Levothyroxine and Weight gain (Why some people gain weight on levo and Synthroid)
Can levothyroxine cause weight gain? The answer may surprise you and it is a definite yes. By the way, this information all applies to SYNTHROID as well. So whether you are taking Synthroid or levothyroxine, both medications can lead to weight gain.
How can a medication which is designed to improve thyroid function ultimately lead to weight gain?
The answer has to do with how this medication is metabolized and utilized in your body.
Levothyroxine and Synthroid contain the hormone known as T4 or thyroxine. Doctors give this medication to replace a sluggish thyroid hormone and assume that it will do this job without any issue.
The problem is that T4 is NOT active and in order to be activated must go through a second step known as thyroid conversion. This conversion process produces another hormone known as T3.
But the body also has the option of turning T4 into reverse T3 which COMPLETELY blocks the action of T3.
Your body can take the T4 which is found within levothyroxine and synthroid and turn it into reverse t3 which blocks the benefical effects of T3.
This is how synthroid and levothyroxine can lead to weight gain. You can actually make your thyroid worse if you use the wrong medication.
So, what should you do about it?
There are 2 main treatment options:
#1. Naturally improve T4 to T3 conversion.
Using supplements which contain zinc, selenium, and guggul can help FORCE your body to produce more T3.
This product contains the ingredients your body needs to produce more T3: https://www.restartmed.com/product/t3-conversion-booster/
#2. Bypass the conversion step by using different thyroid medications.
You can completely bypass the conversion process by using medications such as Armour Thyroid and T3 (Cytomel) to give your body T3 directly.
You can test to see if this is a problem for you by looking at the following tests:
- Reverse T3
- Free T3
Check these tests to see how well your body is converting T4 into T3!
Recommended thyroid supplements to enhance thyroid function:
- For thyroid hormone production and conversion: https://www.restartmed.com/product/thyroid-adrenal-reset-complex/ + https://www.restartmed.com/product/t3-conversion-booster/
- For hair loss: https://www.restartmed.com/product/thyroid-hair-regrowth-complex/
- For weight management: https://www.restartmed.com/product/gut-bomb-350-billion/ + https://www.restartmed.com/product/functional-fuel-complete/
- For gut health: https://www.restartmed.com/product/ultra-biotic-x100/
- For energy and adrenal health: https://www.restartmed.com/product/thyroid-adrenal-reset-complex/ + https://www.restartmed.com/product/power-b-complex/
I'm Dr. Westin Childs and I focus on thyroid health, hormone balance, and weight loss. I write about thyroid disorders, weight loss, insulin resistance, estrogen/progesterone balance on my blog. I truly believe that hormone balance is the key to managing your weight, your mood and your quality of life which is why I'm so passionate about it.
If you enjoyed this video please subscribe on youtube or leave a comment on my podcast here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-westin-childs-podcast-thyroid-weight-loss-hormones/id1141207688?mt=2
This video is not intended to be used as medical advice. If you have questions about your health please consult your physician or primary care provider. Dr. Westin Childs goes to great lengths to produce high-quality content but this is NOT a substitute for medical care.
How can a medication which is designed to improve thyroid function ultimately lead to weight gain?
The answer has to do with how this medication is metabolized and utilized in your body.
Levothyroxine and Synthroid contain the hormone known as T4 or thyroxine. Doctors give this medication to replace a sluggish thyroid hormone and assume that it will do this job without any issue.
The problem is that T4 is NOT active and in order to be activated must go through a second step known as thyroid conversion. This conversion process produces another hormone known as T3.
But the body also has the option of turning T4 into reverse T3 which COMPLETELY blocks the action of T3.
Your body can take the T4 which is found within levothyroxine and synthroid and turn it into reverse t3 which blocks the benefical effects of T3.
This is how synthroid and levothyroxine can lead to weight gain. You can actually make your thyroid worse if you use the wrong medication.
So, what should you do about it?
There are 2 main treatment options:
#1. Naturally improve T4 to T3 conversion.
Using supplements which contain zinc, selenium, and guggul can help FORCE your body to produce more T3.
This product contains the ingredients your body needs to produce more T3: https://www.restartmed.com/product/t3-conversion-booster/
#2. Bypass the conversion step by using different thyroid medications.
You can completely bypass the conversion process by using medications such as Armour Thyroid and T3 (Cytomel) to give your body T3 directly.
You can test to see if this is a problem for you by looking at the following tests:
- Reverse T3
- Free T3
Check these tests to see how well your body is converting T4 into T3!
Recommended thyroid supplements to enhance thyroid function:
- For thyroid hormone production and conversion: https://www.restartmed.com/product/thyroid-adrenal-reset-complex/ + https://www.restartmed.com/product/t3-conversion-booster/
- For hair loss: https://www.restartmed.com/product/thyroid-hair-regrowth-complex/
- For weight management: https://www.restartmed.com/product/gut-bomb-350-billion/ + https://www.restartmed.com/product/functional-fuel-complete/
- For gut health: https://www.restartmed.com/product/ultra-biotic-x100/
- For energy and adrenal health: https://www.restartmed.com/product/thyroid-adrenal-reset-complex/ + https://www.restartmed.com/product/power-b-complex/
I'm Dr. Westin Childs and I focus on thyroid health, hormone balance, and weight loss. I write about thyroid disorders, weight loss, insulin resistance, estrogen/progesterone balance on my blog. I truly believe that hormone balance is the key to managing your weight, your mood and your quality of life which is why I'm so passionate about it.
If you enjoyed this video please subscribe on youtube or leave a comment on my podcast here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-westin-childs-podcast-thyroid-weight-loss-hormones/id1141207688?mt=2
This video is not intended to be used as medical advice. If you have questions about your health please consult your physician or primary care provider. Dr. Westin Childs goes to great lengths to produce high-quality content but this is NOT a substitute for medical care.
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