Weight gain from levothyroxine- lm now reduced to 1 small meal a day

[Mightymouse70]

The weight gain has continued. I'm now only going to be about to eat a v small meal once a day eg eggs and some lean meat. I look hideous from the weight gain. Food is now the enemy and now only serves to keep me alive. It's no longer a pleasure or an enjoyment for me.

Just needed to vent at how sad I am.

Levothyroxine should not cause weight gain ? An untreated underactive thyroid will cause weight gain and typically patients on levothyroxine will start to see an improvement in symptoms and weight stabilisation or loss after approx 3 weeks.

It could be that your dose is not correct - see your GP for further tests

OP levothyroxine has no mechanism in the body to cause or drive weight gain, so as PP have said either your dose needs reviewing or something else is causing this weight gain. You need to go back to your GP!

Sounds like your dose needs reviewing. I've been taking levothyroxine for 38 years and never put weight on at all.

Levothyroxine doesn't cause weight gain. There's no mechanism of action for this to happen.
If you've gained weight and are eating such a restricted diet I'd make an appointment with your GP

I'm on levothyroxine and have managed to lose 3 stones gained during menopause. I eat normally, am vegetarian (mostly plant based) and do fasting from last meal in evening until next day, no snacks just eating at mealtimes unless DH & I go out for a coffee etc.

Do you mean levothyroxine? Or carbimazole?

I highly suspect your hypothyroidism is being under treated…ideally you should be having tests that show your T3 levels as well as T4 but the nhs is very behind in thyroid management.

There are numerous articles stating that weight gain is a side effect of levothyroxine. Here is one https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/levothyroxine#highlights

@Mightymouse70 I feel your pain - I have found I need a very restricted diet to lose and then maintain weight loss. I struggle to sustain this . I am currently on Mountjaro as a last resort but so far the weight loss is slow.

To those suggesting under medication, it isn't that simple. My last blood test suggested I that my dose should be reduced

https://www.btf-thyroid.org/thyroid-and-weight-the-science

I feel your pain. Since March I’ve put on 9k on Levo, it does make you put on weight. I have had 3 increases now, Endo says i do not need my meds adjusted. I fast, I’m gluten and dairy free, I have a PT session twice a week, exercise 5 times a week. Nothing works, totally depressed

@Allenabc it is beyond depressing. I am seriously thinking of starving myself.

I was put onto Levothyroxine a couple of years ago and put on over a stone in about 6 months. I started on 25mcg and went up to 100mcg over time. Each time it was increased I put on more weight. From teenager to early 40’s I was always around 8.5stone, have always eaten very heathily only needing 1 or 2 full meals a day and I’ve never been a snacker.

Once I was on my highest dose I was pushing 10stone. I was having regular migraines and my periods were all over the place.

I started doing some research online and found that my symptoms, including very fast weight gain were common. Then and there I decided I was never taking another Levothyroxine pill again.

That was 5 months ago and I’ve dropped 8lbs in that time. I’ve not done anything different other than stop taking the pills. I also haven’t had a migraine in that time and my periods are back to normal.

I just think that Levothyroxine isn’t for me. The research suggests that T4 doesn’t work for some people but you can’t get T3 in the UK so there is no alternative.

So I look after myself in other ways now to control my hypo symptoms. I try to eat low carb, I try to stay away from caffeine. I get out in the fresh air for a long walk every day to improve my energy levels.

I’m not a doctor and I’m not advising you to stop taking your medication, I’m just letting you know what I’ve done. But research online and you will read plenty of studies that show that not everyone can convert T4 (Levothyroxine) into T3 and when that happens Levo can actually make your hypo symptoms worse.

Sadly I have no choice, I have no Thyroid. It’s either medication or die. I’ve been taking Levo and T3 since March and pilling on weight. I’ve given up now, my life has changed so much since my operation. Dr is not interested and Endo hasn’t a clue either . It’s very frustrating. I would love to stop the medication but unfortunately I cannot. I’m so pleased you have found a way to lose the weight and be happy