Interesting read. I have not found weight gain to be true when I take Synthroid. In fact just the opposite unless my dose it off. Then I will gain weight (or when it is low "normal"). My doctor will bump me to a higher dose as long as it is in the normal range.
I do carry my weight in stomach and always have pre and post thyroid issues. Now post menopause worse than ever. I know I fit my pants better at the same weight. I was writing it off to age.
An 8.9 TSH level is way too high. that is not in the normal range. A high TSH means you have Hypothyroid(low). This is not pre-hypothyroidism. The lab can have a little variation but new range would make 5.0 the top range of normal. You are probably not on a high enough dose.
Another type of thyroid someone asked. I was started on Synthroid when diagnosed 11 years ago. Then insurance stopped paying for it so I changed to Levoxyl. I was on it for a few years, and my levels were fine, but I never felt as good on it. I was told some people do better on one than another. Lots of people swear by the Armour. I've been tempted to try it myself as I never feel like I have the energy level I need. Also considered going to a doc that will test free T3.
There is so much mixed info on this that we all need to make our own choices and advocate for our needs.
I do carry my weight in stomach and always have pre and post thyroid issues. Now post menopause worse than ever. I know I fit my pants better at the same weight. I was writing it off to age.
An 8.9 TSH level is way too high. that is not in the normal range. A high TSH means you have Hypothyroid(low). This is not pre-hypothyroidism. The lab can have a little variation but new range would make 5.0 the top range of normal. You are probably not on a high enough dose.
Another type of thyroid someone asked. I was started on Synthroid when diagnosed 11 years ago. Then insurance stopped paying for it so I changed to Levoxyl. I was on it for a few years, and my levels were fine, but I never felt as good on it. I was told some people do better on one than another. Lots of people swear by the Armour. I've been tempted to try it myself as I never feel like I have the energy level I need. Also considered going to a doc that will test free T3.
There is so much mixed info on this that we all need to make our own choices and advocate for our needs.
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I am curious as everyone has the same complaint with the Synthroid including myself, is there another option or choice of meds out there? Or is this it?
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So, I have been on synthroid for 2 weeks and am already experiencing the weight gain everyone is complaining about. I hate it already. I worked so hard and continue to work hard to lose weight! My question is, can this change as my body adjusts to the medicine? Is there anyone out there who has NOT gained weight!?!?!
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I am SO glad that I found this message board. I have been on Synthroid since the middle of April and I have gained 20 pounds. My exercise and diet have not changed since before taking it so I was thinking that had to be the reason. Someone in an earlier post said that they were experiencing belly fat and a bloated feeling, this is me to a T. I am definitely checking with my Dr. to see if this really is a necessary step for me since I highly suspect that my thyroid levels at the time my blood was tested has a lot to do with the fact that I was also severely anemic at the time.
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Be sure to check the other topics on this forum Titled 'Synthroid Weight Gain' etc. There are many people feeling the same way as you!
IMO Synthroid is not the answer.
IMO Synthroid is not the answer.
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But what IS the answer? I have not had the nerve to stop taking it because I genuinely feel that it has helped my depression. I am participating in life again, which I had not been doing for so many years, and I had tried numerous anti-depressants with no improvement. But my doctor is completely disinterested in my weight complaints, even though her charts clearly show a huge (percentagewise) and very fast weight gain that perfectly coincides with my taking this medication. She unequivocally refuses to prescribe Armour, even for a month or two as a trial, because she says it's too hard to get the dosage right. My pharmacist says she's out-of-date on that thinking. She did give me the name of another endocrinologist, but when I called that office to ask if this new doc would even consider prescribing Armour, before I spent several hundred on a workup as a new patient, I was told I couldn't get any info over the phone or have a consult unless I made an appointment and came in for an examination: Catch-22! Oh, and the first open appointment for a new patient is not until the end of February.
I find it very irritating that a doctor will not speak to a patient and at least inform you of their philosophy of medical practice so you can make a decision as to whether you wish to employ his services. They market themselves, selling c**p like botox and vitamins and then when you want to behave as a practical consumer, they get on their high horses of being above it all.
My really fast weight gain has leveled off, but I continue to add a pound or two a month. I have to buy a few new outfits every month. I bought a new cocktail dress, size 6 in August for a fancy dinner, and now it's to tight. My LBD in Feb. was a 4. All my older clothes are 2's which I'm planning to give away or sell.
If anything, I would think that I would have lost weight after I got more active.
IMO Synthroid is not the answer.
But what IS the answer? I have not had the nerve to stop taking it because I genuinely feel that it has helped my depression. I am participating in life again, which I had not been doing for so many years, and I had tried numerous anti-depressants with no improvement. But my doctor is completely disinterested in my weight complaints, even though her charts clearly show a huge (percentagewise) and very fast weight gain that perfectly coincides with my taking this medication. She unequivocally refuses to prescribe Armour, even for a month or two as a trial, because she says it's too hard to get the dosage right. My pharmacist says she's out-of-date on that thinking. She did give me the name of another endocrinologist, but when I called that office to ask if this new doc would even consider prescribing Armour, before I spent several hundred on a workup as a new patient, I was told I couldn't get any info over the phone or have a consult unless I made an appointment and came in for an examination: Catch-22! Oh, and the first open appointment for a new patient is not until the end of February.
I find it very irritating that a doctor will not speak to a patient and at least inform you of their philosophy of medical practice so you can make a decision as to whether you wish to employ his services. They market themselves, selling c**p like botox and vitamins and then when you want to behave as a practical consumer, they get on their high horses of being above it all.
My really fast weight gain has leveled off, but I continue to add a pound or two a month. I have to buy a few new outfits every month. I bought a new cocktail dress, size 6 in August for a fancy dinner, and now it's to tight. My LBD in Feb. was a 4. All my older clothes are 2's which I'm planning to give away or sell.
If anything, I would think that I would have lost weight after I got more active.
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well i'm in the same boat as all of you. i had my thyroid cut out to find out a year later that the quack took out the binine nodule and left the side with the cancer in....i then had it zaped and have been on a rollercoaster ride of weight. shortly after that i gained a pants size a month. i maxed at 236lbs and was borderline diabetic. i decided to do the atkins low carb diet. this, at that stage of my body was hell. i had withdrawls from the caffineen and sugars. i did it though, and started dropping weight fast. after apx 2 wks i lowered my weight by 20lbs and started having tons of energy. i stuck to the diet, got my levels checked--i was a perfect human and was still loosing weight. by the end of summer i was still on the same does of synthroid and was droping a pant size ever 2wks. i swung too much. i hated eating, even forgot to eat because you swing your body to burn what you have stored and don't want new stores of food. this became a problem. i started adding carbs back and stayed on the same synthroid dose. when i started my diet at 236lbs, i droped down to 154lbs within 8 months. hanging skin, and could have still lost weight. my collestrol was great, heart-great, skin good, hair--a little fall out and breakage, all in all though, i was feeling great. i stopped the diet and now have gained back 20lbs to make me 174lbs. i've started my diet again and have dropped 8lbs in the first week, my doc did my levels and found i was a little off and decreased my synthroid to 125mcg from 175mcg. i have gained a little around my stomach, moody, depressed and no energy,sex drive and constipated. i'm going back on my 175mcg and will keep on the low carb. and high exercise. post in 2wks to see my results. good luck to all. just keep trying!
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the same thing has happenend to me that has happenend to all of you. i have always been thin and could eat whatever i wanted without exercising. the doc did a blood test, found out i had hypothyroidism, put me on 125 mcg of synthroid. that was 10 months ago and i have gained a little over 30 lbs as a result despite barely eating. i dont feel any different that i did before i got on the synthroid...im just fatter and even more depressed.
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I have gained about 10 pounds in the three months I've been on synthroid and I am totally bloated with the weight gain in my waist. I was better off with a hypo-active thyroid!
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There are sooo many of us that are going through the same thing with the synthroid. It is so sad that the Dr.s, including endocrinologists choose to close their minds to our complaints. I guess if it hits close to home, that is when they take it seriously. I wish there was an answer, but it does help me to know that I'm not the only one that this is happening to. I have been consistant about excercise at least 4 times a week. I do many things such as weight training, spin classes, body sculpting, and precor cardio. I have not changed my eating habits. Since I started taking Synthroid in July 2008, I have gained 6 pounds and feel majorly bloated for most of the month. It has definately helped the way I feel and my energy level, yet I hate the thought of continued weight gain and it is not muscle! i've been working out most of my life, and after my children have been able to lose weight. But now that I'm taking synthroid, the bloating, and the weight gain, and the fact that the fat seems to be going to my abs, and back are driving me nuts! Please...is their a caring Dr. left in this country? Help us, please.
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I too am on synthroid and have gained weight. I exercise like crazy and eat very minimal. I am also on cytomel. I am on 125mcg and having trouble not gaining a pound a week. My TSH is .01, but my other levels are norm. I began cytomel because my T3 never got better on more synthroid. Am I on too much synthroid. Like the others I am depressed that I cannot loose the weight despite the efforts. I do feel a little better on synthroid. My doctor will not prescribe Armour either. Neither will her partners. I think that I am aging quicker that average (I'm 38) with saggy skin and poor muscle tone despite weight lifting. Any suggestions. I am getting desperate and my doctor will not listen to me (I see a endocrinologist)
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I've been on Synthroidfor about a year now. My levels are constantly changing. I use to be extremely thin, then when i started taking synthroid and gain a lot of weight, still gaining. It seems like this is common. Is their something that can be done to stop this? Or are the meds the problem? I've done searchs online and all that pops up are things about weight loss and Synthroid. seems odd. I'm currently on 125, getting moved up to 150 as soon as my blood can be tested. Still not feeling better with the meds.
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So that's why I gained four pounds in ten days! Just like y'all, it's in my belly. I look like I'm pregnant. I'm 56 years old and have never had a weight problem. I weighed 112 pounds when I was nine months' pregnant with my first child and 122 when I was nine month's pregnant with my fourth child. I am a 100-pound person generally. I am fixing to take kelp for my thyroid. I don't know if I can get off the Synthroid or not.
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Hi everyone.......I have the same problemtaking synthroid and weight gain in my stomach. I have been on synthroid for 2 years. I have gained weight in my stomach as well. I am also bloated all the time. My doctor also told me that it's not from taking synthroid. I don't understand why they don't know that the synthroid is causing the weight gain and the bloating in the stomach. I am so glad that I am not the only one! I thank all of you for posts to help me.
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Though Synthroid caused me to swell, especially my face, I found that I still have some swelling and bloating issues even though I quit taking it about 5 yrs ago. I now take Armour Thyroid and at least my face is not so puffy all of the time.
I swear I so much as look at anything with salt in it ( not really, I do have to eat it) I can gain 5-8 lbs in one day. No joking! It's awful!
Do any of you think it's part of the thyroid issue along with the medicine?
I swear I so much as look at anything with salt in it ( not really, I do have to eat it) I can gain 5-8 lbs in one day. No joking! It's awful!
Do any of you think it's part of the thyroid issue along with the medicine?
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