Levothyroxine symptoms and conditions

I feel bloated and hungry all the time since taking generic and switching to Synthroid for about a month now. I can hardly think as well. I am foggy brained and unenergetic physically and mentally. I am going to an herbalist who uses Nature's Sunshine products and said it is very simple to get back on track with sea kelp and black walnut. She is very experienced and has helped others.

I'm a 65 year old type 2 diabetic with low-functioning thyroid. I was put on lisinopril over a year ago to prevent kidney problems. I have been on 10 mg tablets. Even before I was diagnosed with diabetes I had low blood pressure so that was not a problem.

My main side effects are hair loss, coughing, insomnia and leg cramps, joint pain. I think the lisinopril is pulling nutrients from my body. I told my family doctor about the side effects I had found but he seemed more concerned about the possibility of kidney problems than any of the side effects. I know my hair loss is not age related as both of my parents had full heads of hair when they died and my mother was also a type 2 diabetic.

My blood sugar is under control, tests usually 85-90 twice a day, last A1c was 5.5 which is quite good. I take Byetta and metformin twice a day, levothyroxine, enablex. I recently started taking magnesium as it was besides calcium plus D, a multivitamin all ordered by the doctor. I also take crestor. Feels like all I do is take pills!

My weight is 166 but I'm short, 4' 10", so still heavier than I should be for my height. I try to get exercise but have degenerative arthritis in lower spine. Funny that I developed bursitis in my right hip recently, I just thought the arthritis was spreading. Now I'm not so sure it might not be due to the lisinopril also. I stopped using it yesterday so we'll see how long it takes my body to recover from this drug.

Does anyone have any experience with how long it takes to stop coughing or for the hair to regrow after quitting lisinopril?

Hello... I started taking Levothyroxine last July for slight hypothyroidism. I felt great for the first 6-7 months, but then in January the problems started for me. I was getting severe anxiety which the doctor said was stress and he also thought I was depressed. I knew I wasn't, but he put me on Ativan and Prozac. The week I took prozac was the worst week of my life. I thought the effects I had were from the prozac, but now I know now it was my thyroid spiking, which the doctor never checked my levels during this period. My heart rate doubled, I had insomnia, was gagging, sick, felt like my body was on speed and wanted to die. I was prescribed a beta blocker for my anxiety previously which I had never taken, but decided to take when my heart was racing, which helped me feel a bit better for the week, but I knew something was wrong. I had this happen again recently for about a week (and I was on nothing but levothyroxine). I know what anxiety is and I have never had anxiety or depression my whole life until these episodes that happen when taking this medication. By the time I went to the doctor to get labs done, I had been feeling a bit better and he said my levels were fine. I am now wondering if it's side effects from the meds or if it is spikes in my levels making me hyperthyroid instead. All I know is that I cannot live like this!! I have a 3 yr old and I need to be happy and healthy like I used to be before this medication... no more heart racing, racing thoughts, anxiety, and insomnia. Please help!!

I have been on Levoxyl for about 2 1/2 years. Before I was on levothyroxine, but my new endo said the generics don't work, so he insists on the name brand. I've been taking it in the morning on an empty stomach, and have been battling extreme daytime fatigue ever since. At first I thought it was because I was unhealthy. I had LAP-band surgery, and I use a CPAP machine for my sleep apnea, and I lost 50 lbs, but I've hit a plateau that can't be explained by my food intake, and the fatigue is so debilitating. My GP is adjusting my anti-depressant to see if that makes a difference, but so far no. On my own I decided to start taking the Levoxyl at night before I go to bed. It's only been a couple of days, but I have noticed a marked improvement. I'll talk to my endo about it, and hopefully he'll be at least willing to consider the change.

On a side note, anti-depressants are the best medicine ever discovered. If you are feeling at all depressed, talk to your doctor. Whether the Levoxyl contributes to it or not, the anti-depressants help. I never want to go back in that black hole again.

Following my 1st dosages of Eltroxin, my blood tests came back as my still having a very low thyroid. I've been taking it again for 5 weeks and am experiencing very uncomfortable and unusual tremors which last for a few seconds. I am not epileptic so, obviously, I'd like some feedback on this. What's causing these tremors???? Anyone???

My girlfriend has been taking Quasense for 6 weeks now. She went on it because her period was all whacked out. The first couple of days I noticed the Extreme Mood swings, and Severe Nausea in the morning. The Nausea went away after a week or so. She complained of being dizzy is uncomfortable with the acne she is getting and weight she has gained. She is getting depressed and feeling tired all the time. We are busy people always doing something, But she just doesn't have the energy anymore. As the weeks went by her moods are getting worse and she is having extreme stomach cramps and began spotting. Which shouldn't be happening for another two months. This Pill sucks. I'm tired of seeing her in so much discomfort.

I've been on levothyroxine 150mcg for about 3 months before that it was 100mcg and so on. I have gain lots of weight and tired all the time. depression also, headaches. I hate this gaining weight, sleepy all the time and depression is from gaining weight. I thought this med is to up boost my thryiode but it doesn't seem to be working. my dr. said I'm on the highest dose there is. I don't know what to do any more. I was thinking about taking myself off this but not sure what will happen if i do. I hope there is someone out there that might be able to let me know if they are going through the same things what they are doing and how they feel now.

For the last year and a half I have taken Levothyroxine Sodium 50mg, now increased to 75 mg. I have gained a great deal of weight and developed arthritis in both knees. Some days my knees hurt so bad I can hardly get out of bed. Since my medication was increased to 75mg. I have been itching like crazy. It is not continually, but at times I just go into an itching fit. Please help! Is there any other thyroid medication that works without all the bad side effects?

Wow! Let me tell you my story: I was first diagnosed with HBP (170/140) during a high school sports physical in the beginning of 8th grade (I was about 14 years old). I was in top shape and a very healthy eater. I had probably (from what I remember) every test done to see what was the cause of this hypertension - and the only thing found was that my kidney's produce too much rennin (the hormone that increases BP). I was then put on Lisinopril 10mg. Everything continued well for about 6 years - I also stayed in shape and ate healthy. However, throughout those 6 years, I did notice my curly hair turning straight and my incredibly (can't do nothing with) thick hair started to thin and become style able. Now...I do know this is my fault, but in the past 2 years my healthy eating habits have slipped, I've gained weight and started smoking - plus have a sit down, don't move kind of job. However, about 1 year ago, I had a slight spike in my pressure and my doctor added a diuretic (HCTZ 12.5mg) to my lisinopril. Ok, that brought the pressure down and all seemed well. Then..... In December 2008, not long ago, I started not feeling well. Thinking I was sick, I went to the doctor's to find my blood pressure to be 190/140. Immediately, my does was increased to 30-12.5mg. That brought a quick drop in my BP down to 110/66 - I was so darn dizzy I could barely function. I was also but on short-term disability because all this caused me to be off work for so long. Unfortunately, when my dose was adjusted to 20-12.5mg and the dizziness stopped I went back to work. Now, I can't go back on S.T.D. for many, many weeks. And....... The past month has been complete HELL!! My hands (mainly fingers) and toes are almost always cold, I've been dieting for over a month and am struggling to lose weight, my hands and feet go numb more often than usual - I never used to find myself waking up in the middle of the night because of pins/needles feeling, my hair is thinner than ever and stick straight - I'm afraid I'm not going to have any left, I have UNBEARABLE headaches (sometimes all I want to do is sleep and sometimes, like tonight -it's 4:12am- I can't sleep), I have acne like a teenager - mind you, I never had more than 1 to 2 pimples at a time growing up, and that was rare (I was lucky)... Thank god for FMLA or I would have lost my job since I've spent so much time home since I thought all was good and went back to work. Only wish I could make a dollar again. Now to top it off...I was referred to a nephrologist (kidney specialist) who after seeing me only once for about 30min and reviewing blood work from the end of January (I had a high calcium level as well as some others that deal with the kidneys) wants to take away the diuretic (HCTZ) part of my medication (hopefully to reduce the calcium level) BUT DOUBLE MY MG OF LISINOPRIL. HE WANTS ME TO TAKE 20MG TWO TIMES A DAY. I was starting to think all these new symptoms that came on so quick were a result from the increase of lisinopril - now I think I'm sure. I'm not changing my medications until I can talk this over with my PCP - I'm going to ask we try a medication change. Does anyone have any suggestions? Or any suggestions why a 20-year-old has blood pressure as high as 190/140 with no family history of HBP or really any health problems? Any suggestions why the kidneys are producing too much rennin? Any meds that drop the pressure and we don't get headaches - I can live with cold limbs and numbness - it's the headaches that are rendering this 24-year-old helpless :(

I have taken this Levothyroxine ever since I got Thyroid Cancer in 2006. And thank God I am free from cancer now. My main problem now is that, sometime I really don't know what was wrong with me and get confused over my own feeling. I do have cramps, sleep problem, headache, menstruation problem, mood swing, panic attack and always thinking of a negative thing eg like am I going to die. It has been bothering me since than. Please help I just wanna know is this really due to the medication or its really that I am going to die. I am very confused at times when feeling this side effect. =(

I have been using Eltroxin 0.05mg for 8 days and feeling worse then before. What is the purpose? This medication should be banned. But what alternative is there for under active thyroid?

