Levoxyl and hair loss

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?

I have been on Levoxyl for years. Have experienced all the side affects this medication has and then some more! My hair loss and thinning, depression, bone aches, headaches, fatigue, and much more...finally I asked the doctor is there was anything else out there in the market which had less side effects....there is a natural product which has been in the market for many years called Armour Thyroid (*******). All I know is that if I continued to take Levoxyl, I will most likely end up in bed for life...I am only 43 yrs old and would like to have at least "normal" energy for my age. There is NO reason I should feel a lot older and I know for a fact it is the medication. I have only been taking Armour Thyroid for just a few days but will report my well being in about the next 30 days. Since I was on 100mg of Levoxyl a day, am taking two grains of 30 mg a day for a total of 60 mg of Armour a day. In about 25 days I go for blood work to check levels, so far I experience a bit of nausea right after I take the "new" medication but it does not last all day. Hopefully, this new med will give me my LIFE back! Thanks for reading.

Hi l have it all too and more!! I am so fed up :( lm cracking up! Does any one get sternum area pain cramps? They scare me the most l cant move :( Sick of docs passing me off grrrrrr

I have being taking thyroid medicine since 1994. I was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism and prescribed Synthroid. It didn't work. Instruct to take radioactive pill. Now, diagnoses change to Hypothyroidism. Prescribe Levoxyl. Endocrinologist said I would lose weight, but instead I have gone from a size 8 to 16. I feel really bad when I miss my doses. Really anxious when I take it every day. I am noticing that I have moles growing out and spreading all over my body. Switch back to Synthroid three months ago. That when start experiencing a great deal of hair loss. Decide to switch back to Levoxyl but a lower dose. The hair loss has slowed down a little. But, hair is growing slowly. I am having problems focusing and some memory loss. I really don't know what to do. I have change endocrinologist twice. I really think that Levoxyl and Synthroid have bad side effects on human after long term usage. I am miserable because I can't control my weight. I know that it has something to do with this medicine. If anyone know of some other medicine that would Hypothyroidism in check without all of the side effects that I mention. Please share it with me.

I HAVE BEEN TAKING LEVOXYL FOR 22YRS AND I FEEL LIKE I CAN NEVER GET SLEEP,I TAKE MY PILL IN THE MORNING AND CAN'T SLEEP ALL NITE AND AM TIRED OF IT,I WISH THEY HAD AN ALTERNATIVE.THAT WAY I CAN SLEEP AND NOT BE DEPRESSED ALL THE TIME

I was prescribed 25 MCG tabs of levothyroxine (generic for Levoxyl) by my MD for my hypothyroid. (I was tested at a 4.5 reading -- just below a normal 5 reading). After 60 days of taking levothyroxine EXACTLY as prescribed (i.e.; on an empty stomach, 1st thing in the morning with a glass of water; no vitamins for at least 4 hrs afterward), I started to have symptoms that I've never experienced before: my hands began hurting so bad with joint pain; my lips felt numb; and I was sweating more than I ever had in my life. I decided to stop taking the medication due to these symptoms, and in about 7-10 days from stopping, ALL these symptoms had disappeared and have not returned to date. I relayed this information to my MD who told me that my symptoms had nothing to do with Levothyroxine and that I needed to continue taking the drug. It's more than strange to me how some MDs will not listen to his/her patient -- even more so now that I've read other info on the internet where many other people have had these same side effects taking levothyroxine!! On my own, I am now looking into taking an all natural alternative that I found on wellness resources called "Thyroid helper". I will not take Levothyroxine again if I can avoid it by taking an alternative. Has anyone else out there had success taking "Thyroid Helper"?

I started at 25mcg, then my doc raised it to 75 mcg. I had no trouble before other than lab results were high. With meds I had a few problems. With increased dose I have nervousness, feel almost like I am on speed when the meds kick in for about 7 hours, then I am so tired I can't keep my eyes open. I have a ravenous appetite and yet, have lost 15 lbs. Not good since I only weigh 125. I have terrible abdominal pain, sweating, a lot of hair loss, leg cramps and headaches (something I never get). My doc wants to raise me to 88mcg. I don't think so!
What else can I take? I am checking into natural stuff now.

I've been on levothyroxine 50 mcg for about 6 yrs and for the past year I've noticed more and more hair loss, at first I thought it was because I'm 52 and going through menopause, but now I believe its the medication. Going to ask my doctor to switch me to armour. If not I will take myself off this medication.

Hello,

I am a 37 year old user of Levoxyl since February of 2006; thyroid was overactive(Hyperthyroid), received radioactive iodine treatment for that and now my thyroid is underactive(Hypothyroid). My side effects have been severe headaches that last all day and now I am losing my hair by the root. I am starting to get upset about my hair loss. Dr has not answered/responded to why my hair may be falling out. I need to know if anyone else is having this problem and if you have any suggestions as to what I can do to save my hair. I can deal with a headache. Please Help!!!! DZireous@aol.com

hair loss on top & palpitations ; just had pacemaker put in for heartblock.

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!

