Levoxyl and levoxyl

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?

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 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 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've been taking levoxyl for 8 years now with mostly good success. My endo doctor recently upped my dose due to lab results (I think the test results were bad). Now I feel horrible. Headache, dizzy/lightheaded, blood pressure increased, tightness in throat, and muscle cramping. I've been to many specialists concerning the dizziness - everyone says I'm OK; cardiologist, ENT, and neurologist. The symptoms started a few weeks after the dose increase, and have worsened in the last week or two (about 2.5 months out).

I have been on Levoxyl for about 9 years and have felt awful. I have had weight loss, dry hair, thinning hair,dry skin, muscle aches, migraines and the list goes on. I just got out of the hospital Monday after 4 days of testing of my heart and lungs. I was admitted for racing heart. The doctor's conclusion was anxiety! They said that Levoxyl has nothing to do with my rapid heart rate. The endocrinologist prescribed taking levoxyl .050 on day and .075 the next also a beta blocker, Xanax and Zoloft. I can not take any of these meds b/c they make it almost worse. I KNOW it is not Anxiety and it from the Levoxyl but what do I do?? I am a mess right now can not be in this condition with four young kids and a husband. None of the doctors would say it was the Levoxyl and instead prescribed more and told me to check up with blood work in 6 weeks. I took the .050 yesterday around noon and by 7:30pm my heart rate picked up again and continued until 4:30 this morning. I can not sleep more then 2 hours at a time and wakeup feeling like I am crawling out of my skin. PLEASE let me know of any solutions.

My mother and I have both been diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and we both take levothyroxine. We both experience extreme pain and she has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I have not been diagnosed with fibromyalgia but I experience the pain body also. Another thing. I have been losing my hair. No reason, it's falling out from the root and I have some serious thinning. Memory...what memory. I can't remember anything. Has anyone received advise from a MD? Thanks

I am just slightly hypothyroid and could go without meds, but decided to try meds, and endocrinologist suggested Levoxyl 50 mcg per day. First day on the drug, felt exhausted by night time, next morning, usually jump out of bed for workout and was extremely tired at the gym, no energy, was starving during the day even after breakfast which is unusual for me, and exhausted by evening, and third day woke up with swollen glands and exhaustion, knew something was up. Decided to research the side effects and found others with similar symptoms and didn't like long term effects so I am going off the drug and hoping I caused no damage to my system. My doctor's reaction was "impossible" that the drug could cause this. My reaction was, "no thank you, I think for myself, know my body, and know this drug caused this reaction." I was feeling fine before 3 days ago, and how could so many have similar symptoms if it isn't the drug.

I have been on Levoxyl 125 mcg for about two months after my thyroid was "killed" with the radioactive pill. Ever since I have been on this medication, I have constant headaches and feel sick on my stomach all the time. I had to go to the ER the past week because of the intense vomiting. The doctors tell me it's not related to my thyroid or the medication. How can this be? I didn't feel this bad when I was hyperactive thyroid. My wife has had to take care of our 18 month old all by herself ever since I have been taking this medicine. I feel like I am missing out on my life! This is terrible!!

I had always used the generic form of synthroid & then the generic form Levoxyl. The beginning of April 08' my endo prescribed me the brand name Levoxyl. I take 175mg. everyday. After several weeks I began to have terrible insomnia. It was weird because I initially fell asleep easily but began to wake up every hour of the night for no reason. This went on for weeks. I even tried taking Tylenol PM to help me sleep & I still would wake up every hour if not every other hour & I had very vivid dreams that I would remember. I began waking up in the mornings feeling exhausted from all the dreaming & all the waking up. I believe I became more depressed because I was so tired. Then I read on-line that someone else experienced this while taking Levoxyl. I switched back to the generic Levoxyl & now I can sleep through the night again. I still experience fatigue & have problems losing weight. None of that changed when I switched to the brand name anyway.

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 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.

i HAVE SO MUCH COMPASSION FOR ALL OF US SUFFERING ..I have been on 300 mcg of levoxl and i am always filling with fluid,feel like i cant think straight or remember simple things....I have gained 150 lbs in 8 years and its not due to food increase...Myskin is dry and I am exhausted all the time..Hashimotos is what they say I have ..i am sure that this medicine is causing this,but what is the alternative?When i went off it years ago my thyroid tsh level went up to 13!....yet I lost weight!I think new testing has to be done on thyroid and the meds we are using...right after i take my med in the am I get really hungry..thats the only time i get hungry..my digestion is so slow!...Its a terrible way to live being fat when you arent eating like a pig..

Hi Ive been hypothyroid for about 12 years now. After i took radioactive iodine I was put on synthroid.125. Had blinding headaches constantly! Then after about 3 years I was put on levoxyl.125. Blood work sometimes comes back a little elevated but not much to say for the symptoms i am having still to this day.I am so tired i cant even go to the store. Symptoms are,
sever fatigued. headaches. muscle pain in chest and sternum. burning muscles, triggerpoints all over body. broken sleep .severe depression.Eye pain blurry vision lower back pain body feels like a punching bag.I could sleep for 12hrs and still be tired. These medicines have side effects that they are not telling us.I tried armour but it does not aggree with me. Im going to switch to either unithroid or leverthroid.If these do not work then i will try thyroler.Doctor wanted to give zoloft. Please I do not need bad medicine.
This all started when i had to take thyroid meds.Before diagnosis I was a fitness fanatic . I was doing aerobics heavy cardio, lifting weights etc. now i cant even ride my bike.The meds are no good doctors are a waste they think it is in your mind.Let them feel one day like this and see if they can function.I do not think they can.ill see what happens when i change my meds..fibromyalgia? no such thing Fibromyalgia is diagnosed when the doctors cant figure out what is wrong with you so they pawn off some atidepressives.

I have been on Levoxyl for over 10 years with no problem. When I picked up my refill two weeks ago the pharmacist said that the pill may be a different color but it's just that the company that was making Levoxyl sold it to another company and is now making it. Within a week I was very itchy, then I started getting hives at night and waking up with them in the morning. I also developed severe heartburn. I feel very full and cannot lie down at night. I also can't eat very much at one time because of the heartburn/reflux. My family doctor advised I call my endo which I did. She advised me that she has had patients all week that are having problems with Levoxyl that never had them before. She took me off the Levoxyl and put me on Synthroid. I will start that tomorrow morning and hope I will get some relief soon. The pharmacist said I wasn't the only one going off the 'new' Levoxyl, others have been in all week exchanging their prescriptions as well. Has anyone else had this same situation?

I only took Levoxyl for 5 days then stopped. The first couple of days were just headaches and extreme nausea. At night I would have sweats and during the day chills. I was going to live with these side effects but then on the fourth day I started being nervous, my face was flushing and one of the veins in my leg swelled. Then on the fifth day - along with everything else I began feeling a little weakness in my muscles - but the kicker was my toes and fingers were so sore and hurt so bad I couldn't stand it. My fingers felt as if I had been typing non stop all day - first thing in the morning and all day long. I called my physician who said that Levoxyl couldn't give any of those symptoms and I was imagining it all. I WAS NOT imagining any of it! I didn't wake up and say,"oh, i want my fingers and toes to hurt all day long for no reason". He didn't like me questioning him, but I wasn't questioning him, I was questioning Levoxyl. I asked him if there were any withdrawal symptoms and he said no. So I stopped taking it. Of course, I am not symptom free yet, as I figure it will take a couple days to get out of my system. My thyroid is slow and I know I am going to need to take something - I just wonder what suggestions other people with Levoxyl have done. And if anyone who has gone off it, actually had worse problems in the withdrawal phase. I know five days isn't that much, but I think my body is very medicine sensitive and responds very well. Thanks so much for anyones comments or advice!
Tammy in Florida

I have been on Levoxyl for about 13 years now I am 26. Last year I started experiencing joint pain and was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Lately I have been having dizzy spells where I get hot and feel like I need to sit down before I pass out. Also experiencing extreme fatigue off and on for about 5 years. Now after reading this I am wondering if all this is related to the Levoxyl. I am wondering if people who have been on the med awhile started noticing side effects years into their treatment as I don't remember these symptoms when I first started the med. Also what are other options prescription wise. After seeing this site I am going to go see an endocrinologist and discuss all this with them.

