What Causes Sudden Weight Gain While On Corticosteroids?

Posted on Thu, 21 Apr 2016

Question: I am 38 year male 5'11". Iam using corticosteroids inhaler from 1 year daily 2 puffs for allergic bronchitis. After started inhaler my weight increased from 78kgto 85kg. Thyoid is in border line not taking any medicine. Liver is mildly fatty with all liver parameters normal. my stomach and chin muscle sagging with fat.i am doing exercise and following diet even then not reducing weight. No other medical conditions. Please suggest how to reduce weight and overcome side effects of corticosteroids.

Answered by Dr. Divakara (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Need to reduce the dose of Inhaler.

Detailed Answer:
HI

Greetings from Dr.Divakara.P
Thanks for posting your query.

Weight gain could be due to Steroid Inhaler or due to Thyroid ( even though it is borderline ) .

Among this first I need to address your Thyroid issue . I need to know the exact value of TSH and you may require treatment for Thyroid ( and treatment may help in controlling your weight)

Also tell me the dose and name of the medicine used in Inhaler. Also let me know the status of your Allergic bronchitis , I mean are you still having attacks of breathlessness? This is because if your Allergic bronchitis is under control we can think of reducing the inhaler dose.

Tell me how much exercise you do and how frequently.
Also let me knw have you been tested for Diabetes.

Will be looking forward for your reply.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Divakara (38 minutes later)

Hello doctor,
t3 is 90,t4 is 9.3 and tsh is 5.74.
Hba1c is 5.6% and average blood glucose is 114.
I am using foracort 200mg daily 2 puff (morning 1 puff and night 1 puff).bronchitis is under control.
I am doing exercise weekly 3 times - around 1 hr each time.

Answered by Dr. Divakara (35 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Need to exercise daily.

Detailed Answer:
Well in that case you need to reduce foracort to 2 puffs once a day at night.

Thyroid levels are OK but when it was tested , if it's been more than 3/months then repeat TSH test.

You need to exercise on a daily basis and try to increase the duration and intensity of exercise every two weeks.

Do this much and you shall achieve weight loss gradually.

If after reducing foracort for once a day , your bronchitis still remains under control them after 1 month reduce it to 1 Puff once a day.

Hope this information was useful to you.
Any clarification feel free to ask.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Divakara (1 hour later)

Hello Doctor,

I start exercise daily and reduce inhaler to 1 puff daily. If i reduce weight will my fatty liver will be normal. My thyroid levels tested around 3 months back. Now it is getting better with exercise and diet i slowly started reducing weight around 1 kg /month.

Answered by Dr. Divakara (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Definitely fatty liver will become normal.

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Good to know that you are reducing the weight. In addition to daily exercise you need to give up Alcohol intake ( if at all you are consuming ), as alcohol is one of the cause for Fatty liver.

If you do this definitely your fatty liver shall become normal.

I also recommend you to repeat TSH test and revert back .

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Divakara (14 hours later)

Hello doctor,
I am not taking alcohol or cigarette. I repeat thyroid test next month. Also cholesterol levels ate all normal.

Answered by Dr. Divakara (38 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Good.

Detailed Answer:
Good to know . Then continue exercise daily and revert back with TSH report after 1 month.

Regards.

Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar