weight gain?

[arTistapple]

I want to see anyones points of view about weight gain. I have discovered I have gained very little weight whilst on purely Levothyroxine. However I have become much ‘bigger’. My trousers are too tight, I am increasingly ungainly, my muscles are getting worse and even more problems getting exercise than before! I think the slight gain, a couple of kilos is down to fluid retention. I have had swollen feet and even up to my knees which I have never had before. I am on Amlodipine for HBP but I have been on it now for at least 5 years which is the only HBP medication I have been able to tolerate but it has not previously given me bother. My angina remains greatly improved by the Levothyroxine. I have these scales which give a ‘fat percentage’ so I know most of the gain is not actually fat but its pretty loathsome all the same. Anyone else perhaps experience this and willing to comment?

[Lalatoot]

Fluid retention is very common for hypothyroid folks.

[Pearlteapot]

Before diagnosis and starting levothyroxine I was overweight. After starting levothyroxine I have all this water retention around ankles legs knees particularly. Whether it is die to being more hypo while under medicated or a side effect of levothyroxine Itself I couldn’t say. Supposedly it might reduce when I hit the medication sweet spot. Unless it is the levothyroxine.

[arTistapple in reply to Pearlteapot]

Thank you Pearlteapot. I think/hoped someone would be suffering same. This forum is a godsend for creating a bit of shared reality.

[DippyDame]

How much levo are you taking?

Do you have any up to date labs that you can post....including ref ranges.

It sounds as if you have fluid retention in the mucin layer under the skin......causing swelling.

Undermedication can cause this....

Your FT3 is currently too low for robust health ....it should be approaching approx. 75% through ref range

For good health every cell in the body needs to be saturated with T3....your level is not achieving this.

The heart needs a good supply of T3

Have you been working to optimise the essential nutrients?

Your Vit D is abysmally low.....see SeasideSusie's excellent advice 2 months ago re nutrients

Your T4 to T3 conversion is very poor....high FT4 with low FT3 indicates this

Free T3. 4.33. (3.1 - 6.8) 33.24%

Free Thyroxine 20.7 (12 - 22). 87%.

Optimising essential nutrients may help

If not you may need to discuss this with an endo with a view to trialling T3.

I don't think there is a contraindication between Amlodipine and Levothyroxine.

I assume you take levo as advised here.....away from all food ,drinks other meds

I'd suggest you first need to optimise those nutrients and then discuss improving your medication with your medics.

It will take time so patience is essential.

Good luck

[arTistapple in reply to DippyDame]

DippyDame thank you for responding. I am on 100mcg but according to my weight I should be on about 150mcg. As per previous communications it looks like the dose I am on is doing all it can, as you say it looks like a conversion problem. I particularly have the fluid retention over my belly as well as feet and lower legs later in the day. I look pregnant (at nearly 70) or like someone with a liver problem but I have had many tests and liver looks fine (I am assured). You have clearly looked at my most recent blood tests. I have been supplementing as Seasidesusie recommendations (with ferritin test being repeated by GP in September as it’s quite high). I have felt better since commencing the supplements; my feeling is it’s the D3 + K2 that has made some difference. Maybe a string of days better but still a bigger string of being ‘out of it’. However I am going to do a full thyroid test mid September, thats approx 3 months after starting the supplements to give me the best chance of conversion. I have been turned down by the NHS Endo, so considering my options. However the advice on here is so clear and consistent and covers new situations every day; I am learning all the time. I have never in my life been so compliant about my medication. I want to have the best possible chance to recover as much of my health as possible. I am having trouble being patient. Thank you for your valuable input especially as I am having a bit of a wobbly.

[DippyDame]

Good... that Sept test should point the way forward.

I had many a wobble too while titrating my dose.

My ferritin is on the high side too but I understand it rises a bit with age....I'm 77!!

D3 +K2 should help to raise your low reading....and how you feel.

At worst my vit D was 17!!

Ensure that you are on a stable , consistent dose for 6/8 weeks before testing.

It's tough.... but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Take care