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Weight Gain with Synthroid
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.
This discussion is related to Weight Gain and Big Bloated Stomach on .35 Synthroid.
I am curious about this answer also. I've been on synthroid since May and have gained 7 pounds. This is the only change in my lifestyle to warrant the weight gain. I had a check-up yesterday and asked this question and was told that synthroid doesn't cause weight gain, infact, given in larger doses can cause you to loose. However, like you, I have a spare tire around the middle that was not there before and fear it's only going to get bigger. I just don't know if we can come off the med's or not? I'm frustrated and would like a clear answer on this too. Let me know if you figure it out!!
Shelley
ps..I take 0.5 mcg synthroid..
Shelley
ps..I take 0.5 mcg synthroid..
Well I have a theory on this ahhham.....Synthroid only coverts T4 to T3 your body needs T3 and thinks something is wrong so if your not getting T3 the body stores the fat like a bear in hibernation would. that fat like a bear goes to the tummy! If, you give your body what it needs like when you crave certain foods like salt its because your body needs it. I believe its a survival mechinism. Just my two-cents.
I heard from another poster and she also gained weight on Synthroid, stopped taking it and is trying the natural Thyromine that I mentioned. I am going to stop my Synthroid tomorrow, and I am going to order the Thyromine. If this natural remedy does not work I'll try another natural remedy. I am off the synthetics starting tomorrow. I have been on 75mgs. I have never had such a belly! That's it for me. I'll keep you posted on how the Thyromine works.
Lisa
Lisa
I haven't replied to a post on here before, so hopefully this lands where it is suppose to.
I have been on Synthroid since 1994 after I had RAI 131 for Graves Disease. I never gained a pound until about the last 6 months or so...30lbs to be exact. I am currently on 200mcgs of Synthroid daily, I know its a large dose, however, it has worked for me for years and years.
The reason they believe I have started to put on weight is due to either a pitutary tumor or myxedema.
I believe that there are tons of reasons why people gain weight, not just meds, but family genetics, age (a big factor) and lifestyle. Food and exercise help maintain, but it is all inclusive.
Personally, I would dig a little deeper to find out what may be causing your body to store the extra fat. I blew my rapid weight gain off for a few months before I finally relented and had the labwork done...thankful to know that it is something that will correct itself with proper and prompt treatment.
Hope this helps,
Kat
I have been on Synthroid since 1994 after I had RAI 131 for Graves Disease. I never gained a pound until about the last 6 months or so...30lbs to be exact. I am currently on 200mcgs of Synthroid daily, I know its a large dose, however, it has worked for me for years and years.
The reason they believe I have started to put on weight is due to either a pitutary tumor or myxedema.
I believe that there are tons of reasons why people gain weight, not just meds, but family genetics, age (a big factor) and lifestyle. Food and exercise help maintain, but it is all inclusive.
Personally, I would dig a little deeper to find out what may be causing your body to store the extra fat. I blew my rapid weight gain off for a few months before I finally relented and had the labwork done...thankful to know that it is something that will correct itself with proper and prompt treatment.
Hope this helps,
Kat
I forgot to say I was 22 when my thyroid went south and I'm now 36 years old.
:)
Kat
:)
Kat
Thanks for your point of view. I have heard some stories of those who don't gain weight with Synthroid, and some who even lose weight, but from my research there seems to be more of us who have, and we are of all ages and sizes. Many of us have rigid workout routines. All in all I still don't like the idea of a synthetic med in my body. And I think it is worth a try to get it regulated with something natural. Good luck with your treatment.
I can relate to what you are saying and same to you, I hope that you do find something that works for you. I do know that some people do well on natural and others do well on synthetics...I suppose the best case senario...you find what best fits you! :)
Autoimmune Thyroid diease runs in my family, both my paternal and maternal grandmothers had Graves Disease and my own mother has Hashimoto's. Unlike the rest of them I presented at 22, which was half of what their ages were when they presented. Even with all that history on the disease process within our own family...we still don't know exactly what is going on sometimes...I suppose that is the nature of thryoid disease...I believe it is the great mimic.
