Did you put on weight after being put onto levo... - Thyroid UK
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The problem now is how to get it off!!!
Try T3.
T3 for weight loss?
I put on two stone + and eating 1000 cals a day. Anymore and would put on more weight. A miserable time. Went from size 10 to 14. Now take T3 only 40 mcgs split into 3 doses and now back to normal. Not only weight but all the other horrible things. No joint pain, hair and nails ok. Now walk 5 miles a day too. The thought of exercise was enough to put me to bed.
Wow !
how do i get T3
I've been on levothyroxine since 1999. I have bad hair, nails, lethargy, no labido. Should I ask my go bout T3? Thank u
Just a little side note, not tremendously helpful but I did struggle with the hair, skin barriers. I started using Wen hair products after my lovely locks started to bristle up, I am on Warfarin daily 7.5 ml and Plaquinil daily and the Wen has brought my hair back to life, I also use daily Vitamin E oil on my skin and nails. For us ladies especially, these little ideas can sometimes help with the weight of fatigue its nice to at least feel pretty still 
Have a terrific day...
I have been on levothyroxine for almost 10 years now. and on Metformin for 5 years (although I do not have any diabetes) My weight got better at some point slowly when I started Metformin but has crept back. I have been on thyroxin 100mcg and now for past two years on 75 mcg, do you think it would help to replace with just T3 - is it synthetic or natural and is it a prescription drug ??
Why are you on Metformine Divagag, if you are not diabetic, is it just to try and control the weight? You also don't say if you have hypo or hyperthyroidism.
I have now downloaded the Drugs.com app for my iPad, and use that to check out their website rather than just use search engine to get to their site and there seems to be more and fuller information using their app to access the site.
You would be able to check out a lot about Metformine as well as conditions, plus check if it's compatible with Levethyroxine.
When I was given Metformine for being borderline type 2, I started to lose muscle strength and get fatigued,,it didn't help with weight loss either. Instead I ended up with a swollen spleen and diagnosed with autoimmunethyroiditis. Hashimoto's!
Hope you find some answers there.
Hi, What is T3 please? I am still 2 sizes larger than before I got ill and I sleep all day and I am still exhausted.
I saw your response here and wondered what is T3? Is it an herbal supplement? Does it work against our INR levels?
I have APLS and have put on 50 pounds since the PE and last DVT's. I am on Warfarin daily and Plaquinil for the joint pain. The joint pain and muscle twitches are increasing, I'm struggling badly with pain levels from the joints etc.
Thank you for letting me know, advance thank you
I was size 10 and now size 14 . Your story gives me hope. I just wonder how can I culculate how much T3 or T4 I need?
Anyone can suggest the test to do in order to know the amount to take pls?
Thanks
Did the t3 help with constipation? It's making my life a misery and I never had this trouble before and it's getting worse. The gp was dismissive of my smptoms saying they could all be caused by something else although he's agreed to another blood test for vitamins and increased levothyroxine up 25mg. Says I can't have another thyroid test cos had one about a month ago which only showed tsh which was 3.75 which one of admin on here said means I'm undermedicsted. I will get a private test done when I've had the increased dose for a couple of months but this constipation is making me feel really ill do you think t3 would help ?
What is T3 please?
T3 is the active thyroid hormone. T4 (Levo) is the storage hormone that has to be converted into T3. But not everyone converts very well - especically if you have Hashi's, or nutritional deficiencies, or low cortisol.
I'm on T4 (300mg) and T3 (20mg) and still gaining weight 
I agree with this.
I have lost half a stone since starting this .
Unfortunately I need to put weight on .
Pp
I was given T3 and it has made absolutely no difference to my weight at all. It's all around my middle... arms and legs are still as skinny as they were before and I look like the guy from Despicable Me! Now... where's me minions??? 
Hi Zephyrber
I read that fat around the middle is caused by high cortisol cause by high sugar in the diet i.e. carbs
Sounds like that may be adrenal issues to me. Skinny arms and legs with chubb in the middle is related to stress hormones. Try an adaptogen like Gynostemma pentaphyllum, also called jiaogulan to balance things out.
According to WebMD one of the side effects listed includes:
'“Auto-immune diseases” such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions: Jiaogulan might cause the immune system to become more active. This could increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases. If you have an auto-immune condition, it’s best to avoid using jiaogulan until more is known.'
webmd.com/vitamins-suppleme...
I have Hashimoto's so or the time being at least I shall probably take a rain check on your suggestion, it's hard enough controlling this disease as it is...
In addition, my last cortisol test (May this year) did not flag up any anomaly.
I have Hashimotos as well and understand the Th1, Th2 balance thing. I can't take liquorice for example but the tea has been great for me.
Hi How the tea help you? Please tell me which on? I ve read that green tea is not good for Hashimoto. I have very high antibody and cannot get it down to normal. one doctor told me auto immune is dangereous and can attack other part of your organs. Do you take anything to lower your autoimmune?
I sympathise, my weight gain is exactly distributed like yours. I was thinking about trying T3 as other people say it has helped them loose weight, so its disappointing that you havn't. Have you tried the armoire natural thyroid?
No, because the T3/T4 has worked well for me, apart from the weight thing, up until now, so I've not been tempted to try anything else. Besides, I get the T3/T4 free on the NHS, whereas I would have to pay for any NDT and I simply cannot afford that.
