Question:
Hypothyroidism and meds

I am pre op RNY and I take 150mcg of Levothyroxine every day. Has anyone been able to decrease their dosage after losing weight. I know I won't be able to come off of it, but just not sure if dose may change?    — buggyboot (posted on May 30, 2009)

May 30, 2009
I had been taking Synthroid for most of the time I was losing weight after surgery, and the dose I took DID decrease. Sometimes DRAMATICALLY. I was having difficulty finding the correct dose because the weight loss affected my need for medication so much. My doctor got scared for my health at one point and overcompensated for the weight loss. He ended up dropping my medication TOO low, and caused me to go into a stall that lasted for 3 months. I am STILL trying to compensate for the lower need for my thyroid medication, and my doctor has changed my prescription from Synthroid to Levothyroxine. The dosages are different for the different medications, and we are trying to dial in just how much I need by doing the blood work to see what my levels are a few months after each adjustment. It seems that it is going to take some time to get me back on track with the thyroid meds, but once I am, I should be back to losing weight again. I hope that this helps, Hugh
   — hubarlow

May 31, 2009
am also taking synthroid and have dropped my dosage my dr. has me on a month to month With blood test every month. I also have not lost any weight since they started messing with my prescription.
   — DMkoeller

June 1, 2009
I was only on 50 mcg synthyroid to start...Somewhere along the line I ran out of pills after surgery and felt great (after being hypothyroid for 2 years on meds) And I took NOTHING for 5 years post op (Thyroid labs were good!)...My last tests put me back on meds...but only 25 mcg now...So I'm still doing better than before WLS...Well, until recently anyway...because I feel like I need an increase and am going for labs soon. My doc cannot explain why I didn't need meds for 5 years when she told me I'd be on meds for life...I have to question it...maybe because I was only mildly hypothyroid? :::Shrugs:::
   — .Anita R.

June 4, 2009
I was taking 300mcg before surgery. I started getting really shakey so I stopped taking it for a few weeks, then I went to the my primary doctor and he put me on 50mcg. I should have never stopped it on my own by the time I seen my doctor I was so week I could barely walk. I have been on my meds for a month know and I'm barely feeling better and I even stopped my weight loss. So dont stop the meds go to your doctor if you start getting any weird symptoms.
   — Queenv559