Best wishes,
Kat
Autoimmune Thyroid diease runs in my family, both my paternal and maternal grandmothers had Graves Disease and my own mother has Hashimoto's. Unlike the rest of them I presented at 22, which was half of what their ages were when they presented. Even with all that history on the disease process within our own family...we still don't know exactly what is going on sometimes...I suppose that is the nature of thryoid disease...I believe it is the great mimic.
Best wishes,
Kat
I agree with everything you all are saying. I think the weight gain could be from the synthroid, or maybe it is another factor in my life. I was told not to come off of it abruptly because it could mess up your thyroid levels. I'm really new to thyroid problems, as I only started because my TSH was slightly elevated, and I was having lots of other issues, and I beleive they started me on Synthroid with hopes it was all my thyroid. However, that hasn't been the case. I really can't even tell I take the medicine. But now I'm scared to come off of it because I know that when your levels are really off you will feel really bad. So, I guess I'm going to research further. As my doctor explained, I should loose weight on Synthroid, not gain. So, I have no clue what to believe. Mine could very well be other hormones out of balance. Who knows.
Good luck searching for the answers.
Shelley
Good luck searching for the answers.
Shelley
The weight gain around the middle is most likely a cortisol imbalance. When you are hypo you are storing cortisol and that is where the weight gain comes in.
I found that after gaining 35 pounds while on Synthroid and not feeling well either - I swtched to a T3/T4 combo med and now that my body is healing to a point where I experience no more symptoms I finally am losing weight.
T3 will boost the metobolism and burn access cortisol and stored body fat. It will take exercise and diet to also burn the fat.
There is where I lack. I do not exercise much and will be getting into a better routine soon to get the fat finally off my stomach pooch.
I found that after gaining 35 pounds while on Synthroid and not feeling well either - I swtched to a T3/T4 combo med and now that my body is healing to a point where I experience no more symptoms I finally am losing weight.
T3 will boost the metobolism and burn access cortisol and stored body fat. It will take exercise and diet to also burn the fat.
There is where I lack. I do not exercise much and will be getting into a better routine soon to get the fat finally off my stomach pooch.
I am on 75mg. too and the first few weeks I lost weight now that I have been on it for 5 yrs. I look like a buddah with belly fat and keep gaining weight. The side effects do not mention gaining.
Many of the meds prescribed for thyroid problems are T4 only. A T4/T3 combo med comtains both of these hormones, typically at a ratio of about 4.2 to 1.
For info, the T4 only type is most often prescribed with the expectation that the patient's body will convert T4 to T3 as required. This is not always the case and testing for TSH and T4 only, without T3, can sometimes be misleading. The most important test is actually free T3, then free T4 because these are the most active and largely regulate metabolism. Also, free T3 is four times as potent as free T4.
If a patient is on T4 med, but body is not converting properly then it will show up in the free T3 test. In this case, and also sometimes when a patient shows signs of not tolerating the synthetic T4 meds, doctors will prescribe a combo med.,-- either Armour, or one of the Synthetic combo T4/T3 types. Hope this helps.
For info, the T4 only type is most often prescribed with the expectation that the patient's body will convert T4 to T3 as required. This is not always the case and testing for TSH and T4 only, without T3, can sometimes be misleading. The most important test is actually free T3, then free T4 because these are the most active and largely regulate metabolism. Also, free T3 is four times as potent as free T4.
If a patient is on T4 med, but body is not converting properly then it will show up in the free T3 test. In this case, and also sometimes when a patient shows signs of not tolerating the synthetic T4 meds, doctors will prescribe a combo med.,-- either Armour, or one of the Synthetic combo T4/T3 types. Hope this helps.
