While undertreatment with levothyroxine can lead to weight gain, overtreatment can result in weight loss as well as adverse effects including bone and muscle loss and heart problems, especially arrhythmias. Once the excess hormone is stopped (that is, the dose is adjusted downward), the weight is typically regained.
For people who are already using levothyroxine, increasing the dose above what's needed can lead to more weight loss, but it's usually not significant and those pounds are often gained back once the dose is decreased again.
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.
If someone takes too much levothyroxine, symptoms might not occur for several days. Symptoms of levothyroxine overdose include irregular heartbeat, headache, anxiety, agitation, shaking, fatigue, confusion, and disorientation.
Introduction
The common clinical signs following thyroxine overdose can either be limited to tachycardia, agitation, nervousness, insomnia, anxiety, tremor [2], or severe features, though less likely, like thyroid storm involving cardiac, neurological, respiratory and thermoregulatory center [3].
Taking more than your prescribed dose of levothyroxine can give you symptoms such as a racing heartbeat (palpitations).
Does Levothyroxine Cause Weight Gain? Both weight gain and weight loss are possible side effects. Many people do not take the right dosage of levothyroxine, and both undertreatment and overtreatment can have an effect on weight. Levothyroxine weight gain may be tied to undertreatment, according to the ATA.
Yes, you can lose weight with hypothyroidism through lifestyle changes in diet, eating patterns, stress, and workouts. As many as 60% of people with thyroid disease don't know they have one. If you gain weight with no explanation, consider asking a healthcare professional about thyroid issues.
The more common side effects of levothyroxine can include: increased appetite. weight loss. heat sensitivity.
Hyperthyroidism happens when the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. This condition also is called overactive thyroid. Hyperthyroidism speeds up the body's metabolism. That can cause many symptoms, such as weight loss, hand tremors, and rapid or irregular heartbeat.
Current guidelines recommend a levothyroxine dosage of 1.6 mcg per kg per day based on ideal body weight or lean body mass instead of actual body weight. Ideal body weight can be calculated as the weight for height that would generate a body mass index of 24 to 25 kg per m2.
Common signs of an underactive thyroid are tiredness, weight gain and feeling depressed. An underactive thyroid can often be successfully treated by taking daily hormone tablets to replace the hormones your thyroid is not making. There's no way of preventing an underactive thyroid.
Hypothyroidism slows down your metabolism, making it more difficult to lose extra pounds and maintain a healthy body weight. But weight loss is still possible with hypothyroidism.
With thyroid fatigue, you may feel like you can't get through a day without a nap. You may sleep more than usual but still feel completely exhausted. You may not even have the energy to exercise. At times, you may fall asleep during the day or very quickly at night.
Symptoms of overdose may include: fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, loss of consciousness, confusion, seizures. Lab and/or medical tests (such as thyroid function) should be done while you are taking this medication.
A potentially toxic dose includes acute ingestion of more than 5 mg of levothyroxine or 0.75 mg of triiodothyronine [3].
Symptoms of not enough Synthroid may include fatigue, cold sensitivity, dry skin, thinning hair, constipation, weight gain, muscle weakness, joint pain, hoarseness, puffiness of the face, increase in blood cholesterol levels, slowed heart rate, heavy or irregular menstrual periods, depression, and memory problems.
The symptoms of too little thyroid medication may feel similar to getting a cold. For example, you may feel a sudden surge of shivers, cold hands and feet, and even a sore or swollen throat. One of the signs of low thyroid hormone is brain fog.
Why can't I lose weight with hypothyroidism? People who have hypothyroidism have thyroids that make fewer hormones. This causes their metabolism to slow down and burn fewer calories. Hypothyroidism can also make a person feel tired and less motivated to exercise.
Many people do not take the right dosage of levothyroxine, and both undertreatment and overtreatment can have an effect on weight. Levothyroxine weight gain may be tied to undertreatment, according to the ATA.
Unexplained Weight Gain
Slowly, over time, your underactive thyroid will lead to weight gain — anywhere from 10 to 30 pounds or more. Most of the extra weight is due to water and salt.
About half (52%) of the patients lost weight up to 24 months after initiation of treatment with LT4. Overall, weight loss was modest, with a mean weight loss of 8.4 + 9. 7 lbs. “Because obesity and hypothyroidism are very common, there are many patients who have both conditions,” says Ronald J.