Where abouts are u in uk to have an endo prescribe t3/t4 combo??? I can't find anyone that prescribes r3 and I am really suffering
I'm in mid-Wales, but my endo was in Shrewsbury and he put me on the T3/T4 combo in 2010. Unfortunately, he has now retired and his replacement does not fill me with any confidence whatsoever...
I went gluten-free (who even LIKES that word!?!) 4 weeks ago. I have lost 12 pounds and 2 pant sizes! I had no idea I had Hashimoto's. :/
Endo eventually said gastric band or bypass!!! Neither thanks 😝
The first month I lost a couple of pounds, living on a totally fruit and vegetable diet (plus eggs and protein powder) but then, on the same diet, began to slowly gain. I was on 1,200 calories a day and still gaining weight.
MMG207 -that would be the sugar in the fruit causing spikes of insulin which causes weight gain round the middle so I understand.
I still have a weight problem (ever since being diagnosed with hypothyroidism -45years of slimness before that) am well medicated on a NDT (that is Ft4 & Ft3 near top of ranges) -am going on the low carb plan -diabetes uk have a good forum of users with lots of suggestions for meals etc My weight is all round my middle (not good at all!!) and although am not diabetic if I don't do something about this wretched weight am pretty sure I'll end up that way!! Am walking 5 miles a day -makes no difference. Dr Peatfield said years ago low carbs in his book just didn't want to do it!! Lol...so am sure this is a life plan not just a few months/ year. At least am allowed the odd glass of wine!! Would rather this then further health deterioration though!!
But my hashimotos symptoms included massive weight loss so I was relieved to have some weight back on! Am now probably back to a normal weight for me.
I seemed to be growing larger by the day into a balloon! Only lost the weight when I went on to NDT
I stayed the same but despite reducing calorie intake to under 1200 calories per day and increasing exercise the weight does not shift
I have exactly the same problem and nobody believes that you are really trying! They just don't believe you when you tell them how little you eat and how much you exercise.
I put a couple of stone before being told I had a "grossly underactive thyroid". Levothyroxine and various diets have not made any difference. Has anyone successfully lost weight?
not so much weight as fat I was fatty and lethargic before being diagnosed but since getting to the right level of thyroxine have lost quite a lot of fat starting losing it from the face down
Yes, I did lose weight, but I can't tell you how and don't think it had anything to do with diet or exercise. On Levo I go up and down, just as I did before taking it, and, like so many of you diets don't make any difference.
3 stone weight gain in 2 years!!! I want it gone!
Hi
I was diagnosed with over active thyroid ten years ago I felt that unwell I ended up having radio active iodine to kill my thyroid off. I went from over active to under active and in twelve months gained three stones like you and can't get rid of it. The doctors don't seem to care about the weight gain. I still have the same symptoms I.e. fatigue, irritable, always feel cold and bad depression, I am currently on 100mg Levothyroxine, I asked seven weeks ago if they would change my medication but to date not heard anything!
A friend of mine also has an under active thyroid and lived in America for a while their doctors treat you more seriously than here (not difficult) she takes T3 but had to insist that the doctor in the UK prescribe it for her, the good news is she is like a stick insect. So I am going to give it a try, it comes to something when you have to prescribe yourself. Gwendoline
I'm due for annual check and I've put on even more weight. Nurse is very condescending says if you eat less you'll lose weight. Just keep putting it on very fed up with it they won't increase levothyroxine as 200 a day is very high but I'm big and I was on that years ago when I wasn't fat
Try anther doctor - from what I understand 200 a day is by no means high. My doc has me on 150 and says we can go all the way to 600 if needs be.
Mine says increasing it can make me go hyper but my tsh is over 3 so I don't agree. My blood pressure high though although it might be because I find visiting doctor very stressful
Hi my tsh is only just on the ok margin the lowest it can be for them to say the levo is working I am on 100 a day and still exhausted sleeping up to 20 hours a day but doctor won't increase the dose, surely if I took more it would help as the margin for the lowest & highest is a lot of difference isn't it?
I go for a walk every day about 5000 steps I know I should do more tho. All nurses see is lazy and greedy and now that's how I feel
Same as ,and am sick to the back teeth of being made to feel I do t do anything to help myself
When I was hyperthyroid I was soooo skinny..I remember saying' I would rather be fat and healthy' Guess what? I'm fat and still unhealthy. I'm Hashi and underactive since Radioactive Iodine to correct my hyperthyroid state!
I was slim for years before I had s thyroidectomy but the doctors didn't know me then so they won't know that I've not always been so big . They don't care. I eat healthy and am trying to eat clean (no ready meals even low fat ones which I used to eat s lot. Only had one pizza in months I am trying)
Ditto 😤😤 now I would rather be so skinny
Oh Thyroidmeg, that is horrid, nurse should try a year in your body!
It's not impossible to control your weight to a degree but there should be much more help with this. I enjoy exercise but gym memberships are expensive and weather conditions aren't great unless you're a dedicated runner.
Whenever I get the urge to exercise.. I just lay down until it passes.
😂 me too
Redscorpian, that might be true for you personally but it's definitely not true for others. In the old days I used to teach Yoga, play squash three times a week, tennis every day (including Christmas day!), walk a lot while working and raising 3 children alone. All that on a very controlled diet, I gave up all forms of sugar other than fruit-sugar at 16, counted carbs and calories, ate barely any fat, never snack between meals and I am vegan, vegans tend to be around 8lb lighter than average.