Hi. I took levothroid (generic synthroid) for 3 years after total thyroidectomy. I gained over 30 pounds and I am only 5 feet tall! After changing docs, I was prescribed
armour thyroid. I lost 30 pounds in about a month! I still feel like hell, but at least
I am happier trying on clothes. Sounds like we have a common symptom, but so
many endos don't want to admit it. Why is that? I don't get why it's so hard for
these docs to listen!
armour thyroid. I lost 30 pounds in about a month! I still feel like hell, but at least
I am happier trying on clothes. Sounds like we have a common symptom, but so
many endos don't want to admit it. Why is that? I don't get why it's so hard for
these docs to listen!
Synthroid itself may not be causing your weight gain but it could be what you are missing with the synthroid that's causing the weight gain.
Synthroid only contains T4, which is the storage hormone. Your body needs T3 in order to run properly. The body makes both but also uses the T4 to convert over to extra T3 as the body needs it. If however, you aren't converting that T4 over to usable T3 and your not taking any T3 you end up with just storage hormone and nothing that's actually activating your metabolism. The other issue is that T4 also converts to another hormone- Reverse T3. Reserve T3's job is to clear out excess T3 from our system (keeps us from becoming hyperthyroid). Unfortunately sometimes our bodies decide to convert more of that Reverse T3 than necessary so the more T4 we take the less T3 we end up with.
There are two ways to supplement that T3 your body is missing. You can add Cytomel to your current Synthroid (Cytomel is a T3 only drug), you can add Armour or another form of desiccated thyroid or you can switch to Armour or another desiccated thyroid altogether. Which choice you make will depend on how much T3 you need and what form you want it in.
There are some controversies over the use of Armour and desiccated thyroid because they say that the ratio of T3:T4 is higher than what our bodies make. However, for those who are poor converters to T3 we need that extra in order for our bodies to get what it needs. Also, if you add too much T4 to the mix and your body converts too much into Reverse T3 than your system is being cleared of the T3 that it needs.
Everyone is different so what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for someone else. However, there are a lot of studies that show T3 when added to T4 is much better at helping patients relieve symptoms including weight gain.
Chel
Synthroid only contains T4, which is the storage hormone. Your body needs T3 in order to run properly. The body makes both but also uses the T4 to convert over to extra T3 as the body needs it. If however, you aren't converting that T4 over to usable T3 and your not taking any T3 you end up with just storage hormone and nothing that's actually activating your metabolism. The other issue is that T4 also converts to another hormone- Reverse T3. Reserve T3's job is to clear out excess T3 from our system (keeps us from becoming hyperthyroid). Unfortunately sometimes our bodies decide to convert more of that Reverse T3 than necessary so the more T4 we take the less T3 we end up with.
There are two ways to supplement that T3 your body is missing. You can add Cytomel to your current Synthroid (Cytomel is a T3 only drug), you can add Armour or another form of desiccated thyroid or you can switch to Armour or another desiccated thyroid altogether. Which choice you make will depend on how much T3 you need and what form you want it in.
There are some controversies over the use of Armour and desiccated thyroid because they say that the ratio of T3:T4 is higher than what our bodies make. However, for those who are poor converters to T3 we need that extra in order for our bodies to get what it needs. Also, if you add too much T4 to the mix and your body converts too much into Reverse T3 than your system is being cleared of the T3 that it needs.
Everyone is different so what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for someone else. However, there are a lot of studies that show T3 when added to T4 is much better at helping patients relieve symptoms including weight gain.
