Weight Gain with Synthroid

[Lenapewoman]

I want to know if Thyromine or any other herbal or natural suppliment can be taken in place of Synthroid. Sind I have been on 75 mgs of Synthroid for the last 2 years I have gained 30 lbs. I am a life long exerciser. I walk 2-3 miles a day, do pilates, and ab work outs and eat a healthy diet low in fats, and avoid processed meats. The weight gain is predominantly in the mid section. I have never had such a spare tire in my life and it began shortly after taking Synthroid. The Doctors say Synthroid does not cause weight gain, but the scale does not lie. The only thing that changed in my life was the Synthroid and then the weight gain began. Why do the Doctors deny Synthroid is causing my weight gain?


This discussion is related to Weight Gain and Big Bloated Stomach on .35 Synthroid.

[Donna_]

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism 1.5 months ago and am currently taking 50 mg of Levothyroxine daily. I feel no different that before I began taking it. Like so many of you, I too have experienced weight gain since I began taking it. I don't own a scale so I can't say how many pounds I have gained, but I will tell you I feel like I am wearing an inner tube around my middle, in addition to wearing a full-body fat-suit! :(  

I am no expert, but I have been learning about thyroid disorders (researching on Internet) since March 2011. Your thyroid requires iodine and iodide to function properly (along with a few other essential "companion nutrients" (selenium, magnesium, vitamins B & C, etc.). I have learned that when your body is low on iodine/iodide, your thyroid gland will swell up - acting as a "net" - in an effort to "catch" more iodine.

Some people who are hypothyroid are actually only iodine or selenium deficient (possibly other deficiencies too). I began taking iodine prior to my hypo diagnosis, due to having severe hypo symptoms despite normal TSH labs. When I began taking the iodine (iThroid) I literally felt like someone turned on the lights! I am still not feeling 100% (or even 60%). I am still learning about all this, trying to find the right balance / dosages of iodine and its companion nutrients.

Learning about iodine is essential for anyone suffering from HYPOthyroidism -or- HYPERthyroidism, as either can result from an iodine deficiency! If you do a Google search you will find tons of information on this subject.

Most of what I learned about iodine I learned from the doctors listed below. I am in no way affiliated with any of them, nor do I receive compensation for referring people to their websites. I am only trying to help others by sharing what I have learned. :)

Dr. David Brownstein
https://www.drbrownstein.com/homePage.php

Dr. Jorge D. Flechas
http://cypress.he.net/~bigmacnc/drflechas/index.htm

Dr. Guy E. Abraham - I don't have his website, sorry.

Breast Cancer Choices - VITAL info for everyone!
http://www.breastcancerchoices.org

Cure Zone - Excellent informational/chat site for natural healing info!
http://www.************

Also, there is strong evidence that iodine/iodide deficiency leads to fibrocystic breast disease, which then leads to breast cancer. Likewise, iodine/iodide deficiency leads to ovarian cysts, which in turn can lead to ovarian cancer. I HAD both fibrocystic breasts as well as ovarian cysts. Since I becan taking the iodine pills, they are both GONE and have been gone since about May 2011! (about 7 months) So many woman have found releif of their FBD and ovarian cysts (including PCOS) with the use of iodine! Prostate cancer is also the result of iodine deficiency.

Sorry this post got to be so long.  I hope this info helps you all! :)

[Barb135]

While iodine is very important for the body to function, the use of iodine is contraindicated for those of us with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.  It should never be used without close supervision for a doctor well versed in its use.

[Donna_]

Thank you Barb for adding that very important information! I apologize, I meant to add that information in my post but forgot. I went back to edit my post after realizing I did not mention that people with Hashimoto's should not take iodine, but I could not figure out how to do so. I just joined the group today. Is there a way to edit posts? BTW, there is evidence that the reaction to iodine experienced by Hashimoto's patients is actually due to a Selenium deficiency. A gal I know has Hashis and she is able to paint iodine on her skin (iodine tincture or Lugol's) without any negative side effects. In fact, she said that the morning after she did this, she felt fabulous, said she had not felt that good in years! I am not advocating this, merely sharing info for anyone who might be interested. :)

[Donna_]

Iodine research publications can be found here:
http://optimox.com/pics/Iodine/opt_Research_I.shtml

I believe it was within one of these research findings that I read about the Selenium/Hashimoto's connection.