Suddenly and unpredictably, after maybe two or three years I would lose weight for no apparent reason, and could stay slim for years, then swing the other way again. I haven't lost the weight for about 3 years now and think that might not happen any more, but I really would like everyone to know that controlled eating and exercise does not solve the problem for everyone and it would be much kinder if we all gave people struggling with excess fat and the low self esteem that comes with it the understanding and respect they deserve.
I'm obviously talking for myself and not sure why you're implying I'm unsympathetic to anyone. From what I've read in here though it's different for everyone so your experience is yours personally too.
I've never been on Levo but I put on almost 5 stone in just over a year when I realised something was wrong. I managed to lose 2 stone with the addition of Lugol's iodine to my diet (with Dr Brownstein's companion nutrients like selenium etc). The weight came off at .4lbs every day pretty much until I got some bad news and it stalled. I went on to NDT a few months later and have pretty much stayed the same weight although I have now lost the puffy face which is great.
Hi, what's Lugol's iodine? and what is Dr Brownstein's nutrients? Sounds interesting!
I'm not very good at explaining things really and iodine is controversial for people with Hashi's which I have but it has been brilliant for me. Killed my brain fog dead as well as a golf ball sized breast lump! Lugol's is the form that I take and prefer. Dr Brownstein recommends certain vitamins and minerals to go with taking iodine to get the best results eg: selenium is very important. You can read about how important it is here: breastcancerchoices.org/iod... and also: jcrows.com/iodine.html and Dr Brownstein here: drbrownstein.com/Default.asp. 😄
Please be careful with Lugol's iodine, for some people it is really bad so it's worth researching fully.
I put on weight but had been putting weight on before the thyroxine so I'm not convinced that it was the Thyroxine that caused it
I have not felt normal since I have been taking it, and I'm gaining so much weight no matter what I do. UGH!!!!
There's plenty that can be done regarding loosing weight through nutrition assuming your medicated to the right dose
I limit my calories, am very active, and I struggle constantly with my weight. My gp recently lowered my dose of thyroxine as my results were too high (even though I felt fine) and surprise surprise I've gained another 7lbs in a fortnight. I give up.
I put on 2 stone but not immediately - only about 4 or 5 years later and as it coincided with the menopause I put it down to that. Then I put more weight on after I became more ill and was diagnosed with ME/CFS. After about 17 years I began to take T3 only and slowly the weight came off over around the next 2 years.
Hi Agapanthus
What dose do you take of the T3 and do you get it via your doctor and do you take it on its own or with Levothyroxine as well.
Regards
Gwendoline
Hello Gwendoline,
I take around 55mcg of T3 at the moment (I sometimes vary it a little), split into 3 doses of 20/20/15 I do not take it with Thyroxine, though I have had a few attempts to add a little Thyroxine back in with it, (while reducing the T3 ), but didn't feel it was helpful so I stopped.
I do get it via my GP but I did see an endo first who approved it much to my amazement. I had started with just 20 mcg T3 added to 75 mcg T4, with the endo, but felt worse! He was about to discharge me, when I asked him by email if he would consider me using T3 only (he was very against NDT) and he agreed to the T3 only as long as my GP agreed, which she did. I live in fear of the CCG cutting it off of course.
Your reply to "did you put on weight after being put on levo" is very encouraging to me. I have not been officially diagnosed with hypothyroid however I have believed for many years (maybe after my sons birth so as many as 30) that something is not right with my body and possibly with my thyroid. I had hysterectomy aged 40 after many issues and my weight has ballooned despite real effort to decrease it and I have many of the symptoms of hypothyroidism and more. My TSH (the only test my gp will do) was done once last year and was 5.80 and once in May this year after me really badgering my gp and the result was 5.75. I have just asked my gp to test again and he refused saying that the lab will not do this as it states "normal", and it recommended retest in 3 years. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis last year and have put on so much weight I am now classed as morbidly obese. I was never a skinny Minnie but was always pretty fit. Now I can no longer go for walks or ride my bike as I have no cartlidge in my knees and ruptured Achilles making walking really painful. I cannot have knee replacements which are badly needed because of my weight and I am really so fed up with every health worker telling me that I need to lose weight and all my issues will stop when I have lost weight. I go around in circles with them all. Do they think I don't know I'm over weight? Have I not noticed? They tell me to eat sensibly and exercise. I could write a book on the diets I have been on...I got some T3 and was going to self medicate but have been really scared of taking it in case I feel no better and my weight does not reduce. I am so please to hear that there is hope with taking t3 and that it has worked for you. It is very encouraging. Thank you. Gentle hugs Joolz.x
Since starting on levo in August I went from 9st 4lbs to 8st 9lbs and have stayed at this so far. Not sure if it was taking levo that helped or whether it was a gluten free diet. I now eat only good stuff and hardly any alcohol. Fingers crossed this won't change 😕
I Have only been on levo for a few weeks but have lost 8pounds of weight, at the same time I adopted the paloe approach to food by sara ballantyne, feel it is too early to know where my weight will end up. Big but, I cannot afford to put weight on as I have recently undergone bowel surgery to repair a perforated bowel, and even more recently an operation to repair a large incisional hernia, have around 72 sq inches of mesh holding my abdomen together.
It is crucial that I do not put on too much weight. Thank you for posting about weight it has made me take this into consideration, back to doctors this Friday to discuss my future treatment.
