Levoxyl and medication

I was put on levoxyl at 14 because i had thyroid cancer and had lost 90 percent of my thyroid.
I myself have not had any serious side effects from the medication. When I forget to take it I feel completely empty, slow and my mood is irritable. I strongly suggest those of you who are having these problem to adjust your dosage. I have a fantastic doctor with a lot of experience, and he himself has had thyroid cancer and knows firsthand.
Too much will make you sick and too little will cause weight gain or weight loss, energy loss and etc.; all direct results of thyroid issues, not levoxyl

i was told i was hypothyroid,but i felt fine! dr. put me on 88 mcg's of levoxyl and i all of a sudden came down with the worst case of acid reflux,which i did not have b4.also,heart palpitations.i choked down this med for 3 years,experiencing hours of burning after my daily pill.i could not take it any more! i put myself on a trial month without levoxyl ,and the burning and acid feelings are gone! i feel gr8! i dread being scolded by my doctor for going off it,but i could not take that burning anymore.ive been to 2 gastroenterologists,plus my general practitioner,all of whom said it was impossible for levoxyl to cause g.i distress.if that is so,why has the burning gone now that i stopped taking it?if u have experienced burning with levoxyl,could u kindly email me/i want to know-am i crazy,or is heartburn an issue for other levoxyl users also/plus,i never felt/looked ill in the first place,so even tho my thyroid functioning may not be optimal,did i really need medication yet?maybe someday i might,but i feel fine,i have long thick hair,decent fingernails,full of energy and not cold all the time-so why do i need meds at this point?(if i ever have overt hypo symptoms,i will have to take something,but why fix what is not broken?) ps-my b/p and cholesterol all very good too,altho apparently ive been hypo about 5 years.

Wow, what an eye opening experience it is to read all these posts! I was just about at the end of my rope thinking something was horribly wrong with me. Now I firmly believe it's the Levoxyl that is wrong.

I went on thyroid meds about a year and half ago for just slightly under active thyroid. I was actually lulled into it because the Doctor assured me it was a completely safe medicine and taking it would help me lose weight. Always a welcome thing. So I started on 50 mcg. I noticed some degree of improvement. I was sleeping better and having more energy during the day. Next checkup, the levels are in the normal range but just barely. So he doubled the dose. Two weeks later I broke out in a horrible itchy rash. I actually thought about the meds but then I didn't change meds, I was just taking more. I called the doctor and he said, "No this medication won't do that." So I change detergent, soap, everything I could think of and nothing worked. Finally I said, enough and I skipped a dose. During the day the rash got a lot better. Next morning I took another one and within and hour I was itching like crazy again. I stopped taking them, waited a week and called the doctor again and told them. His reaction was "You have to take this." I said, No, I don't and I won't. He actually argued with me that the rash could not be caused by the meds. Now I realize at that point I should have called another doctor but he's in my town, convenient, yada, yada, yada. Anyway he called me in another med which he said was the same active ingredient but different brand. Enter Levoxyl. I've been on 100 mcg for 3 months during which time I have felt progressively worse. Most of these things I didn't attribute to Levoxyl until later. Initially I noticed I was having the hot/cold flash thing. I have no comfort zone. I'm either flushed and sweating or chilled so my nights are spent constantly either searching for cover or kicking it off. Next thing I noticed is that my breasts would swell. Naturally that was a concern but about the time I would decide I needed to see about it, they would be normal for a few days. Sleep? What's that? Tired all the time. Started having confusion and forgetfulness. I even told my co-worker I thought I was losing my edge. I was all of a sudden forgetting things I had done automatically for over 15 years. Then the really scary stuff started. I would wake up in the middle of the night with my heart racing and feeling like I was in a fight for my life. I was afraid to go back to sleep. Joint aches and pains across my upper back, my knee. Tingling in my feet. It just keep getting worse and worse. Still didn't think of Levoxyl. Then Monday of this week I didn't have a pill to take. I forgot to get it refilled. Monday at lunch I told my husband I felt better than I'd felt in months. Tuesday took the regular dose. By noon the mental fog was back, back was hurting and I just felt like crap. Tuesday night went to bed early because I was so tired. 11:40 woke up with the worse anxiety attack I've ever had. Heart was pounding and I was breathless. Wednesday morning I got up and the light came on. I did not take the pill. Entered Levoxyl in google and found this site. I am so angry at my doctor I can hardly stand it. I even went to the official Levoxyl website and all these side effects are listed except for the swelling breasts and confusion but I've noticed several posts here that list those. During those two days I didn't take the freakin' pill both problems improved greatly. This morning, I reluctantly took half a pill. I plan to to that every other day for a few days then skip two days, then three, until I'm off of it. I don't know at this point what I'll do about my thyroid but I won't take this stuff and I won't ignore feeling like crap again. This is crazy. Where is the FDA? Oh yeah, being entertained by the drug companies. What a shame.

