Can Levothyroxine decrease the TSH level?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am on my weight loss journey. I was gaining some weight back and my primary doctor ran some tests. I had a 4.75 TSH level and she put me on 50 mcg levothyroxine. My weight steadied, and my TSH dropped to 1.305 in the first six weeks. But later I started experiencing inexplicable depression, sadness, and inability to feel strong enough to make it through my regular workouts. There is nothing else going on in my life change-wise besides the medication. My doctor said that I should start taking anti-depressants. What should I do?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I just read your query and from what you have mentioned it does not seem that you had hypothyroidism because your TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) was only 4.75 and that is not the level at which it is advisable to begin Levothyroxine treatment. The extra thyroxine which you have taken all this while causes bone demineralization and thereby causes weakness in the bones similar to osteoporosis. You can take the tablet Orlistat 120 mg thrice a day if you want to lose weight. You must start calcium 600 mg once daily and vitamin D supplements 5000 IU daily. Consult your specialist doctor, discuss with him or her, and take the medicines with their consent. Antidepressants can cause weight gain as well.

Hope you find my advice of some benefit.

Thank you.