Can synthroid cause rapid weight gain, bloating, constipation and gas and what I can do about these symptoms?

[catinthehat933]

I had a total thryoidectomy in February 2008 and was initially put on 100 mcg Synthroid.  At my f/u appt with the endocrinologist about 2 months later, I thyroid levels were "normal but within the lower range" and my dosage was upped to 112 mcg.  Since then I have been RAPIDLY gaining weight and have gained a total of 16 lbs since my surgery, despite being very active and following a 75% vegetarian diet.  My stomach is HUGELY bloated and I literally cannot fit into my clothes.  For the last 20 years I have been the same size and my eating habits have not changed drastically.  Also, I am severely constipated and have a lot of gas.  I feel horrible!!  Would a different medication change things??  When I mentioned the weight gain to my MD in April, he didn't really have much to say about it.  

[Liz94]

Sounds to me like you are having hypo symptoms. Do you know your thyoid levels?  I don't think synthroid will cause those problems but being hypothyroid sure will.  You need to get a copy of your labs and post your numbers on here and let these wise folks help you out.  

[stella5349]

I totally agree with Liz.

HypoT will slow your whole system down so the symptoms you are having totally relate.

If you have your labs handy - post them.

[ChitChatNine]

I agree with above posters.............WELCOME to the COMMUNITY!
May I ask what led up to the TT?

C~ partial 1/07 TSH 1.8  75mcgs synthroid

[Totie]

I have been on synthroid for over 14 yrs since my TT, but I have never had any issues with it. I was taking 200mcg for 13 yrs, but now am taking 125mcg for the last year or so.

[sagegal]

same here ! Tinnitus too. Maybe we are over corrected on the Synthroid dose ?

[catinthehat933]

Update:  in April, my TSH was 3.39.  In July it went up to 18.98!!  My MD changed my dosage from 112 mcg to 134 mcg.

[catinthehat933]

ChitChat9 -- what led up to the TT is that my primary noticed (by palpation) that I had a large nodule on my leftside thyroid.  She referred me to a surgeon who said that due to the size (5 cm), it had to be removed asap.  (This was after ultrasound, nuclear studies, etc.)  I had smaller nodules on the right side but initially that was left in.  Post surgery, we found out that there were nodules on left side that were papillary carcinoma and so my surgeon recommended removingthe right thyroid as well as a precautionary measure.  

[catinthehat933]

Oops, I meant Im now on 137 mcg, not 134.  

[maria19609]

I've gained about 13/14 LBS since my TT (2004) and I'm on 150 mcg daily and considered some what hyper. Why the weight gain?

[gimel]

Please check out Dr. Broda Barnes' basal body temperature test as an diagnostic for hypo t.  I have found it relates to symptoms easier than than the blood test results. If interested, see my post on basal body temperature.

[web_diva]

Synthroid has a lot of side effects. A lot of people take Armour and find it safer and more effective. It supplements T3 and T4 which seems to make many people feel better while Synthroid does not. It is available over the counter and many Naturopaths use it in combination with iodine/iodide supplements for thyroid issues.

[sidneywoot]

I have the exact same problem as catinthehat933 ... exact same diagnose and I also am dealing with terrible constipation...lower back just aching...can't take Vit E cause this brings it on. I feel better when I lower my dose. but heres my problem I tried to change to just a T3 Cytomel and it didn't work it did for a week. I was off Syntyroid for a two months but I really think I need to lower my dosage and not have it at 137 I feel horrible.

This is my readings as of last weeks blood work

TSH 21
FT3 99
FT4 1.06

and two months ago I felt horrible my TSH then was 0.9 so it isn't the TSH  then my FT3 was 1.37 since just doing FT3 I can't believe its lower. I tried Armour and I feel the same way I did on Armour horrible. I am almost at my wits end.

[gimel]

Sorry, but I'm having a bit of difficulty with your test results.  Could you please post the test results from two months ago, along with the reference ranges for all your tests?  Also, could you list  amounts of meds you have been taking, and dates when you changed?  Also, has the cause for your hypothyroidism ever been identified by your doctor?
You'll find lots of experience and support from our members here, but we need to clarify this info first.

[sidneywoot]

3 months ago with all the same symtoms

dosage 137 synthroid

TSH 0.9
FT3 1.37
FT4 1.9

2 months ago change to 100 mcg and 10 cytomel

TSH 4.0
FT3 1.69
FT 4 4.0

Last week 25 mcg cytomel no T4

TSH 21
FT3 .99
FT4 1.06

Today back on 137 mcg and 150 alternating each day of Synthroid no cytomel

Same as poster rapid heart rate nodule 5 cm on right partial tt then  TT pap cancer on both with Differentiated cancer carcanoma .  

[Barb135]

I have those symptoms much worse when I'm hypo.  The med should help reduce the symptoms once it's adjusted properly.  

[gimel]

Would you also please post the reference ranges used by the lab that ran those tests?  The ranges should be listed on the lab report.