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to post here. It is a sad commentary when we can't rely on our doctors to take care of us but we sure can't. If he had just told me about the bone loss, I would never have started this drug in the first place. My Mother suffered with that and that is something I would not trade for a few lost pounds and a little more energy. No thanks.

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?

EFFFF Levoxyl!!! My life has been really, really difficult since being on this medication. Reading all of your posts truly makes me feel like I am not alone in my struggle, anger, and frustration! If we could only sit in a room and talk about this face to face, how much better we might all feel. I think there needs to be thyroid support groups. Does anyone know of any?

I went back on Levoxyl about 2 months ago, because I was feeling tired again. I took myself off of it a year ago because I felt like I didn't need it anymore. I wasn't feeling great being on it and I had given myself a year on it already. Which by the way was a year from hell. I experienced depression for the first time in my life, gained about 20 lbs. from binge eating (never had an eating disorder or weight problem in my life), was fatigued constantly, then blamed myself for being so lazy all the time, lost friends because I canceled soooo much on hanging out, "I'm really sorry but I'm just not feeling good." Yeah that excuse gets really old to people with a normal functioning endocrine gland. Mind you I was diagnosed with this at 23. Sure I am mad that I have this problem, but when I am trying to get myself well and take the steps necessary per my doctor, it's really frustrating to just not feel like yourself. During the year off of it I took a natural thyroid support. Feeling fine, I slacked on taking the support thinking I had kick started my thyroid.
Two months of being back on it and I'm done! In a moment of emotional anger I threw my Levoxyl pills in the toilet. You know what they did...expanded to the size of a bazooka joe bubble gum piece. Uh that's big considering it's such a small pill.
I went to my doctor today because I've been experiencing bloating, pain and constipation for 3 weeks now. He told me to drink coffee and take benefiber, because perhaps I'm not getting enough ruffage in my diet. Just to see if I'm crazy about the expanding pill, I dropped an advil and tylenol in there. They simply fizzled down. I think these meds are making me bloated etc. and it's not worth it to me to feel this way. My body is telling me something is wrong and I need to listen!!
I eat right, take vitamins, drink PLENTY of water etc. and I still feel crummy.
I have been doing research online and have found a product called IODORAL. It is Iodine and Potassium Iodide. I have read many posts from people stating that this product has given them energy, helped with fatigue, their memory, overall well being. What was shocking for me learn is that Iodine helps fibristic breast tissue along with other parts of the body. Did you all know that 30 years ago breast cancer affected 1 in 20 women, and now it's 1 in 8 ???! Iodine used to be part of our diets. It has since been depleted from our soils and other foods. Bread used to be made with Iodine. Now Bromine is used in the baking process. Did you know that Bromine blocks the thyroid from producing necessary hormones for function. I bought myself some IODORAL and I'm going to see if it works. I am not a doctor but I am a person who is very in tune with their body. The bible says that there IS A CURE for everything on earth. I pray that all of you who have posted on here and are in discomfort do not give up your hope and find a different doctor or start doing your own research and be your own advocate for your health. There has to be something better out there! Something that isn't hurting our bodies! I am not giving up hope yet and neither should you!

I too have been part of this levoxyl war. Been on the drug for 15 years and all my doctor ever does is take my blood and change the dose. I've had 2 biopsies and I'm only 32. Im a RDH and into "natural"things. This is the only medication I've ever taken besides the pill-which I went off 2 years ago-.

I went to recently get a refill and denied b/c I needed to see my doctor. Well, I had canceled an appointment only this past week due to conflict with work. To reschedule it was 2 months out. They would not refill my prescription otherwise.

Funny how Doct tell you to never stop taking medication even if your feeling better....but what it boils down to is they're controlling me taking this med in the long run now. Seems no dire emergency to me if they can't schedule me in for an earlier appt-knowing damn well my med has run out.

