Levothyroxine Side Effects (Page 19)

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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One thing that could be causing the head rush, is that you are not suppose to be eating or drinking things with caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant which can mess with the hormones in the Levothyroxine.

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Yes I get sore throat and flu-like symptoms, also chest pain at time. Sore breasts too.

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I am hypothyroid but had no symptoms showed up on anual lab work that my tsh was 33, started on levothyroxine 75 mcg, was on it for 7 weeks , intially everything ok since i had no symptoms of hypo thyroid neither felt good or bad. But after 7 weeks of taking the med i started having severe chest pain, palpitations, went to my dr. did ekg , ekg ok . My primary stopped my medication, she told me will ck yr thyroid in 6 weeks, if high then we will put u on levothyroxine but ,lower dose . Its been 4 weeks i have stopped the medication , i am still having on and off palpitations , dr told me the medication should be out of yr system by now. She is sendinf me to a cardiologist , just wandering , someone experinced this and how long does it take for the symptoms to go away once u are off the medication..plz respond i am really worried , never has palpitations in my life....even if i drink coffee or choc brownie ...i will get severe palpitations

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Your body is adjusting to the medication. It's a weird feeling and can make you feel disoriented, and lethargic. Eat healthy and exercise and let your doctor know if it gets worse or continues.

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I seem to have this weird buzzing feeling on an off in my face and hands. Hard to describe ? I started on 75 mcg from 50 mcg I took for 5 years. My doctor told me to take more really for no reason. Now I'm back on 50mcg. Starting to feel a little better but still getting buzzing sensation sometimes. Anyone else?

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Just want to say that my first language is french so bare with me for my english story. Ten years ago I was diagnose with a goitre and a toxic nodule. I was suggested to have it radiated with radioactive iodine which I did cause I didn't know any better. I was put on synthroid for life. Two years ago I started to feel strange symptoms in my body such as trembling, dizziness, anxiety so I have read about natural thyroid which I wanted to try. I probably felt symptoms before that but I was to busy working 3 jobs at the same time and studying (being hyperactive I could work day and night). After 10 years and a lot of readings, my doctor agreed to put me on desiccated thyroid. At the beginning I could already feel a different in my blood circulation with the natural thyroid. I always had cold feet and hands. Now this was extraordinary since they were now warm. WOW. As time went by, I was feeling better until April 11, 2014. Before I go on, I think it is important to tell you that the pharmacist was the one adjusting my dose of natural thyroid which I leaned that she couldn't be the one dosing. As the diagnostic results came in, my results were telling me I was hyperactive for many blood examinations. My Tsh went up to 15 T3 and T4 outside range and I starting feeling like crap. Anxiety, panic attacks, trembling, having problem speaking, confusion is what happened after 10 months of being overdose and also going through a lot of changes in my life, sold the house, living at some friends temporarily, one of my boys had to live in our apartment building because there wasn't any place for him (he is 20 years old), at work, the environment wasn't very positive, the lady that we bought the house didn't want to sell even after signing the papers etc. My body collapse on April 11 2014. I was sent to a hormone specialist and she stopped the meds completely for a week (I was overdosed) while my doctor prescribe me levothyroxine 100mg even being overdosed. I am not a medication fan ! My doctor decided to put on back on levothyroxine sodium and when taking levothyroxine, I had stomach cramps and burning sensation in stomach but I figure it was because of the change (from dessicated thyroid to levothyroxine) so I wanted to give it a chance. The trembling stop after 3 weeks on Levo, the results were getting back to normal after 4 weeks on levothyroxine, the TSH was still high but the hormone specialist said not to worry. Everyday after the 4th weeks being on Levothyroxine I had new symptom coming in. The worst one for me that I couldn't figure out is this feeling of losing consciousness for a fraction of second. It feels like the head and body disconnected. It is a very scary feeling. Talking to people about it, got me a strange reaction or looks on people's face. The other bad feeling is pain all over (muscle ache). Forgot to mention the cervical pain were terrible. Everyday I would cry not knowing what was going on. I couldn't do any chores cause my muscles would weakened right away. I use to be a active person, always smiling, helping others, taking challenges and now I can do nothing except stand on my feet or lie down. I look around me and see people I know that abuse medications and alcohol and eat junk food everyday and enjoying life, I exercise, eat well, stop drinking red wine, and I am living hell and they are active. Thursday I am going back to see my doctor and will ask him to put me back on Natural desiccated thyroid and to closely watch me and test me to make sure I won't go overdose. I have read so many testimonies of people getting very sick on Levothyroxine and I also read that it is a very dangerous medication being under surveillance by FDA pharmacology branch which I don't remember the name. There is also a book explaining in detail and in a simple way to guide you with thyroid problems which is called The Thyroid Madness. Thanks to these website of testimonies that helps you not to feel along. I am going through hell and hope with these informations that you will read more and get information on possibilities to treat the thyroid. Your body will tell you what is good for you but you have to listen to it. He is the best doctor you can get for telling you what suits you or not PLEASE LISTEN TO IT ! Some people feel good on Synthroid and some don't. Some people feel good on desiccated thyroid and some don't. I think it comes down to the reaction of your body and to your beliefs, I personally don't like medications as it does intoxicate the body. I believe in natural medicine. I also think that my beliefs has an impact on what I will put in my mouth. Healing occurs on many levels, thoughts, body and consciousness. Speak out your beliefs and if doctor seems to know it all, change your doctor. I prefer choosing a doctor that is open minded but they are rare cause remember that they get $$$$ from the pharmaceutical companies. I had 2 doctors a hormone specialist and a family doctor and they were doing blood samples which came back with different results......now I am between and trusting DOCTORS with my HEALTH and they are not even agreeing on results.....I felt VERY ALONE. This is why my advice is get informations, read THE THYROID MADNESS so you will understand better the thyroid fonction, look for the wonderful document on the web on Panic and anxiety attacks which has help me decreased 95% of my panic attacks and control the 5% of the little one I'm still having. Bless you all!

