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Diet Pills & Hypothyroidism

Oct 12, 2011 | By Stephanie Mojica

If you have hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid gland, you will likely have a hard time losing weight, warns the Mayo Clinic. Your doctor will probably prescribe a thyroid-regulating drug, such as levothyroxine or Synthroid, to help regulate your bodily functions. While there are no weight loss drugs specifically designed for hypothyroidism, with your doctor’s supervision you can take at least one diet drug to help you lose weight.

Hypothyroidism Basics

If you’re a woman over the age of 50, you’re more likely to experience hypothyroidism than younger women or men of any age, according to the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms of the illness include fatigue, sluggishness, increased sensitivity to cold, muscle aches, heavy menstrual periods and unexplained weight gain. Long-term effects of uncontrolled hypothyroidism include obesity, heart disease, infertility and joint pain.

Hypothyroidism Treatment

The most common treatment for hypothyroidism is the drug levothyroxine or Synthroid, notes the Mayo Clinic. The medication can cause side effects such as increased appetite, nausea, headache, fever and stomach cramps. Over time, the drug regulates the body’s hormones and can help reverse weight gain caused by hypothyroidism. However, do not take levothyroxine if you do not actually have hypothyroidism; taking thyroid regulating drugs as diet pills is a potentially dangerous practice.

Appetite Suppressants

Medications to treat hypothyroidism such as levothyroxine do not interact with appetite suppressant diet pills such as phentermine, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center Drug Checker. Your doctor will likely not prescribe phentermine or a similar drug such as diethylpropion for more than 12 weeks at a time because appetite suppressants are potentially habit-forming. You risk experiencing side effects such as insomnia, nervousness, upset stomach, vomiting and increased urination after taking drugs such as diethylpropion. Avoid prescription appetite suppressants if you have a history of substance abuse or are over the age of 65.

Orlistat

Orlistat blocks the fat from the food you eat and passes out of your body through your bowel movements. You can take orlistat while taking levothyroxine, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center Drug Checker. However, take levothyroxine and all other medications and supplements either two hours before or two hours after taking orlistat. If you eat a low-fat diet and exercise regularly while taking prescription or over-the-counter orlistat, you can lose 3 to 7 lbs more each year than you would have without the drug.

References

Article reviewed by demand11334 Last updated on: Oct 12, 2011

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