I was described Levothryoxine 2 years ago and my GP has increased it until I am now taking 125mcg. I have never had so many various symptoms in my life - severe weight gain including puffy face and eyes, very itchy dry skin, brittle nails, thinning hair but the major items are the pains in my joints and muscles - especially in my knees and my hands. The doctor said I have carpal tunnel syndrome and also now have high cholesterol,,,,,,, When reading other peoples' experiences it would appear that many people have all of these symptoms so why is it that GP's do not take this illness more seriously. I recently asked if I could have a full blood showing all readings and also if I could be prescribed Armour and was told no. It also scared me to find that several pharmacists in major chemists haad never even heard of Armour. Has anyone felt like they have had enough and just stopped taking Levothyroxine and what was the result?
I have been on Levothyroxine for 10 years. I'd be scared to stop it because I'd hate the original symptoms to come back. They included severe confusion and forgetfulness, hair loss, pungent sweat though very little it clung to clothing, 2 stone weight gain, dry skin, constipation, eye problems, constant chest infections, chronic tiredness etc...
Your symptoms sound like you are not yet on a high enough dose to control this.
I'm still not the old me, Dr says the old me was an accident as I must have been over active for ages before I went underactive though I'm not sure I believe that
Currently on 200 though till recently was on 225, when they took the 25 away I put on half a stone
Keep well, wouldnt suggest stopping without something to replace it though
Helen
Lulinda
You sound as if you are undermedicated. You need to get bloods done and be looking at TSH of 1 or below and T4 at the top of the range.
All your symptoms seem Hypo related and should get better when you are on the correct dose.
Whatever you do don't stop taking the Levo as this will lead to major problems.
If you are not happy with your GP then either change or ask to be referred to an Endo.
Armour is unavailable at the moment and it doesn't suit everyone so even if you could get it you may be making things worse.
Have you guys on levothryoxine developed high blood pressure since being diagnosed? Am doing some research and would appreciate if you could let me know. Thansks
Hi
I have high blood pressure as well as hypothyroidism however the BP was diagnosed before I went on thyroxine. What may be of interest is that since I have been on thyroid medication the BP has gone up and up and now I take 3 different drugs for BP. I have made many lifestyle changes to reduce the BP but with no improvement.
Hello, I am a 60 year old male, I was dignosed wtih Thyroid Cancer in Nov. 2011, I had my thyroid gland removed in Jan '12. And radio Iodine treatment in March'12. I was initally put on liothyronie (t3), and had no side effects, but since I have been on L'thyroxine (t4), I have had no end of them. In fact I would say life has been he*l!. I think I must has had them all, Not sleeping, or sleeping for an hour then waking ip sweating, or having palputations, nightmares, feeling weak, and useless, irratable and short tempered, Other effects included, high blood sugsrs, low pulse, high bp,..It took me a full two months to stabilize, and start to feel better. Then I had to go and have my lymph nodes removed, and more radio iodine treatment.
I had no real problems comming of t4, and then on t3, and the two weeks on nothing, but when I was started on t4 again, all the problems started again, plus a new one my stomach feels and looks like a over inflated baloon, and I have put on about 1.5 kilos... Its been three weeks of this nightmare again. But all my GP wants to do is give me sleepin tabs, and anti depressants. AS th the Blood sugars, I wonder how many people have been diagnosed with type 2 diabeties, after starting on t4?. With all the gains in medical science, this area seems to have been forgoten.. Sorry if I have miss spelled anything. Oh, I am currently on 150/175 (t4) on alternating days.
Has anyone suffered from fast weight gain, since they have been on l***thyroxine, as I gave gained a kilo in 3 weeks!. I am trying to exercise, but finding it very difficult. Also my blood sugar is up.. Its all very worrying.
This is trully amazing!!!, I have just been looking on the internet, about the problems that people have had with Levothyroxine.....It to me seems that the N.H.S., along with many other medical bodies. Still prescribe this drug!. Mainly for cost reasons. When it would seem that there are better alternatives. I am sure this drug causes more problems than it helps.
I have only been on levothyroxine for a month and I have developed shaking hands my bp went up and I'm always grinding my teeth. Do there's have these symptoms.
