Diagnosed in November 2015 and prescribed 50mgr of Levo after a 16 pound weight gain in 4 weeks and a blood test a showing TSH of 108 confirmed I had an underactive thyroid. Since that my TSH has shown in the 'normal range' but I have continued to gain weight each month. In January 2019 after complaining to my doctor that I was healthy eating and exercising strictly and still not losing weight but gaining and something wasn't right he increased my Levo to 75mg, back to the doctors in April 2019 as no change in how I was feeling . My TSH was 2.2 so the doctor increased to 125mgr, back to the doctors today TSH 0.43 but still no change in weight loss problems, still gaining and feeling swollen and bloated. Doctor told me my thyroid was not the problem and that it was functioning fine. She said it might be hormonal and told me to take a 4-6 week break from my pill (microgynon).
Has anyone had the same/similar? Does anyone have any advice for me? The weight gain is really getting me down. I'm 2 sizes bigger (was a 12 now a 16) I KNOW IM NOT FAT but I'm not used to being this size, I dot feel confident or comfortable.
Please help!
Written by
sonyap83
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Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear! If your thyroid was 'functioning fine', you wouldn't need to be taking 125 mcg of thyroid hormone replacement, would you? She should not be going by the TSH only. You need your FT4 and FT3 tested. It's perfectly possible to have a TSH of 0.43 but have an FT3 in your socks. And it's low T3 that causes symptoms like weight-gain - and it's nothing to do with diet and exercise - in fact, low-calorie diets and over-exercising can make things worse. But, doctors haven't got a clue.
So, if your doctor will not do the correct tests, it would really be a good idea - and an investment in your future health - to do the tests privately. You need:
TSH
FT4
FT3
TPO antibodies
Tg antibodies
vit D
vit B12
folate
ferritin
That will give you a much clearer picture of your thyroid status.
Thank you Grey goose for your reply, I have pushed for these tests to be done in the past and after several arguments managed to get the following, but again the results came back and I was told all is normal. The results mean nothing to me but maybe you could shed some light:
These tests were done in sept 2018 and Feb 2019 so they may have changed now but I have not felt any different the symptoms are all still present.
You need full Thyroid and vitamin testing now you are on 125mcg Levothyroxine
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
If endocrinologist doesn't test everything you will need private testing
If antibodies are high then gluten intolerance is extremely common
While still eating high gluten diet ask GP or endocrinologist for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first
Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet
(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially)
Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse
I totally agree, I'm going to have to pay for a private test but my concern is what do I do with the results as my doctor is ignorant and smirks when saying there is nothing wrong with me. I'm convinced she thinks I make it up
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