On levoxyl for a year...recently started to gain weight again

[Maggie2007]

Hi,
I am wondering if my doctor is missing something and someone can give me some ideas.
I was diagnosed with hashimotos's hypothyroid over a year ago. My doctor seems thorough and has changed my dosage (levoxyl) a few times after bloodwork. I am currently on 125mcg and have been at that dose for about 5 months. I can definitely see an improvement with my energy if I compare now to several months ago. My weight seemed to stabalize over several months, and I had enough energy to walk everyday and to work out a few times a week. Over the past month or so, I have gained 8 pounds and my eating has remained the same (or even improved).
Why am I gaining weight? I definitely feel like that despite working out and well, that I am gaining weight. As any reasonable person could understand this is upsetting and not much of a motivator.
Any ideas?
I've heard about Armour, but my doctor is not a fan.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[kitty9309]

What are your current thyroid levels? TSH and free t4?

[Maggie2007]

Hi,
Thanks for responding. I last went for bloodwork about 4 months ago. I didn't ask for my levels, but I was told they were "normal" and "very good", and that I dont need to get bloodwork again until August because I seemed pretty stable. I will go get bloodwork done next week as I think something is wrong.
*Overall though, my energy is ok, not losing hair...its just the weight gain. I don't get it.

[kitty9309]

You really need to het a copy of your results to see what your levels are.
On thyroid replacement hormone, your TSH should be between 0.5 and 2.0, preferably closer to 1.
Being in the normal range is not good enough.
Are you seeing an endo?

Here is a great resource. Look at page 18 in particular:

http://www.thyroid.org/patients/brochures/Hypothyroidism%20_web_booklet.pdf

[littlemissRN]

Like you i have been on Levoxyl 1 year and I too am gaining weight, and getting no answers.  i have always been a gym person, and am no longer.  If you find answers let me know, I want them too.  In the mean time feel better and God Bless! Aimee

[stella5349]

With Hashimoto disease - this is an autoimmune hypothyroidism. Antibodies are attacking your thyroid and they change quite often throughout the course of the disease.

I would get the lab work results and check to make sure the proper tests were ran.

You should see a TSH lab and :

Free T3 FT3
Free T4 FT4
TPO anitbody test

If you do not see these specific labs - then your doctor is not running the correct tests to pin point your troubles.

[Grammy7]

Has anyone discovered Grave's disease from their Opthalmologist?  Would love to hear any input on this one.  I don't know yet (waiting for bloodwork) but in reading up on Graves it sure seems like a possiblity for me.  Thanks in advance for your input.

[Maggie2007]

Hi again,

So, I just got my recent test results back...I'm hoping you and others can give some feedback.

TSH, 3rd generation (whatever that means) was 1.31 (normal being 0.40 to 4.50).
T3, free was 288 (normal being 230-420).
T4, 1.5 (normal being 0.8 to 1.8)

If I am reading the results right, I guess the good news is my thyroid levels are good and the bad news is that my weight gain may just be that I have a low metabolism and need to work out even more (I am already very active and work out a few times a week - cardio and weights).

Any insight is appreciated. Thanks!!!!

[Maggie2007]

Oh, and my Thyroid Peroxidase AB (thyroid antibody test?) is 783.0.
It also says that the normal range is under 35.
This doesn't sound very good.

[kitty9309]

Your thyroid levels do look good right now. Although at my TSH of 1.42, my endo was willing to up my dose by 12.5 mcg. My free is much lower than yours, though. Unfortunately, my TSH jumped to 5.1 and I have yet to reap the possible benefits of a lower TSH.

You don't have much room to move on the freet4, but the t3 is still on the low side. How about asking for a trial of Cytomel in a very low dose?

The thyroid antibodies being positive may mean you have Hashimoto's, which could in the future turn into hypothyroidism.

I hope the doctor has recommended that you have follow-up testing at least yearly to monitor.

[acorte52]

Levoxyol doe not contain T3 hormone. Some people cannot convert the t4 to t3 and end up continuing to have problems. Perhaps you should ask your doc about adding T3 (cytomel).

[acorte52]

Levoxyol doe not contain T3 hormone. Some people cannot convert the t4 to t3 and end up continuing to have problems. Perhaps you should ask your doc about adding T3 (cytomel).

[kitty9309]

I think the above is meant for Maggie2007.

[Maggie2007]

Thanks. I will mention Cytomel to my Endo. I get the impression that some doctors are hesitant to prescribe it.
Although I feel so much better than a year ago, I tire more easily than I should and weight loss has been a struggle.
Thanks again.

[motheroffour]

I've been hypo for over 25 years and  under control... while my weight remains relatively stable occassionally through the years I find weight creeping on even when I haven't needed a dose increase.    I've had better success with small meals, evenly spaced and frequently through the day which keeps my fatigue under control and keeps my weight stable.  I'm told it keeps my metabolism "working" at peak performance LOL. if a hypo metabolism can ever be peak.