Chel
I AGREE WITH SIDNEYTHYROID ABOUT THE T3...THERE IS A T3 MED CALLED CYTOMEL...DEMAND YOU BE PUT ON CYTOMEL, AND THEN DROP THE SYNTHROID COLD TURKEY...I CANNOT TYPE EVERYTHING I WANT TO ON THIS POST..IT IS JUST WAY TOO LONG OF A STORY. JUST GOOGLE "CYTOMEL" AND YOU WILL SEE WHY YOU NEED IT. IT IS, LIKE I STATED...A T3 HORMONE REPLACEMENT (SYNTHROID IS THE T4) AND YOUR THYROID IS MADE UP OF BOTH T3 AND T4. MOST PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO CONVERT T4 INTO T3 THEREFORE MOST DR'S FEEL THAT PRESCRIBING A DRUG LIKE CYTOMEL (T3) IS UNECCESSARY...THEY COULDN'T BE MORE WRONG, AND IT BOTHERS ME TO NO END THAT OUR LIVES ARE TRUSTED WITH THESE DR'S. THAT WILL NOT TAKE THE TIME TO READ UP ON SUCH IMPORTANT THINGS. THE T3 HORMONE IN THE THYROID IS ABOUT 4 TIMES MORE POWERFUL THAN THE T4. I HAVE BEEN ON BOTH CYTOMEL AND SYNTHROID FOR ABOUT 5 YEARS AND MY STORY IS THE SAME AS EVERY SINGLE POSTER ON HERE, WEIGHT IN THE MID-SECTION MAINLY, BUT PUFFY ALL OVER. BY DOING RECENT RESEARCH I FOUND THAT YOU SHOULDN'T TAKE THE 2 DRUGS TOGETHER BECAUSE THE SYNTHROID COULD ACTUALLY BLOCK THE ABSORPTION OF THE CYTOMEL...SO AS OF FEBRUARY 1, 2009 I QUIT MY SYNTHROID COLD TURKEY (TO DO AN EXPERIMENT) I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND DOING THIS UNLESS YOU HAVE THE CYTOMEL TO TAKE IN ITS PLACE...BELIEVE ME IT IS ALL YOU NEED SINCE, AGAIN, T4 CONVERTS INTO T3 AND T3 IS THE ONE WE NEED MOST...I FEEL FINE WITH THAT ALONE AND I ONLY DID IT BECAUSE I READ THAT ALOT OF HYPO PATIENTS ARE TREATED WITH CYTOMEL EITHER ALONE, OR WITH SYNTHROID...SO I KNEW IT WAS OK TO TAKE IT ALONE. IF YOU GOOGLE THE DRUG...IT IS USED BY BODY BUILDERS TO VERY QUICKLY ELIMINATE FAT...IT SKYROCKETS YOUR METABOLISM. OK, NOW TO THE AWESOME PART...I READ THAT IT WILL TAKE ABOUT 6 WEEKS FOR THE SYNTHROID TO LEAVE YOUR BODY, SO I STOPPED TAKING IT ON FEBRUARY 1AND SAW NO RESULTS TIL ABOUT MID MARCH (JUST ABOUT 6 WEEKS) I DO NO EXCERSIZE AT ALL AND EAT THE SAME AS I ALWAYS HAVE (NO JUNK FOOD, JUST LOW FAT OR NO FAT BUT I COULD NEVER LOSE, NOT EVEN 1/2 LB) TO DATE, I LOST 23 LBS...IT IS LITERALLY FALLING OFF! MY STOMACH IS ALMOST DOWN. PLEASE DO NOT LET ANYONE TELL YOU THAT SYNTHROID DOES NOT MAKE YOU GAIN WEIGHT. I'VE READ IN THE SIDE EFFECTS ON IT THAT IT CAN CAUSE WEIGHT GAIN. I ALSO READ SOMEWHERE THAT IT DOES SOMETHING WITHIN YOUR HORMONES THAT RAISES CORTISOL LEVELS...WHICH IN TURN CAUSES WHAT...STOMACH FAT!!! PLEASE GET CYTOMEL PRESCRIBED, IF YOU CANNOT...SWITCH DOCTORS TIL ONE PRESCRIBES IT. MAKE SURE IT IS AN ENDOCRINOLOGIST YOU GO TO FOR YOUR THYROID AND NOT YOUR FAMILY DOC. ONCE YOU GET THE CYTOMEL STOP THE SYNTHROID....I WILL TAKE NATURAL THYROID PRODUCTS BEFORE I EVER GO TO SYNTHROID AGAIN. BUT AS OF RIGHT NOW, ALL I AM ON IS THE CYTOMEL AND I FEEL SO CLEAR HEADED (NO BRAIN FOG) AND I HAVE ENERGY.
