Weight gain with Eltroxin

[Facete]

I was started on Eltroxin 3 weeks ago; up to 100 mcg daily.  What would be the reason that I have gained close to 9 lbs. since then.  I'm going to the gym 4 days per week and drinking enough water to drown a whale!  Why would this be happening?

[nerirose]

Will try the Kelp anf let you knoe the results ... thanks flexees

[gimel]

It has been documented that patients starting on thyroid med often find that their levels decline slightly or stay the same until the dosage is gradually raised enough to move the levels of Free T4 and Free T3.  So patients starting on thyroid med frequently think that the med is causing the problem, when the real cause is that the levels of Free T4 and Free T3 are still to low in the range.  So, please post your thyroid related test results from before and after starting on the thyroid med, along with their reference ranges shown on the lab report, so that we can assess your status.  Also, do you have any other symptoms?

[flexees]

I suggest a thyroid support like Kelp it helps to a degree, I have experienced close to 20kg weight gain since being on thyroid medication, off carbs and wheat and work out 4 times a week with weights and cycling. I found kelp so beneficial.

[Barb135]

Your weight gain is most likely due to being hypothyroid.  12.5 mcg is, typically, only a starter dose.  What are your current thyroid hormone levels?  Please post them with reference ranges, which vary lab to lab and have to come from your own report.

When are you scheduled for a retest? You should be getting Free T3 and Free T4, along with TSH every time you test.

[nerirose]

I'm having same problem of weight gain since I started eltroxin although it is a small dose 12.5mg but I gained 6 Kgs in 40 days!!!! This fact is turning me too down.

I checked with my Dr but he thinks it is not related to Eltroxin but I'm not convinced as the fact that I'm already gaining weight.

Please let me know what you will reach!

[nerirose]

I'm having same problem of weight gain since I started eltroxin although it is a small dose 12.5mg but I gained 6 Kgs in 40 days!!!! This fact is turning me too down.

I checked with my Dr but he thinks it is not related to Eltroxin but I'm not convinced as the fact that I'm already gaining weight.

[jaxywaxy19]

I was on eltroxin for around 4 years.  I gained about 10kgs on eltroxin which i could not shake.  I recently stopped the eltroxin about 6 weeks ago and i have already lost 4kgs.  This is not to say that everyone picks up weight on eltroxin.  If you didnt have a weight problem before going on eltroxin like i did then you know it can only be the eltroxin.  I am looking for a natural remedy now so will let you all know what i find.

[miceaa]

i m a patient who have diagnosed by hypothyroidism. i m 16 yrs old. i have taking eltroxin 4 the past 15 days and i m happy to say that i have lost 4 kgs and not gained. i follow a fat-free balaced diet 3 times a day. i would like to advise everyone that just eating does not help, but eating medicine and also praying to get off from the undesirable condition would definitely help..

[Smilerdeb]

I firmly believe the weight gain is from being hypo and levels not stabalised.
I gained 16kgs while Hyper but since RAI and being on Eutroxzig (Thyroxin Sodium), I have lost 4kgs NOT gained.
I was on Carbimazole prior to RAI which 'blocked' the thyroid and thats when I gained the weight.
Eltroxin is a 'generic' form of Thyroxin whereas Eutroxzig isnt.
Try asking for Eutroxzig instead.
Good Luck:)

[Neoncats]

I have the exact same problem and its getting soooooo depressing. Ive been on Eltroxin for two months now and have gained 8lbs!! I havnt even gained 8lbs since highschool, and now all of a sudden i gain that weight in two months!!! I cant take it anymore. I stick to a 1200-1500 calorie diet and run/ walk 2km a day!!
I just dont know what to do anymore.... Im going to see my doctor tomorrow, hopefully we can work something out.

[Bella810]

I'm sure glad I was taken off eltroxin ---

[Cre8tiveCanuck]

I was just googling the possibilities of all this weight gain I'm experiencing while being on eltroxin and every three months trying new thyroid meds to get my levels regulated. My doctor is monitoring very closely and we keep having to try new meds every few months when the last don't seem to be doing the trick. Since being on eltroxin I'm turning into a whale!! I walk my dog for atleast an hour every morning and also run with him in the afternoon playing in the backyard, yet I can feel all my jeans tightening and my body is getting bigger. Any herbal remedies or advice would be very appreciated.
Sincerely,
a very depressed, once fit but now self conscious Canadian woman.

