I started this medication last fall for an underactive thyroid. Since then I've been packing on the pounds even while watching every bite I take and excercising regularly.
Has anyone experienced major weight gain after starting Levothyroxine?
- Asked
- 18 Mar 2010 by yorkgreeneyes
- Active
- 4 days ago
- Topics
- underactive thyroid, thyroid disease, obesity, levothyroxine, weight
Details:
Responses (30)
suzanne66
29 Mar 2010
You should report unusual weight gain to your doctor.
See https://www.drugs.com/sfx/levothyroxine-side-effects.html
You may find some of these comments from users of levothyroxine interesting.
https://www.drugs.com/comments/levothyroxine/
basncasmom
13 Feb 2014
tmbirdie
1 Jul 2014
Yep, same with me! I was 135 and went up to 150 in 7 months! I am no longer hypothyroid and I am saying screw these meds too. I'm pissed because I watch my diet very carefully and walk about 2 miles 4 times a week plus strength training 3 times a week.
MizHelen
6 Mar 2015
I started taking my meds in 2005, I started with Hyper thyroids and now I am Hypo... in the mist of taking these meds I went from 145 lbs to 175 in 4 months. I am still at 175 and have been for years. I did get to 165 but gained my weight back quick. I have dieted, exercised, walked, and I can't seem to lose weight. I was never this big until I started taking these meds. I read someone else gained weight and they look like they were 6 months pregnant, that's how I look. My stomach is out there and it is uncomfortable and doesn't look right. I have decided to stop taking these meds at least for 6 months to see what happens. If I lose weight, than I know it was the meds. I hope this helped.
Twin58
16 Sep 2015
I went to my endocrinologist begging someone to answer why I sweat so severely and this year I can't tolerate heat. It makes me insane going out in oppressive heat. Never mind in six years going from 190 to 250 on the scale. He shook my hand and said, "your T4 is in a great range (175 mcg of med). Sorry your feeling loisy. Have you thought of losing weight?". I replied, " not for the lack of trying.". He said, " maybe you should try gastric by pass." Then shook my hand again and told me again sorry your feeling loisy. There is nothing I can do for you. I wish you all the best. Needless to say he is not my doctor. But the kicker is that I am not allowed to going to any other doctor with the Froedtert systom because because they have this crazy rules. I stupid is that. I am livid.
Twin58
16 Sep 2015
I went to my endocrinologist begging someone to answer why I sweat so severely and this year I can't tolerate heat. It makes me insane going out in oppressive heat. Never mind in six years going from 190 to 250 on the scale. He shook my hand and said, "your T4 is in a great range (175 mcg of med). Sorry your feeling loisy. Have you thought of losing weight?". I replied, " not for the lack of trying.". He said, " maybe you should try gastric by pass." Then shook my hand again and told me again sorry your feeling loisy. There is nothing I can do for you. I wish you all the best. Needless to say he is not my doctor. But the kicker is that I am not allowed to going to any other doctor with the Froedtert systom because because they have this crazy rules. I stupid is that. I am livid.
deline
7 Mar 2015
Diagnosed 6 yrs ago hypothyroidism my Dr has increased my mcg to 112 my weight has gone from 115 to 170. I stopped taking levo for several months and I lost a few pounds. Decided to see an endocrinologist and see if there were other problems, all she did was check thyroid put me back on levo and I gained 5 more pounds. I hate this medication. I am going back to all natural way, again.
deline
5 May 2015
Since my post I stopped taking Levo, my belly fat is decreasing & I have lost 10 lbs. My Dr said I would be so tired bc my thyroid levels would be low. Well I am fine. Taking same vitamins. Will check back in 2 months to update.
All I can say is if you are considering quitting the drug... do it for at least a couple of months.
Classy4701
30 May 2015
The exact same thing has happened to me, I exercise, eat right, and the scale won't budge. I am also extremely fatigued and tried, so the other I decided to stop taking this med and this is my second day off and boy the energy I have. I will be anxious to see if the weight comes off, went from 135 to 174. UUUGGGGHHHH
ShellySeashell
23 Mar 2015
Boy have I ever. I started Levo in September and on October 30 i weighed 214. Apt In Feb I weighed 235. I eat clean and gluten free. I exercise daily. the Levo was supposed to fix the Thyroid which is why they said I went from 189 to 214 in one year with no changes to diet or exercise. So in total in 18 months I have went from 189 to 235. With clean eating and daily exercise whole time. I go back to Endo this week and i am asking for Armour instead of Levo because I have heard many say they gained on Levo and than lost it on Armour.