Go and talk to your doctor. If GP won't prescribe ask to be sent to see endo. They will try and baffle you with science as don't really want to prescribe it in my experience. Keep a food diary. When you ask why is it that I am eating less than a 1000 calories a day and still putting weight on. Only logical explanation either under medicated or don't metabolise T4.
I must be a medical marvel. I've gone from extremely hypo with almost no T4 or T3 in my system and TSH over 100, to fully suppressed TSH and high T4 and T3 taking first levo, and now a combination of levo and T3, and my weight has been essentially constant the whole time. Never gained or lost weight. Had every other symptom under the sun but no weight change.
Good. I put up with it for five yrs before taking combi. Took combi for a yr but felt could still improve then went for it. Total T3 no looking back. I wish you all very best and if I can be of any help please contact me.
How did you manage to start the transition, I stopped levo two years ago and have been on NDT ever since, but still don't feel 100% on just that
Thank you in advance
Did you have swollen glands . I am on cytomile only for the last four weeks feeling a lot better, but have swollen glands under chin and under ears. Just hoping they will go down soon . Worried.
Hi armed,
I'm on levothyroxine 200mg aday and b12 jabs every 12wks and have never heard of t3 or t4 n I've got worse to be honest n although my bloodtests come bk fine on the right dose but I don't feel ok so thankyou for info like this as no advice at all really so appreciate all help xx
Hi Airmed
Can I ask what make of T3 you take and sorry to ask to repeat your transition from one to the other. I've been on Thyroxine ten years and the last two years felt really ill I've been advised and received a lot of help since joining this forum mid November 2015 (so a newbie).
I put three stone on in weight went from a size 10 to a 16 and hate the extra weight, so please will you help me. Thank you😟
Hi how can I get t3 please as am on Levo and struggling after 10 yrs of being ok
Before I was diagnosed I put on 35Ibs. At least 21Ibs of that was in a matter of weeks at the end of last year. Started levo and lost 21Ibs in a matter of weeks. I think my body must have been craving thyroid hormones! I thought I was back to normal. BUT it then reversed and I gained 14Ibs again. I don't think synthetic t4 works with the feedback loop we have. How could I be losing the extra thyroid dysfunction weight and then pile it all on again whilst taking the same medicine? I now eat clean and exercise a lot but cannot shift a pound of weight. I know of people who don't have thyroid problems and can shift half a stone just by giving up fizzy drinks, so I think levo puts us at a disadvantage for staying fit and a healthy weight. I think my weight responded initially because I was starved but in the long run it's not helping any of my hypo symptoms or weight management, including terrible brain fog and losing words and desperately forcing myself to stay awake.
Sorry - meant to say I went back to pre-hypo weight.
Yep over 4 stone in 6 years, I became malnourished and very ill as I was eating so little and still gaining weight. The malnourishment was overcome by going gluten free and the weight stabilised, am now on ndt and it's going down for the first time in over 10 years.
T3 doesn't work for everyone so please don't think it's a wonder drug. The endocrine system is complex, not that NHS GPs or Endoknobs know that.
Nice to see some light banter endoknobs 😂
Been reading all the posts on weight probs and was feeling quite fed up and fat till I saw yours and your comment Endoknobs!! It gave me a good laugh, thanks. I feel totally confused at times or is that the brain fog!! I am on Levo 75mcg but any stress and symptoms start up. I was wondering if T3 was the answer.
At first on levo I remained slightly over weight. I then lost about half stone when the TPO antibodies attacked!! Since going GF my weight has been pretty steady, would still like to lose half stone. I think ensuring you have good vitamin and mineral levels is important and I also try to walk 10,000 steps per day, don't always manage that though. I have never counted calories but do try to watch portion size and stay off the chocs, they are my real weakness because I can't eat a lot of specially made GF foods as they have eggs in which I also have to avoid!!
I was once told by a doc to eat less and exercise more. I made sure I never saw her again, she was just so judgemental without of course taking note of the symptoms I told her about. I suspect my thyroid was already failing, as up to then I had maintained a healthy weight.
Hi, I think you should see GP ask for T3 if not ask for referral to endo. It's worth a try if after all here years you are still not well. My GP and endo have now accepted that whilst my bloods are abnormal I am well. I really wish you luck and hope you feel better soon.
Mrs44mac that they have the weekend off because the doctor didn't believe we said around all day then nothing but eat
It wasn't that easy. GP wouldn't prescribe went to endo and wanted NDT. She wasn't having any of that but offered a very small dose of T3 as a compromise. As I felt better it made sense to me to increase dose. Fortunately my GP was very supportive after being prescribed T3 by endo and eventually I changed to T3 only.
Weight has crept up over 4+years since being diagnosed, but not drastically, regardless of whether on levo or NDT.
It's easy to tell oneself that you can't lose weight because of Hashi's & hypo, so you give up trying. Weight has always been a problem anyway.
I put on five stone in as many months whilst going to slimming world. I had got to target and then suddenly started to gain weight, this was the main reason I went to see my doctor. Was diagnosed with uat and put on levo in July. Since starting I have managed to lose 7lbs but it is a struggle.
Have no experience with NDT. But for every step increase , 10 mcg of T3, I would drop 25 mcg of T4 at least five days before. Stay on that dose for 6 weeks have blood test, doctor stipulated not me. Then drop 25 mcg T4 for five days increase T3 by 5 mcg then two more days increase another 5mcgs. It worked for me thankfully.
