levothyroxine and weight gain in stomach.

[jojolittleone]

I take 50 mcg of levothyroxine every morning  for my thyroid and it seems that my belly has increased ten fold. I have always been a small person since I was a child and Never had a problem such as this. I have gained 20 lbs. and my belly looks like I am 8 months preg. Can this drug cause this? The weight gain started when I started this drug.....

[Barb135]

I found nothing to link ascites, specifically, to hypothyroidism.  

I agree that you probably need an adjustment to your medication. Hypothyroidism can cause constipation, which may also cause bloating and stomach distention, along with weight gain/inability to lose.

As requested previously, please post current thyroid hormone levels, with reference ranges, which vary lab to lab and must come from your own lab report.

[tifereth]

ascites is the medical term used to describe certain symptoms found in people who are hypothyroid.  these symptoms are: rapid weight gain,  abdominal distention and swollen ankles.
i think it's more likely you are hypothyroid and that is what causing your abdominal swelling rather than the medication.  check with your doctor regarding ascites.
hope this info helps.

[FTB4]

Some thyroid sufferers do not respond to Levo, Neither my wife nor I had any changes in thyroid levels with Levothyroxine, but had a marked improvement with Synthroid. MD's and Pharmacy's will tell you there is no difference, but it does exist with certain patients. And as Gimel stated if the medication is not having an effect on your metabolism and you are still Hypo, would explain your weight gain and other symptoms. My levels never changed for the first six months I was taking Levo, after taking Synthroid for six weeks, I had a major change in my blood work (Free T3 and Free T4)  FTB4

[Totie]

Have you been tested for other hormonal issues? PCOS, Cushings, Adrenal glands...

I have never had weight gain from thyroid medication, BUT everyone reacts different to medication.

Talk to your doctor or Endo about this.

[gimel]

The more likely possibility is that you are still hypothyroid, with resultant effect on your metabolism.  Do you have other symptoms that could relate to being hypothyroid, such as the 26 typical hypo symptoms in this link.  

http://endocrine-system.emedtv.com/hypothyroidism/hypothyroidism-symptoms-and-signs.html

If you will post your thyroid test results members will be able to assess the adequacy of your testing and treatment.