Weight gain due to meds?

[Jomamma57]

My grandson has been on levothyroxine since he was 4 or 5 years old he is now 10 and weight is at 230. I feel it's due to this drug. Does anyone have any i sight on this? Grandma jo

[shaws Administrator]

I am sorry your grandson has gained weight.

Hypothyroid people can have unexplained weight gain but it is due to metabolism being slow due to hypothyroidism and he may not be on a sufficient dose of levothyroxine.

Levothyroxine is a synthetic replacement hormone - called T4. Levothyroxine has to be taken first thing with one full glass of water and wait an hour before eating.

It might be easier for him to take it at bedtime, as long as he's last eaten about 2.5 hours previously as food interferes with the uptake of the hormones. If he's only had a light meal it can be a shorter time between eating and dose.

He should get a new blood test and this is the procedure to be folowed every time as doctors only go by the TSH level and it is highest early a.m. and drops throughout the day:-

1. Always get the very ealiest possible, fasting (you can drink water)

2. Allow a gap of 24 hours from your last dose of levo and the test and take it afterwards.

The aim is a TSH of 1 or lower with FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of the range.

Levothyroxine should be taken, usually when we get up with one full glass of water and wait about an hour before eating. Food interferes with the uptake of thyroid hormones.

Some prefer taking levo at bedtime. In that case you're stomach should be empty so leave sufficient time if you've had a meal between it and taking levo (usually about 2.5 hours). Miss this dose if you are having a blood test next morning and take it afterwards and night dose as usual.

If he's not had a recent blood test, he should have one following the above procedure because if he's on too low a dose he needs an increase.

The doctor probably wont do the following but we have two private labs who will do those the GP wont and these provide better information than a TSH and T4 alone which GPs do.

He needs T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies tested. GP should also test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate.

- following the above advice. The lab you chose will advise where to get the blood drawn as it is a pin-prick and he might be nervous about that. Always be well hydrated before blood tests as it makes blood draw easier.

Post results with the ranges (ranges are important as labs differ and it makes it easier to respond.

endocrineweb.com/conditions...

If he has thyroid antibodies he would have an Autoimmune Thyroid Disease commonly called hashimoto's.

[Clutter]

Jomamma57,

If you post your grandson's thyroid results and ranges members will advise whether he is optimally dosed. Being undermedicated will cause weight gain.