Hi All

I've been on Yasmin for a year. At first, it’s fine until there’s some side effect such as emotionally, leg cramp, headaches, breathless, chest pain, etc. since July ’08. Had stopped taking Yasmin on end Aug ’08. Since stopping it, I feel much better emotionally but was feeling so sick every day as had gained about 9 Lbs, stomach bloating, indigestion, abdominal pain, headaches, water retention (swelling on my finger & legs), having acne on my face, skin become very dry & skin allergy and the worst is that I’m losing lots of hair everyday (about 1/4 of my hair in the past few months and it’s still dropping & some portion already bald).
Could anyone give some advice how to get my hair back to normal through their experience?

Thanks

I have been taking levothyroxine for about 10 years now, i have had the following symptoms with them, weight gain, hair loss, mood swings etc, but i can also put it down to having a Mirena coil. The main thing that has concerned me is that i started to have panic attacks over a year ago with severe depression to go with it, my life was fine before that, had no problems, 3 wonderful children, my life was great.
Does anyone know of any other medication/natural products we can take?
I'm just so fed up with feeling like crap all the time.

Hi, i have been taking Levothyroxine for 10 years now, and at the moment i have been prescribed 100. Four months ago I start having horrible panic attacks and my anxiety have increased since. I went to a private doctor and she stated that everything is happening to me is because of the Levothyroxine and i should change to natural. I am not sure what to do , i just really want to feel good without this horrible anxiety!!!!!!!!!!!
What i should do?????

I have had great experiences with Levothyroxine. I am no longer tired, achey, grumpy, constipated. I feel great. I am only 27 years old and got my hypothyroidism from having my first child. I am excited that my levels are now normal after 3 months (TSH was 25.89). I was on .50 mcg now I am on .75. Feel great!
I am a medical technician and have found that a lot of people who start on a certain medication for hypothyriodism, such as Synthroid - do not fair well if they have to switch. My doctor always says NOT to switch...not EVER. She repeats over and over again to check my prescription every time I receive it. That means checking the pills against each other, because hypothyroidism medication is one of the highest missed - filled prescription. If I were anyone who has had to switch, I would demand to be put back on your original meds. Have your physician write up your symptoms with the new meds and make a recommendation to the insurance company that you NEED synthriod.

ive been on levothyroxine for about 6 years...... for an underactive thyroid gland and i am stunned reading all these side effects as for about 4 years ive suffered from severe joint paint, fatigue ,very low moods , foggy brain, mood swings hair loss, all i want to do is sleep and even then im still tired.
I am 35 and feel about 80 as my back hips legs calfs and feet all hurt so bad.
I have been to the doctors so many times and got no where.
ive been told your in pain because your depressed( who would not be depressed ) but i said i am depressed cause im in such pain.
i remember asking once if it was due to the thyroid or the drug and the doctor said your levels are fine and the drug gives no side effects.
I feel like stopping it right now to be honest.
I only got it after my third pregnancy and i remember reading once it can correct itself as it could be caused by pregnancy ????? any ideas.
ive copied and pasted a lot of these comments and i will be making a trip to doctors to be fobbed off again im sure ....but its worth a try

Started taking Levothyroxine 100 3 weeks ago, for last week I'm in agony, my joints and muscles are sore, specially legs and arms, got constant headaches, mood swings, I'm also short of breath which developed before muscle pains, went to the doctor, was told it's probably asthma (!!) got tablets and inhalator and he mentioned anxiety, when muscle pains started, went back, was told that it's not related with hypothyroidism or Levothyroxine, it's a virus (??) have to drink plenty of water and got Diazepam and link to anxiety website. Help, it's not stress related! I don't know what to do!! Does anyone know how to get rid of those pains?

hypothyroidism- since August 2007
I went for a second opinon and he started me on Levothyroxine .50 3months later increased dose to .75.

