Tsh symptoms and conditions

After a year and a half of synthroid because of removal of my thyroid for cancer, I feel worse than I have ever felt in my life. Many tests have shown that there is no recurrence of the cancer. I would think I had fibromyalgia if it weren't that I read the blogs from other sufferers like me. I now take 150 mcg on most days. Some days I have to cut it down or skip it because I just cannot bear the body pain, weakness, brain fog, constant awakening in the night, severe cramping knee and leg pain, and muscle aches (there's no word strong enough to describe this pain -- 'aches' just doesn't do it). On the days I don't take synthroid I begin to feel like my old self. But my old self was 40 pounds thinner and losing. My old self walked three miles a day and hiked into the back country with my son. And my old self felt energetic and woke up every day with happy plans. Now I feel like an invalid. Some days I can barely walk. I cannot stand for longer than 5 minutes. I have tried cytomel, unithroid, and armour with varying problems. Synthroid is all that is left. Those of us who are dependent on this drug really need some good research on its effects. And we also need compassionate physicians who do not dismiss our pain and, it is not overdramatic to say, suffering.

I was on Levoxyl .175 for 6 years and found it was the only one that worked for me. I do have pain in my joints ,but defiantly have arthritis, I have anxiety and panic but have had this stuff my entire life. About 4 months ago my doctor had me cut my .175 in half despite my level was in the normal range,all it did was wack my thyroid out and now my TSH is 18.4 .Instead of giving me my .175 back he felt I may be getting to much with it (though my levels were always normal on it) and put me on .100.
I did notice when he changed it,I felt nervous and bad for a week now its been 2 weeks and I feel like I always did so far the only difference is im having trouble with constipation and stomach pain and I have nausea ..Not sure though if its the Levoxyl or something else going on.

I have been on Topamax since Jan of 08 for complex partial seizures. I was very pleased with it at first but started having
some more unpleasant symptoms. My hair recently started falling out about two months ago in massive handfuls! I was
and am very upset about it. I did have the tingling in the hands and feet when I first started taking it and I don't drink sodas
at all which I did all the time before. I did not lose weight at first but did a couple of months ago when I got very ill with a GI
problem. I actually lost about 20 lbs in about a month. This is when my hair started falling out. I have had a lot of labs
drawn and my TSH was undetectable but my thyroid levels (T3 and T4 are normal) and my antibodies are normal as well so,
there is no telling what is going on?? I just want off of this medication before I am bald!!

I was on synthroid for 10 years after getting treated with Radio Active Iodine. As the years went by my period was all all over the place. They were heavy the first three days and lasted 9 days or more days. I spotted all the way through the month. Other times I was so late that I thought I was pregnant. I had PMS two weeks before I started and was irritable. I had low grade depression. I had anxiety and heart palpitations. My skin was dry and rough. I went to the doctor and had my blood test. He checked for TSH and T4 and T3 levels. He insisted they were normal and that something else is wrong wth me (he wanted to give me sleeping pills, anxiety pills, depression pills) and that it had nothing to do with my thyroid. He sent me to an endo to get a second opinion and he said my levels were normal too. I ended up going to a holistic doctor (paid over 1000 dollars for two visits plus meds) that checked under my feet (yellow) and my reflexes. She checked my reverse T3 and my free T3 and T4. It turns out that my body was not converting T4 to T3 the way they said synthroid (T4 only med) should. My diagnosis was hypothyroid. I was put on Armour and felt the difference in my skin. It was softer and moist! My teeth felt strong compared to before I felt like my teeth were getting loose. My stamina last longer and can run on the treadmil 45 min at six miles per hour. I am less nervous and my low grade depression seems to be lifting. My days are brighter and less anxious. My hair is falling less. I know I have a long way to recovery because my Adrenal glands need some healing and I am still being optimized. I might still need to be raised on the dose that I am in. I will never go back to synthroid! My period has improved drastically as soon as I started on Armour! I am down to 4 days of period and less heavy. I still spot on day 5 and 7 but it is nothing compared to what I went through when I was on synthroid (T4 med only). My gynecologist wanted to burn my uterus to control the menstrual flow. He said that he could also pull it out. It seems like main stream doctors are more interested in treating the symptoms than looking to see what is the problem that is causing the symptoms.

extremely depressed after a week of taking levoxyl. Also face is swollen, eye swollen and red and face and eyes burn. These were the same symptoms after taking synthroid after a week. What's next? I am close to being suicidal after having survived lung cancer, surgery, chemo and radiation. To get another primary cancer and have things slide downhill after such a remarkable recovery, I can do nothing but cry after making the decision to have a cancerous thyroid removed that could have served me for years and years since it was such a slow growing cancer. I should have followed my instincts and just left it alone. Now all I want to do is lie on the couch and cry.

