Does taking levothyroxine cause weight gain?

I have been taking thyroid medication for over twenty years now. Initially, I also thought the medicine was causing my weight gain, but my endocrinologist explained it takes time for the body to balance out. Once my TSH levels became normal, my weight stabilized nicely, so please keep patience.

Levothyroxine is synthetic thyroid hormone, so it is meant to treat the underactive thyroid which causes weight gain in the first place. If you are still gaining weight while on it, your dosage might need to be adjusted. It is best to get a fresh thyroid profile test and consult your doctor.

Many people get confused about this, but levothyroxine should actually help manage and reduce the weight gain caused by hypothyroidism. Just make sure you take it first thing in the morning and wait at least an hour before having tea or breakfast so it absorbs properly.

I can only share my own journey with thyroid issues. When I started taking my prescribed daily dose, I actually lost a couple of kilos after my hormone levels came back into the normal range. It might be different for everyone, so talking to your specialist is the best way to understand.