weight gain on levothroxine

[Teag]

Hi

I was diagnosed with hashimoto s 2013. My levothroxine has been up and down. I have never felt any benefit from any dose. My thyroid has never been checked /ultrasound and nobody seems to check my antibody level only after been on levo for a year which then diagnosed the hashimoto s .Currently on 75.microgramss My b 12 and folate were low on my last blood test. I have been taking b12 tablets 50 micro grams twice a day (I think I should have injection s but dr refuses I don’t think I absorb it well but that’s another story!! ) dr said to treat b12 first then look at folate ???

when my levo was upped 3 months ago i experienced weight gain of about 10 lbsI have not changed my eating in anyway and I have been swimming regularly.

Im wondering if I need my levo upped even more ??

I have a blood test today and review with the Dr on Tuesday.

thank you.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How long since dose levothyroxine was increased to 75mcg

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

The only brand that makes 75mcg tablets is Teva.

Teva brand upsets many people

Blood test should be done 2-3 months after any dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

ALWAYS book test early morning, ideally just before 9am, and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Have you had vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 retested recently

If not, get these tested too

NHS rarely tests more than TSH

See what results you get ……

[Teag in reply to SlowDragon]

thank you for your reply.

I’ve just got back from bloods and had my thyroid b12 folate and ferritin done but not vit d but I have been taking vit d3 for a couple of weeks

I take 50 of accord and 25of wockhart

It’s a shame they don’t do a full thyroid test I will speak with the dr on Tuesday

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Teag]

Come back with new post once you get results

Do you know what your vitamin D was before starting on vitamin D supplement

How much vitamin D are you currently taking

Essential all four vitamins are optimal

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Yoyo dosing is really not helpful for anyone. I see you were once on 125mcgs Levo.

Did you get your key vitamins checked - ferritin, folate, B12 & D3? What were the results?

Low vitamins may have made you feel hyper on a higher dose.

The other main reason for not feeling well on Levo is poor conversion. Unfortunately the NHS do not test FT3. Likely you would have to buy a private test - list of companies here with discount codes. thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

[Teag]

thank you. Same reply as above. Yes I keep thinking about having a private test.

[McPammy]

have you checked your T3 level? You may be a poor converter of Levothyroxine T4 to the most important hormone T3. Without enough T3 you’ll have low energy, low metabolic rate and feel pretty weak, tired and many other symptoms. If your Dr won’t do a T3 test then I’d seriously consider doing it privately through Monitor My Health as promoted on here. It’s about £27 for TSH, T4 and T3. If you do this test post your results on here for further well informed feedback. It could be your answer.

[Teag]

thank you. I will do this asap