- Levothyroxine contains only T4, and your body must convert it to the active T3 hormone, but many patients cannot make this conversion efficiently causing weight gain despite medication.
- Adding T3 (liothyronine) as approximately 20% of your total thyroid hormone dose alongside your T4 produces significantly better weight loss than T4-only therapy.
- Check your free T3 and total T3 levels rather than relying on TSH alone to determine if your levothyroxine is actually being converted to the active form your body needs.
- Combining your thyroid medication with proper diet, exercise, and at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night is essential for weight loss since thyroid hormone alone cannot overcome lifestyle factors.
Are you on levothyroxine but still gaining weight?
Believe it or not, this is a big problem for a lot of people.
But how can you be gaining weight on a medication that is supposed to increase your metabolism? Is this even possible?
Absolutely.
The truth is that levothyroxine doesn’t necessarily increase your metabolism and studies show that most people who start it typically don’t lose any weight at all.
Worse than this, some people gain weight when they take it.
Today I’m going to explain why this phenomenon happens and what you can do about it if it has already happened to you.
You Can Take Levothyroxine & Still Not Have Enough T3
The first thing you need to understand about levothyroxine is that it contains a thyroid hormone that is considered inactive.
By itself, it doesn’t do anything except act as a reservoir for T3 and T3 is the most active thyroid hormone in your body.
When doctors prescribe levothyroxine, they are doing so with the intent that your body will be able to activate it so it can be used.
But that doesn’t always happen.
In fact, many thyroid patients are unable to activate T4 into T3 and have what we refer to as a thyroid conversion problem.
And to make matters worse, some people create the anti-thyroid metabolite reverse T3, instead.
Reverse T3 acts to block the binding of T3 at the cellular level.
The more reverse T3 you have, the less functional your thyroid is.
How Levothyroxine Causes weight gain
So how does this all relate to levothyroxine and weight gain?
We can look at some studies to help us understand:
Take for instance this study.
In it, patients were given T4-only medications and treated based on their TSH, very similar to pretty much everyone reading this right now.
The researchers then tested their resting energy expenditure (in other words, their metabolism) both before they added the thyroid hormone and after they suppressed the TSH.
And do you know what they found?
They found that thyroid patients taking thyroid hormone, even with a suppressed TSH, did not see an increase in their metabolism or their body weight.
This would run counter to what you would expect, especially given that thyroid hormone is the major regulator of metabolism in the body.
Either physiologists have been wrong about thyroid hormone for centuries, or, it may have something to do with the type of medication that these patients were given.
In other words, would they have lost weight if they used a thyroid medication that contained T3 instead of T4?
That’s a more interesting question that was answered in this study:
In this study, patients were given either a T4-only medication (like levothyroxine) or a Desiccated Thyroid Extract (like Armour Thyroid) and evaluated over a period of time.
They found that those patients who were taking the desiccated thyroid extract experienced “modest” weight loss to the tune of about 3 pounds compared to the T4-only group.
This may not sound like a lot of weight loss but remember, it happened without any other intervention.
These results support the idea that thyroid hormone regulates metabolism, but that T3 does a much better job than levothyroxine.
But we don’t have to stop here, there’s one more study worth mentioning:
This one compared equivalent doses of both T4 and T3 thyroid medication, based on the TSH, and then evaluated for body weight and cholesterol.
This study showed that patients who were taking T3-only medication had more weight loss and better cholesterol than patients who were taking T4-only medication.
In other words, pound-for-pound, T3 thyroid hormone is far more effective than T4 thyroid medication at managing thyroid function.
And practically speaking, this means that levothyroxine will not have any impact on weight for most people who take it.
This may be news to you, but it isn’t to most doctors. They are just afraid to prescribe T3.
Which is why it’s important to note here that the patients in this study who took T3 did not have any change in their blood pressure, heart rate, or insulin sensitivity which are the common reasons doctors give for not prescribing T3.
These three studies do not prove that levothyroxine will necessarily or automatically cause you to gain weight, but they do shed light on how it’s unlikely to help you lose weight.
When you combine this fact with the real scenario that many thyroid patients are being under-treated and not taking full advantage of lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, it’s easy to see why so many people report weight gain when taking it.
The good news is that you do not have to accept this weight gain because there are things that you can do about it:
Step #1: Check your free T3 and Total T3
The absolute best way to know if levothyroxine is working for you is by evaluating these two lab tests.
The reason it works is simple:
Remember, levothyroxine only contains T4 thyroid hormone, but in order to be used by the body, it must be turned into T3.
So if you are taking levothyroxine and you are not seeing an increase in your free T3 or total T3 afterward, then it is very likely that your body is not activating it.
And we know from the studies that I mentioned before if you are not activating it then it will not have the positive impact that you are looking for on your metabolism.
Unfortunately, many doctors are often unwilling to order these tests, usually because they don’t know how to interpret them, which is where step #2 comes into play:
Step #2: Check your basal body temperature and resting heart rate
You don’t have to do this step if you can get your free T3 and total T3 labs checked, but if you can’t, for whatever reason, or if you just want to get started right away, you can look at these two metrics.
Both your heart rate and body temperature can be used as proxy measurements of global thyroid function.
They aren’t perfect, but they are a down-and-dirty method that can give you an idea as to whether or not your body is activating your levothyroxine.
They work because as T3 increases, so too will your resting heart rate and basal body temperature as these are both correlated with basal metabolic rate.
You will know pretty quickly if levothyroxine is not doing its job because your body temperature will be less than 98.6 degrees and your resetting heart rate will be in the 50s.
