on synthroid and gaining weight

I have been on the generic of synthroid for one month because my T4 was a little low. It helped tremendously with my energy levels and depression immediately. BUT my belly continues to grow larger and larger. I don't eat gluten, walk and exercise and have always been thin. My face also looks bigger and my hair is like hay and is falling out. I will not be taking this terrible drug any longer.

Yes, I have the same issue since I started taking Synthroid. I have gained more weight instead of losing (I have borderline hypothyroidism). I exercise regularly and for the most part am a healthy eater.

My situation is very similar to yours. I am very frustrated. Don't know what to do.

Yes! Thank god. I knew something was wrong. I had hypo, but WAS very slim, 105-110lbs at 5'2" and very toned and athletic. Well I started synthroid, levothyroxine actually, in late October 2014 and I'm up to 127lbs! That is a lot of weight for me. My pants don't fit, my underwear is so tight, my shirts, jackets, everything. I look like I'm 4 months pregnant, if not more. I've never had kids, I'm 23 years old, and up until I was 19 I had a crazy fast metabolism. It slowed a tiny bit, but nothing significant. I work out, I eat healthy, I'm celiac by the way, so I eat gluten free, and I can't shed a single pound. I don't get it. Doctors always say how you should have energy and maybe weight loss and I have neither. And the scary thing is is my numbers did go down too. My levels were about 28.something and now they're down to 18.something. This is very frustrating, and I'm happy, but also very scared and sad to see how many people who seem to have the same problem.

If you're borderline, then maybe you should hold off on taking it. When you're only slightly hypo, you can actually make it worse. And I know your doctor told you to be on it, but you'd be surprised that they do mess up. First time I was put on synthroid, my levels were a slightly elevated 5, now I'm a high 28, which makes way more sense to be on it now.

I am on synthroid because of fertility problems. My elevated thyroid is possibly causing my infertility-- so taking this may help you get pregnant if your thyroid is elevated.

OMG! Ditto, Ditto & Ditto!  I was told all the same things ... I'd have more energy, possible weight loss, be more alert...... ALL TO THE CONTRARY!  I'm up 15 pounds, can't stay up past 9:00pm ( even with weekend afternoon naps ) and that culminates in my being less alert than ever.  I didn't even know or suspect there was a thyroid problem until routine blood work showed up with Hypothyroidism.  I felt completely fine......now, all I want to do is get the weight off so maybe I can regain some of that energy I used to have.  & Yes, I eat smarter now and probably less than I did prior to the thyroid meds because I'm terrified of gaining more weight.    I stopped taking the meds for a month much to the horror of my doctor, and  know what?  I felt great!!  But the blood tests showed my numbers off the charts & now I'm back on the meds & feel lousy all over again.  Thanks for letting me spew, I really thought I was the Lone Ranger with all this.  Has anyone's doctor come through with a better plan/option?

So what do we do if we are gaining weight on synthroid? ?? Does anyone know? ???

I'm doing my homework and going into the doctor's ready to do battle for something other than Synthroid.  Appointment on 2/11, will write then as to results of THAT conversation.

How do you fix it naturally?

I am so disgusted with my body I have the same exact problem and I do not know what to do about it,my Dr. says the same thing its not from synthroid

Hello all!  My throid levels bounce like a ball.  But, I've gained 30 lbs in about 6 months.  I can't handle it.  I've always been very small and thin and now I feel like the GoodYear Blimp!  Every time I've gone in for blood level checks they tell me, "it's not enough," and they raise the doseage.  Talk about depression.  I can't stand looking at myself in the mirror.  Sooooooo don't know what to do.  You're right about the doctors.  I've been to 3 and they all say the same, "It can't be the synthroid."  Bull!  Any ideas?  Please let us know!

Same thing happening to me. Ever since I started taking Synthroid(50mg) I gained 15 pounds and still growing. My TSH is 8.1 and Free T4 is .76. My friend told be my doctor may need to increase the dose. When I asked my doctor he did not think it was necessary.

I am taking myself off synthroid . I really had enough of feeling terrible all the time . I didn't really feel this  bad before . Now  I wake up in the middle of the night with my heart beating through my chest ( never happened before) I'm also tired all the time and yes the weight gain . I gained some weight before synthoid only because I was chowing alot of pizza and c**p food and I quit smoking . Now I have been on Synthroid for 4 months and put on 20 pounds. Okay heres the kicker I'm 100% vegan and a low fat one too . I went vegan the moment I started them pills .  I eat no processed foods and eat 80% to 90% raw . Before all this I was a junk food ,cheese loving ,pizza eating queen .(a vegetarian for 25 years no fish no eggs).but at least before the pills I could clean up my diet and drop 10 pounds in a week.   EVERYONE SHOULD LOOK UP DR ROBERT MORSE AND WACH HIS VIDEOS

Thank you! I thought I was going crazy. Was diagnosed Hypo about 4 months ago. My new Dr went thru my file and said Ive had it for 7 years. Started me on Synthroid and I gained 10 lbs lbs within 3 weeks. I also feel horrible. As soon as I take it I have a sour stomach all day, Im not eating 1/2 as much yet gaining. So tired and cranky. I just got over the stomach virus and didnt eat a thing for 4 days and did not loose 1 pound. Something is wrong. Also, hair is falling out. I stopped the meds as I couldnt keep anything down anyway.