So F 'em. I've been wanting off this med for years now since I've went a more holistic approach. I've scheduled an appointment to see a holistic doctor regarding my thyroid and other alignments-thoracic outlet syndrome, trapezius myalgia, joint aches, headaches, lack of energy, lack of sex drive, shallow breathing, fogged head, burning eyes, loss of hair etc etc.

Which I feel is not due to lifestyle, overall health etc-but due mostly to being on levoxyl for soo many friggin years. I eat a lot of fish-balanced-I take herbal sups-researched for years-and I walk-there is no excuse for feeling this shitty.....time to do my own experimentation-be my own guinea pig...aside from seeing what a holistic doctor may have to say.

I have been on levoxyl for about 8-9 years now. I have an under active thyroid which I believe is from radiation over my neck area for benign tumors. I have been reading the side effects from people and I am starting to think that most of my symptoms or side effects are from this medication. Slowly over the years I have developed several of the same things people are talking about on this, especially restless leg syndrome, fatigue, chronic pain in legs, trouble sleeping, anxiety, lack of energy, cold feet/hands, lack of sex drive depression, b-12 deficiency, neck and back pain. I am talking to my doctor tomorrow and see if I can go on something else. I am being treated for all these other things that could all be related to the levoxyl side effects. I had none of these other things before taking this medication, what is going on?

37 - Dx'd w/ Hyperthyroidism at 20 and have been on levoxyl since then. I started at .075 and was increased to .1 when I got pregnant w/ my 1st child at 29. I always thought I had anxiety so until I started reading the posts I didn't put it together. I was always shaky and nervous and super skinny before I was dx'd with hyper and after the treatment I was still anxious so I thought it was a different problem.

The anxiety has gotten much worse in the last few years w/ pressure, family, and career so I went to a psych last week and he gave me lexapro and klonopin. The klonopin had done nothing and I was treated 10 years ago with Zoloft which made things MUCH worse so I won't take the lexapro.

I recently switched to Synthroid .1 because I thought maybe the generic meds didn't work as well. I developed a small rash on my elbow a week or 2 later, then a week after that I got 2 big patches on my back over my kidneys. A bout 2 weeks later I developed a HORRIBLE itchy rash over my whole body. I thought the itching would drive me insane. I saw a dr who gave me prednisone (made me feel awful), after I took the dose pack it came back like crazy. I went to the ED and the dr gave me scabies medication (I was mortified) but nobody else in the house had anything. I went to the derm and they biopsied two areas and a week later have not given me the result. Meanwhile, I'm back on levoxyl and the rash is slowly getting better. It must have been the cause. Anybody else get that??

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've been on levothyroxine 150mcg for about 3 months before that it was 100mcg and so on. I have gain lots of weight and tired all the time. depression also, headaches. I hate this gaining weight, sleepy all the time and depression is from gaining weight. I thought this med is to up boost my thryiode but it doesn't seem to be working. my dr. said I'm on the highest dose there is. I don't know what to do any more. I was thinking about taking myself off this but not sure what will happen if i do. I hope there is someone out there that might be able to let me know if they are going through the same things what they are doing and how they feel now.

Have been on Levoxyl for the past two years and have been having EXTREME hair loss. Would like to hear from anyone having this side effect who has had success with an alternative treatment....either a different drug or an alternate treatment such as Armour, etc. Is coming off Levoxyl cold turkey as dangerous as everyone says it is?

Levoxyl makes me Tired and fatigue.
Does anyone get tired and crash 2 to 3 hours later after taking any thyroid medication? I get tired need to lay down, I crash my body lays in the bed and this tired feeling goes away after a hour. It used to last 2 hours. I feel like I took a sleeping pill. This is probably due to adrenals from what I read. I have tried all the armour and t3 that I think adds to the tiredness.

I have been on Levoxyl for years. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's when I was 13 years old. I'm 35 now. I have been on every medication made and this is the only one that didn't make me want to sleep all the time. I have suffered from Depression my whole life, but that started before the thyroid too. My mom was one of the first people to be treated with Iodine when she was a kid and it worked for years then her thyroid acted up again in her 50's. When she was younger it was Hyper and now it went Hypo. She takes Levoxyl now too and it's been great. I think part of my problem has always been a lack of exercise. A lot of the symptoms everyone has mentioned went away for me when I started hiking and walking regularly. After being inactive for so long due to the depression and exhaustion because of the poor diagnosis of my thyroid medications for so long, my blood pressure was too low, my circulation was poor and my depression got worse . Now with a combination of meds for my depression and my Levoxyl, I don't feel like there is a giant weight on me when I wake up in the morning. So many of the meds described have similar side affects I've stopped judging by side affects and rather my energy level, my weight, goiter size and sleep pattern.
Just my experience. Good luck to everyone

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.