Someone who has normal thyroid function and normal T3 levels should see a normal body temperature and a resting heart rate somewhere in the 70s.
Step #3: Create a more comprehensive thyroid hormone routine
As I alluded to previously, it’s actually really to solve this problem and help your levothyroxine do its job.
All you need to do is mimic the thyroid hormone production of the healthy thyroid gland.
This makes a lot of intuitive sense, but, for whatever reason, very few doctors and patients actually do it.
The healthy thyroid gland produces a combination of T4, T3, and T2 thyroid hormones.
But when you take levothyroxine, you are only giving your body one of those three important hormones.
The reality is that you can take all three and doing so helps many thyroid patients get back to feeling 100%.
For most people, it looks like this:
- 80% of your total thyroid dose should be T4 as levothyroxine or some equivalent – Practically speaking, this is usually around 80 to 100 mcg.
- 20 % of your total thyroid hormone dose should be T3 as liothyronine or some equivalent – Practically speaking, this is usually between 5-20 mcg.
- 100 to 200 mcg of T2 thyroid hormone as 3,5 diiodo-l-thyronine – T2 is the only thyroid hormone available over the counter and can be purchased in supplement form.
I’ve already done the research to come up with these ratios and doses and they are based on what the healthy thyroid gland produces and what most thyroid patients feel better on.
Some deviation may be needed, of course, but I would recommend starting here.
Does this mean that levothyroxine never works?
Does Levothyroxine Ever Cause Weight Loss?
Does this mean that levothyroxine never works?
Not at all.
There are definitely some people who get by just fine using only levothyroxine without any other thyroid hormones.
You really won’t find those people around here, though, because as a percentage of the whole, they are relatively small at around 20%.
And they don’t go around looking for advice on how to lose weight on levothyroxine because they don’t have that problem.
But the truth is that levothyroxine is fine for a small minority of people as long as they are able to activate it.
What’s key here is understanding that just because levothyroxine by itself doesn’t work for many thyroid patients, it doesn’t mean that it is a bad medication.
Unfortunately, this is the conclusion that many thyroid patients jump to.
It’s not that levothyroxine is bad; it’s that your body is unable to use it.
But this problem can be solved with the addition of other thyroid hormones.
So don’t make the mistake of thinking that you must use a certain type of thyroid medication to feel better.
After all, levothyroxine is incredibly easy to get and incredibly cheap.
In a perfect world, all thyroid patients would be taking thyroid hormone cream that includes T4, T3, and T2 or Tirosint-Sol with liothyronine and T2, but we don’t live in that world and not everyone has access to these medications.
So in the meantime, don’t be afraid to play around with levothyroxine if that’s what’s available to you.
I have seen many thyroid patients get back to feeling 100% when using it in conjunction with T3 and T2.
By the way, many thyroid patients have never heard about T2.
If that’s you, then I would recommend reading this article next.
It discusses the amazing benefits of this thyroid hormone and how it helps with weight loss.
Scientific References
#1. http://linkis.com/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/0wh6l
#2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23539727
#3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3205882/
#4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8903695
#5. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2292454/
#6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0072785/
#7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3219766/
#8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4737508/
#9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8834378
#10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2277319/
#11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20883174
#12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20823774
#13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3630857
#14. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3520819/
#15. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3978663/
#16. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4056127/
#17. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21077724
#18. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25555216
#19. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19190113
Hello
What was the cortisol supplement you recommended for beginners? I clicked on the link and nothing came up.
I read your article thank you so much for it. I honestly never thought about how complicated this disease was. I guess maybe because I was in denial that I had a disease. I didn’t realize or even think how much the thyroid has such an impact on pretty much everything in your body.
I was diagnosed with HYPO 7 years ago, and three kids later I am having a hard time losing weight. I also was diagnosed with depression and anxiety issues. My counselor recommended going to an endocrinologist. Do you think an endocrinologist would be able to look at the WHOLE picture and maybe help me out better than my family doctor?
I was thinking, for the time being, to start with the ZINC and Selenium supplements you recommended and possibly the cortisol supplement. Would that be a good place to start?
Thanks again for all this information
Hi Jenny,
Amazon doesn’t carry my recommended adrenal supplement so I have added it to my online store because I think it’s the best. You can learn more about it here: https://www.restartmed.com/product/thyroid-adrenal-reset-complex/
And no, an endocrinologist will not look at the whole picture nor will your PCP.
Hi there. I have an underactive thyroid. I have been to 5 general practitioners, 3 dieticians, 2endochronologists, and a couple of holistic type practitioners because I was so desperate.
I put on 30kg over the past8 years, despite being extremely active and generally watching what I eat.
So initially I was on 1 mg Eltroxin, then on a combination of T4 and T3 and I still have the same symptoms. And I keep putting on weight despite my best efforts.
Will it be worthwhile pursuing taking just T3 for a period? I know I should do it with my dr but no one has been able to change my symptoms.
Thanks so much
Ronel
Hi Ronel,
There’s really no way of knowing if you should take T3 or not unless you check your labs and evaluate them in the context of your existing symptoms.
I have been taking 15mg of Armour Thyroid & 25 of Levo for 6 months. My dr wanted me to stop Armour & double Levo but I didn’t feel that was right for my body or symptoms. My TSH was 9.7 to 5.8. Free T4 .94 to 1.13 & Free T3 3.5 to 3.5! She does not check Reverse T3 (the test costs $300). I still feel like crap, low energy & zero weight loss. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated! !!!
Hi Lynn,
As long as you have insurance the lab test should be completed covered, it’s a very standard lab test. In regards to your other questions I suspect that many of your symptoms are related to the fact that your TSH is so high.
