L-Thyroxine for Weight Loss: Dangerous Trend?

There are new weight loss trends like sand at the sea. The latest one: Losing weight with the thyroid medication L-thyroxine. But does that make sense?

On the Internet you come across the strangest ideas when it comes to losing a few kilos. The latest trend – losing weight with L-thyroxine – is currently circulating on various sites. This is a prescription drug that is supposed to bring the hormone balance of patients with a thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Hashimoto thyroiditis) back into balance. The preparation is virtually an artificial form of the natural hormone thyroxine, which is produced in the thyroid gland and controls various processes in the body.

Losing weight with L-thyroxine: How is that possible?

The basic idea behind using L-thyroxine to lose weight is that the hormone influences the metabolism, among other things: if there is too little thyroxine in the body, the metabolism is slowed down. In the long run, this often leads to undesired weight gain in patients with hypothyroidism, for example, without changing their eating habits.

If the hormone level is balanced again by adding L-thyroxine, the increase usually stops and it tends to be possible to slowly lose the excess weight again. If a healthy person wants to lose weight with L-thyroxine, he or she aims to increase the already functioning metabolism even further with the drug.

So can I lose weight with L-thyroxine?

We can only advise against even trying to lose weight with L-thyroxine if you do not have thyroid problems. For one thing, there is no scientific evidence that you can lose weight that way. On the other hand, it is possible that undesirable side effects may occur or that your health condition may generally deteriorate. After all, there is a reason why a doctor prescribes the medication. And a responsible doctor should only prescribe L-thyroxine if there is actually a thyroid disease.

Fortunately, there are many other ways to lose a few kilos in good health. Take a look at our articles on intermittent fasting, WW or our general weight loss tips.