Does Synthroid Cause Weight Gain,insomnia And Depression?

Posted on Wed, 19 Nov 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 19 Nov 2014 Answered on

Mon, 15 Dec 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I have been taking Synthroid between 75mg to 88mg for over 8yrs now for my Thyroid problem and I still have many issues. Tired all the time, can't sleep at night, losing my hair, depression and due to memory lose and lack of focus I also take dextroamphetamine 20mg a day. I can live with all of these problems what is bother me the most my weight gain. I have been thin all my life except when pregnant 3 times. I am 55 and have always been between 98 to 103 lbs. Now I am at 120 lbs and you might not think it much but to me I feel obese and can't stand to look at myself in the mirror. I am considering not taking my synthroid in the hopes that I will lose the weight and be like I use to be. The weight gain has only started about 2 yrs ago and I'm not sure why. Any answers? And please don't say 120 lbs is not that much.

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please do not stop Synthroid

Detailed Answer:
Good day.
Noted your concern. Synthroid is levothyroxine which doesn't cause weight gain. In fact, it helps in weight loss. It is common to gain weight after menopause as the body's metabolic rate reduces. However, if you feel depressed and if you think you have gained significant weight, please request your endocrinologist to do tests to rule out Cushing's Syndrome which can cause both weight gain as well as depression.
Please do not stop Synthroid, otherwise your symptoms may worsen.
Regards
Binu

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar