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Does Euthyrox cause weight gain or loss?

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

Euthyrox is a synthetic hormone. Its use has benefited a large number of patients in the world, as it helps them regulate and correct the problems caused by thyroxine deficiency, a hormone synthesized by the thyroid gland. This is of great importance for normal cell function.

Among the disorders that are produced by the inadequate functioning of the thyroid, is the variation of body weight. Therefore, it is worth asking: does Eutirox make you fat or lose weight? In this FastlyHealarticle, we answer this question in detail.

What is Euthyrox?

Euthyrox is a mild synthetic isomer of tetrathyroxine or T4 , which is the main hormone secreted by the thyroid gland .

Its mass production has been of great benefit to patients suffering from hypothyroidism , because this hormone plays a very important role in metabolism. The use of this drug has improved the quality of life for many individuals around the world.

Does Euthyrox make you fat or lose weight?

Hypothyroidism includes among its most frequent symptoms the increase in body weight. Hypothyroid patients are treated with Euthyrox but actually the weight gain is not due to the use of this drug but to the hypothyroid condition.

The consumption of the medicine in its correct dose has, on the contrary, a positive effect on the activation of the patient’s metabolism and, consequently, the organism begins to balance itself. This balance leads to rapid weight loss in some people. Specifically, the hypothyroid condition usually causes weight gain and, generally, when the person is prescribed the appropriate dose of Euthyrox, they lose weight.

However, to answer in more detail the question: does Euthyrox make you fat or lose weight ?, it is necessary to talk about the basic physiology of the thyroid. This gland normally works under the stimulation of TSH ( Thyroid Stimulating Hormone ) and secretes mainly the thyroid hormone T4 , but it is necessary to understand that T4 is an inactive hormone. On its own, this hormone does nothing in the body except that it acts as a reservoir for T3, which is the active thyroid hormone in the body.

Euthyrox supplies the body with T4. Ideally, this T4 hormone is converted to T3 to penetrate cells and activate gene transcription in order to speed up metabolism. The second option, and the least desirable, is that T3 becomes inactive and thyroid action is inhibited, slowing down metabolism and causing symptoms of hypothyroidism to appear.

T3 or triiodothyronine is what penetrates cells and activates genes that increase metabolism, help with hair growth and give energy. For the thyroid hormone to be active in the body, the T4 hormone must be converted to T3. The problem is that T4 doesn’t always turn into T3.

This transformation of hormones is affected by both internal and external factors, such as stress and the fast pace of life that most people lead today. This has the consequence that hormone replacement therapy does not have the desired effects and the delivered dose of Euthyrox must be constantly reviewed in order for the treatment to produce the desired effect.

Hypothyroidism: symptoms and treatment

Hypothyroidism is an endocrine disease that has its origin in the malfunction of the thyroid gland , responsible for producing the thyroid hormones, T3 and T4. T4 is released from thyroglobulin through a process that breaks down proteins known as proteolysis. In this way, it is secreted into the blood.

Depending on requirements, T4 can be broken down by hydrolysis into T3, which exerts a broad spectrum of stimulatory effects on cellular metabolism. Lack of this hormone leads to a number of symptoms , which can include:

  • Weight gain or greater difficulty losing weight.
  • Hair loss.
  • Soft spot.
  • Thick and dry hair.
  • Fatigue.
  • Dry, rough and pale skin.
  • Decreased libido
  • Muscle cramps and frequent muscle aches.
  • Constipation.
  • Cold intolerance
  • Depression.
  • Irritability.
  • Abnormal menstrual cycles
  • Memory loss.

Some patients may not report any symptoms, just as there are others who may have only some of them. It can also happen that these symptoms are mistaken for other conditions, so the most direct way of diagnosis is through a blood test.

The only existing treatment for hypothyroidism is hormone replacement therapy. The purpose of therapy is to compensate for the lack of hormones secreted by the thyroid gland. In most cases, it is enough to just take a daily dose of thyroid hormone T4 through a pill that is Euthyrox, but it is important to understand that it is not an exact prescription. The way each patient reacts to therapy is absolutely different in each case.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Does Eutirox make you fat or lose weight? , we recommend that you enter our category of Medication and medical tests .

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