Levothyroxine and question about weight gain

[Ace]

Hi. I have a cyst that grows over my thyroid. I had it removed back in 1997 but years later, it came back followed by a few more little cysts. They are benign thankfully and the doctor prescribed levothyroxine and I have been taking it once a day. I know it says to take it one hour or half an hour before breakfast but I've mainly been doing it sometimes in the afternoon or evening. I don't know if that is the right thing to do and lately I've been gaining weight. I don't even eat much. I've kicked the soda habit and walk a lot but it looks like I'm a few pounds heavier than I used to be. I know there was some information about thyroid hormone and weight gain. Does anybody else have a problem with their weight? Am I taking my medication correctly? I have an appointment next month but I wanted to know if anybody else has this problem. Thanks.

[wondering watcher]

I take the same medication. I have gained some weight, but I'm not sure if it is from the levothyroxine or some of the other med's I started taking around the same time. I started off taking mine in the evening because it was easier for me to remember, but I started noticing that I couldn't sleep, so during the day, I was exhausted. I started taking it in the morning, much better and more energy during the day. You may want to try taking it in the morning. It may help. Ya just never know. Medicine is so crazy.

[Ace]

Oh ok. :-) Thank you. I sometimes think I'm on my own with this problem and I don't know who else I can relate to with questions. I do sometimes get a bit crazy because I take my med in the afternoon or evening. I'll start in the morning then. I'll see what the doctor says about how I was taking it.

[ewright]

The best way to take thyroid medication is the first thing in the morning on a empty stomach with a full glass of water, then wait at least a hour before eating anything that way it will absorb in your system.

[Laurie]

Hi guys
I am new to this board as I just started Synthroid 1 month ago. I had gained a lot of weight and my thyroid levels were low so primary Dr put me on 25 mg a day..in the AM 30 minutes before eating...he told me it would increase my metabolism and help me LOSE weight. Waz up?? Here i am reading about weight gain...yikes i don't need meds for that I can do that on my own!! I have lost a few lbs's but no success story that's for sure. I am 52 and not yet menopausal but very close...

[Angela]

Hi there. I have always been sensitive to Thyroid Hormone. With every increase it caused extreme anxiety, insomnia, rapid heart beat, chest pains..I can go on and on. After adjusting to the meds (the generic) I was ok for several years, then it stopped working and I was switched to Synthroid. I gained 20 lbs the first month, for a year battled with all kinds of symptoms. Until the chest pains were more constant, I had internal tremors and my hair was falling out and thinning. My levels were fine. It was the drug. The last year has been a nightmare as I went off and can't find anything without effects. I can tell you when I went off I lost 15 lbs in 2 weeks! My hair stopped falling out in a few days, and I slept like a baby! I have seen 4 Endos two of which said anxiety, or go see a phyhiatrist! I now have a brain injury and I am increasing my synthroid at a snails pace, but I will tell you I will find something. Armour did not work for me. The generic will no longer work I had a migrane for 7 days. I swear these drs are getting incentives from these big companies, as I have had enough experience with this to know "it is from the drug" I've had may other tests, all negative. I can't even take certain antibiotics since being changed to the Synthroid, as other drugs now cause me problems with heart. Yes I have anxiety because there is no relief. Shame on the greed in this world. Drs should care about their patients. Search the web... Out of a rating of 5 on one of the sites the drug Synthroid only rates a 2.5 because hundreds of people have the same symptoms as me and some worse! My last child was born autistic and I believe its increased the last 30 years because of all the microwaves, cell phones, food additives, and chemicals we put in our bodies. ANYWAY! You all are not imagining things, although the doctors tell you so!!!!

