[iowahawkeyess]

I had chemo and radiation when I was 12/13 years old. I have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 4 years ago ( I'm 19). I was really bad about missing doses, and I am overweight... I started taking 2 pills instead of 1 so I can lose weight faster and easier.. can it really kill me? Please, someone tell me the truth!

[J_9]

What pills are you taking? Hypothyroidism can be dangerous if not treated. Not only can you gain weight, as you already noticed, but it messes with your calcium levels. Calcium levels need to remain in the normal range for proper muscle function.

[iowahawkeyess]

Levothyroxine, I didn't take it for like 2 weeks before my doctors appointment so they would raise the dosage so I could take 1 pill instead of 2. I was at 175mg, and now I am at 200mg. I know I don't need that much but I have noticed a little weight loss and I have been taking too much for about 4 weeks now. I get out of breath pretty eaisly and I don't need very much sleep to be OK for the day. I don't know if those two things have anything to do with it, but I can't stop because I am happy I am losing weight. I even take 2 of my 200mg pills somedays.

[J_9]

You should never take Synthroid/levothyroxine in any way other than EXACTLY as directed.

Yes, it increases your metabolic rate, but it also messes with your cardiac output. Meaning it messes with your heart.

Taking too much can cause a thyroid storm, and that is a life threatening situation. It can also cause tachycardia, which is a faster than normal heart rate, which can cause you to have cardiac arrest (heart attack).

It can also mess up your clotting factors, meaning you could either bleed out, or possibly get blood clots.

You are really playing with fire using this medication only to lose weight.