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I have gained weight. Should my Eltroxin dose increase?

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Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am a 35 year old female. I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto's hypothyroidism and was prescribed Eltroxin 50 mcg. I recently gained 4 kg and have not been able to lose them. I am suffering from chronic constipation and I feel drowsy and tired all the time. I did some blood tests for my thyroid gland function and the results are as follows: T4 free 10.2 pmol/L, TSH third generation 4.71 IU/ml, Antithyroid peroxidase ab 122 IU/ml, Ferritin 24 ug/L, B12 192 pg/ml and Vitamin D3 33.6 nmol/L. I have been on Eltroxin for 12 days and nothing has changed. Constipation and the drowsiness are still there and I am wondering if I can increase the dose and if so to how much per day?
Answered by Dr. Bindiya Thakkar

Education:

DM Endocrine and Diabetes,USA, Harvard University and Boston University

Professional Bio:

Dr.Bindiya Thakkar is a highly skilled and established physician in the field of Diabetology, Endocrinology. She listens to all the patient queries deliberately and is an expert in devising a proper treatment plan.

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Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

The labs and symptoms are consistent with hypothyroidism. For your weight, you can safely take 75 micrograms of Eltroxin (Levothyroxine). The symptoms can take four to six weeks to improve. I recommend another TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) test in four weeks after increasing the dose. It is also important to take the medication on an empty stomach without any coffee or juice and wait 30 minutes to eat anything. The other medications should be separated by four hours.

Take care.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

I take the medication in the morning without anything but water, and I wait at least 30 minutes before I eat anything. But, sometimes I do not eat anything for two to three hours. Also, I take birth control Dian 35 at night before I sleep. Does this affect the medication?

Answered by Dr. Bindiya Thakkar

Education:

DM Endocrine and Diabetes,USA, Harvard University and Boston University

Professional Bio:

Dr.Bindiya Thakkar is a highly skilled and established physician in the field of Diabetology, Endocrinology. She listens to all the patient queries deliberately and is an expert in devising a proper treatment plan.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

The birth control can change the dose requirement. So, it is important to check for TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) whenever the birth control is changed or stopped.

Answered by
Medically reviewed by Dr. K. Shobana
Published At September 19, 2017
Reviewed At July 24, 2026

Education:

DM Endocrine and Diabetes,USA, Harvard University and Boston University

Professional Bio:

Dr.Bindiya Thakkar is a highly skilled and established physician in the field of Diabetology, Endocrinology. She listens to all the patient queries deliberately and is an expert in devising a proper treatment plan.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. K. Shobana is a Dental Surgeon specializing in oral health and dental care. She is skilled in preventive dentistry and provides oral hygiene education. She can do restorative treatments such as fillings and crowns. She can handle periodontal problems such as gum diseases and periodontitis. She can do root canal treatment.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

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Endocrinology

Education:

DM Endocrine and Diabetes,USA, Harvard University and Boston University

Professional Bio:

Dr.Bindiya Thakkar is a highly skilled and established physician in the field of Diabetology, Endocrinology. She listens to all the patient queries deliberately and is an expert in devising a proper treatment plan.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality
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