Question:
If I increase synthroid, will it speed up weight loss?

16 months post op and only lost 95lbs - 10lbs in the last 5 months. I exercise, eat roughly 800-1000 calories, 90 grams of protein a day, but still the weight won't move. If I increase my synthroid, will it help? Years ago on Phen-fen dr. gave thryoid meds and I lost rapidly. I want to lose another 30-50lbs. Also, my clothing size hasn't changed since December. Any ideas anyone, this is so depressing.    — Dianne C. (posted on August 26, 2003)

August 26, 2003
If you're not losing weight due to an underactive thyroid, then synthroid would help. You'll need to have your doctor test your levels though, because too much synthroid will cause a whole host of other problems. It's a simple blood test to see if your thyroid is functioning correctly.
   — mom2jtx3

August 26, 2003
Dianne, As a synthroid patient myself, I am urging you to see a Dr for TSH testing before you begin increasing your synthroid amounts. Incorrect over-dosages of Synthroid (or any thyroid drug) can cause serious heart problems and give you other numerous dangerous side effects. The side effects can be caused by even the slightest increase in your levels. Look at diet AND excersize. 90 grams of protein is good, but what else are you eating or drinking? How much excersizing are you getting in?
   — M B.

August 27, 2003
Please, please do not adjust/start ANY thyroid medication without consulting with your pcp or an endocrineologist! I can't stress this enough. Everyone should have their thyroid checked as well as have the appropriate blood tests. As a person with thyroid problems, (I have had thyroid problems my whole life and was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2001, and cancer free for 2 years!) I know first hand that this is nothing to mess around with. Increasing your thyroid medication will cause a lot more problems and probably won't help.
   — Keri P.

August 28, 2003
You can't really adjust you Synthroid yourself, since it is a prescription drug. Ask your MD to check not only a TSH but free T3 and free T4 (you might have to insist - they don't think this is necessary for the most part.) I was on Synthroid for 6 months. I finally came to realize my hypothyroid symptoms were slowly returning. I switched to Levoxyl (my PCP was understanding) and my symptoms disappeared. While most doctors think Synthroid is the "gold standard" drug for hypothyroidism, it doesn't work well for everyone. Since the symptoms of hypothyroidism are pretty insidious, a lot of doctors tend to treat the symptoms, rather than the underlying problem: antidepressants for the depression, pain pills or anti-inflammatories for the muscle and joint aching, etc. As far as weight loss, I am in the same boat. (10 months out) I have been up and down with the same 2-3 lbs for 3 months, and my size has not changed. I walk about 1 hour every evening (got a big dog!) and I added weight training every other day at the beginning of August. I had my basal metabolic rate assessed, and I should be able to maintian my current weight on over 1600 calories a day.(Yikes!) A typical day is 1000 to 1200 calories (estimated high by the dietician), so I should be losing steadily. I get plenty of protein and water in everyday.(Growing fins and feathers, and DH and I buy protein powder in 5 lb containers - and go through it in less than a month!) I need to lose another 40-50 lbs. It IS depressing.....
   — koogy