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Does Levothyroxin Cause Weight Gain And Hair Loss?
Question: I just started taking Levothyroxin, I am hearing a lot of " people gaining weight on this and losing hair"! I have a weight problem to begin with, is this thyroid medication going to make me gain more weight!.
Brief Answer:
Levothyroxine will not cause that
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Noted your concern. Got the lovely photo too.
It is false that anyone would gain weight on levothyroxine. In fact it augments the metabolism and you may lose some weight if you have gained weight due to hypothyroidism. You will not lose hair as well just because of this medication. This is a hormone replacement is safe. However, hypothyroidism per se cause hair loss and weight gain
Regards
Binu
Levothyroxine will not cause that
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Noted your concern. Got the lovely photo too.
It is false that anyone would gain weight on levothyroxine. In fact it augments the metabolism and you may lose some weight if you have gained weight due to hypothyroidism. You will not lose hair as well just because of this medication. This is a hormone replacement is safe. However, hypothyroidism per se cause hair loss and weight gain
Regards
Binu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you so much for your prompt answer! Also what about the body aches? I do have a lower back issue , herniated/bulging disk in my L4 L5 region. Right now a lot of my pain is in my thighs, I think it's from holding up my butt!!!! I am seeing a homeopath chiro, and altho my symptons have reduced, I am the more achey in the mornings, then during the but I still have to watch my forward bends, whether it is gardening or excercising. what more can I do to allieviate my pain. Surgery is my last option......would I benefit from going to PT?
Brief Answer:
Probable causes
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the reply.
Body aches could be due to multiple reasons ranging from Vitamin D deficiency to Fibromyalgia. Physiotherapy and gentle body massage will surely help. However , we need to find the cause.
Hypothyroidism itself can cause nagging body pain
L4-L5 disc bulge would give you a radiating pain along the thighs/legs, but not whole body ache.
I would recommend following tests
1.CBC, ESR ( to look for Poly myalgia rheumatic/Fibromyalgia)
2. Vitamin D levels ( to rule out Vitamin D deficiency)
3. Fasting calcium, Albumin and Alkaline phosphatase, Phosphorus ( to rule out Hyperparathyroidism)
4. CPK ( to rule out myopathy/myositis)
By the way, do you take any cholesterol lowering pills?? ( some of them can cause body ache)
What was your last Thyroid function tests like ( TSH and Free T4)
These tests will determine the cause of body aches
Probable causes
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the reply.
Body aches could be due to multiple reasons ranging from Vitamin D deficiency to Fibromyalgia. Physiotherapy and gentle body massage will surely help. However , we need to find the cause.
Hypothyroidism itself can cause nagging body pain
L4-L5 disc bulge would give you a radiating pain along the thighs/legs, but not whole body ache.
I would recommend following tests
1.CBC, ESR ( to look for Poly myalgia rheumatic/Fibromyalgia)
2. Vitamin D levels ( to rule out Vitamin D deficiency)
3. Fasting calcium, Albumin and Alkaline phosphatase, Phosphorus ( to rule out Hyperparathyroidism)
4. CPK ( to rule out myopathy/myositis)
By the way, do you take any cholesterol lowering pills?? ( some of them can cause body ache)
What was your last Thyroid function tests like ( TSH and Free T4)
These tests will determine the cause of body aches
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I just had my thyroid test done on Monday, Dr. just did a TSH this go around and that was 1.6, she wants it down to a 1....she did not do a T3 or T4 this time.... she also did a Vit D3 tests, and I won't get those results till next week, also I have to say that my achieness is more in my thighs then anything...I have massages often and love them, so I doubt it is Fibromyalgia....
Brief Answer:
Thyroid levels
Detailed Answer:
Thigh pains could be from the disc bulge ( but L4-5) would cause pain on the back of thigh and leg rather than front.
I can not see a point why your GP would need TSH down to 1.6 in a 62 year old lady, and I do not think there will be any added benefit by bringing it down to 1 !!.
Vitamin D also cause generalized pain and muscle weakness especially difficulty getting up from squatting
Thyroid levels
Detailed Answer:
Thigh pains could be from the disc bulge ( but L4-5) would cause pain on the back of thigh and leg rather than front.
I can not see a point why your GP would need TSH down to 1.6 in a 62 year old lady, and I do not think there will be any added benefit by bringing it down to 1 !!.
Vitamin D also cause generalized pain and muscle weakness especially difficulty getting up from squatting
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Wow! I am learning so much from you! My thigh pain is in the front of my thighs. So interesting.....so maybe just some leg strengthening excercising would be good? I was wondering why she wanted my level so low, maybe time to switch Dr's? Can to much Vit D3 cause achieness?
Brief Answer:
Doctor may have a reason
Detailed Answer:
I usually try to keep TSH in 2 - 2.5 range except in pregnancy where the recommendation is < 2.5. I don't know why your doc want it at 1, but she must be having a valid reason. It is better to discuss with her on your next visit.
Stretching exercise would be good. Excess Vitamin D will not cause pain, but may cause excess calcium in blood and kidneys etc. Low Vitamin D cause muscle pain
Doctor may have a reason
Detailed Answer:
I usually try to keep TSH in 2 - 2.5 range except in pregnancy where the recommendation is < 2.5. I don't know why your doc want it at 1, but she must be having a valid reason. It is better to discuss with her on your next visit.
Stretching exercise would be good. Excess Vitamin D will not cause pain, but may cause excess calcium in blood and kidneys etc. Low Vitamin D cause muscle pain
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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