Levothyroxine Side Effects (Page 11)

I was recently diagnosed with an underactive thyroid. I have been taking levothyroxine for almost two weeks. For the last four or five days I have had a weird feeling. It is hard to explain. I don't really feel dizzy but I get a strange feeling in my head. I guess you would describe it as a head rush. Has anyone else had this feeling and will it go away as my body adjusts to the levothyroxine?

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I have been taking levothyroxine for a year. I am experiencing panic attacks, extreme weight gain, bloating, and etc. Doctor will not change dosage of 75mcg. I am 73 years old, clinical counselor, and teacher. Help.

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I had the same feeling when I was on too high of a dosage. Check with your doctor to see if your's may be a little too much.

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take nature-thyroid instead not covered by medicaid but a 1 grain dose only cost me $8.39 with my AAA card for discount,

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Have been taking this medication since Sunday July 17 and I was feeling a bit dizzy but today I got a real buzz I had to stand totally still, hold on to a gate and the world was spinning. Didn't like the feeling at all. Does this go away? Also have been feeling as if it's a little hard to swallow at times. Is this part of the side effects too?

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As most of you are finding out, taking medications has a very temporary effect. Instead of trying to manage your symptoms with a drug (only for the doctor to be satisfied because your blood test is normal, even though you aren't) you need to find a doctor that addresses the cause of your symptoms not simply your symptoms. Look for a functional medicine doctor in your area.

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Some of the symptoms that are discribed are not necessarily symptoms of the medicine but of the condition. I've taken 175mcg of this medication for several years. Early on when I was first diagnosed I felt some of the same symptoms. It wasn't until my doctor finally got the dose right did I start feeling good. Some other things I would like to point out that have helped are the regularity of taking the meds on an empty stomach in the AM. Have your iron checked, not just the iron itself but the binding properties because thyroid issues and anemia go hand in hand which also causes the dizziness and tiredness and also have your vitamin D checked because this goes with anemia. Low vitamin D can cause all kind of muscle aches, joint pain and fatigue. I really believe that I suffered needlessly before it was determined that my vitamin D was super low. In fact it was a chiropractor who suggested I get that tested. As long as my doctor can control these three things that seem to be totally related I feel good. Every blood test I get includes all these tests. Find a good doctor that is willing to look at the whole puzzle and not just a piece. I hope this helps someone.

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I'm 51 years old and I've been taking levothyroxin for 7 months, for the first 5 months it was 50 mcg and I started having alot of strange side effects about 3 months in, doc upped to 75 mcg, now it's worse my side effects are:Eyes; dry, itchy,blurred vision, squidly lines, light sensitivity Skin; dry, itchy, sunlight or heat hurts Head; headaches, pain behind right ear and neck, forgetfulness, moody, dizzyness,irritable, can't sleep Chest; pain, heartbeat not right feels like sometimes going to come out of chest, sore breasts, shortness of breath,weak all the time Stomach; bloated, nausea, indigestion, weight gain, hungary all the time Back; terrible pain in lower back hips and sholders Legs; pain, cramps, I have a hard time walking,can't walk for long time have to sit and rest, I have a hard time getting up from sitting, legs swell up,all my musles and joints hurt all the time, I can't stand the heat, I sweat really bad, one minute I'm burning up the next I'm freezing and my urine smells really bad. I feel like I'm going crazy, my doc says that I have to take this med if I don't I could have alot of problems like a heart attack or a stroke. I feel like crap all the time. I'm at my witts end. I feel for all of you who have to take this med but what are we to do??????

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I was having hair loss and having mood swings. The doc changed my dosage and I began taking biotin supplements and hair loss has almost stopped!

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It's 12 months since I started taking this and whilst I can't say I've totally mastered it things are getting better. No, I still haven't reached the heady heights of at least 100mcg a day which my dr says I need according to blood tests but I do take 75mcgs most days with no side effects. I've even got as far as taking 100mcgs twice a week most weeks. How...Start low and take it slow.. much slower than most drs think. I started taking 25mcgs alternate days and bult up adding one day at a time every 4 to 6 weeks. If I got side effects I just went back a step or/and stopped it for a day or two. It is only now that my energy levels and hair are improving. Yes, we need to take the damned stuff but any is better than none so my doctor concedes he'd rather I did it my way than tip up at his surgery each week with palpitations, abdo pain, nausea, dizzyness and the rest. Hope this helpsG

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Thank God I found this site! Iwas beginning to think I was losing my mindJuly. Taking 125 mcg daily as of July 1. Awful anxiety & just "weird" feelings that are so hard to explain. Have a doctor visit on Aug 29 & will surely discuss this. Its becoming unbearable. Thanks to everyone for all your posts & feel better fast!