This is my 4 week of taking 125mg and I have noticed headaches but not sure if this is a side effect. I have headaches all the time the only thing is sometimes it seems like they come on when I first take my dose. But later in the day everything seems fine. Started having knee pain in one of my knees that I injured about 8 years ago not sure if this is a side effect as well, but I will be tracking it and I will be calling my doctor first thing on Monday. I have alot of allergies to medications so hopefully if this is all do to the medication, I can take one of the other that has been mentioned.

I started taking Levoxyl about two months ago and since that time I have suffered from an internal shakiness that won't stop. I was told that Levoxyl has no ill effects, but the handout from the pharmacist shows that nervousness and trembling can be one of the side effects. My blood pressure has also been all over the charts since I started the medication and I feel chest pressure every once in a while.

I'm on 50mg of Levoxyl I'm 42. I have experienced major gas and heartburn. I have no sex drive anymore and just feel like I'm in a box and can't get out. I thought by seeing a specialist it would help. I just don't know anymore. I told my doctor about my side effects and he said this medication has no side effects. Hmmm after reading all this I am printing and giving it to him. Anyone feel the same. Especially the gas and heartburn?

Thank you all for posting your experience with Levoxyl. My mother started to take this med about a year ago or so. She has experienced all of the side effects listed in postings. I thought she was going crazy. She actually found this site and e-mailed it to me. WOW!!!!!! We have been in and out of doctors (numerous) and hospitals for testing. All test results came back with nothing being wrong with her. She actually just went to Catholic Medical Center in NH (this hospital specializes with heart problems) last week because she too thought she was having problems with her heart. Thankfully all is o.k. She has now taken herself off the Levoxyl. It is amazing what we think will help us can do so much harm to a person. Good Luck to anyone who prescribed this medication. DO YOUR RESEARCH FIRST!

D.NH

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.

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'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!

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.

I have hashimotos thyroid syndrome andi have been on Levoxyl for about 5 years, now the medication is .088 mg's. I do not get anxiety depression. i really wouldn't know what normal is because im only 19 and iv been diagnosed for so long. My sex drive is completely there, the only thing that is wrong is that i CAN NOT wake up in the morning. i must find out what will happen if i get off levoxyl to go to the coast guard. please let me know.

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 don't know if my dry skin is from the Levoxyl or not. I'm on 25 mcg's and have been for about four years now and am seeking to be off of it as it is the only medication I'm now taking with regularity. As an asthmatic with a slight hypothyroid condition, I've just done "what the doctors ordered." Now at the age of forty-four I'm starting to do some of my own research and be my own advocate. I don't have answers for anyone but I strongly suggest you do some reading at the ****. Just plug Dr. Mercola in a search engine and you should find it. What a wealth of wonderful and informative reading. Watch the "Allopath" video. Food for thought. Physicians treat symptoms and while I'm glad that many meds are there, I'm thinking that the first line of defense AND offense ought to be a look at one's daily nutrition and exercise as well as hydration levels.
Blessings

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 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've been taking Levoxyl for approximately two years or Hypothyroid. Before that I took levothyroxine, but my symptoms were worse with that. I've never taken Synthroid.
When I was first diagnosed, my TSH level was around 144... off the charts. It tooks about 4 or 5 months before I got level. The medication seemed to make my symptoms increase. Each month however, my TSH level dropped.
I started feeling good when my TSH level was below 10. I felt awesome at TSH level 1.
My doctor became concerned that my level would drop too much so she lowered by dosage to .150mcg. Over several months, I noticed my symptoms returning. I requested to have my level checked but my physician said it wasn't time. By the time I was checked, my TSH was 20.
My dosage was increased to .175 mcg. The last two weeks after the dosage increase have been horrible. Migraines, vertigo, nausea, irritability, and absolutely no motivation.
I've been feeling better over the last two days and think I'm getting level again.
Don't assume your doctor knows you better than you do. Find out the number that works for you and fight for it!

