Levothyroxine and Weight Changes

[visitgirl]

I'm starting on meds for hypothyroid, and I can't seem to find a straight answer as to whether the drug causes weight loss or gain.  Why is this such a confusing issue?  I haven't gained weight as a result of hypothyroid, but now I'm afraid that I will as a result of the treatment!  

Does anyone have any experience with this?  I just wish I knew what to expect!

[GravesLady]

Levothyroxine T4 - Synthroid , Unithroid, Levoxyl and Levothroid thyroid hormone medications are not a chemical meant to trick our system in any way.  It is not toxic like other medications since it is made the same as our naturally occurring thyroid hormone. Do to this fact our body should react normally. To say, if we gain or lose, or stayed the same weight before thyroid condition, we will probably gain or lose, or stay the same weight on T4 supplement.

ATDs are another matter, as far as being a chemical tricking our system.

[shaerich]

what are ATDs?

[GravesLady]

Anti-thyroid drugs =  ATDs

[visitgirl]

I guess I'm confused because hypothyroid can slow the metabolism and therefore cause weight gain - so shouldn't correcting the problem by restoring thyroid levels increase metabolism back to normal, resulting in weight loss?  

[GravesLady]

But it doesn't mean you will lose weight once metabolism get back to normal. Then its up to your genetics and weight control.

Some hypos will lose weight while others gain. Likewise, some hypers will gain weight while others lose weight.

There is no magic formula to weight.

Maybe you will be one of the lucky ones who does lose weight.