Posted by Squiggles on November 26, 2002, at 16:43:24
In reply to Re: lithium weight gain, posted by JonW on November 26, 2002, at 16:34:59
Lithium definitely causes hypothyroidism,
though only in about 10% of all taking it
and mostly in women. Infact, lithium is
used for hyperthyroidism.I think that part of the weight gain may
be the hypothyroidism. I know that i started
gaining a lot more weight when my dr. lowered
my Synthroid level. I am hypothyroidic yet
still take Synthroid to counteract the lithium
effect. My thyroid is functioning at 15%.I know that many clinicians and doctors swear
that hypothyroidism does not cause weight gain,
but that has not been my experience.Whether lithium causes weight gain *indirectly*
in this way or not, i am not sure. There is
the water gain to consider as well.However, you need not balloon if you watch your
food intake and check your thyroid level with
your doctor.Squiggles
poster:Squiggles
thread:129424
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021122/msgs/129459.html