Hi Mike, yes as it happens I do know someone that has the same symptoms. I had the shakes also when I started taking thyroxine, I still get them sometimes. And I know of a lady that suffers from grinding her teeth and chewing hr gums, also since starting on these tabs. did the doctors tell you that it could take up to six weeks before they really start working? What dose are you on?.
I've been taking this drug for approx 6 months with various side effects. Not sleeping, shaking, irritable, fast heartbeat, dizziness, but to name a few ....... I stopped taking them and feel so much better!!!! I'm not suggesting for a moment this was a wise move, but for me, so far it's all ok. I should mention I will be seeking an alternative as soon as I can get into seeing my GP
Can anyone please help me with the following problem. I was prescribed 50mg of Levothyroxine and the side effects (strangely) are the very opposite of what is listed. I had to stop taking the medication because of this. I experienced very strong sedation ca. 30 minutes after taking the medication. I slept some 20 hours every day. My overall body hair growth was significantly stronger and I had a swollen throat. The doctor says I therefore need to double the dose, which I won't do, as I fear that I might sleep myself into a coma. Any ideas, please let me know.
Replying to the question below about raised blood pressure since taking levo. Yes that's me. And can't find a med that's ok for me. On Ramipril just now but only for 3/4. months and its still nt down to normal yet. None of my GPs seem to take this condition vey seriously. Zfrustrating as it affects so much of my life. Just being demoted at work as mental slowness and brain fog has affected my ability to keep up with changes in my job.
Im a 26 year old female and have just been dianosed with hypothyrodism. I have been told to start taking 25mg of L'thyroxine. I am reading about all these side effects and wondering if its a good idea to start? have people had posiitive outcomes from the medication? and is there any way I can control my thyroxine levels without taking them? I have read certain foods can control it. Is it possible to sort it out just through change in diet?? and has anyone got any advice for someone thats just found out?
I think it's probably difficult to do so and I wouldn't personally recommend it. As thyroxine is produced by the body it needs to be taken as a supplement in hypothyroidism. The main reason for people to experience increased side effects is most likely because the dose is too high. Current guidance is for patients to be started on doses of 50 - 100 micrograms a day but side effects may mean lower initial doses are used. Dose changes are generally done to try and normalise thyroid function tests but it's important that people feel well whilst on the medicine.
Tarun (hospital pharmacist)
Hi Vanguard
Thanks for the info my hands still shake also I have had like a head cold since I have been taking these tablets anyone know what the effects will be if I just stop taking them I also grind my teeth my mouth is very dry during the night to the point my teeth stick to the inside of my mouth running nose during the day like mucus in my throat at night I have noise in my ears constantly which I didn't have before. Are there any other medicines I can take
Hi Vanguard
Thanks for the info my hands still shake also I have had like a head cold since I have been taking these tablets anyone know what the effects will be if I just stop taking them I also grind my teeth my mouth is very dry during the night to the point my teeth stick to the inside of my mouth running nose during the day like mucus in my throat at night I have noise in my ears constantly which I didn't have before. Are there any other medicines I can take
Hi...I have been on l.thyroxine since aug 2012. All was well until nov 2012 when I started sgedding so much hair. My doc thinks im depressed but im upset because of the symptoms of the tablets...to date hair loss is still the major symptom and no one can explain why...
Hi, I was diagnosed with under active thyroid over 2 years ago and put on levothyroxine. Over the course of the next 12 weeks my throat gradually swelled up until I couldn't swallow so I stopped taking it. This started a yoyo of taking it and swelling/ stopping it as my doctor did not believe I was allergic to it. Finally, after 2 years, a lovely consultant suggested liquid levothyroxine which initially started the swelling but as I continued to take it I reached a plateau and the swelling reversed. However since taking levothyroxine I have developed an eczema type rash and I seem to have become allergic to many things - fish, strawberries, cabbage, eggs and peanuts to name but a few. Doctors still insist there is no connection but it cannot be a coincidence especially as I got to the age of 56 with no problems! I am under a consultant dermatologist who will conduct allergy tests so that hopefully I will be rash free in the future. It just amazes me that with the amount of people suffering these side effects that doctors will not take us seriously.
They should ban this drug and look at alternatives...has anyone had any positive results?