I have limited scleroderma I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism last year and I am now on 75mcg of levothyroxine. I went from 172 to 200 lbs in less than a year, I look and feel like I am 9 months pregnant. I dont leave my house and I find myself going into a depression. I am currently taking methotrexate for the inflammation.
Hi Susan,
The best thing you can do is get started with a complete thyroid panel to help you establish what issues you should be working on. You can also find more information and how to approach thyroid treatment here: https://www.restartmed.com/hypothyroidism/
Hi I have been taking my levothyroxin at bedtime>Then I know nothing is interfering with absorption. Also I take a multi supplement called THYROID HELPER I have been losing average of 3 lbs. a week when before scale refused to budge. Why is it doctors refuse to inform you of supplements and times to best take it?Dont they want us to feel better?
Hi Linda,
I think the main issue is that most physicians just aren’t comfortable with supplements in the way that they are with prescription medications. In addition the nutritional market is not as regulated as the pharmaceutical industry so they inherently have more distrust towards it.
Hello Dr. Childs,
I had a total thyroidectomy about 12 years ago and have been on levothyroxine since then. I gained 50
pounds pretty quickly and the only advice I received from my endocrinologist was to stick to a 1200 calorie diet. Since June of 2016 I have tried low carb diet ( lost 23 lbs in 8 months then stalled for 3 months), medifast diet, (lost 11 lbs in a week then stalled again) and currently on weight watchers and not losing.
I asked a new endocrinologist about adding a different thyroid medicine and she woouldn’t consider it.
Do you know of a doctor in the Cincinnati area who treats like you? I still need to lose a lot more weight. I am 62. I also have a high crp and my primary care doctor treats that with cholesterol medicine.
Hi Cathy,
Unfortunately I don’t know anyone in that area to recommend.
Hi I’ve been taking 50 mg of levo for about 10 years but the past 5 years I’ve put weight on and my stomach bloating is terrible I look like I’m pregnant I’m only small so it really shows I’m also tired and don’t sleep well I’ve talked to my doctor but he just says my levels are normal it’s really getting me down not sure what to do next nobody listens
Hi Debbie,
I think your next step is to learn as much as you can about thyroid function so you can be an advocate for your own health. I’ve created a guide to help people with all of the basics that you might find interesting: https://www.restartmed.com/hypothyroidism/
What do you mean by divided doses ? 2 doses at different times?
Hi Stephanie,
Yes, you can split your total dose and take it two times throughout the day (or more if necessary).
For instance:
Half of your total dose in the am and half of your total dose at noon.
I take Armour 30mg a day. I do not think it helps me in any way. Every time I go to the Doctor and they do my blood work, my levels are fine. I’ve gained 15lbs in 7 months. I workout 3 times a week, I swim at least twice a week, I eat healthy, only eat bread, pasta or rice once a week (cheat day), but yet I continue to gain weight. I’m 52, don’t drink or smoke. My resting heart rate is about 52, my average heart rate is somewhere around 58-60. I suffer from bradycardia and had a pacemaker in 2014. I was later put on thyroid meds and since then my pacemaker has not paced me in over 2 years. I’m still tired all the time and just lack that energy, but the real struggle is my weight.
Hi Staci,
You can find more information about weight loss here: https://www.restartmed.com/hormone-mastery/
Do you have a script or a way to present this interesting information to my GP without causing offense? Thank you for your time!
Hi Laura,
Unfortunately I do not, I find it’s a much better use of your time to seek out someone who you don’t have to spend time ‘convincing’.
Once you have been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease, will you have it forever? If so, do you have to take medication forever? I was on Levothyroxine and I have recently decided to stop taking it due to gaining 25 lbs over the course of the past 2 years. Enough is enough. I have always been healthy and active. I have always been a healthy weight. Even after stopping the Levothyroxine for one week, I already feel better. My low tummy is flatter again and less bloated. Thoughts?
Hi Lindsay,
The general consensus is that you will most likely have the autoimmune disease for life but some people have been able to put it into “remission” through various treatments. These treatments are not well studied or understood but they are successful for some individuals. You can read more here: https://www.restartmed.com/tpo-antibodies/
I am 74 and have been on levothyroxine for several years before that I was on armour thyroid. I was doing okay but now the past two or three years I have been gaining weight and not able to lose it. I was told by the doctor that for my age armour thyroid is not good. Please comment.
Thank you.
I had my thyroid removed two years ago. I am 67 and have been on Levrothyoxine before I
had it removed and for about two years.
The above issues with weight gain, anxiety and no energy have been a constant battle for me.
My doctor does not want me to take the natural medication because of my age. My sister
had to have hers removed three years ago, followed by her daughter 18 months later, the
same year as I had to have mine removed.
Any suggestions?
Sincerely
Susan DeGrasse
Hi Susan,
There are plenty of suggestions that I could give but the best place to start is here to help expand your understanding of what it takes to lose weight post thyroidectomy:
https://www.restartmed.com/weight-loss-thyroidectomy/
You can also find more specific information about my approach to weight loss here:
https://www.restartmed.com/hormone-mastery/
Hi Doc.
I was diagnosed with hashimotos hypothyroid when I was 25. I am now 39. I was overweight, have always struggled with my weight – usually around 4-10 kg overweight, always trying to lose those last few kg. I used to be able to eat very little and go for long runs every day to manage my weight. But that isn’t sustainable – starvation and excess exercise. I was put on eltroxin 100 per day, and about 8 years ago, I pleaded with my doc and eventually was also put on 25 T3 per day. This has since been reduced last year to 20 every other day as the blood test showed my T3 levels were too high.
