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

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Hi

I started to take levothyroxine last August for hypothyroidism. I have always been slim, no problems with weight UNTIL NOW. Since I started taking the medication my weight started to creep up. In six months I have put on a stone and my tummy is sticking out as if I'm pregnant. I have been on various internet sites to find out why this is happening and I can't find the answers. I believe it is the medication. I spoke to someone from British Thyroid Foundation and she was very rude and unhelpful. She insisted that it wasn't the medication. Well, I had no problems with weight for 35 years and all of a sudden when taking Levothyroxine my weight shoots up, there is something going wrong and I'm not at all happy.

This is very depressing. I feel are we all being tried out as guinea pigs and then in years to come they will admit to it!!

Has anyone else had the same problem cos I'm at my wits end. I want to come off this medication its made me feel a lot worse than before.

[i:ff9b7f48e7]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:ff9b7f48e7]

13 likes, 124 replies

124 Replies

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  • karen110575
    karen110575 Guest

    Posted

    Hi 

    I have found the same has happened and i am also feeling very depressed i started on 25mg tablet and its now been increased to 50mg 2 weeks ago and i have put on half a stone since then i am worried as i have asthma and when i gain weight my asthma gets worse and this is very concerning. My doctor said they want to see me in 6 weeks for another blood test but dont think i can wait that long. Hope you get things sorted 

  • penni44
    penni44 Guest

    Posted

    Hi, I started taking Levothyroxine about 2 months ago. I mentioned to my GP that I thought I might have an under active thyroid and the blood test proved this to be the case. However, the only reason I suspected this was because of my slightly thinning hair and eyebrows. I have never been hirsute, in fact the opposite. Even in my younger days I rarely needed to shave my legs or under arms. I also always felt the cold more than others. Apart from that I have been very lucky to be always fit, active and healthy with a steady weight of around 8stone 10pounds.

    Since taking levothyroxine I have started gaining weight, especially around my middle even though my diet hasn't changed. No one will convince me that this is good for my health! I shall be 70 in October and have decided that slightly thinning hair/eyebrows I can live with. I have no other symptons whatsoever. In view of this I shall no longer be taking the medication no matter what my GP tells me.

     

  • linda60516
    linda60516 Guest

    Posted

    Hi

       I  also  am having same issue with weight gain. I exercise 2-3 times a week with cardio martial arts, and walk our dog nightly. I only eat healthy foods, smoothies that include celery, spinach , avocado, banana ets to help my thyroid.  Yes, it is very depressing. 40's do not mean one has to stop looking good. I am a RN and my PCP thinks I am nuts. I want to look the way I used to look. I a 120's but feel like 300 lbs.  I will see an endocrine specialist, hopefully not need a referrel.

                                      

    • michelle64563
      michelle64563 linda60516

      Posted

      Hi Linda,

      Im 45 and want to also look the best that I can.  This is an update. 3 weeks ago I went to see my GP and managed to get my LEV reduced from 100mcg to 75mcg on the understanding that we review after 8 weeks. I have to say that i have lost 4lb in weight, my hair has stopped falling out, my skin is less dry.  Surely this is no coincidence hope my GP will agree to keep me on this dose as I do feel more positive about my other symtoms and things may get even better.

    • linda60516
      linda60516 michelle64563

      Posted

      Hi Michelle

            I am happy for you!!  I really believe,if you feel better despite what the labs say is how thyroid issues should be treated. Yes, good luck to you. Please keep in touch. There is strength in numbers

          I have teenage daughters, and don't believe I can not look or feel my best as I get a tiny bit older. I definitely don't want to be an overweight, unattractive mother or future grandmother.

       

  • kathryn53888
    kathryn53888 Guest

    Posted

    Hi please see my new discussion on GP etc Hope you are feeling better now.
  • charlotte84876
    charlotte84876 Guest

    Posted

    Oh my word.

    I was diagnosed with an underactve thyroid after having blood tests for fertility reasons a month ago. I started taking Levothyroxine yesterday. After reading all your posts I'm now terrrifed that I'm going to put on weight and suufer side affects. I'm 9 stone 7 at the moment and I'm not happy being this weight. I have put half a stone since getting married in September last year, I can't bear the thought of putting on anymore.

