I've been on levothyroxine 150mcg for about 3 months before that ...

Hi Beth. I, too, am on levothyroxine at the 150 level since my thyroid was removed. I don't have any side effects from that medication, but to let you know that there is a 175 level also. I don't think that is your case to increase your levothyroxine. If your TSH is normal, then you would stay at the level you are on. You need to see an endocrinologist who will monitor your blood TSH and give you the correct dosage of levothyroxine. Your other complaints sound more like: 1. depression and 2. fibromyalgia. More than likely, your depression comes from your gaining weight, and there is something you can do about that. You CANNOT hardly eat anything. You must eat. Burning calories gives you energy. You just need to know WHAT to eat. I make chicken every which way I can and lots of green leafy veggies. Another day, I will eat fish and veggies. Lots of fresh fruit and salads. Fat free and sugar free salad dressing, the best dressing is one you make yourself with 100% extra olive oil and wine vinegar to taste. I make my fish with cholesterol and fat free margarine seasoned with garlic powder, (not garlic salt), a little ADOBO seasoning and some SAZON seasoning, all these things you can find in a supermarket. I eat chicken tenders, either in a wok with broccoli and seasoning, or I fry it in olive oil, making them with bread crumbs, parmesian cheese, sazon in the bread crumbs and in the one egg, I put a little water and about 1 tablespoon of lite ranch dressing, scramble it up and dip my tenders in there and then the crumbs, It is delicious. I do the same thing with chicken cutlets. I also use SALT SENSE or low sodium salt. Hope this helps.

Beth,
I am kinda in the same boat you are in, but they do make a dose up to a 300mcg. I am at a 300mcg now and it does not seem to be working, but my pituitary gland shut down completely when I was 15. I was going to Vanderbuilt every 6 months and my regular doctor every 3 months. When I was diagnosed my bones where the size of a nine year olds. The doctors where not sure what to do, they said I should not be able to get out of the bed. First and fore most it is God that was brought me through this time. The days I don't feel like I can get out of bed, He gives me the strength to keep going and fighting. I am now nearly 22 years old and still fighting. I now work in a pharmacy and I am looking for different things that I can do to feel better about myself. I try to maintain a healthy diet and have become addicted to exercise. I am nowhere near the weight that I should be, but I have learned to love me and the body that God gave me, because God does not make mistakes. There is a reason for very thing that happens, we may not see it now, but at some piont it will be revealed to us.

I've been on Levothyroxine for over two years. Dosage was as high as 274 mcg (2 X 137).

TSH levels where normal, but however did not feel very well. Could tell I was going from mild levels of hypo and hyperthyroidism. Did not seem to be affecting different organs in the same way.

Stated taking Cytomel, in combination with Levothyroxine 3 months ago.

Feeling MUCH better, within hours of taking the fist Cytomel.

Issues:
- Still working on the proper dosage of Cytomel and Levothyroxine
- Need to take Cytomel twice a day, wears off after 8 hours
- Blood pressure shot way up, initially, until I reduce dosages. The Cytomel seems to allow the Levethyroxine to be more affective, for me.

Not everyone can convert T4 (levothyroxine) to T3 (the metabolically active thyroid hormone). Cytomel (T3) or timed release T3 from a compounding pharmacist help tremendously if you are having trouble converting T4, which it sounds as though you are.

Hello Beth. Sorry you're feeling down and continue to have troubling symptoms. First of all, 150 mcg of T4 being the highest dose is absolutely untrue. If I'm not mistaken, I believe 300 mcg or thereabouts is the highest. It sounds to me like your thyroid condition is being inadequately treated and that your Dr. is either ignoring you and your symptoms and isn't equipped with the knowledge to prescribe FULL, PROPER, EFFECTIVE or OPTIMAL treatment. Don't be intimidated by anything a dr. tells you. There are some very good ones, but unfortunately, there are also those who simply aren't. I think what you're feeling is either b/c the T4 alone simply isn't cutting it for you, the dose is too low or you are in dire need of some T3, i.e. Cytomel or adding some Armour (desiccated t4-t3). It is of little help to feel as you do and have someone tell you that it's depression or fibromyalgia, since both of these are conditions that develop as a RESULT of low thyroid function and poor treatment. The bottom line is that your treatment is NOT working. Don't let anyone talk you into believing otherwise. Yes, you can have other things going on, but it's clear that the primary culprit is your thyroid treatment. Find another doctor as soon as possible. It sounds like this one is of little help. Hope this helps. Know that with the right treatment, you will feel well again and will be able to lose the weight. Focus on that thought and in the meantime, find another dr. Be well.

if you are not doing well on levothyroxine 150mcg, check out Armour (which is more natural-not a synthetic. also for more info on your thryoid that you Dr will not tell you, go to http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/

hi i have been on thyroxine for 14 years it sounds like you need your dose upping it is a horrible thing to have please do not stop you meds as you will just get wore i am on the highes dose of 200mcg and it has taken a long time to find out the does i need i think you should go to your doctor and ask if you need the meds puting up,they can not put it up 2 much it has to be done slowly to find your right needs hope you feel better soon

I'm 52 - and in Feb my OBGYN said my TSH was 5.3, and put me on 25 mg of Synthroid. I stuck it out for a month, but had terrible side effects. I gained 10 pounds, couldn't sleep, terrible heart palp, constipated, and hot flushes about killed me. In April my TSH was 3.0, but he said if I felt better without it - don't take it. So I stopped it and felt so much better. Then in April my GP said my TSH was 6.140 and put me on Levoxyl 25 mg. Took one pill & by that afternoon having horrible hot flushes and getting depressed and weak. next morning took with food and by afternoon I was crying and so depressed I thought death would be better than this feeling! Hot flushes were worst. So I didn't take anymore. I told my doctor and she said I had to take it for 8 weeks. I told her I wasn't going to do it. I am a runner and do arobics cause I have to keep this 168 pound body in check somehow, I can't get to 180 or more! I gained about 40 pounds 10 years ago and can't loose it for nothing. No matter how far I run or the hours I work out! So the doctor said she'd put me on Cytomel with the Levoxyl. But now I'm mad. I want to see an Endocrinologist, I want my T3 - T4 levels checked. I talked to the pharmistist and she said she had never heard of anyone having the side effects I was having, 99.9% of the people feel BETTER on thyroid medication. She said she can't get Armour or Nature-Throid anymore. She like me feels I need my T3- T4 checked and the doctors around here - don't know how to do that it seems. They just check TSH and slap EVERYONE on Synthroid. Everyone is differnt and I think before putting someone on a drug - you need to make sure it is the drug they need. Not everyone fits the same glove. I know the doctors are upset with me, but I'm upset with them for just lumping me in with everyone else..... I can do fine not taking anything, cause I'm sleeping ok - I just have a few nights I can't sleep. (stress) then I can always muster up the energy to run and work out. On the drug - no way would I get out of bed all day long. And what kind of life is that to live?? So I'm scared now. I'm scared I need thyroid medication but my life will be over with the side effects and some post I read scare me more - of people suffering for years being worst off on the drug. So I want to know why would the medical field do that to us? Not care how horrible we feel, just stick it out. The only time I want to feel that bad for the good outcome - is if it is Chemo! Then I know in the end I'll feel better possibly! But I'm not going to take a pill and want to die for 20 - 30 years. But from what I'm reading - sounds like I possibly can't convert the synthroid T4 - to T3 and MAYBE? that is my problem?? And it is just 6.0 GOOD GRIEF! I know a girl hers was 120! So I'm not going to die yet!

Thanks, Kim

I like Kim have just had a terrible experience with levothyroxine. First, I take responsibility. I must say the big prob is with me not taking my med and having levels checked.I have always experienced nervousness when taking it so the last time I had my level checked my tsh was 30 because I wasn't taking it appropriately. My levothyroxine was increased to 75. I still didnt take it like I was supposed to. However in the past month, I have smothered terribly, been depressed, extremely anxious. nauseated to the point I was concerned that I could get in trouble nutritionally. I though my probs may be due to high tsh, possibly menopause, adipex or some of the emotional probs that I had been dealing with due to situations in my family. The desolaion I felt is unexplainable. I'll have a much better heart for anyone who is depressed or anxious in the future. I had my tsh checked and it was 0.09. I post to suggest that if you do take levothyroxine, take care of yourself and have levels checked frequently. You do not need to go through what I went through. I think I was on the virge of life threatening physical and emotional problems. Had I not focused on God, I don't know how I could have dealt with the emotions. Besides the adipex, I'm also on prednisone which made matters worse.