sythroid and weight gain

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I have the same problem. I've been skinny my whole life and then went on levothyroxine and have horrible bouts with weight. I just can't seem to get it down no matter what I do. I eat healthy, exercise, nothing. All of my weight is in my stomach and my breasts. I thought that these medications were supposed to help you lose weight, but obviously that's not the case. I think I'm at the point now where I'm going to go off it for awhile to see if I lose weight, and see how I feel emotionally. If I seem to feel better and lose weight, then I'll know for sure it's due to this medication. Maybe then, I'll see if there is another medication that might work better. It's rather interesting that there are other people who have this in common with. At least I don't feel so alone. I will try to do more research and get back to everyone here.
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hulio5 · Newbie Joined: 21 May 2008 Posts: 1

I am a 32 year old female and have been on levothyroxine for about nine months now...I originally went to the dr. due to an increase in weight (about 15 lbs over a six month period, though I wish now I would have just kept my yap shut) and lethargy. Since beginning the medicine (50mcg) I have gained 30lbs...she said it should help me lose the weight, not gain more !!! I am miserable and can't seem to lose the weight...I have never struggled with my weight before. The last time I was this big was when I was 9 months pregnant. This sucks...we all seem to be having the same issue and yet it doesn't appear to be recognized as an official isssue or side effect in the medical literature.

emort · Newbie Joined: 21 May 2008 Posts: 1

I just found this forum doing an internet search.
I'm 27/f and have been taking 50mcg of levox... for just a week, and I feel really bad. Last year I was erroneously diagnosed with Graves (even though the reason I sought medical attention is because I gained about 75 lbs in nine months), and this year I have been diagnosed with hypothyroid.

I'm not sure what's going on with my body here, but I feel like crap, and I feel like if I gain any more weight, I will explode. I've been slowly declining into depression in the past week; can't sleep, can't focus, feel like I'm going to scream/cry at every point in the day. Does anyone have any advice as to how long to continue this medication before addressing the side effects? My doctor said to come back for tests in 6 weeks, but it's going to take a huge amount of effort for me to continue with my daily life while I feel like this for 6 weeks.

Thanks.

ksf · Supporter Joined: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 301

I personally would report the side effects ASAP. There are more types of thyroid meds available. Try them out and find out which is best for you.
I have tried Synthroid, Levox and Armour.
Are you taking to much medicine to cause your thyroid to go too low or did it burn out? Or did you do something medically to change it from hyper to hypo?
The one that makes me feel the best is Armour.
My Grandmother, God rest her soul, rotated both synthroid and Levoxine (spelling?) for years. Maybe this is an idea for you.
After I was diagnosed with Grave's Disease and underwent iodine treatment I went into depression also. My doctor gave me anti-depressents which helped tremendously!
I also had to try several different anti depressents before I found the one that made me feel the best...so if you try one and it doesn't work for you don't be afraid to try another.
Hope I helped! Good luck.

esd · Newbie Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 2

I am 43 and have been on sythroid 112mg for 2 years. I have experienced every side effect listed. I went for 115 lbs to 155 lbs in 1 year. I eat right, exercise and still can't get the weight off. I am having a problem getting my heart rate up. Also, I have low blood pressure probably because I am tired all the time. It is depressing. My doctor had been raising my level of sythroid until I related the weight gain to the dosage. Now I only get tested once a year so she won't keep increasing the dosage. If my thyroid is still out of wack, what happens next? Do doctor's prescribe diet aids for thyroid patients?

contrariwise · Newbie Joined: 05 Aug 2007 Posts: 10

I lost about 5 pounds of the Synthroid weight gain when I changed pharmacies. I started mail-ordering meds from a company called Medco, which is associated with my insurance company, getting bottles of 100 at a time. The bottles were labeled Abbot Laboratories, instead of those from the Eckerd/RiteAid pharmacy with only 30 pills. The pills look different, cost less, and I feel better. I lost weight only in the first month, and that has stopped. I wonder if the local drug stores weren't substituting generics for the brand name drugs to save a few bucks. I heard Walgreen has been charged with some Medicare fraud in substituting drugs, so it's not impossible that a pharmacy might figure out a way to jigger things.

I'm still nowhere near back to my pre-synthroid weight. I'm up from size 2 to 6-8, and have a belly, but I actually feel much better than with the old pills. My insomnia has gotten worse. I have to take ambien every night.

esd · Newbie Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 2

Contrariwise -
My doctor requested I not be given generic synthroid due to my high dosage. I thought it would help but it has not. It is really discouraging when you know one of the side effects of sythroid is weight LOSS not weight gain. I really think they got that side effect wrong. I used a SAV ON pharmacy but have recently switched to Walgreen. I am considering changing to mail order once I have my next check up. You are correct - the generic sythroid does look different from the name brand. You have to watch the pharmacies because if your insurance says they have to give you generic they will. My doctor had to write a letter in order to get me name brand sythroid. You gave excellent advice - know what your pills look like! When you get something different speak up.
Good Luck!

mustangkarrie · Newbie Joined: 25 Aug 2008 Posts: 3

I had my thyroid removed as it had ceased to function. I had gained about 20 lbs before finding out it wasn't working. I thought I would lose the weight once I got my system functioning well with the synthroid. Not the case! I have not lost any weight and have gained more!!!!!!!!!!! No one will acknowledge this part of the process, I don't understand why not tho. We can't all be wrong. There are no coincidences in this area.

jaqjohnson · Newbie Joined: 31 Aug 2008 Posts: 2

I started taking Levothyronxine (0.05) since April. I have had no change in diet or exercise and I have gained 20 lbs. Finding this message board has restored my sanity and confirmed my suspicions. I was prescribed this medication by a gyn surgeon at the time I was having endometrial ablation done due to heavy periods causing severe anemia. After doing some research I am beginning to think that there was possibly some link between my thyroid levels and the anemia. I am definitely checking with my regular Dr. on this one.

robin7500 · Newbie Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 1

I am a person who takes synthroid for a good month or two then life happens and I forget to take it. When I am on it I am gaining weight but when I am off of it, I lose weight. I am so sick and tired when doctors say that weight gain is not a side effect. From what I am starting to understand, these doctors tell us what the drug manufactures tell them to say. How irritating. I want to find a physician who will finally listen to me and help me by letting me feel like me again.

sythroid and weight gain

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