Fast forward to my 30s, my weight has been yo-yoing throughout my 30s, when I was 37 I started getting chronic migraines, sometimes twice per day. I was put on a variety of anti anxiety tablets to stop the aura from starting, which eventually helped (took about 6 months to stabilise), but also gave me a ring of fat around my belly unlike anything I’ve ever had before. Reading up about these tablets I realised they tend to cause weight gain, so once the migraines were stabilised, I weaned myself off the tablets and am more or less migraine free without medication
But I haven’t been able to get rid of the weight, and have now slowly gained around 25kg overweight.
A year later, at 38, I had awful issues with my gut and was diagnosed with early onset diverticulosis, and have had a few flare ups which are just awful. It’s not helped my weight at all, and I am also very bloated. I mainly have diarrhea though, not really constipated. At times I can have diarrhea for 7 weeks non stop, with awful abdominal pain, and after various scopes etc. The only thing the doc said was that I have some reflux, for which I was given proton pump inhibitor (which I have been on and off for the past 10 years anyway, due to pretty bad acid reflux). The only thing the GI specialist could tell me was lose weight. Thanks, as if I haven’t been crying over my weight for years now?! Not helpful, especially since weight loss isn’t something I seem able to manage, despite an extremely healthy diet and long walks with the dog.
Half a year after that I could hardly breathe, felt as though I had the weight of the world on my chest and could hardly stay awake during the day, but couldn’t sleep at night. I couldn’t walk a flight of stairs without almost fainting. Diagnosed with severe iron anemia, I was put on tablets for 3 months but it didn’t help. During that time I continued to slowly gain weight, likely since I could hardly move without feeling like I would pass out. I eventually got an iron infusion and after a few months my iron levels are back up. However, during the same time and especially around my 39th birthday, I started having hot flashes and missed quite a few months of periods. Had lots of blood tests and scans and have now been diagnosed with early onset menopause.
All of this is so devastating to me. I guess I can accept having all these disorders and early onset things, especially since I understand that they often go hand in hand with Hashimotos. But I just wish I could lose weight.
What do you suggest, doc?
Thanks for reading my whole story
Nina
Hi Nina,
With a history such as yours it seems that you might be dealing with metabolic damage from all of your yo-yo dieting. This kind of damage is difficult to reverse but you can read more about how to deal with it here: https://www.restartmed.com/symptoms-of-not-eating-enough-calories/
That is my case. On levothoraxin, weight gain too.
Hello
I’ve been following this post recently although was reluctant to read any material of hypothyroidism earlier. I’ve been asked to take 25mg for 6 days and 50mg once a week. I still am NOT getting back to my original weight. Dietexercise are the only things on my mind for the past two -three months however previously I was able to walk 4mph and not been able to walk at the same pace lately. I’ve tried strength training as well but no results. My tsh is the only one at an increased level.
Thanks,
Hi Scu,
You might want to consider starting with a complete thyroid panel which may give you further insight. Currently you don’t have much information to go on so the next step should be to gather more data.
I know this blog is over a year old but I really hope you can help me. I’m 53 and I weigh more now than i ever have(152). In my twentys my weight was 101 or thereabouts. I had very long thick hair. I know as i get older my hair will thin some and my weight would go up, but until about a year ago my weight was in the 130s. So much of my hair comes out in the shower it looks like clumps. I don’t have any particular bald spots, just a lot of thinning. My scalp and part in my hair is more visible. I am taking levothroxine 125mcg. I just came back from the dr and asked him about the T3 and T4 but all he would say is my numbers are normal and its dangerous to take too much thyroid medicine. He did order T3, T4 and Tsh tests today. But he looked at my chart and said my numbers were fine in Feb. I don’t know what to do, I can’t go to a specialist without my primary care recommending one, my insurance won’t pay. Do you think there is any hope for me?
Hi Anita,
The best thing you can do is to find a physician who is willing to work with you. Because of your insurance that might mean looking outside of the insurance model or paying cash, but in most cases it’s worth it to get your life back!
I have thyroid nodule. Dr prescribed 88mg levothyroxine to stop the growth of the nodule. I did HCG diet twice and lost 30 pounds but weight has returned. I am not sure I have actual thyroid condition. Do you have any suggestions.
Hello,
I’ve been really interested in learning more about hypothyroidism and adrenal insufficiency as of late and have come across your post.
I was diagnosed by my PCP 2 years ago with hypothyroidism and was started on 0.05 mg Synthroid and have been on the same dose since (I have my levels checked yearly).
Though most people get upset when I complain about my weight and say I look healthier having gained weight, I have gained between 10-20 pounds since I started on Synthroid 2 years ago and I can’t say my diet has changed a whole lot from before I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I also have noticed chronic fatigue– I could sleep 10-12 hours and still feel tired. If I don’t set my alarm, I would sleep 12 hours.
I looked back on my original labs and never had my T3 tested– just my TSH and free T4, and 3rd generation T4.
Should I ask for my T3 to be drawn with my next checkup and ask to switch to Armour? Also, should I be asking for a referral to an Endocrinologist?
I don’t want to step on my PCP’s toes with recommendations, but I just feel so drained all the time and want to see a change.
In the meantime I suppose I could get started on some vitamins/ supplements as I currently don’t take any. I already do HIT workouts + cardio 3-4 days a week for about an hour each time. Any other dietary recommendations?