Crivera123
29 Apr 2016
I also went from 170 to 250. Horrible. Worse nightmare!
Saggirl
19 Aug 2016
I gained 15 lbs after starting this medicine. I had trouble sleeping and became extremely depressed and agitated and felt extreme fatigue. I have been off the drug for 3 weeks and am feeling more energetic but can not lose the weight I gained.
swanee2009
5 May 2015
I'm on a very low dose of Levothyroxine and have gained 20 lbs.i have gained so much weight in my upper belly that it looks like I'm pregnant. I have always had a flat tummy until I started taking this med. I'm gonna stop for awhile and see if I lose. I feel miserable. I watch what I eat and exercise.
cjanene
9 Feb 2016
that's exactly the way I feel!
swanee2009
26 May 2016
I'm still off my meds, lost several lbs but still didn't lose it all, I refuse to start taking it again.
HOODBREWER
9 Jul 2015
Not a medical person so I am speaking from my own feelings. I have been on a very low dose of levothyroxine for about 5 or 6 months. I have gained around 30 extra pounds; sluggish to no energy. I am 52 and it may be my age, heart trouble, bone disease, fibromyalgia, plantar fasciitis, my depression or just the fact that I hurt too bad to move much. I just know that I have had 3 children and my stomach was not this large, round, or hard when I was 9 months pregnant. I am beyond miserable.
Twin58
16 Sep 2015
Sorry, I feel your pain. I've never had so many health issues within the past 6 years since put on levothyroxin. I am on 175 mcgs. Went from 190-250. I just decided in July to go off all my meds and my Bp has never been better, my heart rate has normalized an with the aid of Gowing off wheat and dairy and maintaining exercise, I have lost 18 lbs in 2 months. I have been into nutrition for many years, good stuff not the cheap stuff and I am feeling better. After going to my endocrinologist for the last time might add, he told me he could help my severe sweating problem and my extreme heat intolerance. He suggested gastric bypass. He said my T4 was perfect and there was nothing he could for me, was sorry I felt so loisy, and exited the appointment. I was so depressed, another side effect I cried for 3 weeks. I was diagnosed with pituitary hypothyroidism so I will have to see what will happen. I am banned from getting a new endocrinologist in the Froedtert system.because they are all colliges.
summer2250
30 Dec 2015
I too am unhappy with this med. I've gained 30 lbs since surgery. Surgery was 09-11-2015
I'm still hopeful that I'll get better but I got to admit I'm miserable.
If the med isn't causing me to itch it's making my musles weak I sometimes feels like a invalid.
Still under the doctor and hoping she doesn't give up on me.
geraldine elliott
texasbelle9
15 Jul 2015
I am on .075MG of Levothyroxine, and have been for one year, and I am a healthy person who runs, eats healthy (MOST of the time) and is very active with a fitbit and everything. I have gained about 10+ pounds in one year, and it is steadily climbing. Before that, I was the same weight, give or take a couple pounds, for almost a decade. I am 31, so at first I thought it was just hitting that 30's wall of being harder to lose weight. I look like I am in my second trimester of being pregnant!!! It is ridiculous. None of my clothes fit. After reading this, I am thinking about stopping my medication for awhile to see what happens. When I started, my levels were over 5, but my recent lab results stated I am a 2.23 now. My question is... What happens when I stop the meds? Is it safe to do? What other things could I be supplementing with in order to keep my levels where they need to be? Thanks for all your help! :)
Chicagogirl720
4 Sep 2015
My story is exactly the same. I'm 31 and have been taking Levo for years. Now my clothes don't fit, my belly fat is increasing, and the scale is going up no matter how hard I try. I workout at least 5 days a week and eat healthy. This is crazy!