Im not sure have been taking it for 2 years but have noticed that i have put on quiet a bit of weight but i have been going to the gym and eating healthy gone to the doctor and told her that i am putting on weight and she told me i could see someone about my diet but i have under active thyroid which makes you gain weight that was how i knew things were not right in the beginning i found that my weight was stable for some time but things have now changed would be nice if they was a place to go and talk to a specialist my blood test have come back clear but i am so tired and dont want to be as fat as a house
Yes I did and I cannot shift it over three stone
Struggled for years on T4. Even found myself enrolled in a narcolepsy study!
Eventually lost a lot of weight and keeping it off. Still heavier than I would like but much improved.
Changes made:
15 liothyronine 75 thyroxine in the morning 1 hour before food.
15 liothyronine at 3 pm
B12 before bed (changing this as new tablets cause nightmares) I have increased my B12 dosage and felt huge benefits.
After intolerance testing cut out sugar and dairy and eat very limited gluten. Found gluten affects my memory.
Kept it brief but just wanted to share my experience. Hope it lasts. Know what it's like to constantly struggle with thyroid effects. Wish you all well.
I think this may be true for some people, although I think that ME (or CFS as the NHS like to call it) is more complex than is sometimes conveyed on thyroid forums. I don't think it's all about the thyroid for everyone.
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism many years before I was diagnosed with CFS/ME, and while I think that being on T4 only long term did not help matters, I have tried to put it right over the past few years by using T3 only and treating the adrenals most recently with Pregnenolone, but I still have other symptoms that I relate to ME that do not go away (e.g. I am constantly fighting viruses, and have a chronic stomach pain issue that is labelled Non Ulcer Dyspepsia, and have reduced stamina).
BEEN TRYING FOR 12 YRS FED UP TO BE HONEST
Hi Dwlwog. Me too. ~Been trying to lose weight since my son was born 30 years ago and instead of losing it it goes the other way especially in the last 3 years. I get fed up with health professionals telling me to eat less and exercise more even when they haven't asked what I eat or do. Every dietician I have seen doesnt know what to suggest and one even told me that dieting has made me bigger because of metabolism slow down. My GP sent me to "obesity clinic" who are less than helpful, are no support and all they are interested in is bariatric surgery which you have to lose weight to be put forward for. No help at all. All I get is depressed by it. Joolz.x
I have never been instructed when the best time of day to take Thyroxin(125mg)daily.my weight shot up and took me 7 years before I got help with my weight, a 2000 calorie diet benefits me to no ends cut out sugars and write everything down on your sheet and attended nurse every few weeks for weigh-in, still abit overweight but I see it gradually coming off. Thanks to the nurses who took time to look after me.
i dont care what any one says, I have spoken to lots of peeps of different ages and all say the same they have put more weight on!
I found going to Slimming World enabled me to lose weight and as long as I continued to eat more and the right food I was able to keep the same weight .
However this year I have put weight on but that is due to another illness and being on steroids
I wrote a reply earlier, about 2mins ago and I don't know where it went!!!! So I'll start again and apologies if it pops up somewhere.......I was saying that when I went from hypo to hyper you all said not to cut down on my Levo as my gp wanted, as it was likely that it could swing back to hypo again!!! I was actually losing weight at last, even had body hair growing again, and feeling great so I stayed on 125mcg and in the end I lost 12kg, in a few weeks, but I started to get a lot of palpitations, so I cut down to 100mcg and was still losing weight until about 5 days ago, when I started not feeling so good, feeling sluggish and headache, which I've still got. I thought that I may be coming down with a cold!! But that hasn't happened, so I'm thinking maybe my thyroid as dipped again, so I'm back up to my 125mcg again as I'm not getting the palpitations now either. Which certainly, if it has dropped then that would prove that the weight gain/loss would be to do with my thyroid playing up and the Levo amount I take. I'm seeing my gp next week and will ask her my last results of thyroid test and see if she wants to test me again and I'll post the results either way!!
I did not bother with it, I know many people on it, all have gained weight and lost even more hair, those that switch to desiccated thyroid preparations, lose weight and gain hair, usually having got their iron, b and D up to scratch first, it clearly is not a medication, it appears to be something given to people that hardly works, and then leads those patients to need other medications. Shame on you medical regulators, BMA and anybody associated with training our GP's and consultants. big pharma and the medical profession are best friends...
Hi, I have only lost about half of the weight I put on before I was diagnosed. I have been on the medication for about 6 years now and the weight came off so slowly. I went from a size 8-10 to a 16-18 I am now a 12-14. The bigger size is my top half as I have always needed bigger tops than bottoms.
Does anyone else still sleep all day even though they are on the medication?
Some days I sleep 20 hours. I fall asleep while doing things too, drinking a coffee, knitting, reading. I have broken 6 laptops in the past 3 maybe 4 years through falling asleep with a coffee and pouring it all over them.
try taping some thin plastic film over the whole of the top - keyboard, pad etc. It needs to be flexible enough to be able to press the keys through whilst remaining thick enough to be water resistant. Though it might look unsightly the coffee should then run off instead of into. Watch out for any holes though and reapply as necessary.
Working full time i go for a walk most lunchtimes but after work it's too tiring to think about exercise. Libido gone too along with any desire to go to social events. Its like a brick wall just love my bed now after work , I'm fine at work all day but then I get exhausted
I got a Nutribullet a couple of weeks ago and use it each lunchtime. That is making my weight come down.