I have had thyroid issues for 14 years. I was on synthroid for 9 years. I was achy and had weak arms and legs all the time and also I know they switched the formula because the pill changed in size. I also have tried NDTwhich caused anxiety and depression and Tirosint gave me a horrible rash on my face for 4 months! I also was born with a bicuspid aortic valve and was nervous to ask the DR for just T3 medication because the last thing I need is my heart racing! I have been off meds for about 1 year . I did try for 8 weeks to take levoxyl but it put 8 lbs of weight on me ! So I stopped taking it because the last thing I need is to gain more weight. I have gained slowly 20 pounds in 14 years. Any suggestions would be helpful. I don’t want to be tired anymore and I would love to lose weight.
Thanks!
Tara
Hi Tara,
For weight loss you can poke around the blog posts and case studies on this site or you can find more info here: https://www.restartmed.com/hormone-mastery/
I wrote earlier, but I have since gone to my dr. I did mention the T4 to T3 and just like you said he was less than impressed. He did however take my blood. He found out that my TSH is 0.60 and my Free T4 is 1.28 he changed the dosage of my Levothroxine from 0.125mg to 112mcg. If my T4 is high does that mean that it is or is not turning to T3? I just don’t know what to do.
Hi Anita,
Most physicians do not check T3 and T4 levels because they aren’t sure what to do with the values and because they only change dosing based on the TSH (as indicated by your example).
P.S. I had a hysterectomy in 1998 and have been taking Estrodiol 0.5mg tablet for several years now. So im not sure if that has anything to do with it or not.
I have had Hashimoto’s my entire live. I had a thyroidectomy when I was 12. I am now 61 and have taken primarialy Levaxin (T4) since I was 12. I find there is nothing ever written about which kind of thyroid medication one should take when they completely lack a thyroid gland. How do the T4 and T3 functions react when you don’t have a thyroid gland?
Hi Janet,
T4 and T3 function the same with or without a thyroid gland, the only difference is that those without a thyroid gland are 100% reliant upon medication whereas those with a damaged gland (sluggish thyroid) still have some production. You can learn more in these posts:
https://www.restartmed.com/weight-loss-thyroidectomy/
https://www.restartmed.com/hyperthyroidism-weight-gain/
I just found this website and found information in it that I was not aware of. I was recently diagnosis with Grave’s Disease. My TSH was 0.001 which I was told was very bad. I had a rapid heart rate (resting 110) and lost almost 45 lbs in a very short time span. Consequently, I was advised of what treatment I could have and I had the radiation therapy in which my thyroid was “killed”. I have been placed on Levothyroxine at 112mg. But I am still very tired, no energy at all, any type of activity I begin to sweat profusely, developed insomnia, have lost significant amount of my hair (had very thick and now very thin) and have gain half pound a day since being placed on this. I have spoken with my dr about these problems and I keep being informed that these problems with be manageaable once my thyroid levels are controlled. I read that taking supplements such as Kyo-Green or Vitamineral Green will help. At this point I am confused and need some advise on how to proceed.
Hi Jackie,
You will find information more relevant to your situation here: https://www.restartmed.com/hyperthyroidism-weight-gain/
I have been on 88 mcg of levothyroxine for about 3 years since I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis in 2013. My TSH levels have been stable but I still have thyroid symptoms cold, tired, muscle aches, etc. I have also have had high cortisol levels for the past three years. It is about double what is normal. My urinary cortisol was also high. They told me it was just stress. Yet no matter what change in diet/exercise I make I still gain weight. They have put me on and off steroids in this time. My endocrinologist I saw at the Cleveland clinic wanted me on 10 mg of predinsone every day. My rheumatologist never agreed though. I have Bechets/UCTD too. I have tried any diet and supplement that is suppose to help with weight gain and balancing hormones yet I still don’t have any luck losing weight. Any suggestions? How can I find a doctor that will prescribe T3? Is it possible to get thyroid antibodies normal again?
Hi Melissa,
It will be very difficult for you to lose weight if you are taking steroids of any kind at any dose. And, in some cases (as in your case) you will likely need to be very aggressive about treatment just given your history. You can find more information about this approach here: https://www.restartmed.com/hormone-mastery/
I have been on synthroid for 6 years and did nothing but gain weight on it. Doctors said it’s not the medication-eat less and exercise. My weight would NOT budge though. In july I started feeling really sick and stopped taking the synthroid and I have lost 20 pounds!!! Without trying at all
Hi Julie,
Thanks for sharing. Each person is slightly different and unique but some people do experience the symptoms you are describing here. I don’t recommend that anyone simply stops their medication, however, as that can be dangerous depending on the situation.
Dear Dr. Childs, When I was 2 yrs. old I was put on a natural thyroid med because I wasn’t growing I was only 24″ tall. My mother thought that because I had all the childhood diseases before I was 2 that was the reason why my thyroid quit working the right way. So when I was 21 that was 42 yrs ago now have three boys & 4 granddaughters I found out that I was expecting my first child went to an OBGYN he took me off of the natural thyroid & put me on Synthroid but after I had the baby he told me that I didn’t need the meds anymore to go off of them so I did then I started to have female problems. Didn’t have my monthly for 6 months went to a family doctor he ran some test then said that I should not have gone off of the meds. So he put me back on the Synthroid then my monthlys started again. But now I can’t seem to get my weight down to where it needs to be so I’ve been trying to get my doctor to put me back on the natural thyroid meds but he or other doctors that I went to won’t do it they try to tell me that Synthroid is better than the natural thyroid. Which I know is a lie because when I was on the natural thyroid I didn’t have the weight problem that I do now. I am now taking 212mcgs of Synthroid. I take 200mcgs on Saturday & Sunday & 212mcgs Monday-Friday. So how can I convince my doctor to put me back on the natural thyroid meds? I am 4’11” & 63 & will be 64 next month.
