BP meds//weight gain: I have Hashimotos so weight... - Thyroid UK

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BP meds//weight gain

Ireness profile image
14 Replies

I have Hashimotos so weight control has been a problem but I was put on Bisoprolol to lower my blood pressure and my weight is going up by the day.

I’ve put on about a stone since December and just can’t seem to diet or get control of my eating as I’m hungry all the time.

Has anyone had this happen to them and are there any medications which don’t have a weight gaining effect.

I developed heart problems due to no medication for my thyroid for way too many years - usual story of doctors saying it was normal.

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Ireness profile image
Ireness
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14 Replies
shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

Are you taking levothyroxine? If so, weight can be gained if you are not yet on an optimum dose because our metabolism is too low.

Is your TSH 1 or below (many doctors think if it is somewhere int he range you're on sufficient but that's not the case). Both Free T4 and Free T3 should be tested, should be near the top of the ranges. Not middle or lower and are rarely tested. This is a link you may find helpful. It is amazing what doctors do NOT know. Considering that levothyroxine is the only replacement hormone prescribed in the UK. T3 was withdrawn as was another called NDT (natural dessicated thyroid hormones - the very original from 1892 and withdrawn due to False Statements made about it!.)

youtube.com/watch?v=z96M6bm...

Ireness profile image
Ireness

Yes I’m on thyroxine. I begged my GP to increase it in December as my TSH was near to the top of the range on 50mg. They reluctantly agreed to increase it to 75mg so I need to get that retested. I’ll have to see my private endo again but it cost me £3k for cardiology tests (GP forgot to do my referral so I ended up paying) and I haven’t got the funds at the moment. I really think the BP meds are making it worse. I’ve never experienced tiredness, itching, weight gain, depression like this even with my thyroid

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Ireness

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised

You should ALWAYS have thyroid bloods retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change

Ask your GP to test vitamins and antibodies. Always get tge actual results and ranges

If they refuse, then politely insist on referral to endocrinologist

Email Dionne at Thyroid Uk for list of recommended thyroid specialists

tukadmin@thyroiduk.org

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw). This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

New NHS England Liothyronine guidelines November 2018 clearly state on pages 8 & 12 that TSH should be between 0.4-1.5 when treated with just Levothyroxine

Note that it says test should be in morning BEFORE taking Levothyroxine

Also to test vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin

sps.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploa...

Ireness profile image
Ireness

Ah thankyou so much for all the information..I’ve got a medichecks test ready to do. My GP will only test TSH

Wallacecrew profile image
Wallacecrew

If you are having rapid weight gain it could be fluid retention. You might need to change from the beta blocker to another anti hypertensive and/or add a diuretic. You really need to see your gp to discuss.

Ireness profile image
Ireness in reply to Wallacecrew

I’ll get my blood tests done and then go back. Many thanks for your reply

Wallacecrew profile image
Wallacecrew

Don’t leave it too long and if you start to get breathless you need to get seen asap. Good luck.

Ireness profile image
Ireness in reply to Wallacecrew

Thanks

Countrykitten profile image
Countrykitten

If it's any encouragement, I had already gained a lot of weight before I was diagnosed and gained another stone once I started on Levo. It's now two years and at last I seem to be on the right dose. I've managed to lose 12lbs since the beginning of Feb..I've had to stick to a strict diet but at least my weight is going down. Diets in the past few years had no effect. Hang in there and insist on getting your dosage right. Good luck

Ireness profile image
Ireness in reply to Countrykitten

Thanks ...it’s nearly 3 years now since I got thyroxine and only got it then by seeing a private endo. My GP ignored her letter saying to increase the dose but I finally got an increase a few months ago. I still don’t think it’s enough and that with the BP medication is a bad combination for losing or maintaining weight. I’ll just have to keep at it. Many thanks for your reply and I’m glad you got sorted

jjf255 profile image
jjf255

My husband who has hypothyroidism and is on NDT was on atenolol for his high BP. For a time about 1 1/2 years ago it became unavailable , so his Dr put him on metropolol and within a couple days he started to gain weight. I read the brochure and weight gain was a side effect. Finally atenolol came back on the market and his Dr switched him back. Most Dr. don't prescribe it 'cause they say it's an old drug and there are newer better ones. He has finally been able to slowly drop the weight that he gained on metropolol. Metropolol and Bisoprolol are very similar drugs and supposedly very similar to atenolol. Why the weight gain...I'm not sure.

Ireness profile image
Ireness in reply to jjf255

Ah many thanks for that. I think I’ll definitely see my GP and see if I can change the medication

Clare0116 profile image
Clare0116

Yes! I have total Hashi's Curse, been on Bisoproplol for years, been an obese anorexic, now on about 1200-1300 low carb cals a day, gluten, lactose, sugar and sweetener free. Can't stop piling more weight on, especially belly and frequently feel cold, tired and hungry. Lactose filler added to many of my meds make me so I'll, I don't take anything 50% of the time, feeling even more tired, heart pains, gaining weight.

Ireness profile image
Ireness

Oh that’s sounds awful. I’ve decided to ween myself off the Bisoprolol and once that’s done I’ll carry on with alternative treatments. I know I can’t just stop cold turkey but I felt better without it

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