Can I ask what t3 is as I'm just on levothyroxine 200mg x
I'm on 200mg levothyroxine aday,been on it for a about 4yrs n have b12 injections every 3 months,but weight up have problems with my throat n swallowing,losing my voice n awaiting appt for speech n therapy n my hair,nails crap basically so wud love advice plz n what is t3?
I was diagnosed shortly after gaining 2 dress sizes in about three months and falling asleep anywhere and everywhere, in my dinner plate, standing behind the counter in my shop, sitting in the waiting room at the surgery was the best, Dr had to come and wake me up!
I have tried all kinds of diets, some seemed to work for a while, then I began gaining again. I have looked back over my records for the past 26 years and noticed that I lost weight when my TSH was very suppressed and gained as soon as the docs got me back to 'normal'.
Having said that, I did notice that as soon as I began levo treatment my weight actually shot up a lot, 5 stone in 6 months.
I began combined T4/T3 earlier this year and finally noticed this week that I have actually lost half a stone after being the same weight for 2 years. I had previously lost nine and a half stone with the help of dietitians and a calorie count of 2000. I was eating between 1200 -1500 previously and still gaining!
I am seeing my endo in two weeks time and will be asking for an increase of T3.
I was diagnosed with low thyroid at the same time as diabetes type 2. I lost 2 stone in a year when on levothyroxine and Metformin (for diabetes). In the two years since I've put on less than half a stone though the levothyroxine has increased from 50 much to 75 mcg. I am now at the target weight the dietician set when first diagnosed so there is less incentive to lose the few pounds gained!
Been wondering the same, I am one of those.
I have gained 10 pounds since being on Levothyroxine. I go to the gym 3 days a week and cannot take off any weight all.
I had actually put on weight before being diagnosed and then found it virtually impossible to lose any.
Yes put on weight. And could anyone explain what T3 is please?.
It is the hormone levo (t4) is converted into, so it's sort of a more immediate version. Helped me a lot w bloating.
Was a consistent 9 1/2 stone fora lot ofyears. Diagnosed in 2010 with hypothyroidism and then weight gradually crept on now sitting at just over 11 stone. I try to eat healthy don't drink/smoke and work part time and can't lose an oz! Have the hair loss outer edges of eyebrows gone and have the aches and pains. Currently on 100mg of levothyroxine. Would love to try alternative medicine!
I put on 2 stone. I'm very active and eat well. Just so you know, I have very slim toes! snicker snicker....
Yes also upset stomach and bloating!
Yes I have put on weight with levothyroxine . I have also now got Peripheral neuropathy which I think is connected with my being UAT.
I feel I must comment as I am in a minority group. I was in a loosing period anyway due to lifestyle changes and this continued once I was started on levothyroxine. Lost 5st altogether. However, I did have overly high TSH for some years ( I now discover) before the Dr decided to acknowledge I had a thyroid problem and after approx 2 years on levo, I did start to gain weight again and am now back where I started. I know now that my adrenals need support and perhaps it was a gradual decline in my adrenal function due to the thyroxine, which turned the weight lost into weight gained again. I have just gone through a phase of having to keep increasing the thyroxine dose as my TSH kept going up, again perhaps because of the continued decline in my adrenal function or some other factor ; RT3 or something? Just theorising mind, no research to back this up.
On Levo:
I only lost a few pounds (perhaps half a stone) through vigorous exercise several times a week. I can't maintain that any longer because of ageing and being diagnosed with Osteo-arthritis, so finding a gentler exercise regime.
Have always watched what I eat so much so the kids call me a health freak, although I have the occasional treat as this is my life after all. Don't drink much at all or snack.
Yet beginning to gain the pounds again. So depressing
Before starting on levothyroxine I went from a size 10 to 16 I'm now a 12-14 but have started slimming world which has helped. Pre levothyroxine no diet worked!
I cant get the weight off either, constant excercise does it as in swimming for me but how can you fit that in working full time as well as having other health conditions. Now I dont know if my meds are working properly for my thyroid. I take NDT I grain each morning but I dont feel right, I have fibromyalgia as well. Im tired all of the time
I'm on T3 , I have put on 7stone now eating less than I did when I was a size 10 , it gets very disheartening when your trying so hard , I'm sure the doctor thinks I eat chocolate all day 😔
Ive picked other. I lost weight on Levo but as I was only 8 stone to begin with this was not good, I went down to 7st 2oz. I have put on weight on NDT and am now a healthy 10 stone. I know Im not typical though
Lost weight. About 1st. Guess that was down to water retention and dysfunctional metabolism.
I put over 2 stone on after going on Levo, weight increasing with each increase. It's like banging your head on a brick wall needing surgery for other conditions and being told that I need to lose weight. Eventually because of increasing sweating episodes which cause palpitations, raised blood pressure, uncontrollable urge to urinate & fatigue, several times an hour I was referred to an endo. (I'm 4yrs post thyroid cancer on 175 /200 alternate days).
Because my TSH is still not suppressed he was going to increase the Levo again and I burst into tears, telling him that I have never felt so ill as I have since being prescribed Levo, and whilst I know I need it I felt so much better when on Liothyronine while awaiting radioative iodine. This man listened to me and instead of increasing the Levo has added Liothyronine 10mcg, with room for increase if need be. Nuclear Meds endorsed this change last week. A month on I feel slightly better and have already begun to lose weight.
I'm not any where near right yet but small steps......