I have been taking Levoxyl for 1 1/2 yrs, I had my thyroid removed due to severe hyperthyroid. In the past year, I have been getting pains and weakness in my hands. It is so bad now, I can't open a jar or lift a frying pan. It hurts sooo bad. My legs hurt and my knees have real bad joint pain.
The funny thing is, it's not every day and not always both knees. It is however all the time in my hands. Last week I went to an Arthritis specialist in San Antonio. He ran every blood test avail. Tested for Rhum. arthritis, Lyme disease, AA, and all kinds of stuff. He x-rayed my knees and injected cortisone in my knees and hands. - that hurt -
He found nothing wrong!
I searched on line tonight for "Levoxyl and joint pain" and this site came up. Boy am I glad I am not the only one who is questioning this horribly possible side effect. Oh, I also have memory loss. I feel like I am 80 yrs old. Just to make sure you know what type of person I am, here goes: I am fit, active, 37 yrs old and 115 lbs, I eat well and take vitamins, non smoker, non drinker.
On Monday, I am calling my doctor. I am printing this web site and all of the postings like mine. There must be something I can be put on that will fix this. Can anyone tell me if they have no Thyroid and have gotten off this stuff; does the hand pain stop? Does it get better or is this permanent damage?

Kerrville TX

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've been on levoxyl for approximately 10 years thinking the side effects were from my hysterectomy 6 years ago and being on hormone replacement therapy. I am irritable, agitated, unable to stay asleep, having more and more trouble recalling people I've met through work and retaining information. Family and friends have teased me. It's getting worse. My most bothersome side effect is that every night while after falling asleep, I've been awakened by extreme hot feelings like I'm on fire inside, not the same as hot flashes experienced by menopause. I'm hungry all the time feeling like I can't stop eating, luckily, not gaining much weight but picking on food as much as possible. I'm waiting for a phone call from my doctor to see how to stop using levoxyl and what I'll have to replace it with.

I have had thyroid disease for 6 years. I just had my medicine increase less than one week ago from 125 mcg to 150 mcg. The endocrinologist did this with a lab result from over 6 months ago and I was never retested before he upped my dose. 2 days after my new dose I broke out in a rash head to toe. The next day I started itching and went to my doctor and she said I have no idea what is going on with you. Then I went to the Pharmasist and he said you are having an allergic reaction to the dye in the 150 mcg blue tablets (125 mcg are white). The following day I got new medication I now am taking 3 50 mcg tablets. But I now am swollen ankles to feet and elbows to hands. My hands are like balloons. When I go to bed at night my hands are completely numb. Has anyone else had any symptoms like this?? Help I cannot figure this out. I am thinking that I may be over medicated. Thank you Heidi

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 gained 30 pounds since I started levoxyl

This is for a friend of mine diagnosed with Parkinson's and dystonia. All her big problems began shortly after hypothyroid diagnosis and her starting on Synthroid. Is it coincidence? Or has anyone heard of synthroid or thyroid meds promoting or mimicing Parkinson symptoms,or involuntary muscle spasms? Am I just imagining a connection?

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.

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 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.

I have experienced SEVERE stomach problems taking levoxyl. Since i stopped taking it, my stomach is back to normal. I wonder if anyone else has had a similar experience.I am NOW on ARMOUR THYROID...a natural product and feel NORMAL for the first time in three years. I hope the three years on levoxyl has not caused irrepairable damage to my digestive system!!