FATIGUE

[Shelly55]

Has anyone taken Phentermine for the fatigue,

and did it interfere with levo/cytomel?

[greygoose]

I thought Phentermine was an appetite suppressor. How can it help with fatigue?

[Shelly55 in reply to greygoose]

I took them years ago and they give you energy, they are a stimulant.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Shelly55]

drugs.com/phentermine.html

Why am I tired on Phentermine?

Fatigue or tiredness can come as a result of sleepless nights or following a period of over-stimulation, however, adverse effects of phentermine also include drowsiness, fatigue, and reduced energy levels. If you’re feeling fatigued or lacking in energy while taking phentermine and the problem persists, you should consult your doctor as it may be that you have an undiagnosed medical condition.

[greygoose in reply to Shelly55]

I believe I've read that it stimulates production of thyroid hormones, which - if you have a normal thyroid - would increase energy. However, you are hypo, so I don't see how that is going to work. Are you sure you're not under-medicated?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

I see no reason to think phentermine would help with fatigue. (As greygoose has already said.)

The answer isn't entirely clear whether it interferes with thyroid hormones. But I'd be extremely cautious about it.

Phentermine was withdrawn about twenty years ago in the UK due to side effects.

Effects of diet, exercise and anorexigenic drugs on serum thyroid hormones

J Sonka, Z Límanová, A Zbirková, O Kratochvíl

PMID: 7472292

Abstract

The serum levels of T4, T3 and rT3 were estimated in moderately obese women treated with diet (900-1000 kcal) and 4 h of exercise, supplemented with placebo or anorexigenic drugs (phenmetrazine, phentermine and mazindol). After 12 days of treatment, no change in serum T4 occurred in the placebo group (-4%), while in the groups with anorexigenic drugs a significant rise of T4 was observed (phenmetrazine +33%, phentermine +14% and mazindol +20%). Serum T3 decreased significantly in the placebo and the anorexigenic groups to a similar extent (from -21% to -27%) with the exception of mazindol. We did not notice any decrease of T3 in this group (-3%). A rising trend of serum rT3 was observed in all 4 groups, with a statistical significance for mazindol only. It is suggested that 1) a combined energy deficit produced by diet and exercise leads to a pattern of serum thyroid hormones similar to that observed in resting patients on a total fast; 2) the rise of serum T4 after the administration of anorexigenic drugs is due to their sympathomimetic effects; 3) the largest weight decrease observed in the mazindol group (6.7 kg) may be due to the unchanged serum T3 level, while in the other groups a decrease of serum T3 was observed. The lowest weight loss was observed in the placebo group (4.9 kg) with a pronounced decrease of T3 (-24%).

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/747...

[Shelly55 in reply to helvella]

Thanks, I guess I am just tired of being exhausted and looking for something to get me thru this next month of work.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Shelly55]

I'd certainly be looking at things like iron and B12.

[arTistapple]

OMG Shelley55 I can’t think of anything worse than taking a ‘stimulant’ with my hypothyroidism. I know there are certain things that stimulate me and I always pay the price - ill and flat out for days.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Previous posts shows you are on inadequate dose of levothyroxine - Ft4 is BELOW range

Most people when adequately treated on levothyroxine plus T3 will have Ft4 and Ft3 at least 60% through range

(50mcg levothyroxine plus 20mcg T3)

Did you get 25mcg dose increase in levothyroxine

T4 FREE -0.73 ng/dL 0.82-1.77

T4- 5.0 ug/dL 4.5-12.0

T3 FREE -2.8 pg/mL 2.0-4.4

[Shelly55 in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes, I am going to give it couple weeks not going to try and get any phentermine. I was extremely tired yester feel little better today so hopefully trying the suggestion of increasing Levo will get me on the right track. Thanks so much for all the advice.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Shelly55]

Takes minimum 6-8 weeks for each dose increase in levothyroxine to have full effect

Get bloods retested after 2-3 Months on increased dose

[Partner20]

Phentermine is a controlled drug in the UK, and only available on prescription. It was used as a weight-loss aid, achieving results by boosting the metabolism, which is not the same as increasing energy levels. In fact it often acted as an appetite suppressant as weight decreased, leading to less energy, not more. Achieving optimal thyroid levels, and ensuring that vitamin and mineral levels are optimal, too, us the way to a healthy body. If you have an ongoing symptom such as fatigue, discuss with your GP how it affects your life, and request further investigation. Most otc products of the type you are considering are of very little help, and many contain herbal ingredients that are not always beneficial. Hopefully you will find a solution soon.