Twinmon
15 Jul 2015
Hi I have experienced the same thing, I have only been on the drug for 5 months and I'm gaining weight when before I always struggled to gain any, it's also messed my period up and was stopping me getting pregnant! I stopped my meds 2 days ago after discussion with my doctor as my levels weren't too bad to begin with, but I have to be tested again in 6 months x
hgraves03
18 Sep 2015
I'm in a similar situation - what happened when you stopped your meds?
angelhp
23 Jan 2017
same here im only taking 0.025mg,but have gained weight,i quit it dr said no get back on it but once again my jeans got tight my boobs bigger,i quit smoking and over 6 years i found i was 197lbs.i lost 70 lbs walking and drinking only water so now around 127-ta 130, as my jeans get tight all i see is 197-200 lbs again ,it is the meds putting on the weight the drs are nuts sticking up for the drug .with all i have read im not going back on it my fam is concerned,but i cant deal with 200lbs i was holding my weight at 128 for 3 years after i lost the weight and 1 pill puts it back on NO THANK YOU
jennie claire
26 Aug 2015
hgraves03
17 Sep 2015
Has anyone had success losing weight after stopping levothyroxine? I took Synthroid and Cytomel for about 5 weeks and gained about 15 pounds. I couldn't fit into any of my clothes, particularly pants and jeans. Even my underwear didn't fit!! I'm usually a medium and XL barely fit. I also was so bloated and looked pregnant. With my doctor's approval, I've now weaned off the meds. It's only been about a week and I'm feeling better and lighter. I'm really hoping to lose this weight as quickly as it came on. Has anyone had success quitting Levo / Synthroid?
deline511
18 Sep 2015
There is hope of weight loss. It takes time. You dont have to starve yourself just cut back on sugar and carbs. I exercise but always have. My pregnant looking belly is GONE!!! I stopped my meds in March. Check my post and read my progress.
hgraves03
18 Sep 2015
Thanks so much!! I stopped meds about a week ago. How long did it take you to notice that stopping meds was working? I'm on a clean diet and exercise regularly. I'm not looking for a quick fix but would like to know when I might start to feel like the meds are out of my system.
celtthunfan84
4 Nov 2015
In June I opted to have my thyroid taken out due to Graves disease. About a week afterward I started taking levothyroxine. In 5 months I have gained about 80 lbs, my cholesterol has risen about 30 points (it was at 102 which is amazing), and I am always cold unless it gets to be about 75 which is comfortable. My dr has risen the dose, but I have not picked up the prescription. I know its impossible, but Im half tempted to have the dr replace my thyroid. Yes, I was overweight but I was steady, my mood was constant, and I was comfortable. This medicine is completely horrible. There has to be a better treatment out there because I simply cannot stand to continue to pack on the pounds.
Jessicabugaboo
27 Jan 2016
Mountainmutt
30 Jan 2016
deline511
30 Jan 2016
My physician told me that levo is the same as any of the other thyroid meds. I didn't believe her so I asked my pharmacist and he confirmed it. My Dr told me it was my age causing me to gain weight. I got off this horrible mess in March 2015 and my pregnant looking belly went away & the dreadful bloated face as well. Before I started taking this i weighed 115 my weight climbed to 170. I am now 140. It's slow but I am getting there.
Eeladrab826
31 Mar 2016
I have been on levo 50 mcg since July. All I know is that my clothes don't fit, I eat pretty healthy, and yet the scale won't budge!!! I lost some hair in the fall and hoping its growing back, I'm wondering if I need to be on this at all, I was boderline low thyroid and he immediately put me on the levo. I am thinking just going off and seeing what will happen ... help:( so frustrated!
rscognam
31 Jan 2016
I was diagnosed with Hashimotos and given levothyroxine cause my tsh was high. All other was in range. I had a pair of pants that I tried on in sept 2015 which didn't fit. I didn't want to weigh myself. In November upon request my endo changed my med to armour. I tried the pants on yesterday and got them on. Not sure how much I lost but definitely did since changing meds. I'll never go on levo again. I'll take nothing if armour isn't available.
