Levoxyl and hypothyroidism

I have been taking Levoxyl for about 2 years. I have told my Endo doctor many that I have had headaches, nausea, stomach pains and have gained 40+ pounds in the 2 years. Every time I go in to review my blood tests and tell her I'm not feeling right I get the same respondents as a lot of you; they are you sure you are not pregnant? you need to change your diet and eat right? you exercising enough?...The Dr always seems to ignore my symptoms. The last 4 weeks have been Hell for me...I woke up one morning thinking my stomach was going to burst. I went to the Er. They did an ultrasound...found nothing..gave me stomach reflux meds and I went home. 2 days later the pain was a lot stronger right under the center below my rib cage. Went back to the er. They gave me more protonics and gave me a gi dr. I went to the GI doctor and got a contrast scan and then a scope. They of course found NOTHING. A week later I woke up again with the worst pain yet and the cold sweats...to the point where I was going to pass out...Went back to the Er where they gave me a cat scan. Everything was perfect the er doctor said. "They said they couldn't tell me what was wrong". I knew I wasn't going crazy and having all these symptoms but no one could explain why or what is was. I was getting fed up of being sick...So I took my Levoxyl like I do every morning and within 15 mins the pain was back. I went online to look up the side effects of Levoxyl and found this site. Its great to know that I am not the only one out there with these side effects from this medication and am not going crazy! I made an apt with my Endo Dr today called and told her this med was making me sick. She made me have an apt with her assistant. I printed off this page to show her I wasn't alone. As of today I am off of Levoxyl. Thanks to the new Dr who FINALLY listened to me. I do not have to take any other form of this med either. Since I just had a nodule not hypothyroidism. Please Can anyone tell me what they went through from withdrawal from this medication? and anything that helped it go away? and How long did the "detox" from Levoxyl last?

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 was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (hypothyroidism) about 9 years ago. My teenager was diagnosed 2 years ago. I have done a good amount of research and have also learned a lot through experience.
*The most critical thing is to NOT accept a generic brand of thyroid replacement. My GYN, family doctor, and my endo (who specializes in thyroid) have told me that generic pharms are only required to match the original drug's ingredients/strength by 75%. As my GYN said, if you're in the business of making a profit, and you can get away with putting in 25% less of the expensive (and unfortunately, the essential) ingredient, that's what you're going to do!
*Measuring T4 alone may not reveal hypothyroidism in the early stages, and it will probably not show everything that is going with your thyroid. I knew something was not right, but my old GYN (got rid of her) tested T4 only and said I was fine. I went to an endo who measures 1/2 dozen indicators, including antibodies and thyroid uptake, and I was correctly diagnosed. He also diagnosed my son early on, albeit, my son was exhibiting numerous symptoms. Which brings up another point -
*Everyone exhibits a different degree of different symptoms. So don't be surprised if your thyroid levels are higher or lower than you thought they would be based on your symptoms.
*Find a doctor that will work with you. I had a doctor that insisted my dosage was correct, even though I was still feeling very tired, had dry skin, etc. I finally found a doctor that acknowledged that there is a range of "normal" thyroid function. He upped my med a little, and I've felt much better.
*Know the signs of too high of a dosage - restlessness, eye and muscle twitches, trouble sleeping, etc. Our endo has us come in 1 month after prescribing a new dosage to make sure it is enough or not too much. If I was exhibiting hyper symptoms, I would not wait 1 month to be rechecked.
*Hormonal changes of any kind can wreck havoc on your thyroid - whether you're a male teenager or a peri-menopausal woman. Your thyroid levels can change quickly. If my son or I experience any new symptoms - fatigue, rapid weight gain, unusually dry skin, muscle aches/pains, etc. - I make an appointment w/ the endo. My son's thyroid had plummeted the last time I took him in, and the endo adjusted his med. Illnesses (flu, pneumonia, etc.) can effect your thyroid levels, as well as stress, so have your levels checked after going through a serious bout.
*Once you have your dosage correctly set - watch your appetite! Hypothyroidism can reduce your appetite, and once you've got that corrected, your appetite comes back. Keep a food journal to track your calorie intake.
*Have an annual thyroid ultrasound to make sure your thyroid is not enlarged and to look for nodules (very common w/ hypothyroidism.)
*TAKE YOUR THYROID 1ST THING IN THE MORNING BY ITSELF 1 hour before you eat. I had a friend who was taking her calcium supplement along with her thyroid every day and later found out the calcium was basically canceling the thyroid. Her doctor should have warned her about this, but I think they assume we know these things. Vitamins, herbs, cold medicines, certain foods, and other medicines/supplements can greatly interfere with your thyroid replacement.
*Women with hypothyroidism should take a calcium supplement (take one with magnesium for better absorption) because we are at greater risk for osteoporosis. I take mine at night, so it does not interfere w/ my thyroid replacement.

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.

Hello, told my doctor today of leg cramps, facial rashes and numbness in feet....and specifically asked if they were related to Synthroid? He said no, I have been on it for 2months...and just upped script to .50mcg....and cramps are worse....I am going off the meds. I am in excellent health @ 64 and only went to this Doctor because of back pain.....was tested for a myriad of things...I had none of the symptoms for hypothyroidism.....what natural remedies are there for this . E.

I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's Disease 12 yrs ago after my daughter was born. I've been taking Levoxyl 100mcg all these years. Recently I switched to Targets pharmacy & I let them talk me into buying the generic. What a mistake. I've been on the generic for 3 1/2 months & I feel like I have been hit by a truck! I thought I was coming down with the flu. I don't get out of bed, I shuffle out of bed. It's like I have the body of an 80 year old. I also noticed I was hungry all the time. I've been having dizzy spells and my dry skin came back. I have been very tired. I've been taking a nap everyday. The only good thing that came out of it was I started sleeping better, but it's not worth going through all of this. I switched back to the name brand today. I've read where some of your doctors prescribed antidepressants. I started getting very irritable & anxious after my daughter was born, but I thought it was because I was a first time parent. Now, I'm thinking it was the levoxyl. I am slowly weaning myself off of the Wellbutrin. The less medication I take the better. One thing I did was start a personal program with Women to Women a few years back. Once I did, I noticed my fatigue went away. Before I was having to take a nap everyday & didn't want to get back up. I also noticed my memory got better. It's a very interesting website.

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've been on the same dose of Levoxyl (118 mcg) for 11 years and I have none of the side effects that have been described. My mother and grandmother also have hypothyroidism, but my mom take 110 mg of synthroid, also prescribed by the same doctor that prescribed me. When I was in the 4th grade my thyroids swelled to the size of golfballs, so much so that you could see them when my head was up, and I was extremely tired and had hot and cold flashes- scary for a 10 year old! My doctor recognized it immediately, and put me on Levoxyl. About a year ago, I gained 15lbs for seemingly no reason, but then this summer I lost about 20lbs. The only difference was taking the medicine 1 hr before I ate anything. I saw someone said that after taking the medication she would get hungry, which I also have, but this makes sense, because Levoxyl is in essence trying to up your metabolism and by doing this you are burning more calories and thus become hungry. If you let this hunger pass, about 20 min later you are no longer hungry and feel great! I still get slight hot flashes, but not too noticeable. I would recommend just as other on here have, that the dose that your doctor may give you may not be 'your' number, and to give it time. If you change your dose, give it 3 months, not 5 days like I saw above! If you have to wait 6 months for 2 dose changes isn't that better than hurting your whole life? GOOD LUCK!

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 have been on Levoxyl for about 3 years now, maybe more. My mother , father, and I all have Hypothyroidism. Mine was diagnosed at 19 when I started on Levoxyl and now it is around 3 at 75 mcg. I do have alot of these symptoms, including fatigue, depression,insomnia, major migraines, bloating, but my mom and I also have ringing of the ears and I wonder if this is a symptom. I have been to an ear specialist and had my hearing checked, everything is normal he says. Maybe I just have very sensitive hearing and can hear the slightest things? I don't think so, I didn't have this ringing before a year and a half ago!

I was diagnosed with having hypothyroidism, and after having FNAs done on the two nodules that were found during a screening of my thyroid - it turned out that I also have Hashimoto's Disease. I am currently on the lowest dosage of Levoxyl - and have been for about two months, and I have never felt so bad in my whole life. Yesterday I cried the entire day - for no reason. I have migraines several times a day. I get dizzy and have hot flashes and I feel so ditzy lately, forgetting the littlest things. It is a very frustrating way to live, being married with two small children. It is hard for me to explain this to anyone, and I unfortunately take some comfort in reading that I am not the only one living with this. I keep wondering if I will get better, not only for me, but for the sake of my family.

What is the average doasage for hypothyroidism? Everybody seems to on quite low dosages. I have been on 150mcg the last 2months (on medication 6months, dosage keeps goin up).
Does this mean mine is lower than normal?

