Hydroxycut Risks: Do They Outweigh The Weight Loss Benefits?

Recently, Hydroxycut risks have been under scrutiny following a few incidents where users have been hospitalized. It is popular with dieters who experience much faster results when using it compared to other diet pills. However, it’s quite common for supplements to have some side effects, and this thermogenic weight loss supplement is no different.

Most commonly it has been linked to liver damage (hepatoxicity) including acute hepatitis, and to eye damage. The new Hydroxycut is free of ephedrine, an ingredient linked to serious illnesses and death past. But this improvement has not removed all the risks. Some users report symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nose bleeds, blurred vision, hyperactivity, hypertension, higher heart rate, insomnia, and acne.

To those desperate to lose weight (especially people fighting obesity) when everything else has failed, the dangers of Hydroxycut may be worth risking. But for others, the more serious side effects remain a cause of concern.

Hydroxycut Users Hospitalized

Two patient cases involving Hydroxycut were reported by Griffin Hospital in Derby Connecticut. In one case a 40-year-old woman began using the supplement in her bodybuilding regimen a week before going to the ER.

Her symptoms included cramping, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Her medical history included hyperthyroidism and diet-controlled hyperlipidemia and she was taking a medication called levothyroxine. Medical tests showed that she had drug-induced acute hepatitis. Fortunately, after three days of hospitalization, her signs of liver abnormality went away. A check-up after 10 months also indicated no symptoms or abnormalities.

In a second case a 33-year-old woman experienced two weeks of flu-like symptoms and a month of new-onset jaundice before hospitalization. Her other symptoms included cramping abdominal pain, nausea, alcoholic stools, jaundice, dark-colored urine, and severe fatigue.

She had used the supplement for two weeks and stopped using it when her symptoms started. She had a prior medical condition called pituitary adenoma, and the only other medication she used was a contraceptive. Her autoimmune laboratory profile showed signs of drug-induced acute hepatitis. In this case as well there was no permanent damage. During hospitalization her liver function returned to normal and the jaundice went away.

Is It Worth The Risk?

People who use Hydroxycut report faster and greater weight loss, increased energy, higher metabolism and decreased appetite. It is considered one of the most effective weight loss supplements on the market. Dieters will also welcome the news that the new formulation does not contain any ephedra.

How To Lower The Risk

To avoid adverse reactions try taking a low dose to begin with and watch out for any of the symptoms mentioned here. If you have any of them, stop taking the supplement immediately. Also, do not take Hydroxycut in combination with other supplements or medication, or if you have an existing medical condition. Never exceed the recommended dose.