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What Causes Weight Gain Despite Having Hypothyroidism?
Question: Hi,
I am 55 years old and I had a hysterectomy on February 4th, 2014. The uterus and ovaries were removed; I am on estrogel to control the hot flashes. I also gained 20 pounds since the surgery. My recent bllod work indicated total cholesterol 244, HDL 56, LDL 145, Triglycerides 215, non HDL 188.
My T4 free is 0.9, T3 free is 3.1 and TSH is 8.71 (very high I guess). I have been taking 0.025 mg of Levothyroxin for the past 5 years. Do you think is all caused by my thyroid?
Thank you very much,
XXXXXXX
I am 55 years old and I had a hysterectomy on February 4th, 2014. The uterus and ovaries were removed; I am on estrogel to control the hot flashes. I also gained 20 pounds since the surgery. My recent bllod work indicated total cholesterol 244, HDL 56, LDL 145, Triglycerides 215, non HDL 188.
My T4 free is 0.9, T3 free is 3.1 and TSH is 8.71 (very high I guess). I have been taking 0.025 mg of Levothyroxin for the past 5 years. Do you think is all caused by my thyroid?
Thank you very much,
XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
hypothyroidism can cause high cholesterol
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The low levels of thyroid hormone could definitely contribute to your weight gain.
Hypothyroidism is a common cause of weight gain. Since you have been taking the same dose of levothyroxin for a few years and the hormone levels are not normal, your doctor may want to consider increasing the dose.
An increase would help to normalize your thyroid hormones and may also assist with weight loss.
The goals for cholesterol vary from one person to the next. They depend on the (1)age and sex of the person - male older than 55, female older than 45
(2)family history of early heart disease- male 1st degree family member with a heart complication before 55 and a female 1st degree relative before age 65
(3)smoking
(4)high blood pressure
(5)low HDL (less than 40)
These are risk factors for heart disease.
If a person has a history of heart disease, peripheral vascular disease (circulation problems in the legs), diabetes , aortic aneurysm , the the LDL should be less than 100.
If a person has 2 or more of these then the goal for the LDL is less than 130
If a person only has 1 risk factor then the LDL should be less than 160.
Your age is a risk factor and you also have high blood pressure so your LDL should be less than 130.
It is possible that the hypothyroidism is contributing to your cholesterol, it is a complication of low thyroid hormones.
Your doctor may correct these levels.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
hypothyroidism can cause high cholesterol
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The low levels of thyroid hormone could definitely contribute to your weight gain.
Hypothyroidism is a common cause of weight gain. Since you have been taking the same dose of levothyroxin for a few years and the hormone levels are not normal, your doctor may want to consider increasing the dose.
An increase would help to normalize your thyroid hormones and may also assist with weight loss.
The goals for cholesterol vary from one person to the next. They depend on the (1)age and sex of the person - male older than 55, female older than 45
(2)family history of early heart disease- male 1st degree family member with a heart complication before 55 and a female 1st degree relative before age 65
(3)smoking
(4)high blood pressure
(5)low HDL (less than 40)
These are risk factors for heart disease.
If a person has a history of heart disease, peripheral vascular disease (circulation problems in the legs), diabetes , aortic aneurysm , the the LDL should be less than 100.
If a person has 2 or more of these then the goal for the LDL is less than 130
If a person only has 1 risk factor then the LDL should be less than 160.
Your age is a risk factor and you also have high blood pressure so your LDL should be less than 130.
It is possible that the hypothyroidism is contributing to your cholesterol, it is a complication of low thyroid hormones.
Your doctor may correct these levels.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
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
Answered by
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