How long did it take after being on medication for people to lose weight ?

[Kathryn]

Hi everyone !
I have been on 25mg of Levothyroxine for about 3 weeks and in fact, i've put on weight !
I do 5 hours of pole dancing a week and walk 20 mins 3 days a week to work so I am not exactly stationary.
And yet.... nothing's happened !
I now weigh 13 stone 6 and it's really depressing =(
We go on holiday in two days and went shopping for holiday shorts/skirts as none of mine fit me anymore, BAD TIMES !
A size 16 is too small and an 18 fits my huge hips but looks massive on my legs. I went in every shop imaginable but some don't even go past a 16 which is a tad insulting !
Sorry for moaning but I used to weigh 11 stone and I wasn't happy then so this is really getting me down ! (despite the amount of exclamation marks haha) and I hoped the meds would at least spur my metabolism on a little bit.
I am back for bloods when I come back off holiday but I run out of levo whilst I am away as I was only given a months supply.

Ramble/Rant over now ! =)

[Lindy222]

Aw Kathryn I understand - its a nightmare looking for clothes for holidays - I spend my time in kaftans - bright and floaty - and they do look pretty.

But - I am really replying to you about your thyroxine - it really would be in your best interests to contact the Doc and explain your situation.   You really need to keep taking the tabs while you are on holiday.  If you are hypo - the thyroxine will be working already - it has a huge amount of repair work to do - stuff that you do not even know about will be mopping up the extra thyroxine.   

Its not like taking an antibiotic which very quickly sorts out and wipes out an infection - it is gradually building up to the right dose for an individual and (hopefully) symptoms will start to lessen gradually.   I have to say it can be a very long journey of ups and downs though.

Please try and get tabs to take on your holiday - you never know - it might help increase your enjoyment of your holiday.

In any event - have a great time       Lindy

[Totto]

25 mcg is a tiny amount so no wonder it hasn't done much yet. These things takes time. There isn't much you can do to rush things more than keep taking the tablets and ask for a higher dose in a few weeks time. Why weren't you given 50 mcg?

Totto xx

[Kathryn]

Hi Lindy,

Thank you for your reply !!
I am only without meds for about 3 days and I am back at the doctors the morning after we come back to the UK.
She wanted me to come back for a repeat blood test as soon as I ran out but we didn't realise I'd be away !
Hoping I will get an increase to 50mg haha

Well.... I have lots of loose tops already so I figured all I needed to get was some shorts or another skirt. Harder than I thought !

How long have you been on medication ? Have you had any weight issues ?

Totto, I'm not sure. She ummmmed to herself and decided on 25 so I can't really say !

xxx

[Twirlydoughnut]

Hi Kathryn are you back from your holidays? Did you have a good time?

How's things now? Have you been back to the dr?

I started on 50mcg and had upped to 75mcg and my weight is a constant struggle.

Back to gp thurs!

Hope you are well

TD x

[mazagain]

Be careful what you wish for!! I was only diagnosed with underactive thyroid becuse i kept moanng about not being able to lose weight so they did a test and found out.
After two years on 50 Thyroxin  I had not lost a single pound so when I complained again my GP put it up to 75 even though the blood tests said I only needed to be on 50.
Thats when it all went wrong. My feet swelled up,I had a migraine aura,and I began losing weight at last.At first I was pleased-I'd lost a few pounds. But then every day I weighed I had lost another couple until I had lost nearly a stone and looked ill.Scary!!
My GP said to stop taking it completely but now two months later I have not put a sinlge pound back on.I look enviously at fat people in the street and if I ever put weight back on I shall never complain again.Ive had to buy a complete new wardrobe as all my clothes are hanging on me.Really scared!

[Twirlydoughnut]

Mazagain, I understand your upset and fear, it sounds like you didn't have a lot to lose to begin with.

Sadly I have struggled with my weight since I was 11 years old. Recent diagnosis of pcos as well as hypot seems to answer why this is

I have 4 periods in my life where I have been a healthy weight, first was when i first left school went to college, was working 2 jobs also...too much activity and no where near enough food, drink or sleep. I nearly ended up in hosp. Then I finished college, got full time job and gained weight. Too much weight.

Then the second time was when I divorced. Stress, anxiety etc were all the usual reasons.

Then once I found my feet and happiness once again the weight followed. This time after a number of cycle on clomid whilst trying for a baby with my second husband (the doctor I believe knew my pcos then but didn't share with us)

My third weight loss was 4 years ago following weight watchers. Very strictly almost obsessively. Soon as I began to maintain my weight crept back up. I am not a snacker, we as a family eat healthily. So have struggled to understand why I gain weight so quickly and easily on calories normal people lose weight on, but now I know.

Am currently 4 stone over my optimum BMI weight. I have high blood pressure too. I have been following a diet for the last 3 months at 1500 calories per day and have lost a grand total of approx 2 lb. it sucks!!!

It is not just about weight tho...other symptoms still here are tiredness, but difficulty in getting to sleep. Hair loss. Broken flaky nails. Aching hips, back, even my toes hurt at times.

Then the emotional symptoms, dark thoughts, tearfulness, confusion, forgetfulness, brain fog. Some days I truly feel I am losing the plot or lost it...

I wish to feel normal.

TD x