Levothyroxine Side Effects (Page 3)

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 just got diagnosed and from reading all of your comments I am afraid as Hell to take this medicine I hope it works for me because if I feel like this I am not taking this s*** anymore that is a bad reaction

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Rocky, yes my sister is on 50 MCG and her stomach is quite bloated-she appears pregnant. I went on it as well and sure enough my stomach bloated as well-a problem I never had in the past, so I relate it directly to Levo...I googled the medicine to see if anyone else has experienced the same effect...

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OMG>>>>how stupid am I? I was thinking, brain tumor....bad heart? Now I know.....i just went up on my medication from 112 mcg to 137 mcg. obviously too much. I have that terrible fog....dizzy, etc. I'm switching back. Cuz, this is AWFUL!

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OMG...now what do I do? It seems that what I had hope to be a cure to some of my problems, is going to make my other problems worst. I have been taking Levo for two months now. Started out w/25mcg and after one month was increased to 100mcg. I have fibromyalgia already ... so the muscle pain and etc., I already have 24/7. Since the increase in doseage of Levo. I have to wear sunglasses (which I have never done before) all b/c bright lights/sunshine hurts my eyes, I have headaches everyday, lost of balance w/out warning of dizziness (resulting in falling twice). I do get dizziness when rising from a sitting position or getting up in the mornings. But that along w/shortness of breath, brain fog, memory lost, over-all weakness, lost of concentration, were my problems before starting on thyroid med. After 2 months nothing has changed or improved, if anything they have gotten worst!! Is this normal? I thought this was suppose to be a cure not an addition to my problems. Has anyone experience sensitivity to light or falling w/out reason? If so please let me know, so I will know to look else where for the cause of these ailments also.

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I've been on levothyroxine for about two months and I've got a funny feeling in my throat - as if I have a big lump lodged there. I keep coughing to try and clear it. Is this a side effect?

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Diagnosed about 2 months ago started woth 25 mcgs and a couple of weeks later had problems with my eyes, had to stop wearing my contacts, went to the eye doctor, no help, said my thyroid controled all my body fluids, went on higher dose of 50 mcg and my eyes are worse than ever. They stay red and bloodshot most of the time and it doesn't matter if I wear my contacts or not they are really dry and hard to focus. Has anyone else had this problem. I am on levothyroxine and some people say synthroid does not have as many side effects.

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I started on the generic levothyroxine 8 years ago. I was fine on .25.. until I became pregnant 6 months afterwards. I was so hypersensitive every time they raised my meds while pregnant I ended up in the hospital 4X and almost had a miscarriage. Here I am years later... Two years after my son was born my TSH went up so they switched me to Synthroid. Worse!! Hair falling out real bad, weight gain... I finally got someone to switch me to Armour and that was even worse for me with the Heart issues... palps, chest pains.. so I stopped all meds. BIG MISTAKE! For two years I have been trying to get back on them and can't take anything. Cytomel, Naturethroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid I can only raise to .50 before I feel like I'm going to die.. and yes, the symtpoms are debilitating. It is a catch22... sick without them, and sick with them. I have been to 6 Endos and 2 doctors. Nobody can help me. I am now paying alot of $$ out of pocket this month to see a dr who specializes in hormones as I am 46 and premenopause symptoms are exaggerated because of my thyroid not being treated. I tried going back on the generic several times this year, first two times resulting in headaches.. this last time.. my joints in my hands thighs and feet were in so much pain I went back to Synthroid. I have hardly any hair left... and yes you can retain water and get bloated... my vision.. is worse as I raise the meds.. and yes... the light! it is awful.. some daysI can't bear to sit out in the sun. muscles desintigrate... heart flip flopping.. This is a major issue that needs more medical attention. the thyroid controls all the major organs... and the meds all are lousy... It's been two years of serious sickness and trying things for me and has been very frustrating. and the doctors don't make it any better. It seems for the most part... pharmacutical companies are like oil companies.... It is all about the buck!

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Diane H, I am in the same situation as you are. I started a week ago on Levothyroxine with 25 MCG. I also am having problems with my vision. Also I am more tired. It seems as though I run out of breath easily. Never had that problem before I started. Also, instead of being cold like everyone has mentioned, I am the opposite. I am always hot. But, let me ask this; has anyone started to lose weight WITHOUT the side effects.

Tee tee

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My meds were increased from 75 to 100 and since the increase the fuzzy, lightheaded, dizzy feeling has been here for about 2 weeks. At times, it leads to an upset stomach. Did not do this to lose weight but it has helped somewhat. Anyone have any relief for these feelings?

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To All:
I am a 57 year old male and had my thyroid completely removed about 5 mths ago (pollups not cancer). I have been on Levo ever since. My current dosage is 175MCG. The only side effect I seem to have is edgyness with a little anger thrown in to make it interesting. I have noticed that I do a lot better if I exercise, power walking works really well for me and about 3 miles appears to be about perfect. When I do this everyday I have no side effects at all. If you can, try it. If I get lazy and miss a few days, the edgyness begins to come back. With no thyroid at all, this will need to be a daily regimin for the rest of my life. Might as well make the best of it.
Best of luck to all of you.

