Hi I started to take levothyroxine last August for hypot...

There are natural meds, one is called Armour but most GP's won't prescribe it.

The weight gain could be that you are not fully medicated, what dose are you on ?

Ideally you should have a TSH of 1 or below and T4 at the top of the range to feel well.

[quote:0569847b98=\"TLS18-Thyroxine user... \"]Hi, I have been taking normal Thyroxine all my life-I have a congenital hypothyroid condition, and suddenly, the powers that be take it off the market and get me taking Levothyroxine, which is supposed to be one of the only medicines available now for hypothyroid condition. I have seen two documentaries about it, and was quite nervous about taking it. I am praying I have minimal or no side effects, but I'm really not happy about this change in medication. It seems its about funding-Levo is supposed to be much cheaper to manufacture in bulk, than other thyroid pills, so of course, its about money. NOT about people and their health. I hope you can find a way to sort things out for yourself, regarding your health and weight. Don't let anyone in the medical world dictate to you. I'm not. Best wishes.[i:0569847b98][/i:0569847b98] :zen:[/quote:0569847b98]

Hi. Ihad the same condition and having been born 20 years before screening era[1977 and after]and during school years was taking Glaxo's Eltroxin, but in the 1980s due to NHS cuts they didn't give these anymore. The thing is, I don't know Eltroxin is actually any different from levo. or just better quality and more expensive. Anyway, are hormones in tablet form really supposed to be any substitute for a normal thyroid gland?

I have only 10% of normal output.

[quote:098ff8fa47=\"TLS18-Thyroxine user... \"]Hi, I have been taking normal Thyroxine all my life-I have a congenital hypothyroid condition, and suddenly, the powers that be take it off the market and get me taking Levothyroxine, which is supposed to be one of the only medicines available now for hypothyroid condition. I have seen two documentaries about it, and was quite nervous about taking it. I am praying I have minimal or no side effects, but I'm really not happy about this change in medication. It seems its about funding-Levo is supposed to be much cheaper to manufacture in bulk, than other thyroid pills, so of course, its about money. NOT about people and their health. I hope you can find a way to sort things out for yourself, regarding your health and weight. Don't let anyone in the medical world dictate to you. I'm not. Best wishes.[i:098ff8fa47][/i:098ff8fa47] :zen:[/quote:098ff8fa47]

I have the same condition but from a time before Screening was introduced so it took nearly 4 months to be treated was was the reason screening was introduced. I have to take almost the entire daily rquirement for TH since. During school years i was prescribed Eltroxin and in the 1980s, this was no longer given as presumably costs were too high for NHS. I don't know if Eltroxin was anything more than levo anyway so can't tell if this was significant. The point for me is, Is synthetic thyroxine really supposed to be any substitute for a normal thyriod gland? I doubt it is.

After being diagnosed with Graves disease 7 years ago, took carbimazole and thryoid gland became normal. Had a relapse and doctors prescribed the radiation tablet to kill off the thyroid or total removal. After years of naturopathic remedies decided to remove thyroid gland and take thyroxine tablets, supposedly would solve my problems. I am now on 300mg a day and TSH is 30. Doctors keep upping my dosage. Any suggestions? My body has all the symptoms of a totally under active thyroid and putting on 1kg a week, pins and needles in hands and feet and exhausted. Would much rather be over active than under active.........

I had total thyroid removal just over a year ago. I'm on Levothyroxine and it's just been increased to 150 .Since this has happened my muscles in my arms are really painful .I've never had any problems like this before so I'm pretty sure it's the new dose . I have also put weight on on my stomach which wasn't like it before so I think there maybe some connection. I won't come off my tablets because I know I need them but I do wonder if we should have our bloods checked more often than once a year ??

I started on 50mcg then 100mcg, normal for over 50s apparently in Feb last year, after presenting dry skin that would not respond to eczema treatment, lots of splits in skin of fingers, some vision abnormalities, and brain fog, I couldn't remember regular customer phone No's that I have had in memory for years but the most annoying thing for me was my inability to lose weight, January is a dry month, no alcohol and no pringles either, I used to lose a stone during the month, last year I put on 3lb during Jan. this year I have lost the stone and am going for a repeat into Feb to get my weight down to merely being overweight I've not had a weight gain problem at all, just my normal pre hibernation half stone gain during Nov and Dec. That has been happening since I started watching my weight after packing up smoking 23 years ago

Hello everyone,

I had my thyroid removed in November 2011, and had some lymph nodes removed last year.While it took a good 6-8 weekd for my body to get used to the Levothyroxine, I never had any real problems with weight gain. But since I have been back on them this time (about 1 mounth), I have put on a good kilo!!, and it shows no signs of stopping,. It seems the more exercise that I do the more I put on!!.

I started taking levothyroxine in November last year. A low dose of 25 mcg. Not felt as good for years.

However I now have raised glucose levels as a warning for diabetes. Checked for side effects and raised glucose is one of the side effects. Seeing our nurse next week for diet advice but wil also ask my GP if there is another form I can take.

Not gained weight, not losing seemingly but energy levels, memory, strength has improved no end! Hope you sort it out. I agree that if you are worried go back to your doctor and ask to see a specialist.

I am so relieved to see that I am not the only one with this problem. I'm 19 and got a pregnancy scare because I thought I was pregnant. But I just started Levothyroxine about a month ago on the lowest dose, and I've been gaining quite a few pounds, but I've been underweight before I started taking it, and I still am. I'm currently 95lbs. My stomach sticks out as though I'm pregnant and my breasts have hurt and have been getting bigger, but I suppose I'm finally making my way to a 34A cup. Yay!

I know it's a problem to gain weight for most women, but I'm thankful despite looking like I'm pregnant. And having late periods didn't help a scare I had about a month ago.. I've been having less body pains, and I had thought I had fibromyalgia. But nope. I had no idea hypothyroidism could cause so many issues, but now I should've figured.

I hope anyone who google searched this topic finds solace in these posts as much as I have. x

Hi, I know this an old post but thought I would respond anyhow. I am on a similar journey - taking the meds with no difference in my symptoms - extreme fatigue and struggling with weight. I am doing my own lifestyle changes but I think we should keep pushing for alternative treatments to be available and I am reseraching this currently. All the best.

Hi Im 45 and always been thin eating anthing i want and remaining 8stone in weight even after having 2 children. 5 years ago I was prescribed thyroxine for hypothyroidism, im now on 100mcg and can honestly say I believe that thyroxine has made me fat im 11 st 4 at the moment. Im unable to lose weight no matter what i do and I am as active as im able.  I also believe that all of my debilitating symtoms are also due to thyroxine.  My GP will not hear of it and once said that i was imagining my symptoms.  I would not come off thyroxine though but wonder if i can live my life like this.  one day the medical profession may sit up and realise that we are not imagining our effects and symtoms and make a change fingas crossed lets hope so