Levoxyl and drugs

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?

I love this page! I have been taking Levoxyl for about 6 months now and my joints are killing me. Especially my wrists and ankles. It hurts to even pick up a half gallon of milk or hold my kids. I am also so exhausted all the time. I was put on 50mcg when I started the medicine but I was not having any symptoms before I started taking the medicine. I am trying to wean myself off of the pills and am down to 25mcg. I am taking b12 and b6 to help fight the fatigue. I also am having a huge problem with my periods, I get them every 2 weeks, and they last a week. This is not fun at all. I am also getting cold sores like crazy. Before I started taking this medicine I would maybe get 1 a year, if that. Now I get at least 1 a month, sometimes 2. It is really frustrating. My skin has changed, so dry and I look like I have aged 10 years. My hair is brittle. I am looking into a more natural route to take, maybe the Armour thyroid would work.I have been to the Doctor who just tells me that it is not my medicine and could be something else. I know it is not something else. All of these symptoms started right after I started to take the medicine. I am going off of it to hopefully feel better. Thanks so much for all your posts out there!!!

I'm a 39 y/o male and have been taking levoxyl for over 3 years. Dr. increases the dose about every 8-12 months. I'm on 125mcg now but I may have very mild thyroiditis compared with some of you who have posted. I don't take ANY other drugs (over the counter or narcotic) and I eat very healthy and exercise. Some of these postings are a bit unnerving, so I only post this so others don't get scared that Levoxyl is doing damage.

I have been suffering from severe pain and tingling in my hands and feet for over 12 months, now. Initially it was blamed on immuno-suppression drugs following my kidney transplant. When the immuno-suppression drugs were changed, the problem remained. It was then that the doctor suggested that the problem lay with Levothyroxine. However, he didn't have any suggestions to make to ease the problem.

At times, I can't touch anything or feel anything as the pain is so intense. I get hot sweats and it causes a ringing in my ears. It makes cold water feel hot to the touch. I have trouble sleeping some nights when the pain starts.

My biggest complaint on the 25mg dosage of Levoxyl is joint pain in my hands. It even hurts to shake someone's hand. I called my doc. to get my prescription changed to something else. (I'm hypothyroid), and he said the Levoxyl was not causing my problems. Are there any other drugs available to treat hypothryroidism, and what are they? Thanx!

Levoxyl has taken my coldness and lack of energy away. However, I haven't lost weight, my carpal tunnel has worsen, and I lost my sex drive.

Can anyone suggest other drugs?

I am so angry by reading all of these posted side effects. I have been complaining of hair loss, itchy eyes, swollen eyes, rapid heart rate, palpations, and leg cramps ever since I started this drug. What in the world is going on? Women are sensitive to hormonal shifts PERIOD! These doctors act like our complaints are related to "mental status". I HAVE HEARD IT ALL. They would love to give me MORE drugs to counter the effects of Levoxyl. Drugs for heart problems, pain, hair loss, OH, and my favorite.....depression. After all, we have no clue what is going on with our bodies...it is ONLY IN OUR HEADS! Where in the world is the FDA? How is it that Hundreds of thousands of women are complaining (check other websites and local support groups, you'll be amazed how many of us there are!) and the FDA has not done a thing? The problem is OUR DOCTORS. Yep, they do not report our complaints because the synthetic versions of thyroid medication is a huge cash cow. The only way we can get someone to listen is by complaining to the FDA ourselves. The doctors are not looking out for us. I am 37 years old. My heart rate has doubled in just one year of being on this medication. I am going bald and I feel like garbage. This drug has destroyed my life as I once knew it. I AM GOING TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE FDA. It doesn't matter what form of synthetic thyroid I take, I feel like garbage. I am honestly worried that this drug is going to kill me. I SUGGEST EVERYONE THAT HAS A SIDE EFFECT FROM THESE DRUGS WRITE TO THE FDA WITH YOUR CONCERNS. Enough is enough. We need to take control of our lives. It amazes me how our parents and grandparents lived so well with thyroid diseases when the only drugs available in their days were natural forms of hormones. Doctors need to be doctors, not investors in the pharma industry. God be with us all!

After reading a number of the letters posted I feel so connected with you all, my heart goes out to you all because I too am on Levoxyl.. I have experienced practically every symptom that I have read and it is not in your head even though the doctors may not know what the problem is they will just treat it with other drugs instead of just changing your medication. I had my thyroids removed 5 years ago and still having problems every time I go to the doctor they are changing my medication. I too have been on different antidepressions and am having problems with my joints and swelling. My sister noticed my skin darkening and I was told that my liver was not good. I know there is so much going on that I still have not addressed but it cause money to go to the doctors and that is a problem but to all of you keep the faith and remember no one knows how you feel but you.

I've been on Levoxyl for 2 years now. I stopped taking it on January 1, 2004 because of all the side effects (just about all of the ones listed here!). I stopped taking it for 6 weeks and became symptom free. Then, I began to feel fatigued, so I started taking the drug again. Now, all the syptoms have returned. I'm wondering if I was just tired from natural things and should have remained off the drug. So what happens when you just don't take any thyroid drug? Can it be as uncomfortable and serious as all the symptoms we are experiencing because of drugs? I think I'm just going to stop taking it again. My doctor gives about as much help on the topic as nothing!