Thinking of trying a weight loss drug and wondering how this effects levothyroxine dose?

[Auntbessy]

Hi I'm in the process of trying to lose weight and get my medication sorted. Am going to see a private endo in the summer because I believe my conversion is not great and want to discuss this. I also want to lose weight soon because I have a number of issues related to being obese. I am interested to know if anyone knows or has experience of the impact of weight loss drugs like wegovy on levothyroxine dosages. Would it be a nightmare to be trying to lose weight whilst trying to adjust my medication?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

wegovy mentioned in these posts

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

How much levothyroxine are you now taking

Still on 175mcg …or increased to 200mcg

Previous post 7 months ago showed you were in need of dose increase in levothyroxine

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Absolutely essential to maintain optimal vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

When were these last tested

Are you on GF and/or DF diet

[Auntbessy in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi slow dragon, since my previous post I have been on high strength vit d, b vitamin complex and iron plus other things in case that is affecting my absorption and conversion of levo. Just had more private blood tests back and my results are worse than before. Only did thyroid levels. I have decided to see a private endo under the recommendation of my new NHS GP who is very helpful but says her hands are tied as she cannot go by private tests and an NHS endo is a very long wait away and might not even help. I'm still on 175mg.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Auntbessy]

What were actual TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 results

Are you gluten free and dairy free?

Here’s link for how to request Thyroid U.K.list of private Doctors emailed to you, but within the email a link to download list of recommended thyroid specialist endocrinologists

Ideally choose an endocrinologist to see privately initially and who also does NHS consultations

thyroiduk.org/contact-us/ge...

[Auntbessy in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks slow dragon. I have an endo in mind who someone kindly recommended on here. I've been gf for around 10 years and almost dairy free apart from cheese once in a while.

Blood

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Auntbessy]

Free T4 (fT4) 17.2 pmol/L (12 - 22) 52.0%

Free T3 (fT3) 4.0 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8) 24.3%

Was test early morning, last dose Levo 24 hours before test

Which brand of Levo do you take

Assuming tested correctly

Clearly under medicated and possibly poor converter

First step….increase dose by 25mcg and test thyroid and vitamin levels in 6-8 weeks

high strength vit d, b vitamin complex and iron plus other things in case that is affecting my absorption

Exactly what vitamin supplements are you taking

you must test at least annually, ideally twice year

Remember to stop vitamin B complex or any biotin supplements 5-7 days before ALL blood tests

Instead taking a separate folate instead

[FancyPants54]

Hi

I've used Victoza/Saxenda. I was on them to try to help me loose weight and to help with metabolic syndrome. My private endo put me onto Victoza and my GP was happy to prescribe. I used them for a few years but it's been impossible to get either Victoza or Saxenda in the UK for around a year now. Brexit and the sudden celebrity usage of them has done serious disservice to people who needed the medicaiton.

It worked at first. I got my energy back. I added in some T3 to Levo and lost some weight. I started doing DIY and in very quick time I was back into my bibbed overalls which hadn't fitted for some time.

But then, life never seems to want to help, so dad died and mum declared after nursing him for 18 months in ever worsening conditions, she wanted nothing to do with dealing with his death so I had to do it on my own. Then almost as soon as I'd got the will and finances sorted out Covid hit and she was told to shield. The stress of that lot just reversed all my good work. The weight came back, the energy died and although the drug stopped me tipping into diabetes territory, it didn't help me to loose weight again. I've had to stop it now due to lack of availability. I have a prescription for Wegovy but I've not gone to talk to the GP about it. I'm not sure I will bother. I'd rather reduce the amount of drugs I'm on that don't seem to help things.

I didn't find it bothered my thyroid meds. But I've never had those darn things straight anyway. Always adjusting and trying something new. I also use HRT, that wasn't affected that I know of.

If you can get it on the NHS then try it. But I'd not buy it. It's far too expensive. And although it might work, it might not.

[Auntbessy in reply to FancyPants54]

I'm so sorry to hear you have had a difficult time over the past few years. I can relate to how hard it is to keep on top of a health condition/s which makes us tired and depressed on top of what life throws at us. I hope things pick up for you and wegovy works. I can't get it through my GP as I don't have diabetes or a heart problem just hashimotos and perimenopausal.

[FancyPants54 in reply to Auntbessy]

I suspect I won't get it from the GP either. The private endo gave me the prescription to talk to the GP about but then said so far no GP has agreed to this drug for some reason he doesn't understand. They agree to Victoza and Saxenda for weight loss. You don't have to be a diabetic or have a heart condition. It makes no sense. But right now I'm not wanting to take it anyway. I'm holding it in reserve.

[arTistapple]

Westin Childs (talks all things thyroid) was in favour of using products like Wegovy but he has only this week changed his tune. He is easy to Google.

[HotelHurricaine]

I'm thinking of adding wegovy or similar to the thyroid mix. It does seem insulin resistance can be part of the thyroid puzzle.

My Mum, who's 77 and does not have a thyroid problem, has shed 3 stone in 6 months on wegovy and looks and feels amazing. Its given her a whole new lease of life.

But I would say only try one thing at a time so you know what's working - so get your thyroid blood levels where you want them before you try a weightloss drug - that's what I'm in the process of doing. I'm trialling T3 and trying to get my HRT right too (just added some more estrogen and testosterone) and so far I feel worse than I did before I started! Holding my nerve and waiting to see what blood tests say in a couple of weeks.

It's a long game..good to have the weight loss drugs in your back pocket 😉

[Batty1]

I think you should read this article.

restartmed.com/glp-1-agonis...

[ Edited link to remove personal identification. ]

[Aj2690]

Hi aunt bessy,

I started on wegovy in January but had awful symptoms when moving to the second dosage which I believe was 1.5mg. I was sick most days, dizzy, heart burn, bowel issues and couldn’t really keep much down. After contacting juniper (the company I was supplied it from) I moved to mounjaro - does a similar job. Since then I’ve been alright, it’s an adjustment for sure, but it’s been working and I’ve lost almost 2 stone since Jan, almost half of my hypo gain. However I don’t believe the side effects were due to my thyroid, it’s fairly common unfortunately and usually would pass however mine didn’t.

Haven’t needed to adjust my Levo or anything however you will experience tiredness from eating less (I guess that’s natural) so that with my hashis symptoms can make me very fatigued. Good luck with your journey, hope it works out 😁