Further Information
- Levothyroxine Information for Consumers
- Levothyroxine Information for Healthcare Professionals (includes dosage details)
- Side Effects of Levothyroxine (detailed)
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Suzanne's first comment is right on. Weight gain is not a normal side effect of taking levo and too much of it could cause weight loss, the opposite of what you report. Your doc should get involved. You're more likely than not still HYPOthyroid and may need more levo.
Read comments on the second website with extreme caution and recall these are coming from laymen. Some I read are frankly off the wall yet are rated 'helpful' by other uninformed lay persons. I'd rate this site as potentially dangerous and unhelpful unless you have sufficient medical knowledge to allow you to discriminate between useful info and utter nonsense.
I've been taking Levothroxine for over a year and taking 100 MG and still gaining weight I watch everything. I eat excesses as much as I can. Went from 103 to 146. I can't seem to loose the weight.
The higher dosage doctor has put me on the more weight I have gained. She tells me it's age and I won't be able to loose thyroid weight. I want to know why all the doctors will not listen to the patients??? I have seen 3 doctors & I get the same answer. My weight has gone from 115 to 170 in 6 yrs. I watch what I eat... strict vegetarian and exercise and the weight still keeps coming!!! This drug needs to be recalled!!!
To jaroslaw666:
Your criticism of the second link doesn't make sense. These are just people recording observations of their symptoms after taking this horrible drug. If you read a lot of them you will be able to see a pattern. If you are a doctor with an analytical mind you will be able to work with that patient and come to a solution. If you are a TSH and T4 only doctor your patient will remain symptomatic and miserable for years. The doctor should always listen to the patient and believe what they are reporting - and then read up or consult and expert in order to help that patient (if they do not already know a solution). Anyone prescribing the monotherapy of T4 isn't going to get very far - their patients will continued to suffer all the things you read in link 2.
I am 27 I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's over a year ago. At the time I went in i went from 103lbs to 127 I was upset with the weight gain they put me on levo thyroxine... N I went up to 155 :( that makes me depressed my stomach pouches out so big I look close to 8 months preg now people make comments to me bout my weight gain as if im not trying I was a health coach and a personal trainer but since I have gained so much I can't even begin to help others when I can't help myself :( im on .050 micrograms im reading all your posts and im
Expand...
Going to take myself off of it starting tomorrow. My fear is my period has always been extenely irregular and before the medicine I was skipping a month or two without it! I was so Uncomf infelt like I was getting it for weeks- I would cry in pain. Now I get it regularly idk which is worse loose my period or loose my mind by how heavy I have gotten. I ripped 2 pairs of soandex in two days. I used to battle with an eating disorder so this weight gain is eating me alive. Pathetic :( mayb I'll try without it ️see what happens!
I had quit taking it because I was gaining weight and I mentioned it to him at my last visit on 9/23 and he said not taking it probably caused me to gain but I had been gaining while on it so that's why I quit. He said once I started it again I would probably start losing weight. Hasn't happened yet :( I'm beginning to wonder if I should go to an endocrinologist. Thank you all for your comments and links. I'm going to sit down and start reading very carefully. I feel like no matter what I do I'm gaining so I can take some notes for next time I go see my doc!!!
I have been on Levo for 5 yrs. Reason for taking it in first place was borderline thyroid and low energy. Five yrs later... an added 50 lbs and same low energy. Dr. says not to go off and he overlooked weight gain by insinuated it was my fault and prescribing a diet pill! So I won't be telling the Dr. anything as they don't listen any way. Shame it took me 5yrs to realize why I have gained so much and why even by starving myself I can't lose the weight. Weaning off now. Advice to others about this drug... your doctor has obviously never been on this medication! Listen to the people on this thread the telling you what will happen!
I was diagnosed with Graves' disease 10 years ago & finally did the radiation 2 years ago. I have been on Levo for 2 years. In the last year gained 30 pounds, 8 pounds in the last 2 months. I asked me endocrinologist today at my appt of it could be the hormones & if I could try new ones, she told me no! She said I was always this because of my thyroid and maybe I'm supposed to be a big girl & my body is just doing its thing!! I left there crying & with a prescription diet pill!! I won't be going back there! She never listened to me & wish I never did the radiation. I had a feeling maybe it was the levo but after reading all this I'm convinced!