hypo thyroid and medication and weight gain

[vads]

I was diagnosed with Hypothryroid about four months ago.  I was prescribed Levo and since on the medication I have experienced rapid weight gain.  I was always a size six and have gone to a size eight and about to go shopping for a size ten.  The weight gain is all in the mid section and extremely noticeable.  Why have I started rapid weight gain since on the medication?  I am considering dc'ing the meds because I cannot continue to gain weight at this rate.  Please advise.  I am extremely confused.  I am 55 years old and have even started walking daily in an attempt to loose some of these extra pounds but to no avail.  

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

This is a perplexing problem for which there is no easy answer.  Some people do gain weight with any type of thyroid med (including T3 and armour) - despite "normalizing" the lab numbers.  Unfortunately, we should not leave the thyroid hypo and untreated so we must give medication in most cases.  Combining this with the frequently observed post-menopausal slowing of the metabolism is problematic -- limiting calories to 1200/day and exercising at least 5 hours/week is what recent research suggests.

Armour thyroid works well for many but certainly not all patients.  we still must be careful not to overtreat and the TSH level should be monitored with any type of thyroid treatment.

[Chrissy8759]

I am 48 and have been on Synthroid since 1998.  I have gained 75 lbs now to date and it won't go away.  I have also become extremely depressed because I refuse to get rid of my size 8 clothes I used to wear.  I still ask myself why is this happening to me everyday and the pounds are sticking like glue...even with exercise.  I figure how could someone be so healthy and only see a doctor for minor ailments and suddenly have a goiter, difficulty swallowing, severe hair loss, extremely dry skin - excema is how it appears and not "One" doctor wants to hear the real story and study the facts.  Thyroid complications are just now becoming a growing problem.  I ask myself is it something airborne and causing obesity in America or what.  I am going to follow Dawn77's advise and plan to seek an D.O. in Endocrinology.  I am on a mission and I have quit my Synthroid and only taking my Armour right now and already feel better.  I plan to show the doctor a letter called Dr. Dr. _________. in Mary Shoman's forum. It has some very interesting questions all should pose to their doctor during a consultation and questions why Synthroid over Armour....there is still controversy regarding this drug and Levo medications.