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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ben on August 11, 2012, at 2:45:37
I took 75 mcg of T4 because of taking lithium. TSH and fT4 and fT3 were in the normal range. Now my pdoc raised it to 100 mcg/d because I feel more tiredness. But since then I gained weight - each week 0.5 to 1kg due to more appetite? Did you make the same experience ?
Posted by SLS on August 11, 2012, at 7:08:27
In reply to T4 and weight gain, posted by ben on August 11, 2012, at 2:45:37
> I took 75 mcg of T4 because of taking lithium. TSH and fT4 and fT3 were in the normal range. Now my pdoc raised it to 100 mcg/d because I feel more tiredness. But since then I gained weight - each week 0.5 to 1kg due to more appetite? Did you make the same experience ?
I have very little experience with T4, but hyperthyroidism can paradoxically produce weight gain due to an increase in appetite.
"The weight issue is confusing sometimes since some patients actually gain weight because of an increase in their appetite."
http://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/hyperthyroidism/hyperthyroidism-overactivity-thyroid-gland-0
Hair loss is generally a good indicator of hyperthyroidism, even though it can occur occasionally with hypothyroidism.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on August 11, 2012, at 9:39:54
In reply to Re: T4 and weight gain » ben, posted by SLS on August 11, 2012, at 7:08:27
High anxiety also very high. Phillipa
Posted by alchemy on August 12, 2012, at 14:21:57
In reply to T4 and weight gain, posted by ben on August 11, 2012, at 2:45:37
I don't have an answer. Have you had your levels checked since starting the thyroid med?
My thyroid levels are "in range", but on the low side. My psych put me on them because they can help mood when combined with other meds. When I was taking Cytomel, which is T3, it made my levels way below range. However, for years now I have taken Synthroid and my levels have been ok.
I also went to a naturopath who gave me Armour- T3. The goal was to help some rapid cycle, which it does help with some people. It made me more depressed. I couldn't find any information on the web why taking thyroid would increase depression, only that it could increased anxiety.
The endocrine system is so complicated and intertwined. I get frustrated trying to figure out what is going on!
...so anyway, my experience with T3 was paradoxical, and I don't even know if T4 (syntroid) is doing anything.
Posted by SLS on August 12, 2012, at 18:47:36
In reply to Re: T4 and weight gain, posted by alchemy on August 12, 2012, at 14:21:57
T3 (Cytomel) made me wickedly more depressed, even upon rechallenge. T4 (Synthroid) was neutral for me.
- Scott
Posted by alchemy on August 12, 2012, at 22:44:39
In reply to Re: T4 and weight gain, posted by SLS on August 12, 2012, at 18:47:36
> T3 (Cytomel) made me wickedly more depressed, even upon rechallenge. T4 (Synthroid) was neutral for me.
Interesting! I searched the web to find out why - and of course nothing. Glad to know I wasn't the only one. Do you still take Synthroid?
Posted by SLS on August 13, 2012, at 4:51:44
In reply to Re: T4 and weight gain » SLS, posted by alchemy on August 12, 2012, at 22:44:39
> > T3 (Cytomel) made me wickedly more depressed, even upon rechallenge. T4 (Synthroid) was neutral for me.
>
> Interesting! I searched the web to find out why - and of course nothing.Doesn't triiodothyronine (T3) increase the sensitivity of certain NE receptors? This might not be such a good idea for some people. I am responding favorably to prazosin (NE alpha1 antagonist). Perhaps feeling worse while taking T3 is a clue of some sort as to what's wrong and what would work. People react in specific ways to specific drugs for specific reasons.
> Glad to know I wasn't the only one.
I agree. Not being the only one is somehow comforting. I don't feel like I am somehow different from everyone else in ways that leave me doomed to remain ill.
> Do you still take Synthroid?
No.
Since I was not hypothyroid, we decided to discontinue the T4. I actually felt somewhat more energetic on it at first.
- Scott
This is the end of the thread.
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