I am on Levoxyl for quite a few years. In the last couple of years have developed a rash that was diagnosed by my dermatologist as "granuloma annulare". Some how I suspect that it might be a side affect of my medication. Any one had this experience?

I've been taking medication for hypothyroid since 1987 with some changes of dosages and brands based on lab tests and, I suppose, doctor preferences. Until 2 days ago I was taking 112mcg Levoxyl, with no side effects, I thought. Recently, my pharmacy ran out of the usual brand and substituted another brand with 7 pills until their shipment came in. No problem. Without medication my throat and tongue starts to swell within 3 days and in 10 days I'm sitting around trying to see how little I can breath. Even that wasn't so bad but the heart beat slowing and then quickening gives an unsettling adrenaline type feeling. OK back to the switch. I retrieve my usual brand when it came in and was 5 days into that when BAM!. intense chest pain woke me up 2:30 in the morning. I took aspirin and TUMS, thinking I covered everything. The pain radiated from the center of my chest to my back, continued tingle sensation down the undersides of my arms, and achy ears. It even hurt to breathe. 30 Minutes later, and after unsuccessfully trying to minimize symptoms using WebMD, I decided to go to the ER. Lots of test later that rule out heart they said I was taking way too much Levoxyl and wrote a prescript for .75mcg. Since researching I've notice other symptoms I attributed to age (am 52) painful joints especially hands, wrist, feet, ankles, and knees that I've been popping Tylenol for 2 years. Stiffness. I'd like to blame the 20 pound weight gain in 8 months on it too but seems like I should have lost weight.
Since I can't go without medication it seems like I'm but to the hunt and peck method of finding the right dosage and brand. Any recommendations on which direction to take?

I've read about many side effects of Levoxyl and I have experienced some of the "normal" side effects. Since I have been taking Levoxyl I have complained of breast swelling and there are time my stomach will be so extended I can't fit in clothes I wore two days ago. Someone told me that some Levoxyl medication has a high content of lactose. Has anyone ever hear of this? If so, it could possibly be what's going on with me.
MS

I have been reading all the entries for this website and thought I would pass along some useful information. I have been on Levoxyl for 8 years now and have had lots of the symptoms that all these people have had. I then had an appointment with a great Endo doctor at the *** and discovered some interesting things. There is a number "range" they put all people into when checking your TSH levels, only problem is each person is different and even though the doctor may say your in the range, it may not by the right dosage for you. Unfortunately the only way to determine the correct range for you is to experiment with the dosages and it takes 3 months or more for your body to adjust. Also, thyroid hormones are accumulated in the body and depending how active you are is how you may feel. The hormone pill you take today will not be used by your body for up to 10 days, so if you feel good for a few days at rest, then exercise the next day you may feel drained. It will take a few days for your body to replenish the stockpile of hormones to feel "normal" again. A working thyroid makes hormones as needed, yours now does not so this is why so many people feel fatigued, or racing heart beat if they don't get enough exercise. I also had leg and muscle pain. The medication depletes your body of Calcium and B complex especially B12. My leg and muscle pain have disappeared. I still get headaches, but much less with the B12, and some days I still feel tired but I say again, your body cant regulate its needed thyroid hormone and a synthetic pill is only a substitute.. You will always have some side effects. Hope these tips help someone.

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?

My three year old son was diagnosed with Congenital Hypothuroidism at 4 days old. He's been on Levoxyl for the entire three years. Our doctor told us that being on top of his medicine for the first 2 years of his life were so crucial, b/c of brain development. He's a very healthy, active boy. Now my doctor told us he has a heart murmur that had never been detected previously. Is there any chance that the medication can do this or is it simply unrelated? After reading some of the stories, I am scared. I want to know about a natural alternative. Please help, my son doesn't need to spend the rest of his life like this.

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"?

My sexual activity has deteriorate after taking Levoxyl. There has been data posted on the internet that negative fertility impact is a side effect of Levoxyl. I have not taken other medication since I noticed the change is the sperm amount, sexual duration, and erectile loss quickly during sexual intercourse. I am not sure if this is because of Levoxyl or age, but I am 36 years old and excercise once in a while. I am going to excercise more often, but am not sure if this will change the sexual dysfunctions I am experiencing. Be careful and talk to your doctor if you take Levoxyl.