[jax190]

i gained weight in the early days of being hypo but once my bloods were stable it stopped i recently changed to eltroxin and my weight has stayed the same. so i think the weight problems are still thyroid related rather than the eltroxin

[OceanJo]

I've been on eltroxin for a number of years, my thyroid was completely removed. I suffered very rapid weight gain as well, but the worst part of it is that I went from being slim and toned to being soft, blubbery and full of cellulite all over my legs (including calves), and arms and stomach. I'm still in my 20's and a very healthy eater - so this isn't the norm. And no exercising has helped, in fact the cellulite appears worse. I've also suffered all the other side effects such as tachycardia and arrythmia, extreme tiredness and blurry vision, confusion, nausea, headaches. And with the heart issues I ended up having to deal with a panic disorder for more than 6 months because my heartbeat was all over the place. I also found my immune system was weakened, and picked up any bug going around. Some of these symptoms have lessened over time, but the weight gain / cellulite seems it's here to stay (very depressing).

If any one finds out what we can do to counteract this weight gain caused by the metabolism issues eltroxin creates, such as maybe a herbal remedy we can take - please shout. It can get quite desperate.

[babe777]

You guys are seriously freaking me out!!

I started on Eltroxin a mere 4 days ago- because of the fact that I gained 8kg in 2 months.  My blood results showed an underactive gland- the reason my GP put me on the drug.  So basicly I am using it to loose the gained weight- the dr said that I would loose it if I take Eltroxin.

I used to have a rocker body- I train x4 times per week and used to weigh 55 kg, it shot up to 63kg. It is soooooo depressing, nothing fits and I am super irritated!!

So yeah, hopefully Eltroxin would help me loose the weight and NOT gain any more like with you guys.

Good luck
Take it easy....

[SARP]

Hi, I have also been taking Eltroxin for almost two months now, and have gained almost 5kg. I have never incresed in weight this quickly or by this much! I am also exercising and following a low GI diet (i am not diabetic). Hope you find an answer, cause i am looking for information too!

[utahmomma]

You said you are drinking enough water to drown a whale . . . are you craving water and urinating frequently?

Reason I'm asking is many thyroid patients also have problems with blood glucose (diabetes or hypoglycemia).  Here are the most frequent warning signs of Type II diabetes:

Increased thirst.
Increased hunger (especially after eating).
Dry mouth.
Frequent urination.
Recent weight gain.
Fatigue (weak, tired feeling.
Blurred vision.
Headaches.
Loss of consciousness (rare).

Less frequent symptoms:
Slow-healing sores or cuts.
Itching of the skin (usually around the vaginal or groin area).
Frequent yeast infections.
Numbness and tingling of the hands and feet.
Decreased vision.
Impotency.

Since thyroid conditions and diabetes (Type II usually) often go hand-in-hand, please contact your doctor to be tested if you are experiencing these symptoms.  Diabetes is a very silent disease and needs to be controlled at the earliest possible stages before serious damage can occur.

I know that in the past six weeks, after being on the very restrictive LID diet and going through the holidays, I haven't been good at controlling my carb intake and my blood sugar has been a bit high at times.  Needless to say I've put on 8lbs in six weeks, just from not managing the carbs.  Darn those oatmeal raisin cookies!!!  And I'm only classified as "pre-diabetic" but my glucose levels can get into the mid 200s without any effort.

Please call your doctor and/or invest in a home glucose meter.  Oh, and welcome to the "I've got a messed up endocrine system" club!  :-)

[GravesLady]

I don't think its the Eltroxin. Your  levels might not be right for yet. It also contains lactose incase you have problem being lactose intolerance.  Check with your doctor.


If thyroid meds. caused weight gain, we'd all be gaining weight.

Other than that I don't have a clue.

Sorry!

Happy New Year