weight gain and weight loss tablets?

[wendy_1963]

i was recently diagnosed and thought an under active thyroid would be the answer to my weight gain which is substantial and has been steady for the past 4-5 years i now find that after gaining on average 1 stone per year and life style changes due to my partners cancer (he's clear for now) and no diet working i am struggling and this is just adding to the already painful and frustraiting symptoms i have. can i take weight loss medication to assist in this or will it interfear to much with the levothyroxin i am on?  

[Barb135]

You say "If the doc gives me stats I will post for more info".  Don't wait for the doctor to offer you the results.  Ask for a copy of the lab report.  Always try to get a copy for your records.  In the U.S. doctors are required by law to provide copies of all blood work and other diagnostic tests. I know that's not required in U.K, but many doctors will give them if asked. My labs have become a running record of my illness, since I record my symptoms and what medications I was on when the labs were drawn.

At any rate, don't simply accept "in range" or "normal" as being adequate for you, because it isn't always.  We're all different and you might need your levels at a different spot within that range than I do.

You might also look into insulin resistance and/or metabolic syndrome as a cause for inability to lose weight.  I have them both. and it really does make things harder to deal with.  Another thing to look at is other medications you might be taking.  I was on a medication for peripheral neuropathy that was causing me to hold onto weight; my doctor changed me from that to another one and I immediately lost about 8 lbs. Not much, but a start.

Will look forward to seeing labs.  

[Red_Star]

I've lost 13kg and the first 12 I didn't exercise because I had no energy to do so.  I started exercising for the many health benefits and notably my anxiety has drastically reduced. I'll exercise for that benefit alone. :) Check out the article "Help! I'm a Thyroid Patient Who Can't Lose Weight!" for a lot of info.

[wendy_1963]

Thanks Barb
I am getting my bloods tested again so my meds might change, healthy life style started over a year ago when my partner had throat cancer when he  was ill it made us both rethink and change diet excercise and drinking patterns for the better unfortuanatly this is not helping my symptoms but with luck blood tests will lead to meds being changed and that will help. If the doc gives me stats I will post for more info
Thank you
Wendy

[Barb135]

You can take weight loss medication, so long as you take it well away from your thyroid medication to make sure it doesn't interfere with absorption, and of course, so long as you have your doctor's approval.

You should be aware, though, that weight loss medications are, typically, not meant for long term use, and while weight loss may result, you risk regaining the weight, as soon as you stop the medication, if you don't adopt a healthy lifestyle.

Before you resort to weight loss medication, I might suggest that you first determine if your thyroid hormone dosage is optimal.  Many times, doctors put patients on a dosage that merely brings their levels (usually TSH) within a specific range and they're happy, even if the patient still has symptoms.  

It sounds like you might have other symptoms as well, so if you have your latest thyroid hormone levels, you can post them here and we can help interpret them, to let you know whether you might simply need a dosage adjustment. Your doctor should be testing for TSH, Free T3 and Free T4, however, I see that you are U.K and we do find many patients in U.K who have trouble getting adequate testing/treatment due to restrictions of the NHS.

Another thing you might look at is exercise, along with your diet.  I've heard it said that diet is 80% of weight loss and exercise is only 20%, but I find that if I don't exercise, I don't lose weight, no matter how well I eat. I don't have to do a lot of exercise, but I have to do some.  Exercise builds muscles and muscle burns fat.