Comments on: The walking SILENT SUCKERS of Synthroid, Levoxyl & Levothyroxine treatment

By: Karen

Karen — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:42:12 +0000

I have been on 100mg synthroid for 12 months. I am 36 years old and have been active my whole life. In 2008 I gained 15 lbs in 4 months and was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Without medication, I lost 7 lbs through a strict exercise routine in 5 weeks. I was prescribed synthroid and gained all 7 lbs back and haven’t been able to lose the weight at all. I truly believe this medication causes weight gain. The doctor said there are “no side effects of synthroid”. Are you kidding me? This is an awful drug and causes severe water retention in the abdomen. I stopped taking this medication today, as I have an appointment with a new doctor in two months. Nothing is worth bloating and depression which is caused by a medication!

By: Danelle

Danelle — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:28:57 +0000

I have Hypothroidism, and I have already been to about 5 doctors! I am only 22, and in the past year I have gained over 100 pounds! I hate myself, and my Husband is having a hard time. My kids who are 18 months and 4 years old, can tell that I am having problems with depression. I want my old life back! I want my kids to see that I really do love them and being around them. I am going to search for a doctor that will give me Armour! I am going to get my family back! Thank you all!!

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:57:15 +0000

Be careful people. I don’t have all the answers. I’ve read all the books, no one has all the answers. The patterns, the dosages, the different meds, its still a mystery. I’ve been on Synthroid for years, have always had a TSH around 5. I’ve felt normal except had trouble losing weight (I’m very active and try to eat according to the Zone diet). I tried switching to Armour and it didn’t make me feel much different. But right after starting it, my thyroid started getting nodules and started feeling uncomfortable. I’m back on Synthroid, my thyroid finally stopped hurting after 3 months. I encourage everyone to try whatever they think is best. Find a physician that is willing to work with you. Most endocrinologists are a complete waste of your time. If you find a good one, excellent stick with them. Also get your levels checked often (every couple months) and keep a record for yourself of every test, test result, med level and how you feel. You may be able to spot patterns of figure out where you feel best.

(From Janie: Hi Matt. There are definitely some who do better than others on T4. You could be one. But your weight issue is from being on T4, and if you don’t already have other issues not yet noticed, they’ll creep up on you. Perhaps your experience with Armour has an answer here: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/mistakes-patients-make Also, if you tried the newly formulated Armour, that was causing most people problems.)

By: Joyce

Joyce — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:27:22 +0000

I’ve also put on 28 pounds of weight before being diagnosed as hypothyroid. Never had a weight problem in my life before. After 5 years on levothyroxine and currently taking 200mg per day my doctor has finally listened to my concerns over my weight and prescribed orlistat (zenical). I am hopeful that this will do the trick and apart from my lack of sex drive and excess weight I have felt well on thyroxine but did find the comments about Armour interesting. Not sure if this can be prescribed here in the UK though.

From Janie: Joyce, for thought, understand that having weight gain (common with being on T4) and a lack of sex drive (common being on T4) does not equate to doing well on T4, even if you feel well. There are going to be more problems crop up, as well. Yes, you can get desiccated thyroid prescribed in the UK. It’s just a bit harder. If you want to pursue this further, use this page: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/talk-to-others)

By: Raven

Raven — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 03:57:18 +0000

I highly recommend Dr. Philip Zbylot in Austin, Texas. He is very knowledgeable about thyroid disorders. His website is http://www.doctorzmd.com. I hope this helps! I, too, have had a nightmare experience with Synthroid. I’ve gained almost 60 pounds in the last four years since I had my thyroid removed. I never had a weight problem before. Sigh. I’ve had great results with Armour, but no longer take it because it’s not strong enough. I recently switched to Naturthroid. I feel much better already. FYI – you can get the medication much cheaper at http://www.womensinternationalpharmacy.com. Hope this helps!

By: Jill

Jill — Tue, 12 May 2009 21:34:08 +0000

Hi there,
I’m confused. The last time I had my blood drawn, my T3 and T4 levels came back fine. But my T4 uptake was high, which my doctor believed was an indicator that I had plenty of T4 and was converted it to T3 well enough. My problem might be an absorption problem he thought. In ansy case, he didn’t think Amour was a good option for me, since I am converting to T3 just fine. Does this sound familiar to anyone?

By: MISHA

MISHA — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 02:43:09 +0000

I am 26 yr old female, had a partial thyroidectomy (50%) and was put on 0.50 mcg synthroid. I gained 10 Kgs in a year!!! Painful gas, feel horrible, my clothes don’t fit. I am over 75kgs and very distressed!!! When I don’t take the medicine, I tend to deflate. when I get my periods I also tend to deflate! I feel heavy and ugly and I cant wear anything.

By: Wolffie57

Wolffie57 — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 06:05:18 +0000

I just recently found out that I have an underactive thyroid. wondered why I gained so much weight and was always depressed and going thru menopause like a bad nightmare. WOW I am not dealing with this very good. so I have done alot of research and I am treating myself with all natural vitamins !!! So far I am getting some relief BUT not enough yet. so i am in the process of trying some other vitamins, and hopefully this will help. Time will tell.

By: wildbill562

wildbill562 — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 06:58:50 +0000

I had been on Synthroid for 2-3 years and felt increasingly fatigued and overweight. Then I signed up for Dr. Brownstein’s newsletter http://www.drbrownstein.com and he sent me 3 books as part of the deal. One of them was Overcoming Thyroid Disorders. It was a revelation. Here is current promo: http://w3.newsmax.com/newsletters/brownstein/thyroid2.cfm?s=al&promo_code=7A93-1

That’s when the war began with my VA doctor. She sent me to Bay Pines VA Hospital to talk to the endocrinologist. He laughed at me for wanting to “take a giant step backwards in time” and try Armour thyroid. So I searched online for a holistic doctor in Palm Harbor, FL and found Dr. Edward Pearson. The first time I met him and related my story, he wrote me a scrip for Armour thyroid – no problem. He also recommended the 6 week detox program, which I did starting 12/22/08. I lost 22 lbs and feel better. I just joined Snap Fitness and will begin working with a personal trainer on Friday. Good luck to every one in your struggle to find proper medical and nutritional care.

By: Chopsy

Chopsy — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 23:10:20 +0000

Hi
I have an appt. with my doc here in the UK who wants to berate me about my cholesterol levels again. I have point blank refused to take statins (google The Great Cholesterol con if you want to know why). I am on 175mcg a day of levothyroxine and I KNOW the 20lbs I have put on in the two years I have been taking it are down to the medication – although my endo doesn’t agree with me and thinks I need anti-depressants.
So, I am about to have another pointless conversation where I try and explain that, whether my blood tests suggested I am on ‘adequate replacement’ or not, I believe my cholesterol is still high because I am on the wrong medication.
I have taken reams of evidence to my doc and Endo regarding T3 and Armor but nobody will listen. Can anyone recommend a private GP in the southwest of England?