I'm happy for your success!
I do have a question though. I have been on synthroid since 2006, gradually it has been increased so that I'm currently taking 75mcg, my Endo just reviewed my last labs in May and said she could raise it again if my symptoms weren't any better and they are not:( I chose not to yet as I have found this website and have been researching other avenues,and just getting more info on this problem.
My question is when we are hypo our TSH is high. The synthroid helps to bring these numbers down, or I'm assuming it does, but if you take it away and just take T3, how will that keep our levels normal. As you can tell I'm still trying to get my head around all this..
In Jan this year my TSH was 8.22 - FT3- 2.93 & FT4- 0.85. My Doc switched me off the generic brand and put me on same doseage but using Synthroid.
In March TSH 3.47 - FT4 1.09 they didn't do a FT3. I now know I need to make them take it.
My May labs TSH is 1.78 & FT4 - 1.11 and I still have no improved symptoms and I too have gained close to 15 lbs since my increase of meds to 75mcg of Synthroid?
the Endo Doc bumped it up to 75mcg
I do have a question though. I have been on synthroid since 2006, gradually it has been increased so that I'm currently taking 75mcg, my Endo just reviewed my last labs in May and said she could raise it again if my symptoms weren't any better and they are not:( I chose not to yet as I have found this website and have been researching other avenues,and just getting more info on this problem.
My question is when we are hypo our TSH is high. The synthroid helps to bring these numbers down, or I'm assuming it does, but if you take it away and just take T3, how will that keep our levels normal. As you can tell I'm still trying to get my head around all this..
In Jan this year my TSH was 8.22 - FT3- 2.93 & FT4- 0.85. My Doc switched me off the generic brand and put me on same doseage but using Synthroid.
In March TSH 3.47 - FT4 1.09 they didn't do a FT3. I now know I need to make them take it.
My May labs TSH is 1.78 & FT4 - 1.11 and I still have no improved symptoms and I too have gained close to 15 lbs since my increase of meds to 75mcg of Synthroid?
the Endo Doc bumped it up to 75mcg
COMMUNITY LEADER
Too many doctors determine med dosages based only on TSH - that doesn't work. They need to take into consideration both free T4 and free T3 as well.
I started out on Synthroid in Jun'08 and did not see improvement in the way I felt until January '09 when I first saw my endo and he prescribed cytomel WITH my synthroid - actually, I'm on the generic (levothyroxine) now.
I DID gain about 30 pounds, but I gained it all PRIOR to being dx'd because my body processes, including my metabolism, were slowed way down. I didn't lose any weight on synthroid because my levels never got balance, but at least I was able to stop gaining. I've been on cytomel now for about 4 months and I have still not lost any weight, but I believe that's because my levels are still not balanced and my metabolism is not what it should be.
I've read that cytomel is often used by athletes to lose weight, but I also believe it could be very dangerous if you don't really need it for thyroid issues. To my knowledge it has not been approved by FDA for weight loss. It could cause one to go hypER, increasing heart rate, etc to dangerous levels.
Just remember - what works for one, may not work for everyone. For myself, right now, I'd love to be able to get rid of this 30 pounds, but I feel so much better than I did, I'll just be happy with being able to get out of bed in the morning for now. Right now, I'm concentrating on feeling the same 2 days in a row. When I feel like my body is healed and I can feel good for more than a day or 2 at a time, I will proceed on to something that might help me lose weight.
I will be going for new blood work in about 2 weeks and will see will see my endo on June 30 - will be interesting to see what my levels are now.
I started out on Synthroid in Jun'08 and did not see improvement in the way I felt until January '09 when I first saw my endo and he prescribed cytomel WITH my synthroid - actually, I'm on the generic (levothyroxine) now.