[Angela]

Me again :) I just want to add. In desparation and fear of a stroke or heart attach (which has happened to people pushed to take these thyroid drugs who can not tolerate the) I tried Armour and it was worse for me. I do not need T3....I stopped my medication completely and 10 days later had a bad fall and hit my head. It was during those 10 days I went off I felt the relief from my symptoms. However, after being off of the medication for a month they put me on 1/2 of a .25 dose. I was taking 100 After being on this for weeks and months, the lack of hormone causes symptoms also. I've decided to start raising slowly (1/4 .25 at a time for weeks!) Get my levels up somewhat and then try other alternatives, including supplements or natural. I also find the doctors (Endos) are willing to work with me, but once I start experiencing problems with the drug, they don't want to deal with it, or tell me it is not the drug. I believe it is because they have no answers. But I am not giving up. I am not going to let this ruin my life, which it has been. And they will say it is from not taking the proper amount. The proper amount is important, but no doctor will tell me the drug doesn't do that. I was in the ER 4 times during each increase during my pregnancy. After pregnancy during increases they want to give you other drugs to counteract the side effects of the sythroid! It is crazy!!! Beta Blockers, Amitripylene... all with other side effects!!!!

[mildred]

hi,I was gaining weight,and was told I had underactive thyroids.Doc. has me on 100mgs.of Levothyroxin.Doc. told me I should feel better and lose the weight soon,but its been 2mos. and now I have increased appetite,my symptoms have not changed and Ive gained even more weight. According to new blood results my levels are good now,but I dont understand why I feel the same and more weight gain.

[Cheryl]

mildred wrote:

hi,I was gaining weight,and was told I had underactive thyroids.Doc. has me on 100mgs.of Levothyroxin.Doc. told me I should feel better and lose the weight soon,but its been 2mos. and now I have increased appetite,my symptoms have not changed and Ive gained even more weight. According to new blood results my levels are good now,but I dont understand why I feel the same and more weight gain.

This is exactly the same as myself - I am searching on-line to see if I can find any supplement or alternative medication to Levothyroxine before I make an appointment to see my GP. I am on 150mg daily. At Christmas I stopped taking my medication and so far feel better for it?? I am sure it takes awhile for the thyroid symptoms to set in, but I am looking at alternative options now.

[steve]

I am on levothyroxene after many gradual increases and am now up to 150mg. I did not have any symptoms when the TSH reported on my lab work that my level was 27. So I understand the diagnosis of hypothyroid. But, I feel more fatigued and have gained more weight on the medication that is suppose to increase your metabolism and energy. I am about ready to tell my doctor forget it, but I also understand that you have to stop it gradually.

My question is the risk of not controlling TSH worse than carrying an extra 30 pounds.

[roger]

have been miserable on levothyroxine for the past two years. the docs insist my "numbers" are perfect.
ran on to a site that mentioned the importance of changine diet.
does anybody know of a good website on do and don't eat with this drug?

[tonia]

I have been on the levothyroxine for two months. 75 mg. I only gained two pounds. But I have been doubling my water intake because I have been sweeting like crazy. I also have been wanting to eat more but I don't I just ignore the wanting more food and I am feeling different. I have not had any of the bad results of the side affects other then the two pound weight gain. But I have change what I eat also. I do not eat beef or pork. I exercise only 30 mins aday. My levels are droping but very slowly. I don't drink anything that has surgar in it. I hope this will help you.

[Melissa - Alpharetta Ga]

I was put on Levothyroxine two days ago when diagnosed with an underactive thyroid. I was tired and cold all of the time so the doctor told me the drug should increase my energy level and help me lose some weight I've recently put on. The first night was hard to sleep, the second night ok. The doctor told me to take the drug at night on an empty stomach by not eating 1-2 hours before bed. Anyone with increased energy and maybe some weight loss or at least no weight gain?

[Stacy PA]

I have been on Synthroid and then switched to Levothyroxine just because of the cost for about 3 years now. Low dose- 75 for now. I have definitely had a hard time losing weight, I started the med's after baby #4, so had some weight to lose! I have not lost a pound even when I count calories anad am at the gym 4-5 times a week. My other issue-since I started the medicine I have had a rash. Has anyone else had this? I mentioned it to the doctor and she said it could be from the medicine, but wasn't to alarmed. Then I read on a site that you should stop the med's immediately if you have a rash, hives, etc. Anyone have anything on that? I have been tempted to stop the med. because the rash and weight thing is more of a concern and bother than some small nodules on my thyroid, which is why I take it.???

