Putting on weight

[Wee_Goldie]

I have been taking levothyroxine for 2yrs, I am currently on 75mg and no matter how hard I try I cannot loose weight. Is this normal?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

welcome to the forum

75mcg is only one step up from standard starter dose

Unless extremely petite you’re likely in need of dose increase in levothyroxine

Do you have any recent blood test results

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once to see if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune

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

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high TPO and/or high TG thyroid antibodies

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Significant minority of Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies (thyroglobulin)

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Lower vitamin levels more common as we get older

For good conversion of Ft4 (levothyroxine) to Ft3 (active hormone) we must maintain GOOD vitamin levels

What vitamin supplements are you taking

Also VERY important to test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 together

What is reason for your hypothyroidism

Autoimmune?

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

Post all about what time of day to test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

Medichecks Thyroid plus BOTH TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/testing/thyro...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

support.medichecks.com/hc/e...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

[TiggerMe Ambassador]

Welcome aboard, chances are you aren't on the correct dose, if you could give us some more info like latest blood test results etc we'll do what we can to guide you 🤗

75mcg isn't a very big dose it would be suitable for people weighing less than 50kg but perhaps you are wee and just not converting well... folate, ferritin, Vit B and Vit D all play a part

Ideally fill in you profile

[Wee_Goldie]

I haven't had my bloods done fir almost a year, when I was raised to 75mcg.

I asked at surgery for results, but they never appeared . Will contact surgery about new blood tests.

I'm 5ft 5in and weigh 12st.

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Wee_Goldie]

That's no use is it! Blimey they are hopeless, they have never got you up to even near an optimal dose... I'd expect you to need 100-125mcg

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Wee_Goldie]

You should automatically have a blood test 6-8 weeks following a dose change. You may need to become your own health advocate and ask for things from your surgery.

Phone the surgery and book a blood test. Follow the protocol as follows:

Recommended blood test protocol: Test at 9am (or as close as possible), fasting, last levo dose 24hrs before the blood draw & no biotin containing supplements for 3-7 days (Biotin can interfere with thyroid blood results as it is used in the testing process).

Testing like this gives consistency in your results and will show stable blood levels of hormone and highest TSH which varies throughout the day. Taking Levo/T3 just prior to blood draw can show a falsely elevated result and your GP/Endo might change your dose incorrectly as a result.

Also get a printed copy of your blodo results, ask at GP reception.

You are legally entitled to a printed copy of your results, ask at GP reception. In England you can get the NHS app and ask for permission to see your blood results on that by asking at GP’s reception.

Don't rely on your GP surgery to keep on top of your health, its up to you.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Wee_Goldie]

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

Link re access

patients-association.org.uk...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

In reality some GP surgeries still do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

meanwhile

Contact GP, say you are concerned hypo symptoms are returning

Request/politely insist on new testing, including vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 (plus thyroid antibodies if never tested at diagnosis)

list hypo symptoms (don’t mention weight as main concern)

Test early morning, ideally before 9am, only drinking water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Assuming you need increase……we only increase by 25mcg ….so up to 100mcg daily

Which brand of levothyroxine are you taking

Retest again 8-12 weeks later ….same protocol

Meanwhile work on low vitamin levels if tests show levels are low …….being hypothyroid results in low vitamin levels

[RedApple Administrator in reply to SlowDragon]

SlowDragon 'The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results'

This only applies in England, not across the whole of the UK

Currently, neither Scotland nor N.Ireland have released an NHS app for patients. (Scotland supposedly due in December '24.)

Wales has an app, but only for booking appointments, repeat prescriptions and amending personal details (change of address, phone, email etc)

[Wee_Goldie in reply to RedApple]

I am in Scotland. I will speak to the doctor this week about blood test and request results.

[san_ray70 in reply to SlowDragon]

I was told I had an under active thyroid when I got a new doctor, I have been taking Levo 125 for about 19 years. I don't like tablets, but was told I would be very ill without. Apart from general aches and pains arthritis, I dont't seem to have any other problems.

[greygoose]

Yes, it is normal - for very many people. So stop trying. Dieting and over-exercising can make you put more weight on because it will just make you more hypo. No low-calorie diets and only gentle walking or swimming until your thyroid hormone replacement is optimal. And at only 75 mcg levo I very much doubt it is.

Just eat good, fresh food - protein, fibre (not too much), carbs and fat. Avoid unfermented soy, artificial sweeteners and highly processed seed oils.

But, above all, get full thyroid testing:

TSH

FT4

FT3

TPO antibodies

TG antibodies

vit D

vit B12

folate ferritin

and if you can, zinc, copper and selenium.

Having optimal nutrients is very important to how your body uses the hormone you're giving it, and losing weight.

[san_ray70]

I was told by my doctor, when you take levothyroxine in the correct dose. It does not have any effect on weight loss or gain. I lost 2st with a slimming club.

[Enuffisenuf in reply to san_ray70]

I think that the weight won't just fall off once you are correctly medicated, though some people do report effort free loss. I think it's probably down to becoming naturally more active with feeling well. It took me 6 months hard work to get my fitness back and weight down, once I was well medicated. The same diet /eating plan has had no affect since my meds were reduced, and my weight has gone back up.

[Thelostboys]

My doctor is just the same i was taken off accord brand because i couldn’t cope with the side effects.3 weeks later i had a blood test and was immediately put on Eltroxin this i can tolerate i have been told to go back in six weeks for a blood test but i know that will be the only one i have.They just can’t be bothered i am only on 50micrograms but when i was on accord i lost 1and a half stone you just can’t win.Good luck 🤞

[Quinc]

yes, I also have that problem and it’s quite specific weight in a band around the waist. Also on 75 a day and exercise a lot. It’s very annoying… is the implication that if we are on the optimum dose we would not be suffering from the tyre-like weight gain?

[Wee_Goldie in reply to Quinc]

That's where I carry the weight, round my middle. Please tell me this will go if I get the correct dose 🤩