weight loss/gain

[JESA200]

has anyone actually lost weight when meds are correct?

[shaws Administrator]

This link may be helpful:-

restartmed.com/levothyroxin...

[bobsmydog]

I haven't sorry.

Levothyroxine caused me to put on a lot of weight, went up from a size 12 to 16 and I still have this extra weight despite my bloods and symptoms being ok now on T4 and T3.

I have now accepted my new size and discovered lagenlook clothes!

[shaws Administrator]

We have to be on optimal thyroid hormones, i.e. so that TSH is 1 or below.

We also have to have Free T4 and Free T3 towards the upper part of the range but these are rarely tested.

These are past posts and most have the same complaint - levo and weight gain but probably not on an optimum dose.

[MrsRaven]

Yes. Initially on levo, I dropped from over eleven stone to nine and a half. But my go put me onto lyrica for my back and went up again. Later, i gained weight on a brand of levo that didnt suit me. Now I'm on T3/T4 my weight is back down to around 9st9lbs. It goes up when I get fluid retention, if my thyroid is a bit off.

[eeng]

For the first time since I have been diagnosed I have managed to lose almost 2 stone. I probably need to lose another 2 but it's progress. My doctor would say I am overmedicated (T4 only) but I adjust my dose so my heart rate stays around 60bpm, not lower. I refuse to adjust my dose by TSH (mine is very low).

I do Slimming World, where you are allowed to eat as much nutrient dense, lower calorie food as you want, but have to limit nutrient poor, calorie dense food, so I live on fruit, veg, lean meat, eggs, and have given up drinking alcohol (for now). It works for me and it's so encouraging seeing the pounds go down. I am also a bit competitive by nature so the group support and accountability work for me. I must say the whole 'Slimming Club' idea was very alien to me, but I made myself go there and I don't regret it. I have even had a couple of episodes where I have noticed myself weeing more than I would expect for the amount I had drunk, and then at the next weigh-in I had lost more than I expected. I suppose that is my body finally jettisoning some of the fluid us hypos get.

I take Vit B12 and Vit D to keep my levels healthy and am considering improving my iron/ferritin levels because last time I went to be a blood donor my drop of blood took ages to sink (but finally did). Those of you who have given blood will know what I mean.

[Annie007]

I have...very slowly, but then I’m not really trying, just being a bit more careful on portion control and snacking

I’ve lost 10lb since may and I’d like to shift about 7 more

I’ve been working on my ‘levels’ since Christmas, so it is a slow process but I think I’m just about there. Most importantly, I feel better in myself (mentally), happier 😊

[Lotika]

Whether I am on the correct dose of levo is a moot point, but I did have weight gain as part of my hypo symptoms before diagnosis. I'd always been careful about my weight but had gone from 8st 12 to 9st 4 and couldn't seem to look at food without gaining a pound. Since taking levo (about 3 months ago) I've dropped 4llbs without trying, so I'm back towards normal. I guess we're all different but sometimes things can seem so hopeless with hypo, so I wanted to give some hope!

[Lulu_65]

Yes. I have lost about a stone, most of it from my midriff. My thyroid levels are optimal which took about 12 months to achieve. I also followed the adrenal reset diet (eating more than I ever have!)

My whole body shaped changed

It can be done and painlessly. Years and years of yoyo dieting for me which I'll never go back to

Lulu

[JESA200 in reply to Lulu_65]

My problem area is my midriff,

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

I did, but going back 40+ years. Once stable on Levo I lost about 2 stone.