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I'm only 22 and I had a thyroid lobectomy in may of 09' I started to gain weight after and my whole system was trown off including my levels so I was prescribed levothyroxine in July an just not I'm getting severe headaches and I feel like I'm having a brain freeze all day long!! Should I go to name brand synthroid?? I can't believe this is what I'm going to have to deal with forever!!

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Im glad this site exists. My daughter was diagnosis of hypothyroidism and is taking Levothyroxine now, she is 13yrs old. I wondered if anyone has experienced hair loss or damage since tahing the medication?

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I was diagnosed in June w/hypothyroidism- Doc put on me on Levo. First 2 weeks - felt more alive. Then as the doses increased brain fog and dizziness kicked in. As I was raised to 75mg I started gaining weight and retaining mass water. I started having shortness of breath. So I took myself off of it. I have had 2 blood tests since then and everytime he keeps trying to put me back on it. I've decided to try natural thyroid stuff instead since he refuses to listen to my concerns and symptoms. 8 pounds in 3 weeks is a little scary.

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I took Levothyroxine for two months because the pharmacies were out of Armor. I had terrible charley horses and leg cramps every night. I have also lost a significant amount of hair and continue to lose it although I have been back on the Armor for a month. I don't know why anyone would willingly take this drug.

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I am 47 and had a complete thyroidecthomy (spelling challenged) 5 years ago. After a year on synthroid I went to Armor at 125mg rasied to 150mg after about 6 mos. I have had had pretty good luck for 4 years. Now I can't buy the Armor in proper dosage and was perscribed to 50mg of Levothyroxine for total replacement. I've gained 5 lbs in 4 weeks. My vision is blurry, I'm tired all the time and generally feel in a funk. I have continued exercise 4 days per week for 45-90 minutes on a mountain bike burning 700 - 1200 calories per ride. Anybody make this type of change from Armor to Levo?

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I take the levothyroxine 88mg and I have been having a lot of hair loss it extreme and I want to know if anyone else had the same side effect and if you have did it ever stop coming out

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I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism just over a year ago. Was so happy that there was finally a reason for the tiredness and low mood that i had been feeling since my twins were born in 2005. My GP put me on 50mg levothyroxine. Then i had more blood tests and was told that my levels were normal. I felt a little better for a small time but then symptoms returned along with some new ones-including paranoia . I am convinced all the time that I have cancer and am about to drop dead! Had more blood tests and my dose was increased to 75mg. I have been on 75mg for 5 weeks now. Have good weeks and bad weeks this is a bad week. Have been experiencing the slightly drunk feeling that other people have described. Sometimes feel as thogh I may fall over at any moment. I get scared to go out in case i end up falling in the street,I sometimes feel like I am going round the bend and am just so desprate to feel 'normal' again. I find it hard to give all i want to to the people around me because I am so wrapped up in how I am feeling all the time. I also find it hard to concentrate on what people are saying to me and must come across as a complete idiot as i can't focus for long enough to have a conversation. My kids ( all four of them) have all started school now and I was really hoping to get a job and help my husband out with supporting us financially but the idea of going to work when i feel like this terrifies me. Any words of encouragement would really be appreciated, is anyone else feeling like this? x

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I just started Levothyroxine. My hair was already falling out and I hoped this would stop it, as well as increase my energy. My hair is still coming out and I'm finding this a problematic drug so far. I've been told it takes about 80 days to kick in. What are other's experiences with this? What happens when it does kick in.

Thanks, Muskee

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changed to namebrand synthroid and my hair seems to be growing back, still not alot of weight loss but also not gaining. my eyes are still really dry but i wear my contacts more, now eye dr seems to think my eye problems have to do with my RA. not nearly as bloated feeling with the synthroid but insurance does not pay as much.

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After 7 years of pain in lower body area, I was told by the Doc's I have the pain in my head. Then one day the Doc discovered that i had over- active thyroid. Since then 2 years of changing meds and Doc's I had the Radioiodine Treatment, felt normal for 2 weeks. Now I am under active/hypothyroid and ended up in the emergency unit for heart failure/is presently on all meds to prevent further heart attack and is also placed on Levothroxine-100mg. Now i can relate to all those people out there who are in the same boat as i am, just awaiting the turning-tide to just sink the boat and take us all to the bottom of the ocean. You name it I experience it. Dizziness, low heart beat, nausea, bloated after eating, fatigue/tiredness after eating a good meal, feel like falling into coma at 5 in the morning, cold feet and hands, high pressure/low pressure, headache leading to muscular spasm back of neck. Sometimes i question my self, sometimes the Doc's treatment/sometimes i want to throw all the meds away/ sometimes i want to stick to the treatment and then i went and typed in the word Levothyroxine and got this site- at least i am able to tell and understand that there are other people suffering out there like myself. I consider myself a normal human being and so far managed to reach the age of 60 and i believe we should all try to think ourselves back into the healthy people we once were/ unless we all want to be drug addicts to prescribed drugs.

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