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"?

MT SIDE EFFECT THAT i HAVE , SINCE I HAVE HYPOTHROIDISM HAVE BEEN UP AND DOWN LIKE A ROLLER COASTER. i CAN TELL ALL THE TIME WHEN MY LEVELS ARE OFF. WHEN THEY ARE TOO HIGH OF TOO MUCH THYROID MEDICATION IN MY SYSTEM, I FEEL VERY NERVOUS, IRRITABLE. SHAKEY FEELING INSIDE LKE I CANNOT CALM DOWN IN SIDE. MUSCLE CRAMPING, AND BAD HEADACHE. WHEN MY LEVELS ARELOW , I AMY VEY TIRED AL DAY LONG AND JUST WANT TO SLEEP. i ALSO GET A VERY DEPRESSED FEELING AND WANT TO CRY ALOT, BECAUSE I DONT FEEL RIGHT. WHEN THE LEVELS ARE REALLY LOW I GET DIZZY, AND WHEN i TRY TO DRIVE MY CAR I CAN NOT CONCINTRATE VERY WELL AND i FEEL LIKE I AM DRUNK.. THE FEELING IS AWFUL, AND MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I AM NOT IN TOUCH WITH REALITY.

I have taken some sort of medication for hypothyroidism for many years, perhaps as many as 22 (I am 51).

Over the last few years, I feel like my health has deteriorated. Frequent, severe headaches, irritability, moodiness. My face had a sunken look.

I asked an expert in alternatives about the headaches and she immediately said that Levothyroxine has headaches as a side effect. I had not really considered the side effects of this medicine at all--I thought of it as completely safe. (The side effects didn't pertain to me--silly thinking, I know.)

Well, except for the thinning bones! Just a few months before, I read in *Strong Women Stay Young* that levothyroxine causes thinning bones. My doctor had diagnoses osteopenia, which is the beginning of osteoporosis. I don't want that, but it may be too late. (I am started a strength training program to strengthen my bones.)

I decided to stop the med. and try alternatives. The headaches lessened, but did not cease. Ran out of the alternative. Now I have what one site called "moon face." Puffy. Eyes look smaller. Very interesting -- makes me think I was taking too much before, because I looked haggard.

But even more interesting to me was the level of my general anxiety (and thus, my irritability) is down. Yes, I am tired, but I am also calmer!

Long story short (I know, too late for that!), side effects: headaches, anxiety, irritability, haggard expression, depression, thinning bones.

Here's to hoping that the alternatives work! I want to clear this med. out of my body (especially my brain) and try to feel better with healthy alternatives.

I seem to experience extreme irritability and headaches after just a couple days of taking this medication. I have tried it before but stopped taking it because it made me feel so bad. The doctors have again prescribed this medication at 75 mg for hypothyroidism and he says that he does not think it is the Levoxyl causing these side effects. Maybe it is just my imagination but I swear I get real irritated and even depressed shortly after starting this medication. I am on my second day now and again I am experiencing these side effects. I wonder after a period of time will the side effects decrease.

I have been taking levoxyl for 2 yrs now. I am getting migraines/headaches an average of 3-4 times a week. I have had a ct scan and everthing came back ok. I am
suspecting that it is the levoxyl and I am going to stop taking
the medication. I take levoxyl for hypothyroidism. Does
anyone else experience headaches as a side affect. I have
also notices memory loss and trouble concrentrating

Flu-like symptoms raised temperature, swollen glands, aching joints, rapid heartbeat, interrupted sleep, nightmares, night-sweats, raised basal temperature and body temperature, sensitivity to cold, immediate change in menstrual cycle.

I'm 26 and was diagnosed with HYPOTHYROIDISM in Oct 2005. I was put on LEVOTHYROXINE. At firt I felt sick to my stomach, and then started having really bad head akes. My MD lowered my dose and I felt like a new person. Had more energy than my 4 year old. I have had some site effects such as HEART PALPITATIONS, MILD DEPRESSION, UNABLE TO CONCENTRATE, FATIGUE AND SPACED OUT FEELINGS! But the one site effect that I have not seen anyone talk about is "RINGING OF THE EARS!!!!!!" PLEASE IF ANY ONE IS HAVE THE RINGING OF THE EARS...LET ME KNOW, IT IS DRIVING MY @&*!%#^ CRAZY. My MD says its ANXIETY! Give me a break pal, I know my body good enough to know when im NOT anxious. Also my sex drive is flat lined. Please email me if you have these same site effects.. Bless you all

Lowi~ Washington

I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism 2 years ago and originally I was prescribed synthroid. I was tired and cold all the time. I was switched by my doctor to Levoxyl 50 mcg about a year ago. I am only 10 lbs overweight I still have not been able to lose. Over the last 4 months I trained and and completed a 26.2 mile marathon and 3 different 13.1 miles half marathons (running) I have not lost any weight.
My enodocrinologist has recommended that I get checked again to see if the dosage needs adjustment. I have a feeling it is too high.I have recently had some symptoms such as hot and cold flashes, headaches, heart palpitations. I have more energy now than ever in my life. Other than the hypothyroidism I am healthy and should not have heart palpitations. and my endo says that the amount of running may have shocked my body into working more efficiently. I am to be tested in a few weeks. I don't know if this is true but I also heard that if you buy medications that are on the shelf too long that they lose some of
their potency.

My entry is slightly different the the ones I have read so far. Iam writing in behalf of my 10 yr old daughter who has recently been diagnosed with a pretty sever case of hypothyroid. She has been on Levothyroxine for 6 months. At first it was amazing.She went for being anti social and extreamly lazy to finally acting like a 10 yr. old and playing and making friends. She has grown almost 4 inches and lost 26 lbs. Of course she is more to handle but I enjoyed seeing her act like a kid. How ever she did have insomnia, but has over come that. But in the last 3 months she has NO train of thought she has gone from a gradeA student(i know alot of it was because she had no friends or social life,childrenare very crule and all she did in school was work, no socializing) But now her 5th grade teacher does not belive she is the same child.She began the meds in july, so her teacher never knew the old Dani. But of course she looked up her previous records and saw she went from being in the 98th percentile nationwide to failing this years Terra Nova testing. The teacher knows Dani is a wonderful child and this is not rebelling. But at the same time she has not learned anything this year. I spoke to her doctor and she blew it off, because her "T" tests are finally in range and no longer has 400 cholesteral level. Hypothyroidism took every effect on my child, just short of hospitalization. I was told she has to be on this for ever.She says she feels so much better, but she will have to repeat the 5th grade.I have no problem! Healyh comes first but her side effects are getting worse every day! Will she ever be able to live a productful life when she can't remember anything.Even things she learned years ago! I am just a very worried mother that has no answer! 4 hours too do 20 SIMPLE math problems! Please help!

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.

Good God! What does all of this mean?! Is ANYBODY paying any attention to this, or do we all need to get together and petition the FDA?

Just the fact that presumably all of these folk writing in were in enough pain and turmoil to seek answers through the internet speaks volumes, doesn't it?

Anyhow, let me add my two cents' worth: I'm living in Greece so taking a European version of synthetic T4 (called, creatively enough, "T4"!) (Novartis is the manufacturer) and I'm finally so screwed up and concerned that I'm looking here there and everywhere else for answers. I was a pretty damned healthy 40-ish woman and suddenly I feel, as so many others have said, 100 years old ...

FYI, I'm on the lowest dose available, i.e. 50 mg/day. In the beginning I felt better because my periodic feelings of extreme fatigue went away, but the heart problems are making me a nervous, frightened wreck! I begin to prefer just plain ol' Hashimoto's thyroiditis with a slow dip toward hypothyroidism rather than this nonsense. At least then I didn't feel like I was on death's door!

The mail from the woman who woke up with pounding, racing heart struck me the most, as it's the pulsating and skipped beats and the rest that are driving me to distraction. I've worn a holter monitor for 24 hours and discovered that I "only" now have tachycardia, but suddenly I'm on TWO meds for the rest of my life (when I was never on any previously, short of a tylenol for an occasional headache ... quite a change, and not a very welcome one!) one for HEART problems! AND I'm still relatively young AND I now officially feel like s**t?!

Amazing, all of this. Drug companies pleasing their stockholders while a huge number of us go slowly crazy?

Would appreciate it if people who've succesfully gone off synthetic T4 would write and tell me their stories, particularly their experience with the Armour alternative (not that I know if it's available over here, but at this point, I'd happily fly over to the States a couple times a year to get it if it would end this misery!!)

Thanks to all and COURAGE!

I was wondering if restlessness is a side effect. My son takes 25 mcg a day for hypothyroidism (since birth). He is only 5 and complains that his legs heart sometimes. He also seems like he cannot settle down and is constantly moving at all times. Is this normal? Please email. Thanks..