[NINA776]

HELLO..MY NAME IS NINA.I WORKED FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AS A MEDICAL ASSISTANT AND MY FIRST PROJECT IN SCHOOL WAS THE THYROID AND ITS FUNCTION. (SINCE I TOO AM HYPOTHYROID) SO....I LEARNED THERE IS SOMETHING THAT IS VERY AVAILABLE TO YOU OTC (OVER THE COUNTER) ITS @ YOUR LOCAL VITAMIN SHOPPE OR GNC. ITS CALLED : RAW THYROID AND ALSO WITH IT TAKE KELP. YOUR THYROID IS DEPENDENT ON THE PROPERTIES OF KELP TO STIMULATE AND MAINTAIN PROPER FUNCTION OF ALL YOUR ENDOCRINE GLANDS, HORMONES, WEIGHT, ETC.
I CAN HONESTLY TELL U...FROM EXPERIENCE...I TAKE THESE TWO VITAMINS AND ALL THE TSH /T4/T3 TESTS THAT I HAVE HAD ARE NORMAL FOR THE PAST 15 YRS! NO SALES PITCH..JUST HONEST EXPERIENCE.
YOU SEE...W/ SYNTHROID AND ALL THE OTHER SYNTHETIC RXS...THEY GIVE YOUR BODY THE THYROID HORMONE...INSTEAD OF LETTING AND FEEDING YOUR THYROID SO IT CAN PRODUCE THE HORMONE ITSELF. SO, INEVITABLY, ON THE SYNTHETIC RXS...THEY HAVE TO CONSTANTLY UP YOUR DOSES - THEN SOON YOUR RXS DONT SEEM TO HAVE AN EFFECT ANYMORE OR YOU HAVE BAD SIDE EFFECTS FROM YOUR BODY REJECTING THE SYNTHETIC SUBSTANCE! ( YOUR BODY AINT STUPID).

I TAKE 3 THYROID CAPS IN THE MORNING WITH 3 KELP TOO AND IT KEEPS IT NORMAL. SOMETIMES I HAVE WENT MONTHS WITH OUT IT AFTER TAKING IT FOR A FEW MONTHS AND IT STILL WAS NORMAL......

TRUST ME...IT WORKS. AND IT HAS NO SIDE EFFECTS NOR DOES IT UPSET YOUR STOMACH (AS LONG AS YOUR NOT ALLERGIC TO IODINE).

IF YOU WANT MORE INFO JUST ASK.....:)


NINA

[Jamelias]

Hi Nina. I was just DX with Subclinical Hypothyroidism.  Doctor RX Synthroid low dose.  I  have not taken it yet.  I am hesitant as I will gain weight.  I have been put on antidepressants which I think caused all this.  I gained some weight.  I was put on Wellbutrin lose dose. I have been exercising and eating in moderation and can not lose the 8 lbs.  it's been a struggle for the last 2 years.  You mentioned those OTC.  Taking them did you notice weight loss or gain?  I will look into those OTC.   Thank you

stella

[gimel]

Nina has not been active on this Forum since that last post.  So I will try to answer your questions and provide some useful information for you.  In trying to assess a person's thyroid status it should start with a full medical history,  then an evaluation for symptoms that occur more frequently with hypothyroidism, and only then extensive testing to help confirm a tentative diagnosis.  

So please tell us about any other symptoms that you have.    Also, please post your thyroid related test results and reference ranges shown on the lab report.    What dosage of Synthroid did the doctor prescribe?

Please note that there is nothing magical about the "raw thyroid" mentioned in the prior post.  It contains some T4 and some T3 from bovine sources, seemingly in dosages that may not be consistent and what you need.  If a T4 med like Synthroid is not adequately converted to T3,  there can be variables that contribute to that which may need to be supplemented.  If that doesn't work,  a source of T3 can be added to your meds by your doctor.  

Taking the prescribed Synthroid does not automatically mean weight gain.  Weight gain happens when the person is not adequately treated with T4 med (and T3 if needed) to relieve symptoms    When a person is hypothyroid and is treated as needed to relieve hypo symptoms, then the metabolism returns to normal.  

There is more to discuss, but first please post the test results and ranges, med dosage, and also symptoms.

[goolarra]

If the cause of your hypo is Hashi's, kelp or anything else containing iodine can make the condition worse.  You have to be very careful with Hashi's and iodine.

Once again, if you have Hashi's, your thyroid is constantly being destroyed by the antibodies.  You can't let your thyroid produce hormone and feed it if it's dead or too compromised.  

One does not develop a tolerance to levo.  The dose often has to be upped as the thyroid becomes less and less able to produce thyroid hormones due to the antibody action.  Dose increases usually reflect this process.  Once, the thyroid is "dead", increases stop.