on synthroid and gaining weight

Sarah over a year ago

Hi y'all,

Because I'm still not felling 100% after 3.5 years on Synthroid, I'm starting to do research to "assist" my dr (or more do her work for her).

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I'll kept you updated if I find more information.

By the way, I was wondering if I was losing more hair than average; but how to tell when your symptoms started years ago. What is more than average; how can I tell that I'm losing to much hair when my hair is naturally very thick. I know that we have hair all over the place; the vacuum needs to be cleaned monthly (and that is because I don't want to do it more often); the drain gets plugs every 3 months (we are only tow in the house and my spouse have short short hair); went ever I play with my hair, I get a noticeable amount of hair in my hands... anyway, I though it could be normal because that's been like that for as long as I know and I was raise with a number of girls...

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Kat496 over a year ago

I just found this site and if you are still a member would love to hear from you on a natural food source for hypothyroid. I have had it with doctors and their lack of knowledge as to the weight gain, if I cut any more eating out, I will be eating nothing at all.

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Diane over a year ago

I would like your help. Im taking synthroid and have gained lots of weight. My labs came back normal today after council with my doctor. All he told me to do is to keep taking synthroid and take appetite supressant phentermine and to go see a dietician. Ive been trying to lose weight on my own on a 1200 calorie diet and exercise 150 minutes per week ans drink nothing but water. I dont need appetite surpressants. I was on them before and they kept me up all night. I told all of this to my doctor and yet he still prescribed the surpressants again! He didnt listen to me at all. I now weigh 178 pounds and I am 5'4" tall aged 43. I am hypothyroid taking sythroid 50 mcg.

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synthroid nightmare over a year ago

IF you're still here..I would LOVE to know how...

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intheuk251814 over a year ago

All

I have taken Thyroxine for a good 20 years and the past 10 have been on Levothyroxine. Since taking this drug I have put on over 18lbs even though I eat less than 1,000 calories a day, I am being prescribed 150mg. Since reading the side effects from this board I have swapped to Nature-Throid and today is my third day(!) I am taking one 2 grain tablet in the morning, and another in the afternoon.

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Guest over a year ago

Nature -Throid? Is this a supplement? How can I get hold of it? Please keep me posted on your progress as I have tried replacing my synthroind with a Thyrosine / Argenine combination. So far no real change and my hair has started to fall out.

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Erin over a year ago

NatureThyroid is the alternative to Armour - your doc would need to write a script for it.

There are other alternatives you can try:
Idoral - an iodine supplement
Raw Thyroid - pig thyroid supplement

Both available on Amazon. Paleo diet, as well as water fasting, I've read, have helped people get off medication for thyroid.

Be careful with these ideas - I would inform my doc I was trying different methods, and I don't think they'd be ideal for someone with NO thyroid.

As for the synthroid and generic causing weight gain: I've done some experimenting. I'm extremely in tune with my body, and like others, super sensitive to weight gain coming from issues not under my control. Meaning: if I gain weight, it better not be from a damn medication!

I've been taking .75 mcg for almost 3 months and was not losing weight. I'm an avid runner, and strict dieter (zero carb). I had been losing steadily the months prior, and was puzzled as the synthroid was not making me hungrier.

I realized (by going off and on it for periods of time) synthroid is making me eat more because of obsessive food thoughts. I'm not hungrier, but I get a little anxious on it and it gives obsessive food thoughts without you even realizing it.

The days I took synthroid - I would constantly think about food, and the fact of eating.

So while you aren't getting actual cravings, you're eating more without realizing it because your brain is constantly suggesting food and eating it.

The days I took no synthroid, It was unbelievable how food had left my brain. I'd actually forget to eat all day since I was so used to hearing the obsessive thoughts.

I'm going to try a different route - not synthroid.

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mjvis over a year ago

I have been on synthriod for past 3 months and gained atleast 8 pounds. I have been eating right and exercising as well. My doctor has given me dozens of test. My tests come normal. My doctor says that I am not eating right coz synthriod can never cause weight gain. My stomach has become really big.It looks like I am pregnant. I am so depressed. Please tell me ,if you have tried something else or it worked for you?

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sydney2012255113 over a year ago

I am so relieved to find all these posts. I have been on Levothyroxine and now Synthroid for a year and a half for hypothyroidism. I wasn't getting my period and the doctor thought it might help. My TSh was under 4, though, and I felt fine. I almost immediately had intense cravings for carbs and sweets which I had never had before. I was someone who never had to worry about weight gain and now have gone up 3 sizes. I eat 1200 calories a day and work out hard. But still no budge on the scale. And my stomach is the worst part, bloated and looking pregnant.

My doctor just wants to up my dosage and I am very nervous to do that. I really want to get off this medicine and see if it helps with the weight.

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Guest over a year ago

Yes I am having the same issue :( I am scared to go off of the thyroid meds though.

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dixiedoll456 over a year ago

I was on Levothoroxine .50 mg, still very lethargic, so eventually I was up to .2 mg, but I took Synthroid. Well, I always had a hard time with weight gain, however, since I started taking this medicine, it seemed the more they increased my dosage, the MORE weight I would gain!

This is just what I did, not for everyone and certainly you need to check with your doctor before doing so, but I started decreasing my dosage of Synthroid, now down to .1 mg and take Iodine Plus 2 with it, which is suppose to convert T3 to T4. I have been doing this now for about a month and I must say I am finally starting to see some weight loss....it is SO depressing to keep doing the right thing with no results! Ask your physician about it though before you try it.

Good luck!

Donna

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Janie over a year ago

I would love to hear your suggestions as I too have started on Levothroxine 125 mg and feel the same as those above.

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Erin over a year ago

I'm curious when you all take your synthroid. I've been taking mine at night, 11:30pm ABSOLUTELY on the dot CONTINUOUSLY! And I started losing weight and feeling better. I read taking it at night worked better because thats when your natural hormone is released.

I also dont eat, or take ANYTHING (besides water) 4 hours before taking the Synthroid at 11:30pm. I notice a HUGE difference.

Try taking it at night, and at exactly the same time each night - (as well as no supplements or eating 4 hours prior). These are all tips I've gathered from people who actually have sucess with Synthroid.

I think thats why the actual synthroid doesnt make you "gain", but not being consistant (or taking it in the morning) doesnt make it work as well, so you continue experiencing hypo symptoms (weight gain, fatigue, etc)

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Guest over a year ago

My primary dr. gave me this medication to aid in weight loss. I am taking 50 mcg daily, with diet and exercise 6x a week. , i have lost 35 pounds in the past 2 months. He now wants me to start taking 75mcg daily, after reading this im not sure if i should. Since 50 mcg daily is working for me should i just stay at that dosage?

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Guest over a year ago

I wouldn't change my dosage unless I had my TSH checked again. I was originally put on .75 mcg and I went from a TSH of 4.5 to 0.9 in 3 months. My doctor wants to keep me at this dosage because I feel great. I wouldn't bump it up unless my TSH wasn't responding.

In fact, at this rate it may throw me into hyper. My doc said he'd bump me up if I wanted to and I said no. Sorta ridiculous, how much lower does he want me to get?

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