Weight Gain Due To Cytomel And Levoxyl, Do Not Want To Quit Thyroid Medicine. Should I Try Testosterone?

Posted on Tue, 18 Oct 2011

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

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 Answered on

Sun, 10 Jun 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : I am having trouble with weight gain on cytomel 5mcg and levoxyl 25mcg, i gained 10 pounds in 6 months and cant lose it regardless of diet and 5 day aweek workouts. Now my chesterol is 224 and my trigycerides are up, blood glucose is 112. I used to take andrgogel 2.5 grams but my prostatitis and bph were acting up. Now my endo. thinks I should go back on the testotrerone to reduce fat and breast enlargement. My urologist is skeptical i am on hytrin 2mg-is there something better to take for that-i cant use flomax it gave me retrograde ejaculatuon and severe gum pain. The other endo I consulted thinks I have too much estrogen level 60. she wants to increase testoterone too but may want to use arimidex-what do you think of that. My family doctor says just stay on the thyroid meds as my tsh was 4.55 before and now it is 1.21 but I feel more energy but still cant lose a pound. What can I do, I do not want weight related problems but dont want to quit the thyroid meds if i need them, and should i try testoterone too, and what can help the bph/prostatitis. thank you. XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. V. Kumaravel (19 hours later)

Hello,

Thanks for your query.

I do understand that you are 62 year male with hypothyroid, hypogonadism, BPH, high cholesterol and concerned about weight loss.

Twenty-five mcg of liothyronine (cytomel) is equivalent to approximately 0.1 mg of Levothyroxine(Levoxyl). Currently your TSH is normal with cytomel 5mcg and levoxyl 25mcg, and hence you can continue the current dose of thyroxine.

I would not personally suggest you testosterone treatment considering your PSA value and prostatic enlargement. When you take testosterone there is probability that your breast can enlarge, combining with arimidex might help, but I am not for it.

I think there are lots of drugs like prozozin, tamsulosin, flutamide and many more areavailable for BPH and you can take any of these in consultation with your urologist.

If you can increase your workout and excercise you can reduce weight. i can also try a custamised meal plan in consultation with your nutritional counseller.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have any follow up queries I will be available to answer them.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. V. Kumaravel (3 hours later)

which is more likely to cause weith gain for me the thyroid medications or testoterone replacement? Thank you.

Answered by Dr. V. Kumaravel (6 hours later)

Hello

Thanks for the follow-up.

Hypothyroidism (Low thyroid hormone) can result in weight gain, thyroxine will never cause weight gain. In fact it will help reduce your weight that was contributed by hypothyroidism.

Testosterone helps to increase your muscle mass and redistribution of fat. Some people feel that they have increased their weight because of building muscle mass or some can have minimal water retention, but usually it does not cause significant weight gain.

Wishing you good health.
regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Radhika