Will levothyroxine cause weight gain?

In some cases, Synthroid may lead to weight gain. This is because the drug can increase your appetite, which may make you eat more food than usual. It's also possible for you to gain weight if your dose of Synthroid isn't high enough for your body's needs.

Does levothyroxine make you put on weight?

In most cases, levothyroxine causes some weight loss. According to the American Thyroid Association, when this medication is started, you may lose up to 10% of your weight. This weight is mainly water weight, since being hypothyroid makes you retain water. Levothyroxine is a medication to treat hypothyroidism.

Will increasing levothyroxine help weight loss?

But contrary to popular belief, effective treatment with levothyroxine (LT4) to restore normal thyroid hormone levels is not associated with clinically significant weight loss in most people.

Should you lose weight on levothyroxine?

So, once you start taking levothyroxine, you may lose weight as your body's hormones rebalance. Losing weight can also be a sign that your dose of levothyroxine is too high.

How do I lose weight on levothyroxine?

Stop weight gain

A daily dose of levothyroxine (Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid) will rev up your thyroid hormone production again, and with it, your metabolism. Once you're on the right dose, your weight should stabilize, and you shouldn't have any more trouble losing weight than anyone else.

Levothyroxine and Weight gain (Why some people gain weight on levo and Synthroid)



What are the long term side effects of levothyroxine?

What are the long-term effects of thyroid medication? The long-term effects of thyroid medication include weight fluctuations, sensitivity to heat, joint pain, changes to your menstrual cycle, and possibly even autoimmune dysfunction.

What foods should I avoid when taking levothyroxine?

What foods should not be taken with levothyroxine?
  • Soybean flour.
  • Soy.
  • Walnuts.
  • Dietary fiber.
  • Cottonseed meal.
  • Espresso coffee.
  • Grapefruit.


Why was levothyroxine taken off the market?

Westminster Pharmaceuticals, LLC. Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Levothyroxine and Liothyronine (Thyroid Tablets, USP) Due to Risk of Adulteration | FDA.

Does levothyroxine give you energy?

Energy, Performance & Weight Loss

People with an underactive thyroid are also known to experience fatigue, and levothyroxine can indeed help patients feel normal amounts of energy.

What happens when you start taking levothyroxine?

About 1 to 2 weeks after you start treatment with levothyroxine, you will likely notice that your levels of fatigue have improved. It is important that you take your medication exactly as prescribed and not miss any doses as well as maintain routine checkups with your primary health care provider.

How long after taking levothyroxine Will I lose weight?

When you start taking thyroid medication like levothyroxine, don't expect instant weight loss. The first barrier is getting the right dose of thyroid medication. Once you have reached your ideal dose, you may notice some weight loss after around three to six months of continuous use.

How do you know if thyroid medicine is working?

You and your doctor should set up a plan to test and measure thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) every few weeks after beginning medication. This is the best way to know whether it is working.

Is it harder to lose weight with underactive thyroid?

Hypothyroidism slows down your metabolism, making it more difficult to lose extra pounds and maintain a healthy body weight.

Can thyroid cause belly fat?

Weight gain

Even mild cases of hypothyroidism may increase the risk of weight gain and obesity. People with the condition often report having a puffy face as well as excess weight around the stomach or other areas of the body.

Is it better to take levothyroxine in the morning or at night?

There is consensus that levothyroxine should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach. A pilot study showed that levothyroxine intake at bedtime significantly decreased thyrotropin levels and increased free thyroxine and total triiodothyronine levels.

Why can't I lose weight with hypothyroidism?

People with hypothyroidism make less thyroid hormone. This means they have a slower metabolism and burn fewer calories at rest. Having a slow metabolism comes with several health risks. It may leave you tired, increase your blood cholesterol levels, and make it harder for you to lose weight ( 7 ).

What does thyroid tiredness feel like?

You may feel nervous, moody, weak, or tired. Your hands may shake, your heart may beat fast, or you may have problems breathing. You may be sweaty or have warm, red, itchy skin. You may have more bowel movements than usual.

How long does it take for levothyroxine to kick in?

When you start levothyroxine you won't feel better the next day. You may not feel better in two weeks. But symptoms should start disappearing within a month. After six weeks of treatment, you should be almost completely free of symptoms, assuming you're at the right medication level.

Why am I still tired after taking levothyroxine?

Extreme tiredness is a commonly reported side effect of Levothyroxine. Many people begin treatment but feel no better after starting medication, which may be because they are experiencing this effect. You feel more tired while taking Levothyroxine because the hormones in your body have been effectively reduced.

Can levothyroxine cause dementia?

Higher total and free thyroxine levels were associated with an increased risk of dementia and AD (age and sex adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) per SD increase in free thyroxine: 1.21 (1.04; 1.40) and 1.31 (1.14; 1.51) respectively).

What happens when you stop taking levothyroxine?

Stopping this medication may result in a return of symptoms such as: Fatigue. Weight gain. Difficulty tolerating cold.

Is there an alternative to levothyroxine?

Cytomel. Just like levothyroxine, Cytomel (liothyronine) is another synthetic thyroid medication. But there is a difference. While levothyroxine is a synthetic version of the T4 hormone, Cytomel is a synthetic version of the T3 hormone.

Can I take vitamin D with thyroid medication?

Vitamin D is often taken sublingually and is recommended to be taken away from your thyroid medication. If you are taking an immunosuppressant medication, please consult your doctor or practitioner.

Can I drink coffee with levothyroxine?

Current product labels and treatment guidelines recommend patients take thyroid hormone replacement therapy on an empty stomach, but this new research shows that absorption of liquid levothyroxine is not affected by consuming coffee shortly after taking the medication.

What is the best breakfast for hypothyroidism?

Aim for a breakfast that includes all the food groups: whole grains, meat or beans, vegetables, fruit and dairy. For grains, choose oatmeal, whole grain cereal, granola, whole wheat pancakes or a whole wheat tortilla. Make a breakfast burrito with scrambled egg whites and sauteed vegetables.