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Hashimoto

Last Updated: · Patients
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Question

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's hypothyroidism over 20 years ago and for the past 10 to 15 years I have had over 6 endocrinologist's and have had a constant struggle with weight gain and getting my thyroid levels to be consistant. My current endocrinologist has come to the conclusion that I have been overmedicated for over 2 years now. I was on synthroid and my dosage I was on was .137mcg twicea day. I had been on that dosage for over 2 years. My TSH has been 0.01 for over 2 years and no one has ever questioned whether or not I was taking too much. I am now taking .137mcg one a day and will have my bloodwork redone in 6 - 8 weeks to see if any of my levels have changed. I would like to maybe someday feel like a normal person and have energy that lasts more than 2 hours and was able to drop the 50+ pounds I have gained in the past 10 years. I am now at my heaviest weight ever and am getting very depressed and am seeking some help. I have been going to the gym at least 4 days a week and instead of losing weight i have gained weight. I have tried every diet possible with no avail. PLEASE IF YOU CAN GIVE ME ANY KIND OF DIRECTION POSSIBLE I WOULD WELCOME ANY SUGGESTIONS. PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am going to 50 years old this year and I feel like I am 90 years and am looking like I have aged more than I should in the last couple of years. I AM DESPERATE.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for listening.

Response

Certainly there is no benefit in taking thyroxine twice a day. The drug lasts a long time in the body. In addition to checking your TSH your T4 and possibly your t3 level should be checked. It is quite reasonable to have a T4 level above the normal reference range when on T4 therapy but the T3 level should be within the normal range. The TSH should be about 1 .. a bit less is also ok. If your thyroid levels are ok your body should respond to calorie restriction ie dieting. Some other autoimmune diseases are associated with Hashimoto's eg Celiac and Addisons and Diabetes. If necessary these should be checked for.