so many meds!

[mosckmb2]

I just went to an endocronologist and he has put me on Cytomel and then I'm already on Synthroid and Celexa.  In two weeks he is wanting me to start on Phentermine.  I have had lots of weight gain. I'm a little concerned about these BIG changes, but I do want help. Has anybody heard of this combination in meds?

[gimel]

Please post your thyroid related test results and reference ranges shown on the lab report.  What other symptoms do you have, if any?

[CareBear1291]

I do not have a thyroid n I take armour thyroid medicine. I weigh too much and wasn't too lose weight. what can I take our do to help. Exercise does NOT work eating right does not work.

[gimel]

Perhaps you misunderstand.  We never recommend thyroid med as a way to lose weight.  We recommend thyroid med only for those persons with symptoms that are typical of being hypothyroid due to lab results that are not optimal.  Of course one of the many symptoms of being hypothyroid is weight gain, due to slowed metabolism.  So if a person has gained weight due to being hypothyroid, due to slowed metabolism, as opposed to over eating or lack of exercise, then one of the benefits of getting back to being euthyroid is that they may lose the weight gained from being hypo.

It seems many doctors automatically assume that an overweight person is always over eating and not exercising, and that hypothyroidism does not cause any significant weight gain.  The reality is that even a 10% reduction in basal metabolic rate due to hypothyroidism can have a significant effect on weight.   As an example, about two years ago when Armour Thyroid was taken off the market for a while, I had to switch back to a T4 med and in the next 7 months or so, I gained 18 pounds, because my body did not adequately convert the T4 to T3.  As soon as Armour was again available, I switched back and in about the same length of time I lost all the weight I had gained.

[Nurse121212]

I think all of you should understand the difference between weight gain or loss from thyroid meds and the difference in how phentermine works before giving any information...most thyroid meds DO NOT HELP WITH WEIGHT LOSS...IF IT DID..THERE WOULD BE NO NEED FOR THE LATTER....THYROID MEDS ARE NOT FOR WEIGHT LOSS....AND IF YOU THINK IT IS...DO YOUR RESEARCH WITH A QUALIFIED DOCTOR!!! NOT JUST A PILL PUSHER....IT WONT HAPPEN!!!!

[gimel]

If you are hypo, then your metabolism is slow and will contribute to weight gain.  If you are properly treated to get you to the euthyroid state, then your metabolism will have been increased and eventually you will lose weight.  So, if the doctor is treating your hypothyroidism with meds, why does he think you also need Phentermine?

Would you please post your latest lab test results and reference ranges so that members can help interpret where you are in your treatment?

[TSHxx]

Did you start taking the phentermine?  How did you react to it in combination with the synthroid?  I have been on phentermine for a little over a month because I had problems shedding post-partum weight, but then found out that I also have hypothyroidism and was prescribed with Levothyroxine (by the same doctor and kept me on phentermine).  I was overwhelmed when my pharmacy printed out a long *WARNING OF DRUG INTERACTION* sheet telling me of all the possible side effects etc... I have gone from taking a vitamin a day to 3 prescription drugs, that have possible hazardous interactions.  All of a sudden I feel like I need to borrow my grandmothers pill organizer to not get confused or forget to take something!

[laura1967]

Just a thought but have you been tested for PCOS? This causes a lot of weight gain and can happen suddenly as well.

[mosckmb2]

Thanks group! I will be getting my lab numbers and posting them. He put me on the weight lose drug because I'm gaining weight at an alarming rate! I just gained over 5 pounds in two weeks. I will not start the weight lose pill for two weeks so I'm going to see if the combo of Cytomel and Synthroid will help with this. Thanks for the feedback. I don't go back to the doctor for a while.

[Smilerdeb]

Phentermine is for weight loss and not many Doctors prescribe it which is why I am wondering why yours has.
Either way...dont take the Celexa and Synthroid together at the same time.
Synthroid must be taken on its own with water and then the other meds at least an hour later.
I take a heart med first thing in the morning then my T4 med an hour later as sill me decided one morning to take them together and I felt as if I was walking on the moon! lol
I felt totally 'spaced out' and it sure wasnt a nice feeling.
Never done that again!

But why does he have you on Cytomel (a T3 med) and also a weight loss med?
I would be asking why and also asking why such a 'cocktail ' of meds so soon after starting Cytomel.

[Barb135]

I second gimel...  I currently take cytomel with levothyroxine and it's done a great job with the way I feel, but I still have hypo symptoms, but without your lab results and the reference ranges, it's really hard for anyone to answer your question.  

[gimel]

To help us try and give you the best info, please get a copy of your lab test results and  post the actual numbers and reference ranges.