loss affect your thyroid medication dosage?

[Sgraves2003]

Hi there,

For the past six years I have been on Synthroid (.075mg) and, until a few months ago, have been doing very well. I have recently lost 25 lbs and am now experiencing daily episodes of nervousness, heart racing, and little 'taps' on the upper right side of my chest. I was wondering if my weight loss has affected my thyroid function somehow and has now rendered my usual medication dosage too high? I talked to my GP about it but he insists that I am having panic attacks and wants to put me on Paxil. He refuses to send me for bloodwork until my yearly thyriod check up date rolls around in four months time.

If my meds are now too high, is this dangerous? Is waiting four months to have my bloodwork done too long?

Thanks so much!

[Ettie71]

Change your Dr. Get your bloods done. It's the thyroid. My dr made me ill for four years saying I had anxiety.

[stella5349]

Yes I do believe that losing the amount of weight you have could effect your levels. Along with building fat into muscle and changing that whole ratio in your system.  Growing older - menopause - supplements - pregnancy - and even some foods can change the levels.

Your doctor won't run tests?

Any medication administered - if it is not the correct dosage can abrupt the system and cause problems.

Adding an anti anxiety med as Paxil or others can also change the absorption level of your thyroid medication and it would require testing in two weeks to see if that had happened.

It seems a bit shallow on your doctors part that he/she won't run a simple test prior to suggesting using another drug for anxiety. I think at this time I would decline that use - if it was me and ask to either tweek the meds lower as a trial to see if that helps - strongly encourage this doctor that you "want" a blood panel taken or if it comes down to it - seek a second opinion.