I DID gain about 30 pounds, but I gained it all PRIOR to being dx'd because my body processes, including my metabolism, were slowed way down. I didn't lose any weight on synthroid because my levels never got balance, but at least I was able to stop gaining. I've been on cytomel now for about 4 months and I have still not lost any weight, but I believe that's because my levels are still not balanced and my metabolism is not what it should be.
I've read that cytomel is often used by athletes to lose weight, but I also believe it could be very dangerous if you don't really need it for thyroid issues. To my knowledge it has not been approved by FDA for weight loss. It could cause one to go hypER, increasing heart rate, etc to dangerous levels.
Just remember - what works for one, may not work for everyone. For myself, right now, I'd love to be able to get rid of this 30 pounds, but I feel so much better than I did, I'll just be happy with being able to get out of bed in the morning for now. Right now, I'm concentrating on feeling the same 2 days in a row. When I feel like my body is healed and I can feel good for more than a day or 2 at a time, I will proceed on to something that might help me lose weight.
I will be going for new blood work in about 2 weeks and will see will see my endo on June 30 - will be interesting to see what my levels are now.
I have been trying to find through research what that correlation of FT4 & FT3 should be? It seems when I look at the optimal ranges both my FT3 & 4 are low. I will get my labs run again around June 1st and specifically ask for the FT3 & 4 to be run, so that I can get a clearer picture currently after being on 75mcg of synthroid.
COMMUNITY LEADER
I think the FT4 should be around mid range or slightly higher and FT3 should be near the top of the range. I'm sure there are some others who might be able to answer that question better than I. Maybe someone will chime in with an answer.
I'm not sure if this will help but maybe taking the generic form of Synthroid which is Levothyroxine Sodium. I use a search engine tool to find low cost generics at a site called Medtipster.
J
J
The Synthroid (T4) is used to bring our TSH levels down, but as Barb stated above, they shouldn't go by only levels but how the patient actually feels as well. My endo always says that it is mainly important how I feel while still considering my levels somewhat. Your T3 and T4 levels are actually more important to go by than your TSH. There is a site I was just on 2 days ago that stated that the T4 hormone is actually inactive until it is converted to T3...and that T3 is the only one we actually need and use for energy and proper bodily functions. So those of us that cannot convert T4 to T3 properly, suffer because we aren't getting enough T3. I posted back in May and had, at that time, lost 23 lbs. As of today I lost 33 lbs...10 more and still losing. I was just at my endo appointment 2 days ago and my labs showed a lower T4 (naturally because I haven't been taking it) and a higher T3...which he said is good but my TSH is at 6 and my endo usually keeps it just under 1 so he was a little concerned about that, even though I feel wonderful and explained the whole weight thing to him. He is shocked that I lost the weight after stopping my Synthroid, and STILL claims that the Synthroid shouldn't have made me gain the way I did. In fact (and I am quoting him) it should have the opposite effect. BLAH BLAH BLAH they all say that and I am sick of it! Well guess what...IT DIDN'T!!! It is so frustrating, isn't it? He then tried talking me into taking 75 mcg of Synthroid, instead of the 137mcg I used to take and he bumped my Cytomel (T3) up to 4 times per day instead of 3...thinking that I may need just a tiny dose of the T4 to bring my TSH down. Well they are sitting here on my counter unopened, I am so afraid to take them again. Especially since I read these posts every single day and others out there have the same story that I have regarding the Synthroid and weight gain. Why would I start that again? Plus, I cannot stress enough how 'symptom free' and good i feel! All it took was for me to read that Cytomel (T3) can be used by itself to treat Hypothyroidism and also that there are people out there that ARE ONLY on the Cytomel. My endo wants to see me back in 4 months to see if this small dosage of Synthroid helps since he upped my Cytomel...he's going to be not so happy to find out that I didn't take the Synthroid...I don't care, I may need a new endo after that visit ;). I'll keep posting to let everyone know how this is going and how my levels look next time.