Hi Kathy,
The short answer is there is no way to convince your doctor to switch your medication. You will most likely need to find a new physician who is more willing and open to the idea of using NDT.
Hi!
I’ve been on Synthroid and Cytomel for a few years now- I was never officially diagnosed with hypothyroidism – my levels were borderline low and my TSH sometimes high, low, or normal. One particular endocrinologist said we can treat based on symptoms. Since then they have just upped my levels (started out at 25/day and now at 125 plus cytomel). I feel like my other hormones are all elevated since I started on thyroid meds. Testosterone, estrogen, cortisol high and progesterone basically non existent. I’m 30 and am super worried about this downward spiral- I was diagnosed with empty sella syndrome because I had migraines and have slightly elevated prolactin levels.
Is there a way to re-evaluate old labs and initial diagnosis? Perhaps I’m not meant to be on thyroid supplementation?
Also side note * Perpetually low ferritin levels.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Esther
I had my thyroid removed & was given generic Levoxothyrine 100mcg. It was upped to 112mcg. I felt ok but doctor said my TSH was too low at .2 so he put me back on 100. I started to really feel tired & had sleeping problems. He switched me to Synthroid 100 & 112 every other day. My TSH went to a 4. I am having stomach problems, sleeping problems & feel like I could live on the couch as I am so fatigued. Now he upped my Synthroid to 112. No change in symptoms. He told me the Tsh went to 4 because I had gained weight (one half of a pound in four months). I am so frustrated that I want to find a new doctor but don’t know where to start. I know you keep saying to other posters they need to find someone to help them but how? Is there a source for great thyroid practitioners somewhere that’s trustworthy? I don’t want to waste time going form doctor to doctor but feel that Armour may be better for me. I just don’t know anyone that prescribes that medication or anyone that I personally know who is on it to ask for a referral. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Bonnie,
Unfortunately there isn’t a source or list of doctors (that I know of) that prescribe and treat the way I’ve outlined in this blog. If there were I’d be happy to share it with you. Instead most physicians are known through word of mouth or because they write about the topic, or through some other means. Your best bet is to call around, or ask for referrals from other patients or friends.
Hi, I ordered the 60 day reset for 29.99 a few weeks ago and have not received anything yet. What’s the normal time frame for delivery?
Hi Celestina,
Please send us an email at hello@restartmed.com and we can get it taken care of asap! It should have been sent automatically but sometimes it gets hung up in junk/spam mail, etc.
Hi Dr. Childs,
I have pan hypopituitarism. I have been on Synthroid as long as I can remember. I’m 40 now and have had twins with IVF. Part of my pituitary works because I was able to do a small amount of breast feeding. I also take Cortef, Estrogen, Progesterone and Norditropin (for GH deficiency). I’m actually pretty healthy considering all of my issues, but I STRUGGLE with maintaining my weight and losing has been an uphill battle since getting pregnant 5 years ago. My BMI is 30.5.
I have watched my Synthroid dose creep up over the years (it’s been holding steady for a year at 125mcg). Now my newish endocrinologist says she wants to be able to lower it soon (she switched me from Premarin and Provera to the real hormones last year).
Am I a candidate for adding T3? Other endos have scoffed at it in the past. Any words of advice for my situation? I always feel like I’m that “exception” patient.
Thanks in advance!
Andi
I am 23 y.o., currently without a thyroid for four years after being neglected and developing a severe hyperthyroidism (20x more hormones n blood) I feel like I have been just dealt with by people who don’t really want to know. I haven’t seen a specialist every since I moved to UK (only GPs that are reluctant) I read your site, applauding all the research. I am now on my last wait for the dose to adjust before my last testing before being referred to the specialist. I am going to try to be a difficult person and not accept anything else than the referral. I hope I will finally get someone who will look into my case. Recently I have been tested for lierally everything diabetes, thyroid antibodies… Nothing is wrong according to my GP its just my life is living itself with me in the background. It is affecting me on every front and all I get is: “oh, yea you would feel that way being over/underactive.” I am going to try and get a different medication. Thanks for all your hard work creating this article.
I was diagnosed with Empty Sella Syndrome. Have been taken different variations of levothyroxine from 100mcg then this was decreased to 75mcg when they added to liothyroxine 25mcg. This didn’t work so liothyroxine was taken away as it was not working so I was put back at 100 mcg of levothyroxine which still is not working. I have been going through this for over 2 years now. A that time since I had 75 mcg of the levothroxine left and a new bottle of it at 100mcg, I started taking half of the 75mcg (37.5 mcg) along with the 100mcg. This worked in normalizing my T3 & T4 but lowered the TSH levels just a tad. I informed my physician of what I was doing after the test results were read. So, I compromised as he stated that over time, the medication can affect my heart. Therefore, I am currently taking levothyroxine one at 100mcg and another, the same drug at 25mcg for a total of 125mcg. I am still gaining weight, then I lose then plateau. Losing hair and my skin is terrible. I do not know what to do and am getting desperate. Please help!
Hi
Been taking 100mg levothyroxine for the last 3yrs and my weight has stayed the same 8st 2lb but in the last few weeks i have gone up to 8st 7lb and eating the same, and doing nothing different do you think it could be i need to up my dose?
Hello there,
Thank you for sharing this article.
I take 150 mg (coming down from 200mg) ut have gained weight since been taking off T3 as this was harmful my doctor said for my body…? You should only be on T3 for a short period of time…i’ve heard so much over the years that I don’t know what is right and what is wrong. So many different views and opinions.