I had a TT in 2007 and i have gained 6 stone ,I eat healthy and do alot of walking but don't lose any wieght .Also in the 8yrs i have never been on the same dose of LEVO a year at a time .They have constantly changed my dose .Before i joint this site i said nothing because i did not know any better did not know that i had the right to say anything about my care.And top and bottom of it was that i trusted them .I know better now and have the courage to stand my ground .
Yes I'v put on approx. 2 stone and I just can't get it off, feeling very depressed, as I eat fairly healthy and I am always on a diet.
I Gained weight before I was diagnosed but the kind of weight I gained on levo started just below my breasts I looked like I was 6 months pregnant I gained 3 stone. I'm now on t3 only and back down to my original weight before I got ill and feeling better then I have in years
Yea because I had lost muscle mass. I always do if under.
I do not naturally carry much fat.
I feel this is what happens to us, muscles weaken and so less exercise and then put on weight; however I just don't naturally do so.
Low thyroxine lowers ability to absorb abd process protein and fat so get it right and you start building your body up, but it might mean adding to what stores your body has tried to lay down.
The thing is I have lots of friends and colleagues with perfect thyroid levels (I've asked if they're trested) who are over weight.
It's not just reliant on thyroid. It can be so many factors, even your gut bacteria range!
My fitness pal app helps you to work out calories in verses calories out - it can be quite hard to actually loose weight.
Many recommend the 5:2 diet as it triggers a natural system of healthy weight loss.
Between the ages of 18 to 63 I gained half a stone, i.e from 7 st 7ib to 8 st. (I'm only 5 ft tall). After developing hyperthyroidism my weight dropped to 6 st 7 lb. After radium treatment, 3 years ago, I was put on Levo and went up a size every couple of months until I now weigh over 10 stone, I have stopped gaining (fingers crossed) but I can't lose any. Most of it is on my tummy and I'm bigger there now than when I was pregnant. In fact I have had to buy maternity tops and smocks to get them over my "bump". My GP just says everybody, including himself, puts on weight as they get older and I should just eat less! How come I managed to stay slim when I was eating more, up until my mid sixties? Rapid weight gain - Levo - coincidence, I don't think so.
I found a couple of articles on the internet about Levo and weight gain, so I printed them off and left them with him to read, though he probably won't.
If anyone's internested they are:
I only lost weight (stone) as I now eat a healthy diet or try too.
Been so long ago that I started med but don't think ive ever put on weight much with either T4, T4 & T3 combination or T3 as I am now.
Hi everyone, my pituitary gland doesnt work so therefore neither does my thyroid, My biggest problem aprt from weight gain is tiredness, i feel shattered when i get up in the morning. Life is one hard slog. did you get t3 from your gp or consultant at the hospital. Im on lots of medication, levo, hydrocortisone etc and feel worse than before i started taking them, the dr says stopping them isnt an option and my bloods always come back ok so why do i feel like this, did you ask to be put on t3 Thanks June x
Greeneyes, Levothyroxine has caused my weight gain. After having a sub-total thyroidectomy for Graves in 1978, I was then left untreated for 19 years. During that time I only put on a minimal amount of weight, 1 stone which I put on three weeks after having the op., going from 8.5 to 9.5 stone. I did not put on more weight until I started on Levothyroxine in 1997 and have since put on 2.5 stone while on Norton Levothyroxine and Goldshield Eltroxin, but since being changed to generic Levothyroxine in 2010 I have put on another stone.
Hi
What 's the different between eltroxin and levothyroxine?
Regards
"Eltroxin" is a brand name for levothyroxine. The brand name is currently used by at least three companies around the world. Each company has their own formulation and all three are different.
At present, MercuryPharma produce one levothyroxine product in three dosages (25, 50 and 100 micrograms). In the UK it is labelled as Mercury Pharma Levothyroxine.
In the Republic of Ireland it is labelled as Mercury Pharma Eltroxin.
Thanks, i'll start with my GP. i'm willing to try anything xx
Gained two stone on levothyroxine. Became overmedicated - reduced dose lost 10 pounds and antibodies came down as did my cholesterol. Also stopped Bloating and holding water on lower dose. Gone hypo again - upped the levothyroxine dose again - weight up already.
Wow, how awful. Can you try t3? I was also v bloated on levo alone, and even now (on t3 and t4 combo) I know when my dose is suboptimal when I start to feel/look puffy. T3 sorted out my water weight as well as constipation.
Yes almost 3stone and can't loose it whatever I do!
Ive been taking Levolthyroxine 150mg a day for over ten years now. My doctor just takes a blood test it use to be every 6 months hes now doing it once a year and sends to the hospital and they just send reply to him and i just get a phone call to say if things have changed only once did things change when i went from under active thyroid to over active thyroid. then back to under again. I dont know my t3 or t4 that your all talking about. Nothing has changed other than the weight i put on. I would like to feel better but i dont think doctors have times for people with a number of medical conditions.
Now I'm on 2 grains Armour together with 100mcg Thyroxine I've been trying to stick to healthy eating and going to SW for last 8 weeks. After 18 years finally managed to shift over a stone and feeling so much better for it. Also trying to go wheat free which I think has made a big difference.
It has occurred to me that a lot of people are diagnosed when they quit smoking, so they're possibly dealing with a complex combination of biological and behavioural changes. Just a thought. (If it matters I have never felt well on levo alone, it left me bloated all over and constipated.)