This has been an enlightening discussion! I started out taking Levoxyl and noticed some initial weight loss, but then it stalled out. I switched to Synthroid (100 mg), thinking the non-generic might be more effective--and not only has my TSH gone up to 14, but I have gained an additional 15 pounds. (Since this hypo/Hashi's started I have now gained 30 pounds total.) I was starting to question whether or not the Synthroid could be making this worse, also. Like the rest of you, my weight gain is largely around the middle section where I have typically been very small. I feel like I look like a barrel with no definition anymore--and I am an active person who eats sensibly! I am interested to learn what happens to anyone else who gets off Synthroid or starts taking it with Cytomel. I have never tried Cytomel, but I have to admit, I was thinking of getting off Synthroid cold turkey as it obviously isn't working! By the way, my doctor also claimed the weight gain had nothing to do with the hypo, Hashi's, or meds!
COMMUNITY LEADER
Weight gain is one of the main symptoms of hypo.
I saw my endo at the end of June and we upped my levothyroxin and decreased the cytomel. The reason we did that is because I was beginning to have high heart rates, palps/flutters, etc. I go for blood work again on Tues next week and it will be interesting to see how it turns out.
For anyone considering the use of cytomel - I can't stress enough that you MUST make sure you need to go that route before taking it. I would never stop taking T4 without my doctor's okay. If you don't like what your doctor is telling you or you don't think he's right - find a different doctor.
The only way you can be sure if you NEED cytomel (or T3 med) is to have your Free T3 tested, along with the TSH and Free T4.
I can't say I believe the weight problem is from the med because *I* gained all of my weight BEFORE I even got dx'd and started on med. When I started on synthroid, I was at least able to maintain, rather than continue gaining.
I feel like my thyroid levels must be close to balancing out, as I have, over the past month, actually been able to lose a couple of pounds........ It takes a lot of hard work and diligence to get it off, but it can be done, once the levels are balanced.
I saw my endo at the end of June and we upped my levothyroxin and decreased the cytomel. The reason we did that is because I was beginning to have high heart rates, palps/flutters, etc. I go for blood work again on Tues next week and it will be interesting to see how it turns out.
For anyone considering the use of cytomel - I can't stress enough that you MUST make sure you need to go that route before taking it. I would never stop taking T4 without my doctor's okay. If you don't like what your doctor is telling you or you don't think he's right - find a different doctor.
The only way you can be sure if you NEED cytomel (or T3 med) is to have your Free T3 tested, along with the TSH and Free T4.
I can't say I believe the weight problem is from the med because *I* gained all of my weight BEFORE I even got dx'd and started on med. When I started on synthroid, I was at least able to maintain, rather than continue gaining.
I feel like my thyroid levels must be close to balancing out, as I have, over the past month, actually been able to lose a couple of pounds........ It takes a lot of hard work and diligence to get it off, but it can be done, once the levels are balanced.
Hi all. I'm new to the site. Thanks for all of your thoughts and information. I switched from levothyroxine 100 to Synthroid 112 a month ago. Within a week I was feeling bloated and my waist and hips have expanded. I've only put on a couple of pounds, but the bloating is a bummer. I've had a goiter since about '97. Could not get a doctor to treat it until about 3 years ago because my TSH was in the "normal" range, so surely there was nothing wrong with me! Have now found 2 docs willing to ignore the TSH levels to decrease the goiter and help me feel better, but the thyroid is still enlarged. Before treatment, I put on 30 pounds in 2000-2004, also partially due to menopausal changes.I have asked my doc about free T3 levels, but he also does not think it's necessary to supplement T3, that balance should come out of T4 supplements only. Most recent labs (before increase) were: TSH .43 (and still have the goiter), Free T-4 1.2, Free T-3 2.8. My TSH is low and still clearly have the goiter (ultrasound last month that led to the increase in meds). I'm thinking it might help to have the T3 supplement also. So how do you know if you need T-3 supplements? Any other ideas on how to get my thyroid back to a near normal size? Thanks again for your input.
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