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Michelle when I went from 50 mcg to 75 it took about a week to get use to it. My face was feeling really hot and was red. Give it some time for your body to adjust. It can be very frustrating. I had three doctors from the same clinic (one moved, got another and than changed insurance and couldn't keep my PA) and each one raised my Levo- 3 times and each time it went up my body was doing all sorts of weird things, For me it's all stress related. Best thing IMO to do is exercise daily is you can and eat right. Try to do some yoga or relaxation activities.

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I was diagnosed having hyperthyroid last may 2013 I had all of thsoe symptoms and I was hungry all the time and never gained weight; no blurred vison until I had the RAI treatment. I was put on synthroid right afterwards to help restore my levels to normal, after trying diff. dosages of the levothyroxine I started having the blurred and double vison; went for more test and found out I was getting an overdose of levothyroxine and was takin off of the med all together and that was 6 weeks ago and I still have the vision problems and now find out that I have graves disease in my eyes, it can go into remission but Im hoping as the meds get out of my body that this will cease; So far all of the other symptoms have greatly improved and Ive stopped gaining weight; I was 118 pounds when I was diagnosed and went up to 160 it has takin only a week and 1/2 to start shedding the pounds 6 pounds so so far but htat is the least of my problems; I cant SEE... (very well) Ive benn on propranolo for palpatations, omeprazole for tummy, levothyroxine, oitment for my eyes and bystollic for blood pressure; and now Im going to an endocrinologist I dont know the next steps

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Pretty normal Johnny. Everyone has various side effects with Levothyroxine, some more intense then others. The head rush, feeling weird, flushed face is normal and for me and many others this happens the first couple weeks of taking as your body is adjusting to the medication, or an increase in dosage. If this would continue for more then a couple weeks at most contact your doctor who prescribed the medication and let them know how your feeling. The constant ? with most of us on the board is getting on the right dosage and even switching to a different medication. I've been on Levothyroxine for over a year now and I've had 3 doctors for legit reasons put me on different dosage of Levo. I'm now on 75mcg and it's finally where I need to be. Like many of us the symptoms can be numerous and constant. Anxiety is a big one. I was getting allot of weird chest sensations, not really palpatations, I wasn't really sure and it scared me really bad. Muscle tweeks, cold and hot feet and numbness. Also with the hands. I've compared the thyroid to the thermostat in your car in how in controls temperature of the car, the thyroid controls so much of your bodies functions. Thyroid hormones control metabolism, growth, body temperature, muscle strength, appetite, and the health of your heart, brain, kidneys, and reproductive system. Allot of us have gained weight and a few have lost weight with the Hypo- The best advice I can give you is to exercise daily and try and eat right. Let us know how you feel in the next couple weeks, and don't feel you are alone with this. It can be scary and frustrating but it's manageable. Take care.

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Omg me too...I started taking it 4 weeks ago. A few hours after I take it I feel stoned and tired and weird... I can't handle it...what is the reason why?

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Hypothyrodism could give you those symptoms of strange feelings in head or body kind like wave feeling. Neck problems are very common for this condition. At first on Levothyrox I hab numbness, tingling in left arm, heart pain like pinch, dizziness, joint pain in wrists, elbows, knees, ankles, very hot feet and muscles weekness. I had cervical x-ray, brain CT scan and everything came back normal. I was overdose on dessicated thyroid and doctor put me on Levothyrox but this tuesday, I am going back on dessicated thyroid but has mentionned in Stop The Thyroid Madness wonderful book, adrenals and iron level needs to be balance before taking dessicated thyroid cause you will be in for quite a ride of unwanted symptoms. I am now ready to go back on dessicated thyroid and live a better life, a life in heaven instead of a life in hell ! Buy yourself a wonderful gift: Stop The Thyroid Madness which explain in a simple way what's happening in your body at hormone and cellular level while diagnose with hypothyroidsm and all the mistakes made from doctors not knowing in detail what is really going on. Even endo's don't know the impact of pharmacology and the impact on body which CAN get your condition worst! Your body is the best doctor there is cause he tells you the truth of what is really going on and what it needs.

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Just curious Christine why are you getting off the Levothyroxine and switching to a different medication. How long had you been on Levo... The side effects can drive you mad but it seems once you are aware it's the thyroid not functioning right you can try and adjust the medications. Hope your new med works well for you.

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Been on Levothyrox since April and some symptoms went away but aches and pains (muscles and bones) are still there. I know that being on natural thyroid gave more to my body (T0,T1,T2,T3 and T4.) and now only receiving T4 my body is reacting to not receiving all the benefits of natural thyroid. I had a deal with my doctor that when my tests results will come back OK (balance) I will go back to NT and my doctor asked me to give him more time like 2 more months before switching to NT. I will be back to see him in september and will ask a cortisol and iron test before switching to NT since I know that those levels needs to be balance to avoid bad symptoms.

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Hi I am 36.Found out I have hypothyroidism.Was giving Levothyroxine 75mg to take for it.I took it n the morning like I was suppose to.Was doing fine.Thinkin it was helping me.But arnd 5 o clck that day I got a pain shoot up my leg fell to the floor then all these emotions came over me.I thought I was going to die.I was shaking so bad, couldn't focus cant move really.Was so scared.I came out of it all bout 5 hrs later.Doc say it was a side effect that I need to take it so my body get use to the meds..But now I am to scared to take any more meds. Can someone help me with a natural way to treat this..

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Sorry to hear about such severe side effect to your Levothyroxine. The side effects are different for everyone and have various levels of severity. When you first take Levo.. you can be quite anxious and nervous about how the medication will work. It can take a few weeks for it to work properly. The important thing is getting on the right dosage which also works in contradiction to getting on the right dosage because your body is adjusting to the medication. You just have to let your doctor know right away and if you feel too uncomfortable with taking your Levothyroxine than discuss what alternative medications you can take.

thyroid.about.com/od/thyroiddrugstreatments/tp/thyroidhormonereplacement.htm

Do some research on Levothryoxine alternatives. There is a lot of information out there but make sure it's from reputable sites.

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I started taking levothyroxine 50mcg almost 6 weeks ago for underactive thyroid. I felt better before the medication. Since taking the meds I have felt worse. On top of feeling worse I am getting new symptoms such as a warmth in my mouth and the back of my throat but not painful like a sore throat just uncomfortable. Pain and stiffness in my hands and wrist. My throat get tender and uncomfortable when touched. I am very fatigued with little to no appetite and all this started shortly after I started the meds. I go back to the doctor in a couple weeks. Has anyone else had any similar symptoms? I know I'm not losing it...at least I hope not!

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Angela.I understand what your going through.Same here your not losing it.I started taking 75mgs of Levo about 2weeks ago,Now I have more probs then before.I feel warmth all over me sometimes.Around my thyroid the most.Pains in my joints,in my legs so much where I cant stand.It seems like the Levo woke up all the systems of being hypo and said get to work.Iam new at this to.My doc says its just side effects.To keep taking the Levo and I will get better.Doesn't feel that way sometimes.Going to see another doc,just to see what else I can do.But just stay strong and know you can get this under control .Hang in there :)

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Worried, hopefully we will get on the right track soon! I don't wish this madness on anyone. It will literally drive you crazy!

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Liz, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism during a physical, routine blood work. I had no symptoms and I have been on Levothyroxine 50mcg for 6 weeks and I feel horrible, I actually felt better before the medication so I can definitely relate to what you're going thru. All I keep hearing is stay on the meds it will get better... Coming off the meds seems pretty good when you feel terrible! Hope that you get to feeling better and get to the bottom of the issue, but you are not alone!

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I too get bad heart palps, was on a monitor and saw cardiologist. Nothing wrong they said. Its the meds and my doctor wants me to start a low dose beta blocker. Scared to do that so havent yet. My heart feels like it is shifting along with little ones too. This medicine is poison and i feel helpless to it. You think someone could come up with a better medicine. Take care and hope they ho way for you.

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