I started taking thyroxine about 6 weeks ago - i went to the doc with tingling fingers, bloods showed tsh 34 so doc gave me 50mg thyroxine. Felt awful within a few days i was getting palpitations and felt like my skin was crawling. I couldn't bear even the slightest noise. I had diarrhea (cant spell) fast heart rate, the shakes and couldn't handle lots of people in a room. I am a teacher so it became difficult for me to work. I went up to 100 it got worse, until in the end I decided to stop them.
I am going to wait and see but I would rather be hypo than have these symptoms, my doc said you will feel great soon, pah what a load of c%%%

I too was a picture of health even with my TSH being off. My old doctor retired and a new one prescribed the levothyroxine.
I never have felt so rotten in my life. Extreme fatigue to the point I am given up many activities I've been involved in for years. Headaches and joint and body pain. I feel like I was hit by a truck!
I stopped the meds and felt fine..cept my cholesterol went up to 262 and my tsh 7 something.
The doctor scared me back on to the levothyroxine.
I am desperate. I wish I knew what to do.

I HAVE BEEN ON TOPROL-XL FOR 2 YEARS. 25 MG. IN AM AND BLOOD PRESSURE WOULD FLUCTUATE UP TO 170/116 AND GO BACK DOWN TO 140/85. THEN WAS ALSO PUT ON NORVASC 25MG. IN PM. I ALSO AM HYPOTHYROID WITH HASHIMOTOS. MY SIDE AFFECTS HAVE BEEN EXTREME. SWEATING, HAVE TO CARRY A PAPER TOWEL OR SCARF TO WIPE SWEAT OFF, SPACED OUT, TIRED, FORGETFULNESS, RACING HEART, LEGS ANKLES SWOLLEN, THEY FEEL SO HEAVY, WEIGHT GAIN, EYES WATER, NOSE WILL HAVE NASAL DRIP, CONSTIPATED, SORE NECK, HEADACHES, THE LIST GOES ON. THIS SUMMER I WENT TO THERAPY FOR MY NECK, HAD ECHO AND WORE 24 HR. HEART HALTER, WHICH I HAVE FOUR EXTRA BEATS, WENT TO ENDRICONE DOCTOR WHO RAN TESTS FOR EVERYTHING, 24 HR. URINE, TESTS CAME BACK WITH TSH HIGH, EVERYTHING ELSE WAS NORMAL BUT FOR MY HEART EXTRA BEATS ENDR. AND FAMILY DOCTOR TOOK ME OFF NORVASC AND PUT ME ON TOPROL-XL 25MG IN PM ALSO AM. WELL FEELING LIKE I WAS READY TO GIVE IT ALL UP, LIKE I WAS DYING, I QUIT TAKING IT LAST NIGHT AND HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT THIS ALL YEAR, TRYING PEPTACE AND CELERY SEED EXTRACT. I FELT SO BAD THAT I KNOW IT COULD BE DANGEROUS TO QUIT THE TOPROL-XL LIKE THAT BUT I FELT LIKE MY HEART WAS GONNA BURST AND IT WAS GANNA TAKE ME OUT ANYWAY, AND DOCS. WOULDN'T LISTEN AND I HAVE BEEN IN TO THEM A LOT WITH ALL MY ISSUES. I AM 56 AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ACTIVE, OUTDOORS TYPE PERSON. I WALK 2 MILES ON TREADMILL EVERYDAY AND 30 MIN. OF TAE-BO EXERCISE. I WORK 5 DAYS A WEEK AND HAVE LOTS TO DO AT HOME. THEY TRIED TO PUT ME ON CYMBALTA, LEXAPRO, ELIVOIR FOR THEY SAID WHEN YOU FEEL THAT BAD YOU CAN GET DEPRESSED, I TOLD THEM NO, I AM NOT ADDING ANY MEDS. KNOWING I WOULD GET WORSE. PEOPLE AT WORK, MY FAMILY WILL SAY YOU DON'T LOOK LIKE YOU FEEL GOOD OR IS SOMETHING WRONG, HOW COMPLICATED IT WOULD BE TO EXPLAIN. SO I AM LISTENING TO MY BODY CAUSE FEELING THAT BAD ISN'T RIGHT SO I HOPE THIS WORKS. I COULN'T FEEL ANY WORSE ANYWAY. SO GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL AND ALL OF US ARE UNIQUE TO FIND WHAT MIGHT WORK FOR US, AND MOST THOSE PRESCRIPTIONS ARE FOR ONE THING AND THEN TRIGGER OFF OTHER THINGS THEN YOU GOTTA TAKE ANOTHER MED. FOR THAT. I AM GLAD TO FIND THIS SITE.

I have been on Synthroid since 1983--varying dosages. Side effects have included: weight gain, heart palpitations,adrenalin misfires, extreme reaction to heat (sun burns) and body feels hot all the time, fingers go numb in cold weather. Just recently have not been able to regulate dosage--fluctuating between hyper/hypo. I would like to try a new medication with few side effects. Anyone had any luck finding a different med that works?

I have been on synthroid since 1982 after RAI to treat Graves. I had 1 child since then and was early 20's but around 30's started having weight gain and fatigue etc. I stopped the meds in 1992 on my own for several months then dr was very scolding and said never do that again. Ever since I went back on I have been gradually worse and worse. Went from 105 in 1982 to 192lbs now. I feel so helpless and lack of care from doctors in trwating me. 1996 had hysterectomy and both ovaries removed which has caused even greater imbalance of the estrogen and thyroid. I pray that I can find a cure that does not require medication like synthroid. Tried Armour in 2005 but did not get better. Lost a little weight but now I found it again and more. The only doctors in MN that I believe can help do not take insurance and I am single parent of 2 children and cannot afford to pay out of pocket expenses. I have already spent close to $1000 to the naturopaths but they sold me way too many supplements, I cannot even take all them its too much plus they both said lose weight. I have no energy or mind skills to implement a structured diet and exercise plan. Anyone know a doctor in twin cities, MN that takes insurance Preferred one that can help me with bio-hormones? Tmaya

Everyone here PLEASE LISTEN TO ME! Dr. Holtorf in Torrence, California is the only one who tests for REVERSE T-3 and 80% of people are not being treated properly for thyroid function. The Holtorf Medical Clinic is the ONLY way you will find the answers and people are experiencing miracles.

Hi,
I am 50 years old. I was diagnosed with as hypo at age 39. My doctor prescribed Synthroid at 25mcg and I have (proudly-ha!) worked my way up to 125mcg. I was always one of the "lucky ones" who could eat any and everything and my weight stayed the same. I am a busy mom of two and a first grade teacher, so the 33 lbs. I have gained since age 39 has not been due to diet changes or sitting around with a bag of chips in front of a TV all day. I also questioned my doctor about this and he just brushed it off. Well, I am tired of not feeling good about myself. My life is in good order except for my weight. I want someone to take this seriously. Should I see a specialist rather than my regular internist?
Wow! I think I just lost a little weight telling you great people about this!
jf

I've been on synthroid now for about a year. My dosage is VERY little (0.075). My doctor keeps running blood tests every 3 months and assures me I am within the "lower-end" of the norm, but I still feel tired, sleep deprived, wake up with night-sweats and I keep gaining weight...

I am only 24 and have just been told that I need to take this medication for the rest of my life, it\s pretty depressing. I keep asking if there are other ways to lose weight and feel more energized. He tells me that I need to keep taking this medication and has put me on a "sleep hygeine" routine where I go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.

Does this "disease" mean I will always be overweight and tired for the rest of my life? I would like to know if someone else with more experience with this medication can give any sort of advice? Feeling a little hopeless about it and not really interested in complaining to my doctor anymore.

Thanks:)

I have been on synthyroid for the past 4 months and my doses have been increased from .75 to .112 which I am currently on. I weigh 92 pounds, which is my normal weight, but it seems this new increased dose has increased my appetite (I always had a fast metabolism) given my palpitations, flushing, sweating, high and low blood pressure and generally feeling overstimulated. It's been two weeks since my dose was increased and I felt better with the lower doses. My endocrinologist keeps increasing my dose since my TSH levels are still not in the right numbers, but this new dose is making me sicker than I was before. Could this new dose be too high for me.

Hello To All,

I too am on this med, I have been on it for 1 year as of July 2008-

35 pounds, brain fog, headaches, eye sight for reading, chest pain and fluttering heart beat. My doctor who is my friend has told me that he will up my dose... "Dear God" any more and I will go nuts. Does anyone know of any study done in a medical journal that theu could forward to me so I can show my doctor.

Please email me at ****** I would be so very thankful.

Thanks to all and be healthy.

