Synthroid & Phen??? HELP

**hot_mom_in_the_making** · July 2nd, 2009, 07:33 PM

Ok, so I’ve been on phen for exactly one week now and have lost 4.2 lbs (not quite as much as some others, but I’m happy with it). I was prescribed phen via a weight loss doctor...he did some blood work at my initial visit & told me that if my thyroid levels came back under 8 he would be putting me on a medication for it. Today I received a prescription for Synthroid but I am hesitant to take it. What if I start taking it but don't truly NEED it? Do I run the risk of permanently damaging my thyroid (or worse) if I take this med without needing it? I worry that some weight loss dr.'s may not be as diligent or knowledgeable about thyroid disorder (as opposed to an endocrinologist) and just automatically prescribe thyroid meds in conjunction with phen to ramp up weight loss. Have any of you taken these meds together and seen any better results...is it worth the risk?

**christi johnston** · July 2nd, 2009, 09:32 PM

I had the same thing happen to me. I didnt want to take it,but I did. I feel the same way, am I going to have to take it forever!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are from Texas? I bet we went to the same Dr, in overton?

**Nikkia2112** · July 2nd, 2009, 10:21 PM

I am hypothyroid and took Phen last summer. I had no problems with it interfering with my Synthroiid. However, I am under the care of an endorcrinologist and have my levels checked every 3-6 months. Did the doctor say the Synthroid is to aid in weight loss or because your are clinically hypothyroid?

Honestly, I would see an endo before taking the meds if I were you. Did the doctor tell you what your TSH level is? My endo likes to keep mine below 1 or 2 at the highest. When I was first diagnosed with my thyroid condition years ago, I let my primary care physician manage my levels and medication. That turned out to be a big mistake for me. I won't bore you with the details.

Good luck!

**Jasp** · July 2nd, 2009, 10:43 PM

Honey if your TSH is 8 then you have a problem. Normal range for TSH is .3-3.0 You don't need an Endo to confirm that your hypo you GP can just do a blood drawl and find out. You will need a Free T3 a Free T4 TSH Reverse T3. A normal thyroid panel is not adequate now a days. My TSH is suppressed because we couldn't get my Free levels to the right range and worry about TSH. TSH is not even a thyroid hormone. Not to mention it was an Endo that screwed me up and a DO that fix it. Most Endo's are great with diabetes but have little schooling with thyroid. Funny but true. Endo's also don't think outside the box so it's either black or white with them. Not all but most that I have delt with.

Also some weight lost clinics will use thyroid meds to help with weight lost. Also so will some Doctors will also do this. Not a good idea. I only wished that my meds would have helped me instead I'm one of the rare ones that when I go hyper I gain weight. My levels have to be perfect in order to lose.

There is no such thing as normal when it comes to blood test. Not everyone's normal is good for everyone. For me I was told I was normal for 20 yrs. If they would have pursued my labs a little further they would have found out that I wasn't and I wouldn't have had to live with the symptoms for years prior to treatment.

If you take thyroid and don't need it it would hurt you. You just stop and your levels will go back to normal. Yes if your hypothyroid you take meds for life just like if your were a diabetic.

**hot_mom_in_the_making** · July 2nd, 2009, 11:59 PM

Christi - Yes I did go to the Dr in Overton and at this point everyone I know that has been to him has been put on this thyroid medication. This makes me very apprehensive... is he prescribing without a basis. Did you see any better weight loss results after starting the new med? Has he done any follow-up lab work to check your levels afterward?

Nikkia2112 - I went to this dr. specifically for weight loss to get phen and he did do blood work to check for hypothyroid but it is for the purpose of weight loss. Also I have not been told what the results were…he just said he would be sending the script if they came back abnormal.

Jasp - Well he did do blood work but I’m beginning to think that it wouldn’t have mattered what the results said…I would have gotten the script anyway. I know that thyroid function is a very delicate thing to mess with so I certainly don’t want to make any unnecessary changes with it. How in the world are these weight loss clinics getting away with putting so many of their patients on thyroid meds when its likely that at least some of them don’t need it…idk? I guess for now I will forego the new med as I am currently losing without it.

Thank you all for your posts…you have been very helpful!

**hot_mom_in_the_making** · July 3rd, 2009, 12:50 AM

Ok, so everything I have read about synthroid says...& I quote..."This medication should not be used either alone or in combination with diet pills for weight loss." Also that you cannot just stop taking it, you must come off of it gradually. I think I’m just too afraid to give it a try

I know...i'm a weenie! LOL

**christi johnston** · July 3rd, 2009, 08:42 AM

I felt the same,but have been taking them too with the phentermine. I also read not to take with diet pills,but I just thought it was me, a dr know best!!! He seems like a good Dr, who has been around a long time. It just seems like no Drs prescribe meds because people sue over stupid stuff these days and it was a nice change to find him. He cant be making much money and you know he sees so many people everyday, I do trust his judgement. I have been 2 times and he really talked to me the 2 month, I am going to request a blood test when I go back, I dont mind paying, it is peice of mind....... Maybe I will se you up there!