I was diagnosed with a sluggish thyroid also and the dr put me on 50 mcg of levoxyl. I had all of these symptoms of low thyroid hormones and didn't know it. I never put all the problems to the same culprit. I had very bad muscle aches, with or without exercise. I kept thinking I had bruised or torn something. I had weight gain on WW and a health study I was on. Nothing, I mean nothing would help me lose weight. I've gained 20 pounds. Which also caused depression. Sometimes I would have low blood sugar, when I've never had problems with blood sugar before. I was very tired all the time. I felt like I couldn't make it in the evenings and some mornings. I would complain to my PCP that I felt like I had just caught a cold - really drained and tired. I have really severe allergies and couldn't figure out why. After starting the meds I felt bad the first day - diarhea, nausea. Then for the first couple of days I felt great. Then the fourth day I couldn't sleep and felt shaky and had nausea only at night. After about three nights of no sleep, I cut the pill in half and took it. Then I was able to rest at night and didn't feel shaky on the inside. I took 25 mcg for about two weeks and then I started feeling the same way again. So I called the office and the dr said to take 3/4 of a pill. That worked fine for the frst week, but then I started getting these headaches that won't quit. I used the process of elimination and the thyroid meds were the only thing that changed. I will have to call tomorrow and see what I can do about that. If anyone has some of these problems let me know. The dr said that it doesn't have any side effects, but I beg to differ. I'm not sure what dosage to take today. I've had these bad headaches with a little dizziness for a week now.

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

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.

Oh gosh! So it's not only me having all these side effects from Levoxyl. I started taking it 7 mos. ago after having my baby. I'm on 88 mg. I feel much worse than when I was not taking it. I feel tired, irritable and have terrible hot flashes one minute and feel cold the next.
There is tingling in my hands and feet. I talked to my doc but he said it's not the medication! So I went to see him again and insisted he change the dosage or put me on something else, so far he slightly changed the dossage. So we'll see how it goes.

I heard that you can get ringing in your ears (Tinnitus) from this medication...is that true. Should I switch or inquire about other mediation...I take 88 mcg of Levoxyl.

Hi there. I take 88 mcg of levoxyl and since being on it I have this desire to constantly eat food. I eat when I am not hungry and when I am already full. I do not sleep well anymore and wake up often in the night. I am extremely depressed and very emotional. I think I was better off when I wasn't taking medication. I tried to take my body off of it, and I felt very weak. I was recently diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease and I am scared that eventually i will lose my thyroid. Has anyone else felt like this?

I do not have side affects that I know of (50 mcg/day). If I did I would take my self off of it gradually and do the natural health side of treating my thyriod problem. I am now gradually getting off of my Levoxyl and taking several herbal supplements which the doctor confirmed are working better than Levoxyl. I encourage you all to try that...side effects are not good. When you have side effects they are generally treated with another medication. Who wants to take more meds? They are so bad on your liver!

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

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.

Within a couple of days of taking this medication I experienced numbness in the top of my right foot and up the outside of my leg to med-calf. I became unable to lift my foot up or point my toes upwards. When I walked my foot dropped down and I would almost trip when I walked. The first two times it happened it went away within the day. The last time was June 6, 2006 and it has remained since then with no sign of improvement. My doc called it dropped foot syndrome which is caused by a problem with a nerve in the side of my leg. I am still on the medication and hoping the problem will go away as I adjust to the medication. The medication thus far has had no effect on my hypothroid symptoms especially the fatigue. The muscles in my legs feel weaker than ever and the foot problem makes matters worse.

I started taking Levothyroxine about a year ago. A couple of weeks ago, I started to have problems sleeping. I would fall asleep just fine, but I would wake up in the middle of the night or an hour or two before I would have to get up and would be unable to go back to sleep, even on days where my stress was minimal or not enough to get me anxious around bedtime. It would seem strange that the side effects would start so late into the therapy, but sometimes long-term usage of a drug can cause side effects. I went to the doctor for my yearly physical in January, and my blood test results showed that my thyroid levels were normal. Has anyone else experienced this problem? Please contact me if so. I'm trying to figure out the cause of my insomnia, and it would be great if I could either eliminate this medication as the cause or contact my doctor with information about sleep problems that others have had while using this drug. I believe I'm on the .025 mg dosage. Thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide.