I had the gland removed due to a tumor in 2005. I was told my family doc could monitor my tsh levels. After steadily getting more tired, gaining weight, developing pseudo gout, scalp dryness issues, etc. I got fed up and called the endocrinologist who treated my tumor. I found that the vast majority of family physicians do not test for other issues of the thyroid. I am now under control but due to the several years being yo-yoed on synthroid have also gained about 60 lbs. I am now on Cytomel, synthroid, water pill and meltomin(?) for prevention of diabetes. Although I have not felt the same since having it removed, I can say it is at least good to be alive and I can eat steak again.
I encourage all with thyroid problems to seek the advice of an actual endocrinologist instead of a family doctor.
I encourage all with thyroid problems to seek the advice of an actual endocrinologist instead of a family doctor.
I too, have had my thyroid removed. And was put on Sythroid. I had gained weight as part of the symptoms of the thyroid disorder. I too thought I would loser the weight when going on Synthroid. But to my amazement, I am gaining weight. I know all the Physicians state that the two are not related, but it can not be a coincidence that everyone on it gains weight!
I am seeing my Dr again, to see if there is something else out there that can take the place of synthroid and the weight gain.
I am seeing my Dr again, to see if there is something else out there that can take the place of synthroid and the weight gain.
In my experience and from countless reports online from other patients, Synthroid DOES somehow cause weight gain. Doctors will tell you that's impossible, and I understand that if it is only replacing the hormones you are lacking, it should not cause weight gain, but there must be something in the chemical makeup of the stuff, that causes weight gain.
I felt pretty good all the time, happened to get diagnosed as Hypo, and was put on 50mcg then 100 mcg of Synthroid. Suddenly over the next 8 weeks, I felt HORRIBLE. Tired, depressed, gained 8 lbs, irritable.
After doing hours and hours of research, I have concluded that having this stuff in your system is not the answer. I am now not taking the pills, and have replaced them with all natural thyroid stimulating herbs. I am also going to try Virgin Coconut Oil.
There is somethings wrong, when SO many people are reporting weight gain, and other major problems, but no one will recognize it.
Good luck to all of you and I encourage you to look into other, more natural options!!! Things from nature are so much better than pharmaceutical stuff. :-)
I felt pretty good all the time, happened to get diagnosed as Hypo, and was put on 50mcg then 100 mcg of Synthroid. Suddenly over the next 8 weeks, I felt HORRIBLE. Tired, depressed, gained 8 lbs, irritable.
After doing hours and hours of research, I have concluded that having this stuff in your system is not the answer. I am now not taking the pills, and have replaced them with all natural thyroid stimulating herbs. I am also going to try Virgin Coconut Oil.
There is somethings wrong, when SO many people are reporting weight gain, and other major problems, but no one will recognize it.
Good luck to all of you and I encourage you to look into other, more natural options!!! Things from nature are so much better than pharmaceutical stuff. :-)
I am on 100 mcg Synthroid due to papillary thyroid cancer. 3 months ago was my surgery. I have gained 8 lbs and my tsh is .26. I think it is a lot of water retention. I am 40 and exercise and eat right. I hate this! Dr says I am slightly hyper but how can that be if I am gaining weight?
I just had my thyroid removed two months ago because a tumor was found. I had not experienced any symptoms to alert me something was wrong. I was feeling fine. Now, however, I am on synthyroid and have never felt so awful. I am tired all of the time, no energy, I have gained 7 pounds dispite a very active life, and in general I am terrified. I did not know anything about all of this and I have always trusted my doctor. He told me this surgery was nothing and not to worry, synthyroid is an exact duplicate for natural thyroid. I thought I asked all the right questions but I am quickly finding out I may have asked the wrong person. I am so glad I found this site. At least I am not the only one
I had my thyroid removed due to papillary carcinoma about 16 years ago. I actually found this site because I'm always finding more ways to recover my ability to function more "normally". I only made it about 6 months with Synthyroid. Aside from all the other ways I was miserable, I was freezing. I would wear 10 layers of clothes, and still my skin felt cold. Adding Armour helped with this, and the longer I work, the more I realize how critical the Armour is.
