Is It Safe To Have Ayurvedic Weight Loss Medicine Inspite Of Suffering From Hypothyroidism?

Posted on Wed, 21 Jan 2015

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

Wed, 21 Jan 2015 Answered on

Sat, 7 Feb 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi,

I am XXXXXXX i am suffering from Thyroid, my TSH is 8, i am feeding my one year baby, my height is 5.2 & weight is 64, i want to reduce my tummy so somebody suggested me to take Ayurvedic weight loss medicine, is it ok ???? can i take the tablet during breast feeding???

Answered by Dr. Ajish TP (44 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Needs thyroid hormone replacement

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Welcome to HCM. I had gone through your question and understand your concerns.

You are having subclinical hypothyroidism (a small decrease in thyroid function), the ideal treatment is thyroid hormone replacement, which is safe during breast feeding.

Regarding ayurvedic medications for weight loss:

All Ayurvedic medications are claimed to be "without side effects", even in pregnancy and lactation. But we should be careful while taking weight reducing medications. Most of the weight reducing modern medications including health supplements, when studied, was found to have deleterious effects on body. This is because weight reduction by medications are not physiologically a healthy option. We don't have any studies on side effects of weight reducing Ayurvedic medications. So their safety is not proved and has to be taken with caution during lactation period.

Hope I have answered your question. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.

Regards
Dr Ajish TP
Consultant Endocrinologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju