Help with weight gain after reducing my thyroxine

[Barnes1953]

Hi I had Graves’ disease when I was 28 I eventually had RAI in 1996. My question is thyroxine. I’ve been taking 725mcg a week. My doctor reduced from 750 2 years ago as I was hyper but since reducing I’m 2 stone heavier and depressed. I was on antidepressants Citalopram. I stopped them 2 months ago. I want to go back up to the 750 mcg because I think the citalopram interferes with my thyroxine. I’m so unhappy with my weight plus the I’m lethargic and ache and pains plus painful osteoarthritis. Can anyone help me

[shaws Administrator]

Welcome to our forum Barnes1953. The majority of members have gone through similar stresses/strains through ineffective doses or unknowledgeable doctors.

I would be happier if they prescribed combinations of T4/T3 but T3 has gone sky-high in price so it was withdrawn.

Unexplained weight gain is very common if our metabolism isn't high enough due to being restricted either to a replacement dose or to levo alone. Many people do better on levo/lio (T4/T3) combination but I assume the medical professionals blame us for 'eating the wrong foods' when it is the actual lack of optimum hormones and insufficient training by the professionals.

A short time ago the professionals also withdrew T3 without notice but due to astronomical increase in price. Only an endocrinologist can now prescribe - if he wishes - but I assume they will also have restrictions.

This is the procedure for getting our blood tested:-

1. The earliest possible appointment (even if we have to make it weeks ahad).

2. Ask for a Full Thyroid Blood test which is TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies.

3. Ask for B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate.

Always get a print-out of your results for your own records and post if you have a query.

Free T3 is very important as is Free T4 - they give far more information for members to respond.

You can get a home finger pin-prick test. If you decide to do so, make sure you are well-hydrated a few days before and arms/hands are warm and it has to be drawn first thing, following advice above.

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

If you decide to do so, put a new post up with the results and ranges for comments.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Barnes 1953

Are you taking your Levo as a weekly dose?

750mcg per week = 107.14mcg daily.

725mcg per week is 103.57mcg daily.

The difference is minimal when you consider that usually daily dose changes are in 25mcg increments and occasionally 12.5mcg.

It's unlikely that the less than 4mcg daily reduction has caused your weight gain and depression.

When you were on Citalopram, were you taking it a few hours away from your Levo?

Please post your current test results, with reference ranges, because I think the clues will be there.