[AMP]

Stacy PA wrote:

I have been on Synthroid and then switched to Levothyroxine just because of the cost for about 3 years now. Low dose- 75 for now. I have definitely had a hard time losing weight, I started the med's after baby #4, so had some weight to lose! I have not lost a pound even when I count calories anad am at the gym 4-5 times a week. My other issue-since I started the medicine I have had a rash. Has anyone else had this? I mentioned it to the doctor and she said it could be from the medicine, but wasn't to alarmed. Then I read on a site that you should stop the med's immediately if you have a rash, hives, etc. Anyone have anything on that? I have been tempted to stop the med. because the rash and weight thing is more of a concern and bother than some small nodules on my thyroid, which is why I take it.???

I have been on Levothyroxine for a couple of years, I was on Synthorid but insurance made me switch. I have a rash all over my body, my skin and scalp are dry and itchy. I have gained a lot of weight and I eat right and exercise. My mood is low also. I never had these problems with Synthroid.

[marie]

hi i also take levothyroxine im on 150mg a day as had my thyroid gland burnt out by radioactive treatment, i have gained over a stone in weight over the past 2 months i believe it is beause of the meds, i feel having been on it for while u constantly have to have ur bloods checked to make sure u r on the right dosage. i have spoken to many people who have been on it for years ansd have said that doctors have never got there dosage right.

[marie]

Cheryl wrote:

<quoted text>
This is exactly the same as myself - I am searching on-line to see if I can find any supplement or alternative medication to Levothyroxine before I make an appointment to see my GP. I am on 150mg daily. At Christmas I stopped taking my medication and so far feel better for it?? I am sure it takes awhile for the thyroid symptoms to set in, but I am looking at alternative options now.

hi i also take levothyroxine im on 150mg a day as had my thyroid gland burnt out by radioactive treatment, i have gained over a stone in weight over the past 2 months i believe it is beause of the meds, i feel having been on it for while u constantly have to have ur bloods checked to make sure u r on the right dosage. i have spoken to many people who have been on it for years ansd have said that doctors have never got there dosage right.

[June]

I started on Levothyroxin 6 months ago. I have gained 15 lbs since I started this med. I'm tired, need to lay down during the day and can't sleep more than 2-3 hrs. at a time at night. My doc says that my TSH is 4.2 and normal. He said that I must be eating too much. What?? Believe me, that's not the case. I am thinking of making an appt with a specialist. This weight is killing me. I feel like I have a lead band around my middle.

[Dianna]

I am on 50mg of Levothyroxin for the past two years.
I have done nothing but gain weight dispite my efforts to loss, and I still feel tried and cold. I feel like the Good Year Blimp. Which will be worse - continue taking the medication, and remain way over weight - OR - Stop taking the medicine, and hope that I will lose weight.

[Saffra]

I am on 50 mg of Levothyroxine, started about 2 1/2 months ago. The first week I noticed that I felt much more alert and my mood improved. But I have steadily gained more weight and I want to eat all the time. I also noticed that my face started looking fatter as soon as I started taking the meds, I assume it is a side effect. My family doc seems happy with my TSH levels, but I asked for my T3 & T4 to be tested......they are borderline normal. She is content......I am not. I still feel exhausted a lot of the time, have trouble sleeping, my mood is often times low, and I just don't feel like "me". I take my pill in the morning with 2 dried apricots, because despite the pill being small I still have trouble swallowing pills. But it is difficult that I cannot eat breakfast right away.....I often end up skipping breakfast because I can't eat an hour later. Not sure what to do about this, I'm not going to get up an hour early just so that I can have breakfast. You also can't eat anything with calcium for 4 hours after taking the meds.....so much for my usual yogurt for breakfast! My family dr is happy with my numbers, but I still think something is wrong. It seems that the doctors are more interested in lab results than what their patients are telling them. I wish there were a natural alternative to these medications.