    I will refuse to take them if I start putting weight on.

    Does anyone else have any epxerience with other medications? I would be happy to pay for my prescriptions if it meant I was recieving a better quality of medication. Why do GPs not prescribe anything else other than Levothyroxine?

  • carol11091
    carol11091 Guest

    Posted

    I started putting on weight BEFORE taking Levothyrox but haven't put on any more since I sorted out the dosage; this takes a long time and means a blood test once a month until TSH,  T3 andT4 are back to normal.

    Perhaps it would help if you explained EXACTLY what all you have done and what dosage you are on.

  • carol11091
    carol11091 Guest

    Posted

    Sorry, have just seen that it's all new for you.

    Are you depressed? If you come off the medication things can only get worse. You must be patient and take your levothyrox at LEAST half an hour before having breakfast, on an empty stomach with a full glass of water. Certain foods should be avoided and any other medication should be taken at least 4 hours after the Levothyrox.

    This is considered to be the safest of all the medicines for hypothyroidism.

    • charlotte84876
      charlotte84876 carol11091

      Posted

      Hi Carol, 

      I'm taking 50mg. 

      I've been feeling crap for ages, constantly tired, depressed, lack of energy and lack of interest in anything, not being able to motivate myself to do any exercise, feeling run down all the time, coldsores, mouth ulcers, thrush. I've just felt like I've been on a different planet. 

      It's only because I've been trying to get pregnant for quite some time that it's been diagnosed. 

       

      I'm pretty upset about it. I've read really negative reports about levothyroxine. Are there other medications you can try? 

    • carol11091
      carol11091 charlotte84876

      Posted

      Charlotte, can you tell me exactly what's written on the box of your medication and which pharmaceutical company makes it?

      All the symptoms you have are due to your underactive thyroid. I promise you it does get better but not overnight.

      What was your TSH when you had your bloodtest and when are you supposed to go back to the Doctor's?

  • PrincessOfISlam
    PrincessOfISlam Guest

    Posted

    Hi, 

    I am 17 years old and have been having thyroid probems in 2 years. I am taking levothyroxine tablets at the moment but took carbimazole before that.

    I haven't had my period for 6 months now, and i dont know why. 

  • hazeld15
    hazeld15 Guest

    Posted

    I have been on Thyroxine now for about 2 years during which time I have put on well over 2 and a half stone. I have never been actually slim but if ever I wanted to lose weight, I didn't really have a problem with dieting. It came off at a steady rate.  Now I do Weight Watchers and in the last month, although I have stuck to it religiously, I lost half a pound.  It just won't come off.  My doctor says it's nothing to do with the medication and is going to arrange for me to see a dietician. I know this will be a waste of time but I suppose I have to go through the motions.  I wonder what will happen when the dietician tells her it's not what I'm eating that's making me put on weight.  I'll keep you informed.
  • cameronita
    cameronita Guest

    Posted

    Hi...I was 165 lbs and got thyroid disease and gained 10 pounds then I went on levothyroxine and gained another 15 pounds. Yes it is the levothyroxine. Water weight was so bad I gained 7 to 8 pounds on a meal and then lost it the next and then I would eat the next day and gain it again. A yo yo effect. I was at my wits end. I stopped this med at my own urgence. The doctors were irritated but I will tell you I am stalled at 185 and gain a minimal of 3 to 5 pound water to a max of 188 but the weight gain of fat has stopped. That steady increase of a pound or two every two weeks....Stop this med and you will see....I proved it to myself....

    I wish you luck....this is an awful disease....

    Cameron

    • kristine01471
      kristine01471 cameronita

      Posted

      Hi Cameronita.  Are you saying that if I stop the levothyroxine I will lose the 4 - 5 pounds I've gained in the passsed 4 days?  I hope so.  I was so pleased when my doctor prescribe this medication as I thought I would lose weight, but instead I've gained it.  I will not be  taking it any more after I've seen my doctor on Monday.
    • kristine01471
      kristine01471

      Posted

      Hi, Can't stand the weight I've put on since using Levothyroxine.  Am off to my GP Monday and will stop using this drug.
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