***attagirl*** · July 3rd, 2009, 11:09 AM

I also have hypothyroidism, per a regular doc and now seeing a endro.. My endo is actually the one who gave me the phen along with my armour. I would not in any way take the synthroid, if I had not been given a bllod test to confirm, and then gone to see an endro or even a reg doc. I do not think it is something that should be messed around with and Ill tell you right now I have been on synthroid and had nothing but problems, from sever headach for 3 months straight, and more I wont go into, until I got onto armour. I know everyone is different, and I not saying at all that synthroid is a bad medication, it just wasnt a good one for ME.. but my point being you dont know what this medication is going to do to you, what kinda side effect your going to have. And let me tell you I NEVER lost weight when I started the meds a year and a half. If you think about it if these meds actaully help a person with a thyroid condition, then why are we all still over weight???? ask your self that.. I have read that they will help you loose if you dont have a thyroid condition, but they should not be used for that purpose.. I myself would not trust a weight loss doc that is telling everyone they have a thyroid conditon and not refer you, or tell you to have a check up with your reg doc or an endro. You dont know what effect tese meds will have on you later on in life. Just seems like an unnecessary reason to take a medication just so you can loose some weight..t. so pretty much what im trying to stress, go see a endro or your doc, and have ALL your levels checked, and if they come back ok, ask him/her what they think about you taking the synthroid, and if they come back bad, then you know you really need this medication.. I have had countless blood test every other month for a year in a half to monitor my levels.. this is just my opinon so I dont need anyone yelling at me on here, which I see so very often. so take it or dont...

***attagirl*** · July 3rd, 2009, 11:22 AM

jsap- wouldnt you think if her levels were at 8, that she would of had some major side effects.. I cant remember what mine were the first time around. but I went to the doc the 1st time for sever heartburn and extremem fatigue (I could only keep my eyes open for about 4 hours a day), hair falling out in chunks, severe dry skin and this is just to name a few... .. I know everyone is different but gosh that seems really high???

if your levels are this bad, you should really be seeing your reg doc.. it can be sever to you heart, and organs left untreated and not treated correctly.. you should really be monitored to make sure you meds are at the right dose..

ok im done, good luck with you thyroid and weight loss...

**hot_mom_in_the_making** · July 3rd, 2009, 11:34 AM

I too thought he was a nice guy and he spoke candidly, which I appreciate, but I also know that doctors are human too and make errors just like us regular folks...lol. I’m sure there are plenty of people who have taken this and are fine, along with those who have had severe side effects. I do know that I am not one who can tolerate synthetic hormones in birth control, but I don’t know if this would have a similar adverse affect on me as I have never tried it.

Christi - I'm very curious to know if it has boosted your weight loss at all?

attagirl - thank you for sharing your story...I welcome and appreciate all opinions so I wouldn’t dream of yelling at you

but I can understand why you'd be wary. thanks again!

**hot_mom_in_the_making** · July 3rd, 2009, 11:47 AM

oh, maybe I misspoke...he didn't tell me that my levels were currently at an 8, he said that if they came back under 8 that it would be very hard for me to lose weight and he would prescribe a medication for it. Shortly after that appointment I received a script for Synthroid. I have not been back for month 2 yet so I have no idea what they actually were. I have for awhile now had some fatigue, brittle nails and have noticed some hair loss since my son was born 4 1/2 years ago, but not to the point of clumps just more in the shower than I had ever noticed before...maybe it is off, idk

**christi johnston** · July 4th, 2009, 10:52 AM

I am not loosing anymore weight taking the synthroid,almost feels the opposite!! help! I am going to get my levels checked again. My grandmother takes the Name brand because the generic she said doesnt work. I dont know,I have always used the cheap stuff, I am cheap period! lol!!!!! so I would rather be safe then sorry. I do know I have headaches for months,but I think it is stress. All of yall have lost so,so much more weight then me,maybe I am doing something wrong! I hear the numbers lost in one week and I could only dream!

**hot_mom_in_the_making** · July 4th, 2009, 02:09 PM

I agree...definitely go and have them re-check you because if anything I would think it should be helping...idk! How far away are you from your next check up? Maybe they can see you sooner if you go up there. Let me know what they say & how it goes. Sounds like you're a girl after my own heart cause I'm a cheapo too LOL! I'm not interested in paying an extra 50-60 bucks for a med that won't even help...idk, I’m still so on the fence about it! Good luck!!!