The thyroid gland at the front of your neck secretes hormones that help to regulate your metabolism. Thyroid hormones trigger every cell in your body to produce proteins and increase the amount of oxygen used. Diet pills often are prescription medications for weight loss. Some inhibit fat absorption and some reduce your appetite. Tell your doctor before you take diet pills along with thyroid medication, or if you have a thyroid condition to avoid adverse reactions.
Orlistat
Orlistat is the generic name for a diet pill that comes in a prescription dose or a less potent, over-the-counter strength. Orlistat should be used as part of a complete weight loss program that includes reducing your calorie intake, eating a low fat diet and adding exercise to your weekly schedule. Orlistat is a lipase inhibitor, which means it helps you lose weight by preventing some ingested fat from being digested. Before taking orlistat, notify your doctor if you have any thyroid conditions. Also, discuss any medications you take for any health issue, advises Medline Plus.
Phentermine
Phentermine is the generic name for a stimulant prescribed as a diet pill to suppress your appetite. Doctors prescribe this medication, along with a reduced calorie diet and exercise, to qualifying patients. Do not take phentermine if you have certain health conditions, including hyperthyroidism, an overactive thyroid, or glaucoma or an allergy to stimulants, warns Drugs.com. If you have a thyroid disorder, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests before safely taking phentermine.
Thyroid Hormones
There is a misconception that thyroid medication increases your metabolism to help you lose weight. This prompted a warning from Pub Med Health against using thyroid hormones prescribed to treat thyroid disorders as diet pills. The warning states that thyroid medications do not induce weight loss for people with normal thyroid function and may cause life-threatening side effects. In fact, taking thyroid hormones as diet pills can cause hyperthyroidism – an overactive thyroid.
Levothyroxine
Doses of orlistat may interfere with the thyroid medication levothyroxine, according to drug interaction information from Drugs.com. Orlistat possibly interferes with your body’s absorption of levothyroxine, reducing its efficacy. Drugs.com recommends taking these two medications at least four hours apart. Symptoms of an adverse interaction requiring medical attention include weight gain, memory problems and menstrual irregularities. Seek advice from your health-care professional before taking levothyroxine and orlistat together.
References
- Medline Plus; Orlistat; August 2010
- Drugs.com: Drug Interactions Between Alli and Synthroid
- Drugs.com; Adipex-P
- "Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology"; Drugs in the Pipeline for the Obesity Market; David C. Klonoff, et al.; September 2008
- Pub Med Health; Thyroid; February 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Endocrinology Health Guide; August 2010
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