Levothyroxine Side Effects (Page 6) (Top voted first)

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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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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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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Johnny - Yes! I had EXACTLY the same side effect. Amazingly enough, it will go away after about 5 or 6 months - once ur body has adjusted to the meds. Hang in there!!!!

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Hmmm, im afraid if i stopped taking the drugs i would die. I have no thyroid and can only dream of being drug free and yoga being my cure.

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Does anyone have excessive thirst?

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I've been on Levothyroxine since 2 weeks after i was born. My dosage has increased now to 150mcg a day. As an 18 year old, i know i'm different to others as i can feel the cold a lot more, my brain blurs at times. For instance, i can remember what i did this time last year but it would take me a few seconds to think what i ate for tea the following night. Silly isn't it?
My finger nails are quite brittle and my hair does have stages when it falls out.So with that i lay off the straighteners and occasionally use olive oil to strengthen my nails, it really does the trick!!. Best thing i can suggest, is to take your tablets and keep off the stress and drink a lot (but don't over do it) of water !!

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that was so comforting reading your advice and very sensible .i take 50mg of thyroxine i had sufferd low thyroid for 4 or 5 years before the dr took my symptoms seriously he put it down to the menopause .as soon as i took thyroxine i felt like a teenager again 3 months later the fatigue and acheing joints and depression returned .so my meds were upped to 75mg daily but my temper was dreadfull felt anxious and aggitated and like i could kill someone .after 6 days i felt exhausted so went back to 50 mg but am still tired with brain fog and depression .most days i feel like im on automatic pilot i feel like i have no enthusiasm .i always feel flu like and lathargic .i have a great family a great life i should be so happy but how can i be when all i want to do is crash on the sofa .so i will try what helps you and hope for the best .

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OMG! I have been going crazy. I am happy to read that even with normal TSH values Levothyroxine can cause all kinds of things.
I am female, 31 on 137 units of Levothyroxine. At some point last year I got the flu and was sick for 1 month, i ended up in ER where they found I was slightly hyper. SO i stayed hyper for some time. I am now normal..TSH around 0.3, that is target number coz of thyroid cancer. I have been going crazy - shortness of breath, weird feeling in my head, dizzy, cramps and tiredness. SOme of these feelings come and go. Not there all the time. Just had about 3 week streak feeling good and now I am back to tired, moody, dizzy...man ...so annoying.

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I developed a goiter years ago and was having fluctuations from hypothyroid to hyperhyroid. My thryoid was treated with radioactive iodine to stop all thyroid function and then I was started on Armour thyroid hormone. It was the only thyroid medication that didn't cause side effects, because it is made from a hog's thyroid and is more natural for the body to accept. It helped for a few years, but after awhile it no longer gave me enough energy and I was tired all the time, although my blood tests showed a normal thyroid level. Eventually I found a doctor who prescribed compounded T3. It gave me energy, and it stopped the neuropathic pains I was having in my leg. Then Levothyroxin was added, so I was taking compounded T3 and also Levothyroxin that would supply T4. Eventually the doctor had me take kelp which supplies the iodine a thyroid needs. The kelp iodine cleared my head from the fogginess I was feeling. My leg continued to get weaker and caused falls. MRIs showed the leg weakness was due to spinal cord damage in my neck caused by a whiplash accident years ago. Recently my thyroid must have begun working some because now I don't need the Levothyroxin. I am taking only T3. Removing the Levothyroxin has caused me to have a calmness, energy, and my leg is stronger. I need to continue taking the compounded T3. Only the compounded type is helpful for me, because it is more natural. God is a great healer and I have found he gave me/us a body that responds best to natural remedies. I just wanted to share this because perhaps someone else can benefit from it.

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I just started taking this medication October 6, 2012 and I am feeling a extreme pain in the back of my neck it feel like someone hit me. After reading many posting I belive is the side affect of taking this levothryroxine 50 mcg. I just got started with medication and I want to stop already. I just want to go back to feeling normal. I only have been using it for three days and I feel so bad. i hope it gets better because the back of neck feel so much pain that I even had to remove my pillows while I sleep but doesn't help either.

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Drinking coffee within 60 minutes of taking your thyroid hormone reduces absorption.
jacobteitelbaum.com/health_articles_t-z/Thyroid-coffee_may_block_hormone_absorption.html


ALSO :
ehow.com/way_5295850_foods-underactive-thyroid.html
ehow.com/way_5377072_foods-boost-thyroid-function.html
buzzle.com/articles/foods-for-low-thyroid-levels-low-thyroid-diet.html

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I have been on thyroid supplements since birth and i am now 55. my only problem is the seem to make me constipated.

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You may want to look at this web site. It really helped us

livestrong.com/article/97091-generic-synthroid-side-effects/

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I'm a 35 yr old male w/ a slightly low thyroid level at 4.5. My doctor feels 6.0 levels are the cut off for me and then wants me to begin taking Levothyroxine asap. I'm very reluctant to take it after reading all these posts. Thoughts? Any organic, dietary, acupuncture or homeopathic remedies working for you?? I'd rather go that route..

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Hi, Its the thyroxine giving you these symptoms, I have had these symptoms for fifteen years !!! I am now taking T3 and Nutri thyroid, which is a pure thyroid product prescribed to me by Dr Peatfield. I can't tell you how much better I feel not taking thyroxine any more ! I am in the early stages of changing over to the natural product and hopefully this will be the answer to my longstanding ill health with my thyroid. I think thyroxine is poison and I am glad I have changed my medication at last . It has been a very long journey many visits to my gp, specialist. You are experiencing these symptoms because its not entering your body properly and doing what it should be, probably because of an adrenal problem, you will have to find out the answer yourself because there is certainly no help on the nhs !!!!!!!! Having said what I have said everyone is different and some people are fine with thyroxine but a lot of people are not. I feel now I might have a new life after fifteen years of misery . Read as much as you can and seek out people who are an authority on the subject, gps know nothing ! Good Luck !

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I take levothyroxine also and have heard that it causes excesive sweating and my head feels like it is hot too. anyone else have sweating?

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I took levothyroxine from Sept. 23 to Nov. 6 with no symptom relief. I actually felt worse. My endocrinologist increased the dose Nov. 7 and I got much worse. Anxiety, irritable, thoughts of breaking off my engagement for no good reason, and much worse. I was told I would have to just deal with it with the levo. did not work for me. I am now without a doctor and looking for a dr. who will prescribe more than only levo. I also stopped taking the levo. as it was killing me. I am sure it works very well for some, but not all.

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Yes, had full thyroidectomy 3 weeks ago. Taking eltroxin 100mcg. Now dr added 50mcg. First 3 days of starting meds I was super! 4th day I crashed. Slept 3 days straight. Hands and legs freezing constantly and of course I can't stand light, but it started before my surgery. I suspect it will take time to adjust. I absolutely believe the key is the right THR dose. If I felt better once I know I will again. Patience is all we have and a good dr. Don't let all the negativeness discourage you. I had a panic attack when I first searched online. It is what it is. Either I think positive encourage myself or just simply give up and have no one but myself to blame. It's difficult. At times seem impossible. Where there's hope. There's always away. Oh I suffered from hypo 20 years. I'm 40 now.

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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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