I have put on some more weight, losing my hair, but I am sleeping better, this has helped me with my panics attacks, and I have little more energy.
I can not complain. I know it takes time to get it right.

I have been on Synthroid and Levothyroxine for 12 years (I am 34 years old). All of a sudden, I had very achy fingers which got much worse over the course of two weeks until I could barely move them. Then my ankles hurt. I mentioned it to a coworker who told me the same thing happened to her but when she switched to armour it went away. So I drove an hour across town to the only doctor who prescribes it, and now just a few days have passed, and my pain has nearly ceased. I thought I had rheumatoid arthritis. I'm so glad I my coworker shared her experience with me. That is why I am posting now.

I have been taking levothyroxine for 25 years, my hypothyroidism was discovered when I was 2 weeks old. As soon as I hit puberty, I get fat (I was about 5 feet tall and 180 lbs). I have since had 2 kids, I am 5 foot 2 inches tall and about 197 lbs. I can't stand being fat and I can't do anything about it.

Sitting here with heat on thigh fm severe muscle cramp. Had one earlier in hand. Have had many probs with hands lately; thought it was carpel tunnel but pain seems to be randon in hand and fingers. The muscle cramps are unbelievably severe; didn't know about the loss of Calcium and B - good to know. Was taking Levothyroxine .25 with seemingly no effects but when TSH was still over 4.0, MD changed to .50 Levoxyl. Have been on it a month and have had nausea, bowel disturbances; irritable eyes; bloating, depression (which MD is offsetting with antidepressant), and SEVERE muscle cramps in places you wouldn't expect... hands, neck when I yawn, things, stomach, waist... it's awful. After hearing everyone else, I'm weaning off and doing more research. Thanks to everyone for sharing.

I've been feeling dizzy for about a year and half. Recently switched from levothyroxine to Synthroid and upped the dosage slightly. Now I'm feeling worse! My endo seems to think there is nothing he can do for me but get my thyroid under control. Is anyone else experiencing dizziness from the meds? Is there a med that is better for this?

I have been on levothyroxine 75 for two months so far. I started off at 25 then up to 50 and now currently on 75. I have horrible lower back pain along with my knees aching too. It's all the time and Advil or aleve do nothing to relieve the pain. I am miserable and hate living like this. Doing some reading here and other sites I've read that this can be due to the med and some thing about the fillers in it. When I first started the the 75 that my doctor game me from samples at his office that were the name brand all was good. Now that I have been on the generic from my pharmacy I'm in pain. Am I off base here and does any one have similar issue's? I'm calling my endo when the office opens today to see him. Thanks for any info.

Boy, this could take a while. Have been on generic Levoxyl for more than 7 yrs(can't say exactly how long since I stay "fuzzy headed" all the time). Anyway, about a yr ago I became so depressed I went off all my meds -- I'm a diabetic on insulin and also have high blood pressure. I felt good!To try and make this story a little shorter, I went on a diet and lost 70 lbs -- went from 310 down to 240. Then I went back on meds. In less than a yr, have regained all the weight I lost. Also, my legs swell and ache so badly it makes walking painful. Hands, wrists and knees throb constantly. Intermittent headaches so bad I have to wear sunglasses just to tolerate indoor lighting. Hair loss is so severe I'm considering a wig. Skin is dry and itchy and lotions help not at all. Any work I have to do I must accomplish before noon because by early afternoon the fatigue is debilitating. I'm currently on 300mcg of Levothyroxine (up from 250mcg 2 months ago) and doctor wants to increase dosage even more. Had no idea there were other people suffering the same problems until I stumbled upon this site. I take the medication as prescribed (with perhaps less than the recommended full glass of water) but plenty of coffee. Discovered on another site that the coffee may be inhibiting the drug's absorption. I feel so helpless/hopeless. Am considering going back off the Levothyroxine but am seriously worried about high T3/T4 levels. Thanks for listening; guess I just needed to vent.

I was put on Levoxyl for 20 years. Hair kept falling out, muscles aches, acid reflux, plantar fasciitis, carpel tunel, tired, cranky, brain fog. I could barely walk and had developed a stutter. I was to be tested for Alzheimers at 45. I was told there was no other drug for hypothyroidism and it wasn't the Levoxyl doing these things to me.

Well I found another drug thanks to the internet and Yahoo Natural Thyroid Group. It was Armour. I have been on Armour for about 2 years now. All those problems I had on Levoxyl are gone. Completely GONE! Wasn't the Levoxyl huh?