Liothyronine and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Ash...
• October 3, 2013

Liothyronine for Underactive Thyroid "I was on Synthroid only for 8 years after being diagnosed with Hypothyroidism. My dose was changed many times over that time frame by 4 different Endocrinologists, but I still felt bad: weight gain, fogginess, depression, chronic fatigue, you name it. 6 weeks ago, I was put on 10 mcg of Cytomel by a new doc that I am seeing 100 miles from my hometown, and I am happy to say that for the first time in 8 years, I have relief from my symptoms. I have lost 10 pounds in 6 weeks. I am happy, not in a fog anymore, and I have the energy to enjoy life once again. The Cytomel made all the difference."

• Anonymous
• November 2, 2010

Liothyronine for Underactive Thyroid "My doctor and I tried every T4 medication out there, and although I felt better, I still wasn't right. After 2 years, he switched me to Cytomel, and I immediately knew I had found the solution. All the hypo symptoms disappeared - constipation, depression, weight gain, and exhaustion. My cholesterol dropped to 140... in fact, all my blood work is excellent. It's very discouraging to know you're doing everything right - diet, exercise, sleep - and not only do your lab numbers not respond, but doctors tend to think you're not telling them the truth. Finally found a doctor that believed me; finally found the right medication. Life is good!"

• Tin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 10, 2019

Liothyronine for Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "An endocrinologist put me on the 50 mg per day post TT. I felt tremendous. Then my insurance changed, and I had to find a new doctor. The new doctor refused to prescribe Cytomel. So for several years, I’ve been on Synthroid 200 and 300, and then Nature-Throid 3 grains. The Nature-Throid won out over the Synthroid by far. But my total T3 and FT3 were still tanked. I began seeing a functional medicine doctor who suggested T3-only medication. WHAT A LIFE CHANGER! I take 25 mg per day. Gone is the anxiety, mood swings, depression, weight gain, brain fog, and insomnia. I feel like a brand new person at 62. My doctor follows my labs closely, and all thyroid levels are in range (FT3 upper range, FT4 mid-range). I highly recommend trying this monotherapy if you don’t have a thyroid gland and other medication regimens have failed."

• Ran...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2019

Liothyronine for Underactive Thyroid "Upon 5 days of taking Cytomel at a dose of 5 mcg per day, I had burning rashes on my chest up to my ears. Was taken to the ER 3x for tachycardia, heart failure, thyroid failure, sweating, confusion, arrhythmia, panic attacks, nausea, pain, twitching on the left side of my body, and more. Thyroid failure continued after stopping the medication, still to today not recovered. It is 10 months after the fact, and I have permanent damage. Tachycardia, nervous system, thyroid dysfunction, hair loss, excessive weight gain, 4 hours of functionality per day at most. I lost the ability to work and function like a normal person at 43 years old. I cannot exercise nor do simple chores without raising my heart rate excessively and blood pressure. I had perfect blood pressure and heart function prior to taking Cytomel."

• Sol...
• May 15, 2021

Liothyronine for Underactive Thyroid "Started Cytomel 5 mg about 8 days ago. As my T3 was low. And just did not feel well. I had hair loss, weight gain, major constipation, and very irritable, dry skin. I am hoping to feel better and be more regulated in many ways. I am curious what everyone’s T3 numbers were before starting. Cytomel may be too soon for me to notice any change yet? Thank you."

• Rea...
• December 12, 2020

For Underactive Thyroid "I have Hashimoto's. I had been medicated on Synthroid and wanted to change after reading all the thyroid books about T3. I took NDT for a couple of years, and when I had labs done for a hysterectomy, they were so bad I had to put surgery off for a year. I then went on Tirosint and begged my endo for T3 because everyone said my numbers weren't optimal. She put me on 5 mcg, and I have taken that with 88 mcg Tirosint for over a year. I have had cycling depression the whole time and slowly put on weight no matter what I do. Recently, I had a bad flare, and my doctor said maybe it's the T3. Stop taking it. I did, and a lot of my pain and fatigue lifted. I tried re-dosing several times, and everyone in my support group is shunning me because I want to quit. I am withdrawing now and hope that is over soon. I am absolutely glad that it works for some people, but I have had all the cortisol, anemia, and other testing, and it's definitely the med causing this! It isn't for everyone!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 9, 2012

For Underactive Thyroid "I have gained 20 pounds in the last 2 months, feel really hungry all the time, am having a hard time breathing for about a month now. I do not know if the breathing is from the medication, air, or allergies. My thyroid is under control, though."

• Fee...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 11, 2019

For Underactive Thyroid "Diagnosed with Hashimoto's June 2018. Since I can't convert T4 to T3, I was put on Cytomel, increasing by 5 mcg every 6 weeks until my TSH was in optimal range, which took 6 months. I felt better than I did in years. Then, I became hyperthyroid but was having symptoms of both hypo and hyper. So, my dose was decreased and was told I didn't have to be seen for a year. Last month, I pleaded to have my TSH tested again. My TSH was 45.0! Thinking it was a lab error, I got retested five days later, and it was 80.1! My endo DOUBLED my dose of Cytomel (and my TSH went down to 25.0). However, I felt like I was on steroids and begged him to lower the dose. He did, but now I am gaining weight, bloating (post-menopausal, so it's not related to menstruation). I feel horrible again."

• God...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 10, 2018

For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "My doctor had me on levothyroxine (once a day) and liothyronine (1/2 tablet 2 x a day). I switched health care providers (nurse practitioner), and she reduced the levothyroxine, cutting the liothyronine completely. I've gained weight and am extremely tired. I thought it was the heart med and blood thinner they put me on. After reading this about all of you, it may be because she drastically reduced the meds. I am seeing a new doctor now, and hopefully, she will add back the liothyronine after checking my blood. I have been drinking caffeine to be able to function, which I am not supposed to do because of my heart."