I have a normal thyroid level however my endo wants me to take 100mcg of Thyroxin to hopefully reduce the size of a cyst on my left thyroid gland. And since I could stand to lose a little bit of weight I started taking an extra pill..(5'4 190lbs) Thinking it might help me lose a little bit.. I'm not losing anything.. Should I start taking another one or just go back to taking the 1 my endo said I should take. I'm kinda getting desperate to lose the weight. I exercise 4 times a week. Walk every day on my lunches. I eat right.. and I can't seem to lose anything, and I need to fit into my wedding dress soon.. What do you think i should do?
2007-01-12 05:06:05 · 6 answers · asked by Shannon C 2 in Health ➔ Women's Health
Most people do not lose weight with thyrod hormone, especially T4. I'd stop taking extra because it isn't going to help you lose weight.
When you say your thyroid levels are normal.....do you know what the number result was? Far too many doctors are going by old standards of up to a 5.5 TSH as being normal. AACE says a TSH over 3.0 should be treated, so if you don't know the TSH number find out. Perhaps you are hypothyroid.
I know exactly what you mean about the thyroid weight, as I'm hypo too. I even switched medications in hopes of losing weight, but it did not happen. What did happen was I felt so much better with the med switch (armour) and I now feel great. As far as weight loss, it wasn't happening so I asked for a fasting insulin and fasting glucose. The weight brough on by being hypo caused insulin resistance. The insulin resistance made it more difficult for me to lose weight. Once I started to treat the insulin resistance I was able to lose 15 pounds.
Below is a great thyroid link. Please check it out.
2007-01-12 13:28:29 · answer #1 · answered by DNA 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey! This is really a common misperception that people lose weight when they go on thyroid medicine. It does not happen rapidly and it may not happen at all.
First you are on a really low dose and second your levels were already normal.
If you take more medicine, you might screw up your levels and become hyperthyroid which will create its own medical problems.
Don't count on the meds to loose weight. Keep doing what you are doing and the weight will come off.
2007-01-12 05:12:57 · answer #2 · answered by riptide_71 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you should talk this over with your doctor. Thyroid drugs aren't meant to be used for weight loss, they're used as prescribed. Over-medicating yourself by taking extra drugs could have an adverse effect on your thyroid and cause weight gain. You'd be much better off doing a few sessions with a personal trainer and a nutritionist. Maybe your diet isn't as healthy as you think, (so-called "diet" foods are loaded with corn syrup and sugars) and maybe you need different exercises to suit your lifestyle, age and weight loss goals.
2007-01-12 05:38:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope. I take thyroid med. and have done so for about 9 yrs. My weight? It's been about the same. Synthroid (or generic) is what I take. Point is, without the med., I simply feel "bad", slow, dull, or else (believe it or not) really hyper.
Bottom line? Don't take thyroid med. just because of weight. Trust me, there. The thyroid does a lot of "things" for our organs - including the muscle - heart. Take your med. for your well-being..Not to lose weight.
2007-01-12 05:18:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hell NO. Do not take more than you are prescribed. It's not a diet pill. YOU have to get the extra 60 lbs. off through diet and exercise.
Never take more medication than you are prescribed. It is not meant to make you thinner.
2007-01-12 05:15:31 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do not self medicate. There is a reason the doctor prescribed a certain amount.
2007-01-12 05:31:10 · answer #6 · answered by Kabu 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