Weight gain

[Peggy]

Does levthyroxine make you put on weight

[galathea]

It shouldn't do but not having sufficient thyroid hormone can make you put on weight. So, effectively, not enough levothyroxine, or being unable to process the levothyroxine could mean you gain weight.

G x

[emma1990]

I go to fitness classes and gym 5 days a week, eat healthy and i've only lost 4 pounds since i started them in March! Nightmare....

[teacherspet]

There have been case studies published which show that you can gain weight when taking Levothyroxine.

Mayo Clinic has this list of symptoms and weight gain or loss are listed under less common when you scroll down.

mayoclinic.org/drugs-supple...

I think some of us have experienced weight gain but the GPs don't seem to recognize it. But weight is a simple equation of balancing calories in and calories out, according to one GP I saw. Then I should have lost weight when my calories in, stayed the same, but my calories out soared, as my activity level quadrupled when the Levo kicked in, but it didn't.

I have read that many people don't lose weight until they start taking T3 but as many can't get that, it will remain a problem.

[Peggy in reply to teacherspet]

Thank you for your reply I had been thinking this for some time

So what do you do if you need these drugs to keep you well but then risk becoming obese

[lovinggrandmother in reply to Peggy]

Hi Peggy, I to have put on 3 stone over 10 years and over all that time I have tried various ways to lose weight but nothing has worked. When I eventually managed to get my blood test results, I was recommended by this forum to ask for T3 and vitamin tests which I did. My friends on this site recommended my T3 and B12 was low so I went to GP but all he has done is lower my levothyroxin by 25 mg to 125 mg a day. Now I am really concerned that I will now put on even more weight. At present I go to Aqua Fit 3 times a week, gym one day a week and walk the neighbours dog 2 days a week. I am seeking diet advice from gym pros (council run) but, after doing the above regeme for over 3 months I haven't lost any of the weight so good luck. I hope your GP listens to you as mine just ignored me everytime I went on about hair loss and gaining weight.

[Donnanoble]

Hi Peggy, I too have put on weight with Levo, nearly a stone since in 10 months> I also have terrible hair loss but the GP and endo have dismissed me with no help, which is annoying when you are told to go back to your doctor if side affects are becoming a problem! I was 8 stone before the Levo! Will watch your post with interest.

[Peggy]

I have been wondering what would happen to my weight and general health if I stop taking the tablets

[TSH110 in reply to Peggy]

If it were me, Peggy, I would just pile on weight slump into overt hypothyroidism (hell beyond imagining), fall into a coma and die. I would try going gluten free and get all vitamin levels checked out. I forgot that about the same time as I made my changes (gluten free/ NDT) I was diagnosed with severe vit d deficiency and started on vit d3 supplements, so that must also have been significant.

If that does not work you could consider trying NDT, but it is the very devil to get an NHS doctor to prescribe it or monitor you if you self medicate.

[LoopyLuP]

Im also following your post with interest as i have put on over 2stone since starting Levo. and have felt no improvements since being on it, after going backwards and forward to the GP with numerous symptoms and them saying they were all "psychosomatic" i gave up and am am now going private to help. I will post up anything she says on my thyroid issues x

[Peggy]

Looking forward to this need so much advice

[TSH110]

I put on weight with untreated hypothyroidism and then more on levothyroxine till I was lugging 3.5 stone extra about which really got me down.

I went gluten free and started to loose the excess easily and very soon after (ie just days after going gluten free) switched gradually from Levo to ThyroidS (NDT) I have now lost 2.5 stone over 6 months which has made me feel a whole lot better. It has never been a struggle and my appetite is normal again.

I could not stop eating when I became really poorly with untreated hypo I used to feel like i would die if I did not eat and I remained totally unsatiated unless I ate 3 or 4 times what was a normal amount in one awful gluttonous sitting. I also craved highly calorific and unhealthy foods and used to feel as if I was going to pass out all the time. I was still pretty hungry on levo too.

I presume it was uncontrolled hypothyrodism that was at the root of the problem and the Levo was not working properly to fully control the symptoms for me.

Hope that helps

[Donnanoble]

Hi Peggy, sorry I can't help but after reading other's posts, I am going to cut out processed sugar from today and try to go gluten free too. These are the things I crave since going hypo and hope that if I cut them out it will help. Obviously fruit contains natural sugars but had to have something for breakfast or couldn't have managed the school run, so had a few grapes and a banana. Going to be a long day! Any advice others have on a good gluten free diet book would be helpful and a recommendation of a gluten free bread that isn't horrible would be nice.

Feel free to join me Peggy and we can try to beat the wobbles together!

[Peggy in reply to Donnanoble]

A few people have mentioned a gluten free diet but I have looked into this and everything is more expensive than normal food

Fine if you have the funds for this. I am living on a basic gov pension and with all other household bills this would not be possible to buy one sort of food for me and normal for my husband so I am at a loss what to do for the best

I am 74 years old not fit so repetitive movements is out

We eat very little these days and have no sweet treats

Yet still I cannot shift a pound

Thank you to all who have offered advice

[Mystory4u]

Hi Peggy,

I think if you can't go gluten free you might consider reducing your carbohydrates especially those that are based on wheat (gluten) and soy products and limit your potatoes to no more than one small to medium boiled jacket potatoe a day (per weight watchers style of diet). Cut out refined sugar and sweets and replace them with high fibre fruit such as an apple (preferably organic). If you can't manage this every day then try to follow it three days a week, for instance.

Walking is really good too. You can build up from 10 minutes to half an hour. The weight won't shift quickly but if you make sure you eat three meals a day and keep your calorie intake down (try joining one of those lifestyle diet groups where you count points - it really does help) you will get results. However you need to ensure you are on the right level of medication for your thyroid needs. Some older people join local walking groups that meet in a shopping mall and walk in secure air conditioned comfort with other regular group members and find that helpful for a variety if reasons. Also hydrotherapy or group exercises in heated pools with a trainer to follow - like those run by a local council pool - are excellent.

Perhaps ask your doctor for a referral to a dietician, I've found them very helpful. I work as a carer and I've found dieticians can help the people I care for to understand portion size and what foods to avoid according to their health issues. I know how hard it is to lose weight when you're taking thyroxine, I've out on four kilos recently but am attributing some of that to recovering from recent surgery and lack of exercise.

Good luck and try to stay positive and think of the things you can do... You deserve to have the support you need so don't be backward about coming forward and talking to people in your local community...

[Peggy]

Thank you for taking the time to reply and your suggestions

I will give this a try