I have a pitutary brian tumor and I have been taking Levothroxine for about 7 years and I need to know what happen if you quit taking this pill? I have been thinking about it, to see if I feel like my old self again. I am only 38 and I have extreme about of hair loss, hungry all the time, dry skin, no sex drive, no memory, the shakes, weight gain and can't lose any. I have been the same weight since the removal of the tumor. Ihaven't lose a pound and haven't gain a pound but I sick of being fat and can't lose a pound. No matter what I do. And I am always tired . I sleep about 90% of a day. I am to young to feel this way everyday. I feel they should of left the tumor in there so I could of still been myself for a little longer. Than to live like this each day. I just want to know what will happen if I quit taking this Levothyroxine?
Let me know, please. Thanks!

I have been on Synthroid for 2 years now. I started out taking .25 and went all the way up to .75. I have since switched doctors and after he reviewed my records he feels I never had a thyroid problem. He has me going off of it slowly and I'm already feeling better. While on the medication I had major hair loss, gained 20 pounds, tired all the time, bloating, constipation and just felt bad. I'm hoping all of the side effects stop. I hate feeling so fat!! If any one else has gone off of Synthroid please let me know. Thanks!

I started this drug 2.5 months ago feeling pretty good have lots of energy, a little trouble sleeping. The hair loss I had is slowing a lot and my hair is growing back and getting longer. I do have a complaint about joint pain especially in my elbow, but it moves around. Im taking vitamins and glucosamine msm. Its helping. Funny how the manufacturer doesnt list joint pain but so many people on this site complain of it.

I am a 36 year old MALE and was diagnosed w/ hypothyroiditis about 3 months ago. My doctor placed me on levoxyl after confirming his concern through blood tests. Prior to taking levoxyl, I had all the symptoms of hypothyroidism. After 2 months on the med, I noticed much improvement and decrease in symptoms - stop of hair loss, better sleep, more energy, ability to concentrate, and no more constipation. From reading nothing but bad news regarding levoxyl on this site, I pray that my sucess continues in the long term w/ levoxyl and I hope all you find something that works.

Does any know of a support website for MALES regarding hypothroiditis?

I WAA DIAGNOSED WITH HYPOTHYROIDISM 3 MONTHS AGO AND WAS PLACED ON LEVOXYL. PRIOR TO TREATMENT I WAS EXPERIENCEING MUSCLE FATIGUE, OVERALL FATIGUE, WEIGHT GAIN, SHORTNESS OF BREATH, JOINT PAIN AND LOSS OF MENTAL ACUITY. SINCE TAKING THE DRUG, I FEEL MY MY MENTAL CAPACITY IS BACK AND A LOT OF MY FATIGUE IS GONE, HOWEVER, I AM RETAINING HUGE AMOUNTS OF FLUID EVEN WITH A DIURETIC, DRY SKIN, HAIR LOSS AND MOST RECENTLY A RASH WHICH STARTED ON THE FRONT OF MY CALVES AND IS NOW ON MY NECK, ABDOMEN.

I've been taking levoxyl for 9 months and have a resting heartrate of 120. Also, moodswings, depression and some hair loss.

I've been taking levoxyl for 21/2 months. Initially my TSH was 4.1 but I was pregnant so my Dr said she wanted to put me on meds to bring the level down. It worked to bring the level down to 1.2 within 3 weeks. Unfortunately I miscarried, but the Dr. said to stay on it. Since then I've experienced hair loss, anxiety, insomnia and extreme vaginal dryness. I thought it was a hormonal imbalance until I accidently left my meds at home on a 3 day vacation. All of my symptoms went away by the 3rd. day. So I'm a little suspicious! My doctor dais to go off it and they'll re check my TSH in 3 weeks. Lets pray it stays down because I don't want to ever be on that drug again!!

I have taken Levoxyl for over 2 years and am still having big problems with hair loss. I have complained to my doctor numerous times, but she always says that it is the thyroid condition not the drug (I had no problems wtih hair loss until I started taking Levoxyl). I can't believe there are so many people with this problem. I thought I was just sensitive.

Has anyone found a solution? I hate going off it, because before taking Levoxyl, I was always tired.

lots of hair loss and my menstrual period is irregual

I have been taking Levoxyl for almost 3 months and have noticed hair loss and mainly on top of my head. Will this ever stop?

I have experienced increased HAIR LOSS since on LEVOXYL for over two years. Has anyone else had this?

i have had hair loss since on levoxyl two years. also have more problems exercising, the muscles in lower body ache when i walk on my treadmill, i wonder if anyone else has had similar problems?

Levoxyl is an evil drug. I went off on my own against doctors orders and found a doctor to prescribe the leading brand of natural hormone. After 6 months on Levoxyl, I had heartrate of 120 at rest. Nausea, diarrhea, hair loss, weight loss. I suffered on this stuff for 6 months because my "labs were in normal ranges". I took myself off, and within 9 days my heartrate had dropped to 84. No more nausea, bowels were fine. Found a new doc quick. I was only on .05 Will the docs tell the FDA about my side effects? Probably not, its their wonder drug...and they make plenty of $$ for prescribing it. They tried to convince me that synthetic hormones have no side effects. You could hold me down with a gun to my head and I would never ever take any brand of synthetic T4 again.