Weight gain on Synthroid has me questioning the medicine?
Question posted by BrennaG on 26 June 2017
Last updated on 24 April 2019 by yvonnemarie222
I've been prescribed Synthroid since March because my Nurse Practitioner believes I have hypothyroidism. We did a test before starting any medication. You can see the results below:
My only concern is my weight. I've always been between 135-140 lbs with my weight being the lowest as soon as we started the Synthroid treatment. I have continued to eat fruits/vegetables/nuts/etc with the occasional treat for sticking to a healthy diet and I work out 4/5 days a week. I have gained 11 lbs following the treatment. It had dipped a week after starting and has just slowly continued to climb.
I met with the Nurse Practitioner earlier today and brought my weight concerns to her. She doesn't think it's the Synthroid at all and questioned anything that I had read on the internet. I'm not one to self diagnosis but I did do a lot of reading on the issue and found others to have similar experiences. She says it's literally impossible for the drug to cause weight gain because of the science of the T4 component. See newest test results below:
She now wants to increase my dose from 25 to 50 and I'm hesitant to. I think I'm going to turn this into my own personal experiment. I have a friend who will be able to determine my total body fat percentage along with other important variables. Now my question is whether I should take the increased dose or not. Whether I stop taking the drug or increase, I will still revisit the body tests to see what changes.
Other people online have suggested introducing more T3 supplements to help assist but I don't know much about that. Any thoughts or experience would be very helpful.
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
5 Answers
YV
yvonnemarie222
24 April 2019
I started Synthroid 2 1/2 weeks ago and have gained 10 lbs. I eat clean Keto and have no problem maintaining my weight over the years when I was on Armor. I also have more fatigue, muscle aches and constipation.
Votes: +0
BO
bonnie1122
24 Feb 2019
so, i have been on synthroid for about 2 1/2 years. i have gained 30 pounds, and as well, grew much larger breasts , btw: im 53 and have completely went thru menopause. i also have found that if i take it and immediately do anything strenuous , i have "hot flash" like symptoms. i am so frustrated as i went on it because i was loosing hair by the fist fulls. this has stopped however the other side effects are awful i feel fat, lathargic, and tired
Votes: +0
GP
gpink
6 Feb 2019
I was switched to brand name Synthroid only 1 yr ago. I take 125mcg, I've went from 145 to 168lbs. Before this change I was on levothyroxine 112mcg for about 10 years.
Votes: +0
KY
Kyle4545
5 Nov 2018
Hey, I have been on synthroid for about 5 years. I am 31 and play basketball for 2 hours three times a week. Besides that, on the other days I still run at least a mile 2 of those days. However I have gained 45 pounds since I started taking it. My doctor always asks about my diet, but if anything I have cut the breads and sugars back. I was wanting to know how your experiment turned out. I almost want to give up. Any help greatly appreciated, thanks...
Votes: +0
IN
Inactive
26 June 2017
Hi Brenna: Your TSH is definitely too high according to today's measurements of thyroid hormone. I went to an endocrinologist and was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I didn't do well on Synthroid. He allowed me at this point to try Nature-Throid, which is a bio-identical hormone, similar to the body's natural thyroid hormone. Not only does it contain T4, but also contains T3, and T1 and T2, which all help your body to utilize the thyroid hormone more effectively. Don't waste your time on "Wilson's Syndrome" protocol.. I've been there, done that, it's a hoax. But I do stand by the efficacy of Nature-Throid as a substitute for a deficit in thyroid hormone. It is easy to obtain at many pharmacies and big box stores. I've taken it effectively for over 20 years.
Votes: +0
IN
Inactive
26 June 2017
Brenna: Sad to say, Of course your NP or doctor will NEVER attribute your weight gain to a medication which they have prescribed! (I feel your pain).
