Hypothyroid and Phentermine

[pjsmiley]

Hello,

I have Hypothyroidism and have been trying to lose 10lbs for the past couple of years, I spoke to a pharmacist and she suggested I ask my doctor for Phentermine.

Has anyone tried this before and is it safe with taking Amour Thyroid 180mg. I'm 5'8" and weigh 152 and want to be 143, I work out 6x's a week cardio for 45-60 mins. and every other day 30 mins weight lifting.

I'm thinking about swimming again, I use to swim a mile a day; it would be hard to work up to that again, but the only way to keep the weight off!!

Anyone else tried something that would work!
Thanks!

[mre33]

At 5'8" and 152 pounds you are already at a normal weight for your height. Your BMI is 23. Anything between 19-25 is normal. Phentermine is meant for obesity which is a BMI greater than 30 or BMI greater than 27 with other health conditions. So you don't need appetite suppressants or to lose weight.

[Jessj33]

Free T4 -1.02
TSH -0.058
T4 - 7.1
T3 uptake- 25
Free thyroxine index - 1.8

These are my recent test results , any advice?

[gimel]

Have to disagree with your doctor about adverse cardiovascular effects.  Also disagree that only people who do not make their own T4 should have Armour, etc.  T3 is a hormone that is produced by the human thyroid gland.  It becomes an issue only when levels are excessive.  An amount adequate to relieve/prevent hypo symptoms is what everyone should have.  

When your body is not able to produce enough natural thyroid hormone, then thyroid medication is necessary.  If T4 is the chosen med, that is fine as long as the body adequately converts the T4 to T3, so that there is enough Free T3 to prevent hypo symptoms.  If the body does not adequately convert T4 to T3 then supplemental T3 med becomes necessary to relieve hypo symptoms.  T3 can be obtained from several sources, including NDT types (typically porcine), such as Armour Thyroid or Nature Throid.  Those meds do contain a higher ratio of T3 than natural thyroid hormone.  That is exactly why it is used to supplement when the patient is not converting T4 adequately.  Other sources of T3 include Cytomel and its generics.

It is also incorrect to say that "You might feel good having the high levels of adrenaline in your system (which is the reason a lot of Armour patients report high satisfaction) but they also have the related heart, stroke etc problems."  The reason patients feel better with Armour is that it is supplying the T3 they frequently are not getting from their T4 med.  Unless they are seriously overdosed there is no reason they would have heart or stroke problems  That statement is very midleading.  

If you are having weight issues it can possibly be due to switching to T4 and not adequately converting it to T3.  That can be seen by looking at your Free T3 and Free T4 test results, if your doctor has run those for you.   If so, please post results and their reference ranges shown on the lab report and members will be glad to assess the adequacy of your testing and treatment.

[DrMom444]

I have hypothyroidism. My primary care gave me Armour, it worked but went to an endocrinologist for follow-up. He took me off Armour. He said he has over 1,000 patients with hypothyroidism and has three on Armour because it has adverse cardio-vascular effects. Only people who do not make their own T4 should have Armour because Armour is Pig Thyroid and they have higher levels of natural T4. My understanding is this is what produces adrenaline. You might feel good having the high levels of adrenaline in your system (which is the reason a lot of Armour patients report high satisfaction) but they also have the related heart, stroke etc problems. Think about what stress does to your system, this is adrenaline. I switched to Synthroid. It took care of the thyroid problem but I too am having weight problems (10-12 extra pounds I can't shed). I have been put on phentermine, recently. I used it years ago after having some kids. I lost the weight easily and kept it off. I used a much lower dose, though. I usually cut my 37.5 dose into quarters or smaller. I was able to sleep better at night and had fewer heart issues. If you plan on staying on your Armour or have to stay on it... remember that heart issues (such as racing or pounding) can be increased with phen. Cut your dose and use the smallest that works. Cheers.

[Red_Star]

Or not enough medication for hypothyroidism of course! That is mine to some degree as well but that insulin resistance is the clear winner. Two month hyperthyroid flare up with no weight loss. Sheesh!

[Red_Star]

Phentermine is an appetite suppressant. "After short-term use, tolerance begins and can be followed by rebound weight gain. Long term data for use of phentermine shows no net weight loss." Ummm. :)

I wish i had an appetite to suppress lol. But there are many reasons for finding it hard to lose weight. Untreated hypothyroidism is one of them. For me it's severe insulin resistance. That insulin loves fat and never wants to let it go. Grrr.

[Barb135]

I don't recommend phentermine or any diet aid like that, because they aren't  meant for long term use and once you stop taking them, the weight usually, comes right back, along with more.  My daughter and son-in-law, both took it and that's what happened to them, as well as other people I've known who took it.

Typically, once thyroid levels are adequate, you should be able to lose the weight, unless you have some other metabolic issues, as well.

What are your actual thyroid hormone levels?  You should be getting tested periodically, for TSH, Free T3 and Free T4.  FT3 is the hormone actually utilized by individual cells, so if that's not adequate, symptoms will persist.

If you'll post your current levels, we'll be better able to help you out.  Be sure to include reference ranges, as those vary lab to lab and have to come from your own report.