My T4 is in the upper range, but my T3 is right at the minimum level it should be…readying your article i presume. It also dropped from 6.2 to 3.8 since 14 (when i took t3 still)
I don’t want to lose weight but i didnt want to gain the weight I did…very frustrating.
Also, my tireness and my puffy eyes still stay…
Kind regards
Wh
Hi there,
I read your article with great interest. I am 50 years old and going through menopause. I was diagnosed about 20 years ago with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. For various reasons I did not get started on synthroid. My TSH has always been declared as normal. It has hovered in the around 2 or 3 sometimes going up to above 4, so I was always declared as normal. It was only this year that the TSH went up to above 5. I have always had some of the classic symptoms of hypothyroidism such as feeling very cold and my hair receding. My blood pressure has been low, and I believe also my heart rate. My doctor put me on 12.5 micro grams of levothyroxine. I am actually noticing that my weight is going up instead of down, although there are not huge changes in my exercise. I do the equivalent of 1 hour of walking almost every day.
I have been falling ill more often, and seem to always come down with some throat infection or other.
How do I find out that the levothyroxine is not converting the T4 to reverse T3? Is there a way to test that? E.g. would TSH increase in that case? I am trying to figure out what are conclusive tests to figure out if this is happening, so I can tell my doctor to also add T3.
Radhika
Please help me find a competent doctor within 55 miles of zip code 46036. My doc keeps telling me I’m ok and I’m on thyroid med. my hair still falling out, I’m still tired. My heart races at two-three am I’m restless suffer from insomnia, and 20 lbs over weight HELP! I have other health problems but this hormone thyroid imbalance is killing me.
I have hypothyroidism for about a year. I am on Levothyroxine 75mcg and I am 51 years old now and I have gained since my diagnosis over 25lbs and they keep saying that it’s because I’m in menopause and everything. I do my temperature and it stays between 95.7 and 96.8 and they say that’s fine. I even went to endcronologist and she says that I’m on the right medication and everything and my T3 level is 2.8 and they said that is good. At this point I don’t know what to do and reading this the medication that I’m on will make you gain weight. I don’t know if I need to go to a hormone specialist or what because I don’t know who can help. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I have gained 15 pounds since I have been on Synthroid. Just found a new doctor and she has ordered tests I have never had before. I want off of Synthroid. My temp in her office was 97 – I was freezing and it was 73 degrees outside. I know my temp in bed in the am can be 95.5. I use to be able to control my weight eating the 2/5 program – fasting 2 days per week on 500 calories and intermittent fasting of 14- 16 hours on the other day and eating reasonably for an 8 hour window before Synthroid. I am so discouraged – I have tried every eating plan and nothing works. I am at the point of actually not wanting to eat at all – food is unpleasant to think about and their is no enjoyment in food at all. I wasn’t particularly depressed, but now I am because I have No Control over my body any longer. I need to lose 20 – 25 pounds that is what I weighed when pregnant. Previously I had been in the same size for over 14 years. Now I am going to go run on my trampoline for an hour although it doesn’t do any good – I also do some yoga, teach Tai Chi, and do a program on a vibrational plate — -nothing works, but this reduces the stress of dealing with this issue 24/7.
I had my thyroid removed years ago and have been taking 125mg of Levothyroxine ever since, I gained some weight over this time and have a trouble taking any weight off. Also on insulin for type 2. Resting pulse is 103 When you have no thyroid is there differnet medicines you can take.
Hi Ronna,
Yes, there are many different medications that you can take. You can learn more here: https://www.restartmed.com/thyroid-medication/
Wow! What an eye opener. Thank you so much for all of your detailed information. All of this is so new to me. My doctor put me on the lowest dose of Levoxyl in August of 2017. It is Now January 2018 and I have gained 15 pounds!
I knew the medication was somehow the contributing factor to the weight gain because nothing else with my lifestyle has changed. I quit taking Levoxyl a week ago. Now I need to figure out where to go from here. I have alot to learn. Thank you Dr. Childs. ❤
Hi Summer,
No problem! Hope it helps! Just make sure you are making changes to your thyroid medication with your current physician to avoid any unwanted negative side effects.
Hi Dr. Childs. I’ve searched out your website and I’m starting to go through all of the great information. It’s more eye opening than anything as generally most topics are not something the doctors I’ve visited ever even bring up. The mindset is more or less set upon you that weight loss is near impossible for thyroid cancer patients.
I had a thyroidectomy a few years ago and last year I was able to lose 20 pounds simply by eating better and counting macros. Unfortunately I gained it back in short order over the past summer. Exercise has never been an issue as I am an avid tennis player and runner. This year has been different though. I’ve been more or less following the same diet but my weight is not budging, at all. I can run 5 miles, do some HIT workouts and my weight does not change. I had a goal to come into this tennis season down 20 pounds but the only thing that has changed is my frustration, which is why I’m searching for answers, or options.
One question I have early on is that I am currently nursing injuries, tennis elbow and bicep tendinitis, obviously causing massive inflammation. I was told that it would heal faster letting the inflammation run it’s course as an anti-inflammatories might hinder this process. After reading this blog post it seems that this inflammation might be one of the reasons I’m having trouble losing weight. I’ll be sure to take some prescribed Diclofenac, along with some zinc and Selenium and see if that helps the cause at all. Always fighting!
