Sudden weight gain

[grandma18]

I take a load of medications mostly for pain and depression.  I have for a long time.  A few months ago I weighed myself and realized that I had gained 27 lbs.  This had to have taken place over a 3 month time frame.  What is bothering me is I did not change any of my eating habits.  I did go see my doctor a month before this happened because I was feeling exhausted and my depression became horrid. She told me that I had very little sodium in my blood and that I must be drinking too much water so I slowed down.  Nothing changed.  My TSH is 4.42.  Any ideas?


This discussion is related to extreme lethargy/sweating/depression.

[val1198]

You are obviously hypothyroid.  Get TSH, FREE T3, and FREE T4 tests.

The weight gain is key (as is depression).  Funny thing is these docs will let us run around for years with a 4 - 5 TSH, and then when we get fat, tell us we're obviously stuffing our faces.

Take control of your own health.  Get on thyroid meds, preferably one that contains T4 and T3.  I was never able to lose weight on T4 only ($inthroid).  Then monitor yourself with the above tests until you get to the correct dose.

[Totie]

Sometimes the medications taken for depression cause weight gain. I would look into that and also the thyroid levels.

[mags59]

I agree with Totie.  Antidepressants definitely cause weight gain, but so can an underactive thyroid.  I would get the thyroid checked out first. If all is ok, then you may want to talk to you dr about possibly changing your medication to something that won't affect your weight (although to my knowledge, most antidepressants cause weight gain - and very quickly).  Good Luck.