Weight Gain with Synthroid

[Lenapewoman]

I want to know if Thyromine or any other herbal or natural suppliment can be taken in place of Synthroid. Sind I have been on 75 mgs of Synthroid for the last 2 years I have gained 30 lbs. I am a life long exerciser. I walk 2-3 miles a day, do pilates, and ab work outs and eat a healthy diet low in fats, and avoid processed meats. The weight gain is predominantly in the mid section. I have never had such a spare tire in my life and it began shortly after taking Synthroid. The Doctors say Synthroid does not cause weight gain, but the scale does not lie. The only thing that changed in my life was the Synthroid and then the weight gain began. Why do the Doctors deny Synthroid is causing my weight gain?


This discussion is related to Weight Gain and Big Bloated Stomach on .35 Synthroid.

[Barb135]

It's not the synthroid that's making you gain... it's being hypo and having your metabolism slowed down.  I gained weight just prior to dx and as soon as I started on Synthroid, I stopped gaining, even though I couldn't lose.  I've since been diagnosed with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, both of which cause weight gain/inability to lose.

If you were only on synthroid for one month, it didn't even have enough time to take full effect, since it takes 4-6 weeks for it reach full potential, and even longer for it to start alleviating symptoms.

[neaggie]

WOw. I thought I was going crazy.  I'm also gaining on Syntheroid. 3 lbs. the first week.  I have mild hypo, and stopped my medication.  Is it bad just to stop like that after one month?  I hated it. Severe insomnia and heart palpitations.

[artistsusie]

To all of you who went on Synthroid or Levrothyroxin:  It definitely makes you gain weight at a rate of about 15% of your normal body weight.  I had always been thin, athletic and an easily controlled diet. I was thin when my doctor put me on the medication for hypothyroidism.  And the weight gain began.  I fought it hard but I couldn't win.  I gained 10 pounds steadily even with diet and exercise twice what I normally would.  I would have gained much more if I continued to eat normally.  I finally told my doctor that I wasn't going to take any more of it, that Armour Thyroid was my only choice at this point.  He was very reluctant but did it.  I lost 7 pounds the first three weeks and 3 more the next month.  I am eating normal now and have not gained a pound back.  If I want to weight less now, I know that cutting back on food and increasing exercise will really work and the pounds will stay off.

[Barb135]

You've attached your comments to a very old thread and few of the previous participants are even still active on the forum.  

While some people need to have desiccated thyroid hormones, the majority do not.  You're correct that Synthroid does not work for everyone, but it does work for the majority of people.  It should also be kept in mind that Synthroid is not the only T4 med available.   If one is a slow converter, the addition of cytomel may be called for. Many people can not handle the high levels of T3 in desiccated hormones.

All options for thyroid medication should be kept open and none should be "pushed" to the exclusion of all others.

[cl10]

RIGHT ON CHEL!!!!

[cl10]

You sound like you are a poor T4(inactive thyroid hormone) converter. T4 converts to the T3 (active thyroid hormone...this is the one that is needed for the metabolism). Because Synthroid does not contain all 3 you are not getting all you need. Poor T4 converters need all 3. I would suggest trying dessicated thyroid...which most doctors dont want to try because they come up with a bunch of excuses, remember they want to push the big pharmaceutical drugs, which Synthroid is one.  Try Westhroid or Nature Thyroid or Armour. Some doctors don't want to try it because it is a compound and they will try to tell you that the dosage is not stable. Here is the thing though Synthroid DOES NOT WORK FOR EVERYONE...we are not one pill fits all, just like we are not one size fits all. At the very least if a patient request that their doctor at least tries them on dessicated thyroid that doctor should listen to his patient. After all it is your body and your health...not his. It is not like you are asking for an illegal substance. Also I would also suggest that you get on Facebook and join the group..Thyroid Sexy it is very informative and has been a great help to me. Here is some info on dessicated thyroid and some other website info.

http://www.healio.com/endocrinology/highlights-from-endo-2013/desiccated-thyroid-extract-a-safe-alternative-to-levothyroxine-in-hypothyroidism  

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/drug-thyroid_desiccated/article_em.htm .