Synthroid

[onyxbearsmom]

i was recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism and given a prescription for synthroid. i have researched my condition thoroughly on the web but haven't found the answer to one question so i hope someone who has taken synthroid or another medication for underactive thyroid can help me. will being on this medication help me lose the weight i have been unable to lose since my son's birth 2 1/2 years ago? my risk factor for diabetes is very high and this extra weight worries me. thanks so much!
onyxbearsmom

[Casey55]

I have been on Synthroid for hypothyroidism for well over 10 years. I can't say I have ever noticed it has had any affect on my weight. But it is sometimes prescribed for weight loss because of its affect on metabolism.


http://www.drugs.com/Synthroid/

SYNTHROID
Generic Name: levothyroxine (lee voe thye ROCK seen)
Brand Names: Eltroxin, Euthyrox, Levo-T, Levotabs, Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid, Unithroid


What is levothyroxine?
• Levothyroxine is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the thyroid. It is important for normal energy and metabolism.

• Changes in blood sugar may occur if you have diabetes, and special monitoring may be necessary.

[kittokat]

I've been on Synthroid for a year and I didn't notice much of a weight loss either. Maybe a few pounds at first, but nothing substantial. I was hoping I'd lose more myself...

quote:Originally posted by onyxbearsmom

i was recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism and given a prescription for synthroid. i have researched my condition thoroughly on the web but haven't found the answer to one question so i hope someone who has taken synthroid or another medication for underactive thyroid can help me. will being on this medication help me lose the weight i have been unable to lose since my son's birth 2 1/2 years ago? my risk factor for diabetes is very high and this extra weight worries me. thanks so much!
onyxbearsmom

[LPenney]

I have been on generic synthroid for 20 years, and continued to gain weight for all of those years. It's like, once it's on, it will not come off no matter what you do. I did lose weight on the ATkins diet, but I can't eat like that forever. I have been recently diagnosed as a celiac (gluten intolerance), and going on the gluten free diet has helped my weight....43 pounds in 2 1/2 months. That is because my throid is working better now that I am not being poisoned by gluten. Have your doctor test you for Reverse T3 and for thyroid antibodies, they tell what is happening at the cellular level. Even tho my T4 and T3 have been in normal ranges for 20 years, my cells were not able to function properly. The antibodies tell how poorly your cells are utilizing the T3 and T4 in your blood stream. Even tho your blood levels are "normal" doesn't mean your cells are able to utilize the T4.The best thing you can do is to research the latest findings on thyroid disease. Reverse T3 has only been discovered to be an important indicator in the past few years. Every year, we learn more and more. My biggest symptom of hypothroidism was joint pain, severe and constant, not a "usual" symptom, but I had that for several months before the weight gain and sweelling started. You retain water both intra cellularly and extra cellulary when your thyroid isn't working properly, so you are swollen and tired.
Good luck finding out more...
Linda

[onyxbearsmom]

thank you so much for the informative reply! this is all new to me so i appreciate you taking the time to help me. i will print your letter and take it to my next app. with the endocrinologist. my symptoms were very vague as well. i kept telling my husband i didn't know why i was so tired all the time cuz i'm not a lazy person. my new dermatologist told me my crazy skin problems were related to my hypothyroidism as well. these past 2 years of hearing it was post partum problems or dismissing me has frustrated me beyond belief. i'm grateful to know i do have a legitimate problem although i'm not so grateful for the disease itself. so many questions and not enough time in an exam room to get the answers.....
thanks again!
wishing you only the best!
onyxbearsmom

quote:Originally posted by LPenney

I have been on generic synthroid for 20 years, and continued to gain weight for all of those years. It's like, once it's on, it will not come off no matter what you do. I did lose weight on the ATkins diet, but I can't eat like that forever. I have been recently diagnosed as a celiac (gluten intolerance), and going on the gluten free diet has helped my weight....43 pounds in 2 1/2 months. That is because my throid is working better now that I am not being poisoned by gluten. Have your doctor test you for Reverse T3 and for thyroid antibodies, they tell what is happening at the cellular level. Even tho my T4 and T3 have been in normal ranges for 20 years, my cells were not able to function properly. The antibodies tell how poorly your cells are utilizing the T3 and T4 in your blood stream. Even tho your blood levels are "normal" doesn't mean your cells are able to utilize the T4.The best thing you can do is to research the latest findings on thyroid disease. Reverse T3 has only been discovered to be an important indicator in the past few years. Every year, we learn more and more. My biggest symptom of hypothroidism was joint pain, severe and constant, not a "usual" symptom, but I had that for several months before the weight gain and sweelling started. You retain water both intra cellularly and extra cellulary when your thyroid isn't working properly, so you are swollen and tired.
Good luck finding out more...
Linda