Anyone on medication for Hypothyroidism?

Ciara1977
Ciara1977 Posts: 9
edited September 29 in Motivation and Support
I am interested to know how long you were taking the medication before the excess weight started to come off.
I stared on a low dose of Eltroxin 4 weeks ago and have not noticed any improvement in symptoms.
Is it too soon, does it take time for the medication to work. (My Doc won't increase the dose until I have been on it for 8 weeks)

Thanks.

Replies

  • SarahFauve
    SarahFauve Posts: 3
    Sometimes dr's are hesitant to get you anywhere but into the normal range. That typically means just barely not low... you also have to be on a medication that works for you. Levothyroxine didn't do anything for me (generic of synthroid) but once I started Armour Thyroid -- natural and replaces more with an increase in iodine and thyroid-nourishing food I felt better. And, I did shed some weight not a lot. Good luck and BE a good advocate for yourself!
  • 1953Judith
    1953Judith Posts: 325 Member
    I have taken thyroid medication since I was 12 (now in my late 50s). It has been constantly monitored and tweaked. When my thyroid is working optimally I am generally more energetic and more even-keeled. I have never actually lost weight from a modification. I do believe the energy and more controlled moods have put me in a better position to emphasize healthy habits.

    Do make sure that you are taking your thyroid medication correctly. Talk to your pharmacist. For me, I must take on an empty stomach first thing in the a.m. and not eat or drink anything but water for an hour. I cannot take any medication or supplement with calcium within four hours of taking my thyroid medication.
  • mzenzer
    mzenzer Posts: 503 Member
    I take something natural, but you do have to tweak it over time to get it right, so you may not see results at first. I also don't lose with diet alone. I find that if some people seem to pretty easily lose roughly a pound a week with a 500 calorie a day deficit, mine has to be almost double that, and where most people burn 400-600 calories with success, I have to burn upwards of a 1000 in a day. I've lost about 48 pounds since Feb. 2010. I've had a couple interruptions but I have worked really hard and just don't seem to lose as quickly as people during that same period of time and basically doing the same workouts.
  • atachauer
    atachauer Posts: 28
    I have congenital Hypothyroidism, which means I have had it since birth- I am taking 200mcg Levothyroxine everyday, When I was living at home I diligently took it daily, now I am living away from home, i occasionally forget- if i forget for longer than a few days then I noticably feel more sluggish, once I ran out on holiday (very poor planning!) and i went two weeks, skin got dry and scaley and the weight started to increase a touch, not by too much- so you need to have the correct dosage in your body for quite a while before it takes effect. Hormonal responses are slower and longer lasting than nervous responses, so you need to be patient while the Dr. takes blood and tinkers with the dosage to get it right.

    Like I said, I have had it since birth, so the impact on weight loss for me hasn't been noticeable as I am taking it regularly now....it most def has an impact on weight and how easily it is lost/gained too- but once you're on the right dosage, then it will be ok!
  • Ciara1977
    Ciara1977 Posts: 9
    Thanks so much for the replies. Guess I will just have to be patient, its so hard to get the exercise in every day when I am so exhausted.I am trying to exercies and rest on alternate days. I am taking the medication as you do 195Judith, first thing in the am and no food for an hour - although I do have 2 cups of tea with soya milk. I am seeing an Endocrinology specialist in 4 weeks so hopefully my dosage will be altered.

    Thanks again.
  • meghanmillar26
    meghanmillar26 Posts: 1 Member
    Thanks so much for the replies. Guess I will just have to be patient, its so hard to get the exercise in every day when I am so exhausted.I am trying to exercies and rest on alternate days. I am taking the medication as you do 195Judith, first thing in the am and no food for an hour - although I do have 2 cups of tea with soya milk. I am seeing an Endocrinology specialist in 4 weeks so hopefully my dosage will be altered.

    Thanks again.

    I was just recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism so I am far from an expert. I have however read though that soy interferes with the absorbtion of the medication. I would definitely ask your doctor though or at least wait for the four hours to drink the tea.
  • dexters_dexterity
    dexters_dexterity Posts: 342 Member
    i was diagonosed in 2004 till u next blood test its not wise to change ur med. it should be 1st thing in the morning take meal after 0.5 to 1 hour. not supplements esp calcium is allowed with this med u can an take tht later in the day.

    as far as weight loss is concerned yes we have hard time with that, but if ur TSH is in the normal zone, then u have better energy and metabolism. So wait for few weeks more and never miss ur dosage, its the same chemistry as the diabetic patient has with sugar if u make it too low or too high it damages the gland (pancreas in the case of diabetes)
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