Anyone who is having trouble, find a good endocrinologist! I was in the DC area, and I "doctor shopped" until I found someone who listened to me. I have been chewed out for taking the Armour- that to me equals a Dr not worth ever seeing again. Now I am in a more rural area and all the Dr's think I'm crazy for being on 2 thyroid meds. I just smile at their ignorance.
Fatigue, weight gain, allergies, muscle pain, coldness, can't think clearly, dizziness. Yep. Been through all that. The more I believe in myself and work with my meds, supplements, and my diet, the better I get. Most of the problems for me seem to relate to my body not converting the T4 from the Synthyroid the way the book says it should, even when my TSH is "where it should be". If I get an infection, all conversion seems to stop- I was almost kicked out of the ER when I was septic (infection reached my bloodstream- ie. almost dead) because my TSH skyrocketed. They accused me of not taking my thyroid meds (why on earth would anyone do that?) and were ready to release me.... One week of IV antibiotics later, I felt much better. Be careful!
My awesome endocrinologist says it is called "euthyroid sick syndrome". He actually studied it during his PhD. For anyone near Hagerstown, MD- Dr. Stephen Lippman is the best Dr I have ever worked with. He is also a PhD, so he knows how to think. He does not take insurance because he works with his diabetic patients over the phone (to reduce travel for them) and the insurance won't cover that. Don't know what I would do without him.
Wow. Reading the post was fascinating to me. This problem with replacement not working right is huge. Medicine. Here to keep you alive. The happy to be alive part? I guess psychiatrists are starting to look at that!
Anyone who is having trouble, find a good endocrinologist! I was in the DC area, and I "doctor shopped" until I found someone who listened to me. I have been chewed out for taking the Armour- that to me equals a Dr not worth ever seeing again. Now I am in a more rural area and all the Dr's think I'm crazy for being on 2 thyroid meds. I just smile at their ignorance.
Fatigue, weight gain, allergies, muscle pain, coldness, can't think clearly, dizziness. Yep. Been through all that. The more I believe in myself and work with my meds, supplements, and my diet, the better I get. Most of the problems for me seem to relate to my body not converting the T4 from the Synthyroid the way the book says it should, even when my TSH is "where it should be". If I get an infection, all conversion seems to stop- I was almost kicked out of the ER when I was septic (infection reached my bloodstream- ie. almost dead) because my TSH skyrocketed. They accused me of not taking my thyroid meds (why on earth would anyone do that?) and were ready to release me.... One week of IV antibiotics later, I felt much better. Be careful!
My awesome endocrinologist says it is called "euthyroid sick syndrome". He actually studied it during his PhD. For anyone near Hagerstown, MD- Dr. Stephen Lippman is the best Dr I have ever worked with. He is also a PhD, so he knows how to think. He does not take insurance because he works with his diabetic patients over the phone (to reduce travel for them) and the insurance won't cover that. Don't know what I would do without him.
Wow. Reading the post was fascinating to me. This problem with replacement not working right is huge. Medicine. Here to keep you alive. The happy to be alive part? I guess psychiatrists are starting to look at that!
I was encouraged from reading your post. I had one surgery about 30 years ago because of a tumor they coudln't tell was cancer or beneign. Then about 8 years after that I had the other lobe out because of the same reason. It was a cyst that had bled into itself and they coulnd't tell on it either without taking it out. I was fine, weight, fellings, health, etc, until the second surgery. That of course is when they put me on Synthyroid. My levels bounced all over the place and I have gained, around 80 lbs over these years. No one has helped me. They all tell me calories in, calories out will work on the weight. And if i lost the weight I'd feel better. I exercise, eat fairly well, try to be positive but nothing helps. I have a naturalopath doctor who has added a small dose of Cytomel. I'm so anxious to see if that helps. I'd love and appreciate any help or ideas. It sounds like you have had so many of the same problems as I. Thank you very much and God Bless.
Carole
Carole
Is Armour working better and did you stop gaining weight? Just wondering, I had my Thyroid removed three day's ago and am horrified to read all these stories about weight gain, depression and other horrible symptoms associated with the removal of the thyroid.
Ota
Ota
Why do I gain weight with synthroid?