I lost 2 stone over 4 months when I started on Levo, I was quite unwell and slept most of that time weight just fell off me. Now stable and take 100mcg Levo and 12.5 mcg T3 split twice a day. Well most of the time buttering the winter my symptoms tend to return.
blimey, that's interesting!
after 11yrs changed by force to Armour no change of diet but lost weight
live in uk and they wont test for or supply T3
they will if you find the right gp/endo combination. If you can't get any help from your current gp then shop around, that's what I had to do (took me 10 years to find one who actually listened)
Once stabilised a good exercise routine and a good (not perfect) diet worked a treat for me.
T3 has definitely given me more functional energy, but I take 75mcg a day (split dose) and the only difference with my weight is that it seems to have stablized. I wonder if taking more might help with weight, but I'm on a high dose as it is, and my GP is not helpful so I don't want to push my luck!
I certainly banged the weight on..is it going to get worse or is there hope for us hypo sufferers.
How can this be? It's just not logical to me.
The survey shows the majority put on weight when prescribed levothyroxine (66%)
Hypothyroid state = slow metabolism=weight gain
Levothyroxine treatment = normal metabolism = constant weight (given constant diet and exercise)
So, the opposite should happen with treatment, weight loss until body has reached it's normal weight for the individual's lifestyle and diet, then constant weight.
Well, here is my two cents worth. I think the secret is in the level of T3 in your system. If you are a feeble converter of T4 to T3 then you need to load up on T4 to produce a level of T3 which is going to speed up your metabolism enough to burn off the fat. If you cannot convert T4 to T3 at all then you must take T3 directly. I believe body builders use this technique to lose weight - but I have not researched that too deeply.
The things you should look out for is your pulse rate, cut back if your pulse starts racing. Also monitor your body temperature it should be a "normal" 98.6 or 98.4 digs F. If you are lower than this then continue to increase your T3 intake. Now, there is one snag, watch your blood pressure! Cut back the T3 dose if your BP goes too high - and unfortunately taking BP medication will not fix this problem because BP meds interfere with thyroid meds, making the latter not so effective. It is a complex balance.
This is from my own personal experience by the way, I am not a medic.
I HAVE PUT ON 2 STONE
after15years of being on levothyroxine, I have gained 4stone ,and despite many efforts to diet I cant shift any of it .........
Yes 2 stone
I believe I can trace Hashi symptons over the last 25 years but have only been diagnosed and medicated with Levo for the last 3yrs. I was always tiny and back in the early years would lose weight at the slightest sign of stress. As the years have gone on I found that I would put on weight for no reason and then stay the same for ages, sometimes a year or so. When I had my daughter, I only lost her birth weight (7lb), the rest would not shift. The same with my son. I would still find that stress made me lose a bit, stay the same for a while and then suddenly gain. Over the years I have gone from 7.5 stone to 14 stone. The last two stone since going onto Levo. I was under medicated for most of the last 3 years and since increasing the levo I have found that I have lost about a stone in the last 9 months without eating any differently but don't seem to lose any due to stress anymore. I've also read that B12 deficiency can make you lose weight and I have just been diagnosed with Pernicious Anaemia so not sure if its the increase in levo or the PA that has caused the weight loss as they both happened about the same time. Last couple of months the weight has been stable, no loss, no gain.
No, I had been putting on weight prior to being diagnosed but taking levothyroxine stopped the weight gain. Didn't help me lose weight but I never put any more on.
I'm now on 175mcg of thyroxine in & each time I have an increase I gain more weight. I'm considering stopping my medication just to see if the weight comes down.
Yes I have and as the lady mrs44mac says ....how do I get it off
And I felt terrible, I started on 100mcg's and went up to 200mcg's
Yes ever since the Dr put me up to 200mg I have put on 2 stone really. And I exercise and eat a pretty good balanced diet, what is going on. I can relate to your problem. Good luck..
Since being diagnosed 6 yrs ago with hypothyroidism I've put on almost 2stone. I've tried everything. Started on Shake diet few months ago and I've finally lost 9 lbs. Been a struggle but getting there slowly.
I piled on weight whilst on T4 alone despite forcing myself to be active, lost it when switched to T3 despite having become less active, and piled it back on again on T4/T3 combo. I haven't felt much improved on any of them but, on the T3 alone, I found myself gradually improving. Then the endo put me on a reduced T3 combo because my T3 results were a bit high and I have gone back to square 1½!
This is why I'm glad I am not on levo. Unfortunately T3 gave me appalling migraines so I can't take that either. I am one big thyroid symptom but somehow it is totally evading my blood tests.
Can you please advise me what you can take to lose weight when you are on levothroxin Tablet
yes and cant get it off no matter what I do!! sorry for being naive, do I just ask my GP to give me T3 instead of Levo. I have been on Levo for almost 10 years now since I was pregnant in 2004. Initially thought it was pregnancy related but was told by GP that its for life in 2006, since then have been fluctuating between 50 and 100mcg, now a constant at 75mcg for last 4 years. any help or pointers to gain more knowledge / options before talking to GP would be great. thanks
Yes, loads. Then went onto a very low cal diet and still didn't loose weight. Did with T3 and normal healthy diet.
my weight gain was slow at first but after i hit 40 it gained very easily 😔
Approximately 10kg weight gain which included an enormous amout of fluid retention after commencing on L-Thyroxine. I am now on an additional 10 mcg of T3 (previously 20 mcg ) however, no weight loss with that.