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Just so you all know.... Your MD should do blood work to decide whether you have a thyroid problem or not. They should first to a TSH and if that is found to be abnormal or they want to investigate further they can draw a T3 or T4. Just make sure that you continue to follow up with your MD and labs are being drawn frequently. Discuss problems with your MD. I wish you all well and I too have just started medication therapy for this condition. I am only on day 6 and no problems yet.

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I was diagnosed back in 2001 with hypothyroidism. I have been on several different kinds of medications. I took myself off completely for a couple of months within the first year of taking meds. I had originally gone to a general practioner and I was concerned that I was perhaps not getting the correct strength. I ended up going to an endocrinologist and got put on whatever strength he thought was best. I can honestly say that I didn't feel any different being on or off of the meds. Now that it has been 10 years, I can describe how I feel as this, I do get that weird feeling in my head sometimes, I am spacey, I can't think of what I want to say a lot of times, I loose quite a bit of hair whenever I shower, and I am always cold. I LOVED it this summer when it was 90' and I could sit outside and be hot. It was so nice. My dosage now is 112 MCG. The last time that it was raised was a year ago from an 88MCG. I think when I first started out, it was a dose of 50MCG. I took a generic form of Synthroid at the beginning, but don't know which one that was. I then moved to actual Synthroid for a couple of years, but insurance was no help and Synthroid is quite pricey. I have been taking Levothyroxin for approximately 3 years now. I feel like I am between a rock and a hard place. I have to take something for underactive thyroid. But it seems that anything out there has some kinds of effects that are unappealing. I would love to find a natural alternative, but am ignorant as to what is out there and what are the positives and negatives of those. My mom has been taking thyroid supplements since she was 25. She is now 68. She has been through a lot. She is currently taking Armor Thyroid. She said for the longest time that she was happy on that. But now, she said that she is experiencing weakness in her arms and some brainfog. Well, this has been my experience. I hope that it can be of some help to someone.

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BIG thing that my doc says many docs don't mention is sticking with the same manufacturer if your meds work for you...if not check out a different one. I have seen such a difference since I have done this. Also, she said buying a 3 month script at a time to ensure more consistency with how the meds are made...No matter how much of a perfected science pharmacists/or makers can still commit small errors...at least the doses are more consistant this way...Also, realize that there is an adjustment period and the chemical imbalance that was there before you started the meds!

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i`ve been on levothyroxine for 2 month`s now and i have pains in my shoulder too,i`m currently on 150 mils
but still we haven`t got the dosage right yet i fear..

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Any time I had pains my dose was off. I supplement at lunch or when I had the pains. 1-2 powder packs of(super orange good taste) EmergenC=also gives more energy plus I take a calcium complete at night! The best help is the line of Neuro drinks...I just bought them for memory,concentration, (guarantees that you will go through all 8 cycles of sleep and I finally did with only 1/4 of a 1 dose bottle!)sleep, stress and they really help! Plus they are made by neurologists! In addition,If your moods are off ask Dr. to check your Vitamin D level. If you can handle mineral water...I found more relief with a glass at night as well. Best wishes...I KNOW your pain!

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I have been using levothyroxine for 4 years without any problems. Had thyroidectomy this past January and radiation treatment in May. Am taking higher dose of levothyroxine and am in good health. Relax. I think a lot of us (myself included) tend to panic and freak out. Symptoms and problems listed by others may be attributable to levothyroxine--then again maybe not. What are they eating? I am gluten-free and do not eat pork, shellfish, or red meat and try to eat organic vegetables only. The genetically modified grains and crops cause me more problems. I had BIG PHARMA and wish I didn't have to take meds. But I have to admit this one has worked well for me.

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I feel worse on this med., gained weight, bloated, hair loss, no energy, brain fog.

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If you have been having chest pains you should go see a cardiologist. Cut caffiene and fast food and make sure you are exercising. Make sure that you are seeing an endo for your thyroid. No MD should tell you anything about your thyroid. There is a reason there are specialists...Maybe look for another MD!

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I'm 18 years old and I was diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism a few months ago. I had always felt dizzy and a lot like what you guys are experiencing and now that I take the levothyroxine, I still feel the same. I recently started researching this and I've found that what my doctor told me is completely opposite than what he said I have. I think I have a misdiagnosis. I am going to see an endocrinologist soon.

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Thought I was going crazy until I found this site. Dr put me on these and I itch around my neck like crazy. It keeps me awake and it's horrid. Weird feelings too... any suggestions?

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