[sidneywoot]

I really hope so by the way thank you for the help and I hope to hear more. The thing is I gain weight at 137 at 150 I usually feel terrible and if I wait in the morning a couple of hours before taking meds is the time I feel the best and I have to goto the rest room and I am not constipated. If, I take the med I am constipated all day long and my lower back is hurting usually if I take any iodine, Vit C or Vit E I will experience lower buttock pain. I wish I could be set right and be done with this. Armour is the same way and I had my adrenals tested they are fine. My Basal tempature is fine I checked it first thing in the morning before I ever get out of bed.

Today is really a bad day yesterday I took Vit E and like clockwork I feel it I almost can't walk certainly not straight and erect.

[sidneywoot]

I am actually crying because I have spent so much time looking for help trying so many things. My Adrenals work but I can't tolerate Armour for godsakes can people stop putting Armour as the cure all it doesn't work for me nor does Cytomel. I am dying because I can't find away to bring up my T3 from .99 and even before that it never went up past 1.40 my kidneys are starting to hurt and all I can do is cry. I am feeling like I am at the end of the road.
I have tried everything I can't tolerate Iodoral, nor Armour  and not Armour if I try any of these my kidneys start to hurt when I was just on T4 all I complained about was weight gain tried to fix that by taking Armour and it didn't work for me. Had my Adrenals checked and they were fine tried to do T4 with Cytomel and Hormone creme made by compound it worked for about two weeks then the pain came back like when I took Armour. It's an uncomfortble feeling like your kidneys are lightly thrubing and my lower buttocks and hip felt like all the blood was draining down and I was afraid to move because the pain was intense. Went on just Cytomel the pain was even worse. Went back to just T4 and I still feel bad but not as bad but my FT3 is still in the low .99 without moving an at all. I can't take this cycle I need real answers to get my FT3's up real real answers. I have been to so may physician and here their arn't any really good doctors most won't give you Armour most all still believe in the TSH system. I thought my last resort is to see a pure blood doctor their are only two Endo's in town not to be negative they barley can speak english. I would like advise it certainly can't hurt.

[gimel]

I'm really just grasping at straws here, but instead of Armour, have you ever considered Thyrolar, which is a synthetic T4/T3 type med?  I'm just thinking that if there is something in the desiccated type med, Armour, that is affecting you, then maybe the synthetic would not.   Also, why are you taking vitamin E, if it affects you so much? What was your basal temperature in the morning and how did you take it?

I also think you need to go see one of those Endos, even if you have to take an interpreter with you.

[sidneywoot]

I have never taken Thyrolar. I stopped taking Vitamen E. My hair has started falling out, dry and brittle so, yes I will go see one very soon as in I will call them tomorrow. I have a sinking feeling that my problem is a conversion problem not matter what I take as in RT3. This morning I had no problem going to the bathroom until after I took the Synthroid 137 mcgs. That is usuallly the case if I don't take it I feel better and I believe this is a result of compounding RT3 in my system. I need to get more blood work done because I wasn't tested for RT3 the last time I tested my tempature a month ago doing it right when I woke up was 97.4 and stayed around that number.

[sidneywoot]

Also let me put down exactly what the blood work says by date and that I am and at that time taking 137 alternatively with 150 mcg's of synthroid. One day 137mcg next day 150mcgs.

10/07/2009 at  9 :03 am I to a blood test results as follows:

TSH 21.23 uIU/ML
T3 Total 0.99 NG/ML
Free Thyroxine 1.06 NG/ML

Calcium 8.9 MG/DL
Glucose 86 MG/DL
Hemoglobin 13.3 GMS

I also noticed that sometime when I take 150 mcg of Synthroid my nose is so dry it almost starts bleeding. I know I am trying to tell you everything I can to figure out whats going on. I have more test number as far as your normal blood test as in Platelet Count but I don't think that is of any concern.

[gimel]

Glad to hear that you're going to see an Endo.  There may well be other problems, but your test results indicate that you definitely need to get the FT3 level increased.  To do this may take a combination of both T4 and T3 meds, or a T4/T3 combo med, like Thyrolar.  Regardless of which approach the Endo suggests, keep in mind  that many patients report that they have to start their meds at a fairly low amount and increase slowly in order to let their bodies get used to the change.  This is especially true with meds that have T3 in them.   Good luck with the appointment, and let us know how things are progressing.

[sidneywoot]

I started to take a half dose of Selenium 100 mcg and a half of DHEA 12.5 mg. My appointment isn't for  a week but guess what with this dose I feel so so so so much better. Even my desire for food has gone down. I tried these before but continued to have pain.

I mean the heavyness and pulling is gone. I can walk around without fear that if you touch my lower back I will go crazy I feel normal I can't believe it. I will still see the Endo but Gimel I don't know how this is but so much relief. I am going to the bathroom normal not rocking back and forth this is amazing the only thing is I don't know what helped the Selenium or the DHEA. I tell you my doctors told me I had enough DHEA but this is wonderful. I feel like I can bend without pain. I haven't felt this way in 2 months I was in tears everyday with such pain I thought I was dying. I am still on synthroid but I think with help I am understanding some part of this.
I thank you so much for responding because when your in this pain you want someone to not only help you through it but feel it. Thank you, for just being there!

[tgalvarez18]

constipated for 3 days in Europe for a month I cant reach my US doctor until monday.  I am on 100mg a day hypo  What should I do reduce or increase.