Weight gain after years on Levothyroxine 100

[Docu20]

I cannot understand why after having had an under-active thryroid since 2000, and lost so much weight once taking the tablets, that a couple of years ago weight just piled back on. I have bloods tests but thyroid levels come back normal. It is frustrating as I always eat healthily. Any help please???

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Welcome to forum

Do you have any blood test results?

When GPs say “normal” range results could be anywhere in the range.

What was tested? Often GP only tests the TSH thyroid stimulating hormone which is a pituitary hormone which signals the thyroid to produce. It’s assumed if this is in range so will actual thyroid hormone will be. That test isn’t not fool proof and not sufficient. You need FT4 - the thyroxine & FT3 - the triiodothyronine test.

Do you have access to tests results online? or you can obtain copies of results. Best to obtain printed copies via receptionist (not verbal / handwritten).

[Buddy195 Administrator]

‘Normal’ and ‘within range’ are not the same as optimal, so as PurpleNails has outlined, do get your printed results from your GP and post them on the forum.

What is your current dose of Levothyroxine? How long have you been on this dose? Have you ever tested key vitamins (ferritin. Folate, vit B12 and vit D)?Having these at optimal levels is essential for thyroid health, but please don’t supplement without checking your current levels first. You can ask your GP to do this, or test privately (as many members of this forum do).

[Lalatoot]

Ah but what size of normal are you? In shoes I am a normal 7 so if the GP kept supplying me with shoes a normal 4 size things would not go well. The bunions would play up, my feet would ache and I hobble

Thyroid test results come with a normal range. Anywhere in that set of numbers is considered normal. Free t4 thyroid hormone can have a normal range of 10 to 22. Like the shoes if your normal is 19 but if the GP is maintaining your level at a normal 15 you will put on weight and have symptoms.

Please ask for your results and their ranges. Pop them on here and we will tell you just how normal your GPS normal is.

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to Lalatoot]

I’m loving the shoe analogy Lalatoot 🤣

[Staffsgirl in reply to Lalatoot]

I smiled, as at first I read that comment as, ‘how normal your GP is’ 😉!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Also it’s common dose levothyroxine needs adjusting over time

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once a year

Lower vitamin levels are common as we get older

On levothyroxine we need OPTIMAL vitamin levels

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

Many people find different brands are not interchangeable

ALWAYS test thyroid levels early morning, ideally before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Is this how you do your tests?

[elwins]

I always get a printed copy of results, I keep them for my own records. Just so I can compare them each time I get a blood test done. My surgery is very good at printing them out for me.

[Arigna]

If you are female could you possibly be going through the peri menopause now? Many, many women put weight on at this stage of life..

[csj113]

My GP thought my results looked “normal” 5 years ago after she reduced my Levo from150 to 100 mcg. Unfortunately my body disagreed and I developed severe hypo symptoms, including weight gain of 1.5 stones in about 6 weeks (on my 5’ 2 frame). Agree with comments above.

If not thyroid I’d be checking for anaemia, ferritin deficiency and peri-menopause to name a few other possibilities, all of which can also cause weight gain if no other lifestyle changes.

[Sorceress29 in reply to csj113]

My doctor did the same to me and I lost hair, eyebrows, eyelashes all over again like when I first got Hashimotos.

I gained weight and after 2 years of needing help, writing letters, making phone calls.. I am still not getting the help

[Sorceress29 in reply to Sorceress29]

TOTAL EMPATHY

[Docu20 in reply to Sorceress29]

I have had under active thryroid since 2000 and have gained weight just recently quite severely and other symptoms have occurred so I completely empathise, I am looking to ask the Doctor to up my Levothyroxine dosage - I am on a 100 at the moment and have been for several years.

[Jeppy in reply to Docu20]

Yes agree with constant researcherMy summary is as ostregens decreased my thyroid hormones changed along the way as happened as a PND

But then they replenish

And lots of steady weight gain when they don’t sadly it’s unfortunate for some but can be replaced

Great help here and past posts to search through

Best Wishes

[Docu20 in reply to Jeppy]

Many thanks for your reply much appreciated. Will seek Doctor's advice to up my dosage of Levothyroxine.

[Jeppy in reply to Docu20]

👍🏼 If new here you will learn importance of your folate b12 D and iron levels If perimenopausal as peeped but couldn’t see age group May be worth asking about hormones 🤔

[Docu20 in reply to Jeppy]

Thankyou so much for this it helps prior to my speaking to a Doctor, I hope to learn on here a lot more about something that I have had for 12 years, so thanks once again.

[Jeppy in reply to Docu20]

👍🏼 You’re at a helpful place 😊

[Jeppy in reply to Docu20]

& T3 levels being the well being factor

[san_ray70 in reply to Docu20]

My doctor told me I could lose weight as my dose of levothyroxine was correct. I did I lost 2st 3 years ago, but I put a stone back and I am struggling.

[Docu20 in reply to san_ray70]

Thankyou so much for your reply, I emphathise totally - I lost loads of weight and as I said put it back so hence a visit to the doctor or at least a phone call. Have you decided to ask your GP why you have put weight on?

[TickTockTock in reply to Sorceress29]

Have you tried splitting your levo dose? I was able to massively lower my dose and improve my health by splitting the dose.

[Docu20 in reply to TickTockTock]

Hi - Thankyou so much for your advise will try anything at the moment, although going for bloods on Wednesday - but do appreciate it and I will see if it works, its just controlling it again I suppose. Tx

[ConstantResearcher]

Yes….as another asked…are you perimenopausal? Menopausal? This shifts hormone levels of all kinds and can cause weight gain. Also what are your cortisol levels? High cortisol causes weight gain around the middle.