Wow! So glad and sad to find other sufferers. I wish our doctors would listen to us and take us seriously! Why are they stuck on forcing Synthroid on us? At this point, I think I'd rather not take any Synthroid. I stumbled upon this site while looking for something I might take to counteract the effects of Synthroid. I had to halve my 112 mg pills because of the side effects: frequents headaches, bloating, weight gain, irritability and anxiety, dry mucus membranes (eyes, nose, throat, etc.), allergies, muscle fatigue, achy joints. Of course, my doctor is slowly upping the dosage again, because my TSH is chronically high, but I feel like sh*t, physically and mentally. I used to feel so much more normal and like myself before I was diagnosed and "forced" to take Synthroid.

I had the Mirena inserted a little over a year ago. Over the last year, I've grown increasingly not myself...wanted to crawl into bed and do nothing. My relationships with everyone changed-husband, parents, children, neighbors, work. I became a hermit. My skin looked unhealthy, it actually hurt to the touch, my body ached like an 80 year old woman. I felt hot all the time. I felt 4 months pregnant. Could hardly climb the stairs often. I weigh currently 155 and am 5'6". At my 6 week checkup postpartum, I had lost all but 8 lbs of baby weight. Couple of months later, had mirena inserted, and voila gained 15 lbs over the next couple of months. It was a cumulative effect...over the next several months, my face was swollen, my hair, skin, chest was extremely gross oily. I couldn't think straight, my and get through the day. I couldn't remember simple things. What got me out of bed was knowing that my children had gone outside and I didn't want them to run into the street. I knew something wasn't right, but it didn't occur to me that it would be the mirena. I went to my general doctor complaining of EXTREME fatigue. I thought maybe it was my thyroid. The doctor ran 3 blood tests...TSH, mono, blood count. All came back normal. Doctor wanted to put me on anti-depressants and recommended therapy. Not that I'm opposed to the recommendation, but it just didn't sound like the solution. I went to another doctor for a second opinion. Also wanted to put me on antidepressants. I didn't want to mask whatever was going on. I wanted to get to the bottom of this. There was a reason for my feeling this way. I just was not myself but truly didn't think antidepressants were the answer. Meanwhile, I scheduled my annual gyn appointment. The IUD hurt at times, I was constantly aware of it anyhow with sharp jabbing pains, and my husband could feel it during intercourse. So I went in thinking I was pretty sure I'd ask for it to be removed. Still not attributing all these dramatic changes to the mirena. When I saw the dramatic weight gain after the IUD insertion, it sealed the deal in my mind. I wanted it out right then and there. Much to my surprise, joy and relief, I instantly felt better in my abdomen. That night, I put my jeans on and they were actually looser. My body was in constant swelling/PMS mode - due to the artificial progesterone. Within a couple of days I had lost 5 lbs and my jeans continued to get looser. It's been only 6 days now, but each day I feel more and more like myself. My weight is dropping, I have more energy. I want to garden again, a hobby I no longer enjoyed whilst having the IUD, I want to take walks again and exercise, which I had no energy to actually do. It feels better to "be in my skin" - weird to say, I know. Before the IUD was removed, my skin felt uncomfortable. My neighbors noticed the weight loss and the already noticeable change in my complexion. I'm able to engage with my children and meet their needs, whereas before I was barely getting by. It's going to take more time I know, to get rid of this awful acne, remaining weight, greasy skin, etc. but I am 100% certain all these changes to my body and mood were because of Mirena. Today, I have a headache settling in. I think it's because my body has been artificial progesterone heavy, suppressing the estrogen, natural balance. It's got to learn to kick in with my own normal hormone function. I'm expecting some ups and downs, but am thrilled that it's out and I'm on the road to recovery. One thing I question is why doctors so highly recommend the Mirena? I asked for the copper IUD and they steered my toward the Mirena, even when I was nursing. Why don't doctors warn patients of the likelihood of depression and the whole host of other problems that I had and so many other women report? I'm very glad I didn't start taking antidepressants because they come with their own side effects, and I would have had a harder time getting to the root of the problem. Only when I had the IUD removed did I google mirena side effects and realize that thousands upon thousands of women have been through the same thing.

5-12-08 Was put on 25mcg in Mar. 08. because of Hashimoto Disease &
Hypothyroidism. At first had more energy & no symptoms. After a month
severe pain in joints especially in hands & left wrist. Muscle spasms in
thighs, calves & shoulders. Neck & back pain. Also headaches. Am
bloated all the time and can't seem to lose weight. Force myself to stay
active, but difficult to do. Irritable because of pain. Oh yes, on l-7-08 my
TSH was 4.270 & 4-29-08 my TSH was 4.430 & Dr. doubled my Levothyroxine to 50mcg & after that above symptoms doubled to
excruciating. After reading this web site no one mentioned extreme dry
mouth, throat & nose with a metallic taste in their mouth as I have. Let
me know if anyone has had this problem. Thank God for this site & thank
all of you that confirmed my problems was not in my head like doctors
want you to think. Thanks M.

I was diagnosed as having Hypothyroidism in 1-07. My TSH was 83 and I was sleepy all the time, moody and anxious, hair falling out, gaining weight, heavy clotting peiods, etc. I was 51 and it was all blamed for a while in perimenopause. I have been on Synthroid .50 since then and some things are better like hair loss and sleepiness. My last check a few months ago was 1.3. What I hate most of all is waking up after a few hours of sleep and I feeing like I am on some kind of speed. My mind is wide awake and jumping from one thought to another, sometimes sweating heavily with my heart racing. I was diagnosed 10 years ago with Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia and was on Beta blockers for a while. I have a new doctor now and never discussed this with her. The anxiety is awful sometimes too . I start to get fears of not being able to swallow or breathe but can keep it under control. An average night of sleep is five broken up hours of sleep and every now and then from exhaustion I will get close to seven hours. I am foggy headed a lot but I never hardly yawn or feel sleepy in the daytime.

I have been on Synthroid since about 1995. I had a thyroidectomy and do not have a thyroid anymore. I have been on 0.175 mcg for about 10 years and did not have any side effects except for fatigue and a little depression.Everything else was pretty good. My TSH is registering low so my doctor moved me to 0.1 mcg of Synthroid and 5 micrograms of Cytomel. I took this for about three weeks and for the last 1.5 weeks have had awful headaches and the dryest eyes ever. Something, I have not experienced before. My doctor keeps saying he wants to help me but does not listen to
any of my symptoms. I actually pulled off the symptoms from the list online of hypothyroidism and have 15 out of about 20. I am wondering why I felt so much better on the higher dose than this low dose. Can anyone releate. I am starting to think maybe my body is not processing this right. The funny thing is is that my lab work came back with normal results today, which means my doc is probably going to keep me where I am and I feel the worst I have felt in ten years.

I a 49 year old male. A little while ago I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism. My TSH was at 43. I have been taken Synthroid for a little over 3 months. I started with 25mcg and was recently increased to 50mcg since my TSH was still at a high 15. I also thought it prudent, since I had gained a lot of weight over the last year and a half, to also diet and exercise a little. In the last 5 weeks I have lost 32 pounds. (I was about 80 pounds more than I liked). I have more energy, have not lost anymore hair than normal, and my hair is not brittle. I have episodes of Atrial Fibrillation since I was 30 and occasional "heart flips" ever since. Since taking the Synthroid I have not experienced these "flips" at all. I sleep well. My blood pressure was High in the past and was taking two meds for it. Since taking the Synthroid (I'm also guessing the weight loss, diet and exercise has also helped) I am down to one med and I now have a BP of 110/65 with a resting heart rate of 64. By the way..I am taking the generic form of Synthroid.

Hey, First off I would like to say thank you all for posting, I was just diagnosed with hypo. I was placed on 50mg then increased to 125, I felt terrible so I cut it in half. I take the pill at night, but I still feel all the symptoms you guys feel, I woke up this morning with no voice, hoarse. My tsh level was 13, I am going back to the doctor for more blood work this week. I think I my ask to be switched to another brand. I hope all of you will soon feel better.

My doctor prescribed Armour Thyroid to me to help me lose weight; he did this without taking a blood test. My thyroid was perfectly fine when I began taking it. I took it for three weeks, but didn't like the palpitations and weird things happening to my heart so I stopped. Since then, about two weeks ago, I have had horrible muscle cramps in my upper back, neck and shoulders. I also have pain in my right arm which I am assuming is a pinched nerve from the muscles. Any ideas what to do?? I can't take the pain much longer.

hello everyone
i am a full time college student and I believe that i have some side effects from synthroid. As i was reading everyones blog i notice that some people feel the same way that i do. At times i feel that i'm normal but if something upsetting happens i get really tired, depress, and I have a never time concentrating at school and home. My body hurts all the time. especially my joints and i feel that i don't want to do anything. I have about a year left until i graduate and its the going to be hard. I cry sometimes for no reason. help! i'm going to talk to my doctor but if any body else feels the same way please reply.

I have been on Singulair for about 2-3 years during which time I have lost a considerable amount of hair. It is quite noticeable. My hair hairdresser said "this is not good" the last time I got a haircut. I also have bad dreams, fatigue and irritability. I want to try something to replace the sinulair for asthma, but am trying to avoid steroids. Any suggestions? Would appreciate any information on a class action suit if the hair loss is not reversible when discontinuing product..