Weight gain on Synthroid, what medication should I switch too?

[penguinqueen]

I have been taking 37.5 much synthroid (I started on levothyroxine but I got very tired very fast)for about 4 months and have gained almost 10 pounds. Before taking the medication I was at a stable weight and wasn't increasing nor decreasing. I eat healthy and play sports in school.

I asked my doctor to test my T3 levels, along with my T4 and TSH. My TSH levels came back still a bit too high, and my T3 and T4 results have not come in yet.

I'd like to switch medications and have been doing research on meds. I'm not sure what I should switch too. I heard that armour thyroid is good, and also naturethyroid. What are the differences between these ? Is anyone gaining weight when on these medications, or are they losing?

Thanks

[shaws Administrator]

You are a new members and no information is given on your Profile about your thyroid history.

Unexplained weight gain is a clinical symptom of hypothyroidism.

Whatever thyroid hormone we use it is sometimes difficult to lose weight as our dose(s) may be too low with the doctor relying upon the whereabouts of the TSH alone.

We start on low doses of levothyroxine (synthroid) and it is gradually increased until TSH is 1 or lower with FT3 and FT4 towards the upper part of the range and we feel well.

I would get a new blood test - always at the earliest, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose of Synthroid and the test and take afterwards. This procedure give us the best results.

You should also test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate as everything has to be optimum and we can be deficient in these.

Synthroid should be taken first thing on an empty stomach with one full glass of water and wait about an hour before eating. Food interferes with the uptake as does coffee.

[Jazzw]

37.5mcg is a very low dose. You probably don't need to be looking for an alternative medication at this point - you need an increase in the one you're taking!