Hi Dr. Childs,
I have been dealing with the Thyroid Madness for about 3 years. Have switched Docs a number of times for not getting help I needed or they moved. I have taken WP Thyroid and was doing ok on that and then it became not available until sometime in 2018. So the new Doc talked me into Synthroid and finally got her to add Cytomel. I am waking up at night and my heart pounding very hard and mentioned to her, she says it is probably Sleep apnea. I read side effects of Synthroid and Cytomel and both mention that if you have pounding in chest that is a side effect. I don’t remember having this with the WP Thyroid. Plus I still don’t have much energy and my head feels fuzzy. So I am thinking of asking to switch to Armour until WP Thyroid is back in production. I hate to keep switching, but really want to feel good.
Hi. I have coeliacs disease ans have had my thyroida removed. I am on Levothyroxine 125 dose and I cannot lose weight no matter what I try. My resting heart beat is 67. I work nights and power walk the dog before I go to bed for an hour and half. But nothing’s working.
One of the best articles I have read on hypothyroidism in years comprehensive and super informative. Thanks Doc I have struggled for years with hoshimoto been on levothyroxine went gluten free,diary free and on various diets to loose weight. Early this yr I joined the gym and been intently working out but haven’t lost an inch. It’s clear I need additional meds to help convert my T3 I am excited about this new revelation. I want to do a thyroid panel test and check all my ranges and possibly experiment with additional supplements.
Hi Jess,
Glad you enjoyed the article! Keep us updated on your progress as you make changes. I think you’ll find that with a few tweaks you will probably feel better than you have in years.
I have hypothyroidism. I am on Synthroid medication 112 mcg’s I just can’t loose weight no matter what I do. Please help me with the necessary information on how to loose weight. I am going to try the selenium and the Zinc. Hope it will work. Can someone share a method they use to loose weight.
Debbie
Hi Debbie,
I would check out this article which goes over how to lose weight if you have hypothyroidism: https://www.restartmed.com/lose-weight-hypothyroidism/
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this very well explained article. I am currently on Levothyroxine and am just not losing weight at all, in fact I found I can actually lose some weight (but not optimal) when not taking any meds! My body composition has also changed, I seem to be storing a lot of fat in my back and shoulders and I look pregnant and have been asked if I am expecting by complete strangers which is embarrassing. This is despite me doing daily pilates, and abdominal excercises, lifting weights, and jogging!! But despite all this effort, all that has happened is I have firm legs and arms and fat everywhere else between, making me just look weird and rounded on top. I am taking Levothyroxine only, at 100mcg and have asked my doctor if I can go up as I still have thin dry hair, dry skin, am not sleeping well and have zero sex drive or sexual sensation and yet have been outright refused. I am barely within the normal range for TSH. This morning I woke up feeling so low! It’s been years and still I feel sub par, and I don’t even have the satisfaction of feeling good in my clothes. I did try NDT a couple of years ago from a private doc,(now admittedly I was at university at the time not taking it perfectly so this may be down to me) and as soon I would try and increase the doseage I would get palpitations plus I still seemed to gain weight – even so it was better than this. I now have symptoms of fibromyalgia. I literally feel like what is the point of taking something just for the sake of it as apart from a slight improvement in memory and energy I feel no different, in fact worse in some ways. I thought I was going out of my mind as almost everything I have read says taking thyroid medication should lead to weight management/loss. Even my doctors says this. I feel like what more can I do?? And as I’m in the UK I think my chances of finding an endocrinologist who truly understands is virtually zero. Today I questioned why I am taking levo at all. So I am so happy to have found this article. Now I know I am not going mad and it is not just me after all. I shall go and buy some of the vitamins you suggested tomorrow if it helps a little. Thank you again.
Hi Samantha,
Other people from the UK have stated that you can find physicians who will prescribe NDT but I believe they are not part of the traditional system you guys have over there. I think they refer to them as private doctors.
Hello!
I have a long-standing history of hypothyroidism and type I diabetes. I’ve been reading your blog, which made me ask my doctor to check all my thyroid levels, although the testing did not include the hormone. Here are my results:
TSH 3.03
Free T3 2.2
Thyroid Peroxidase 179.3
Thyroglobulin 256.7
I am currently on a low dose of Synthroid. What do you suggest are the next steps?
Thanks so much for your help! I love your blog!!
Jen
Hi Jen,
Focusing on optimizing your Free T3 would be a good idea if you are symptomatic.
Hey Dr. Childs,
I really appreciate the depth and breadth of your information here! I was very slowly gaining weight for years on thyroid replacement, as I could only do T4 (T3 made me feel nutty). But 2 years ago my doc changed the T4 to Tirosint, & I gained 20 additional pounds immediately, which I have not lost even after changing off Tirosint to another T4–in fact, more weight has piled on (this is all a common story with Tirosint, it seems, from looking online). My question though: when I tried T3 this year again, it no longer made me feel brittle, but instead gave me VERY extreme and disabling hypoglycemia. So I don’t dare go straight for T3 function again! It was as awful as the horrifying weight gain. Any thoughts on why this happens, and on getting out of this depressing, life-draining tangle? Thank you kindly!
Hello Doc,
I was first diagnosed with an abnormal level of T3/T4/TSH when I was only 14 years old. I tried homeopathy medication back then and over a period of 3/4 years, my thyroid profile became normal, as the doctor suggested. Now, I am gonna be 27 years old now and diagnosed with 9.7 TSH with 177 LDL (Whole lipid profile is abnormal). I am on Eltroxin 50 for the last two days and feeling excessive hunger. My query is, will I have to continue TSH treatment for the rest of my life and will it affect my ability to conceive?
Hi Moumita,
In general, those who go on treatment for thyroid dysfunction end up on it indefinitely. It shouldn’t affect your ability to conceive unless you are not treated appropriately.