On Cytomel, weight loss is a battle

[Joy16]

I got diagnosed with hypothyroidism 6 weeks ago. I had TSH=6.5 and normal Free T3 and T4 at that point. I started on 25 mcg levothyroxine . I took that for 3 weeks and had lots of side effects. So Doctor asked me to stop it after taking it for three weeks. I went without any meds for 1 week and measured TSH again ...it was 5.0. Then I got started on 25 mcg cytomel.  I have no major side effeccts on cytomel so far. But my big concern is my weight. Over the last 6 months, I have exercised at least 3 times a week for 5 out of 6 months. At present I am burning 500 calories a day by exercising in the gym.....but my weight keeps increasing as opposed to decreasing.

Before I had any health problems my weight was 130 lbs. Now it is 140 pounds or higher on most days. I am very conscience of what I eat. I eat very healthy all day long.

My question is how long does it take cytomel to stabilize my metabolism so that I can start seeing some weight loss as a result of burning calories.

[Barb135]

I responded to this question in your other post.  Maybe some others will post also.  

[Smilerdeb]

If your Free T3 and Free T4 are normal...why does your Doc have you on a T3 med?
It will only give you a higher T3 and cause hyper symptoms along with hypo symtoms from the high tsh.
Basically you will be experiencing 'crossover' symptoms.
Maybe I'm missing something here.
Just Cytomel alone will not bring down your Tsh.
If your Free's are normal then you dont need a T3 med...confused here lol

[Smilerdeb]

Also it can take up to 6 weeks for Synthyroid to 'get into your system' and the side effects may have been from the tsh and not the synthroid.

[Smilerdeb]

Sorry...meant levo.
Maybe Synthroid wouldve been the way to go.
Food for thought.

[gimel]

Please post your free T3 and T4 results and reference ranges.

[mtkst13]

weight is definitely tricky when having hypo.  i was just complaining that when i don't exercise,  my weight is 135.  i exercise and my weight goes up to almost 140.  i think the exercise must make you retain water or something.  i don't know.  it's trustrating, and it sounds like you're similar to me in that regard.

definitely post your FT4 and FT3 with reference ranges.  maybe your FT4 is a little low and FT3 is a little high or vice versa.  tsh is only one piece of the puzzle.  the other values are needed to see the whole picture.  

do you have hypo symptoms (constipation, fatigue, muscle/joint pains, leather skin)?  hyper symptoms (anxious, heart palps, lots of energy, soft skin)?