Levoxyl and thyroid

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 discovered that i had hyperthyroidism which was from grave's disease and grave's thyroid eye disease in jan. 2009. at the end of march i had my thyroid removed. never let anyone use the radiation treatment if it is in your eyes. my surgeon said if we had waited another week i would have been dead. they started me on 75 mcg of levoxyl. it made me mean, i prayed to God to let me die in my sleep every night. the dosage was changed to 88 mcg. my hair was falling out by the handfuls. i kept calling my dr. and being told it was normal. i lost 75% of my hair mass almost to non reversible. i have been on appearex and women's rogaine once a day and am using nioxin hair cleanser and conditioner for 2 months. i have new growth thank goodness. my toes almost froze off my feet, the headaches cannot even be described, i gained 40 lbs, this will be the 3rd time in 7 mos. they need to change my dosage to 100 mcg. my body cannot take it. today i am starting synthroid. until i found this site today i had no idea most of my agony was from levoxyl and it's side effects. thanks so much for all the information. good luck to everyone.

I have been on Levoxyl 0.112MG for about 18 years. I do have some of the symptoms described by others, hair loss, hot flashes, etc. , but I think the alternative to this is a lot worse. If I do not take it for long periods of time, it gets to the point where I am freezing cold and the bags that develop under my eyes are embarrassing. I think the problem with most of you that are having very bad side effects is the dosage. If the amount is off just a little bit you can feel like you were just run over by a truck. I went through this many years ago. I would suggest continuing to change the dosage until you get it right. I wish I did not have to take it but it is absolutely necessary in my case.

Reply to jackclavey. The same compound a healthy thyroid makes? Not even close. Even the FDA doesn't say that. They call it a "Synthetic" compound.

I'm really glad you can take levoxyl if you need it without any side effects but it's highly arrogant of you to assume the rest of us have systems that react to these chemicals like yours does. If that were the case there would be no need for 90% of the medicine we have on the market. With your comment you are basically calling all of us dimwitted and delusional. It must be nice in your world but in mine one size drug does NOT fit all.

I have been on this drug for years, there is absolutely no side effects from this med. For gods sake, one of the women below says she was diagnosed Hyper and her doctor put her on this!

People, this is the same chemical compound a healthy thyroid produces! You people would have side effects from water!

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.

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?

I started taking Levoxyl for Hashimoto's Thyroiditis several years ago and got a headache at the exact same time every day, exactly 9 hours after taking the pill. They switched me to Synthroid (which in the end didn't work so I went on Armour Thyroid and have been great since.)

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 am 34 years old. Back in 1985 I had most of my thyroid removed, due to a tumor attached to it. Since I was 10 until my late 20s, I was on Synthroid. By age 19 I had 3 knee surgeries to remove arthritis. I have suffered most of my life with joint pains, dry skin, weight that is like a roller coaster, and being tired most of the time. In my 20s I was put on Levoxyl. I has been on Levoxyl for several years now. Since being on Levoxyl I have been fighting anxiety, racing heart, joint pain in fingers and ankles, sudden dizziness to the point where i have to sit or pass-out. I feel like I'm 80 and not 34. After reading this site I am printing all this out and taking it to my doctor. No telling how much damage has been done after all these years.

weight-gain/ alternatives have been availalable.."Amour-thyroid" about.com any alternative medicine sites! Thy-Aid..etc,Synthroid does nothing for thy,roid issue Everything starts there! Bio-denticals deals w/ harmonal...read and learn..FDA lies! Alternatives have "Cured" ask "Breakthrough" Susann Sommers book w/ doctors! Larry King! Truth re: real cures for thyroid,not HRT's..yet another that has killed and/or close to from...Side-effects..alt's do not have side-effects.soon,if enough people stop being lazy and so afraid to take what will keep them alive and happy only then will ALT'S push the bad FDA approved poisons away! Both MUST be explored,but the FDA make billions w/ doctors who get kick backs from each script they write for the infamous SIN-Throid,made my life a horror..hypothyroid issue does not need syn! There are better natural things! Headaches,never get the right dose! Right thyroid tests? Endocrinologists will use those bio-denticals bec- hormone & Thy go together,for all of the idiots out there who think their doctors are sooo good,slowly they are killing them in many ways!

I have been taking Levoxyl for approx. 5 years following having a total ablation of my thyroid due to follicular thyroid cancer. I am constantly tired, have joint pain, trouble sleeping and continue to experience weight gain. The doctor continues to tell me this is not from the medicine and to improve my diet. My vision has also gotten terrible over the past two years. Has anyone else experienced this and do you know of anything that helps?

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?

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.

After an ER trip where I discovered I was a hypo, I've been on Levoxyl 50 mcg for just under a month. I recently informed my doctor on the phone I was experiencing swelling directly under my chin after I took the medicine in the morning and it lasted all day. He told me to stop and come in and see him immediately. It's the weekend and I can't get in until Monday. It's the 2nd day I've been off the hormone and today I have numbness in my cheeks, they are swollen, I can't eat much and feel really depressed. I've been in pain for so long and now it's just getting worse. I don't know if I should take the hormone tomorrow morning to see if I feel better or stay off as advised by my doctor. Reading everyone's comments is helpful, as it's very difficult for my family and friends to relate to me during this time and seem to think I'm over-reacting all the time as the pain never goes away. Levoyxyl seems to make me feel better, but I still have a lot of back and neck pain, as well as sensitivity to light, headaches and jaw pain. I'm 215 on a 5'5 frame, I eat quite healthy, avoid all the trigger foods for the thyroid and try to be active, but I can't seem to loose weight. I'm really not sure what to do with myself and am loosing hope.. I'm 24 and feel like I'm 84.

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

How do you tell what is a side effect and what is normal aging and what is the result of lifestyle? I know without levoxyl I would have nothing because I have no thyroid at all.
Lately I have felt great. My weight is normal and I have enough energy. This didn't happen overnight. I was overweight for quite awhile. At 59 years old I do expect some achey joints and so forth.
But I am totally dependent on levoxyl. I worry if I couldn't get it for some reason I would die.

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.

ive been on levothyroxine for about 6 years...... for an underactive thyroid gland and i am stunned reading all these side effects as for about 4 years ive suffered from severe joint paint, fatigue ,very low moods , foggy brain, mood swings hair loss, all i want to do is sleep and even then im still tired.
I am 35 and feel about 80 as my back hips legs calfs and feet all hurt so bad.
I have been to the doctors so many times and got no where.
ive been told your in pain because your depressed( who would not be depressed ) but i said i am depressed cause im in such pain.
i remember asking once if it was due to the thyroid or the drug and the doctor said your levels are fine and the drug gives no side effects.
I feel like stopping it right now to be honest.
I only got it after my third pregnancy and i remember reading once it can correct itself as it could be caused by pregnancy ????? any ideas.
ive copied and pasted a lot of these comments and i will be making a trip to doctors to be fobbed off again im sure ....but its worth a try

All I can say is WOW! I did a search for Levoxyl side effects because in the 2 weeks since my dosage has gone up (200 mcg) I have had a constant headache and my entire body just aches, especially my hips, legs and knees. I have a hard time sleeping because I can't get my knees in a comfortable position. I do have arthritis which has not really bothered me in over a couple of years and this is not the same as my arthritis pain. It is more of an overall achiness and it feels like my bones are sore. I am also having eye twitching occasionally, but I am not sure if that has anything to do with it. What should I do?

too all, i have a slow thyroid, my doctor today put me on levoxyl tabs. 75mcg, gave me samples take one a day in the morn. got my blood work back and thats why the doctor is putting me on this med. cause my thyroid is not working like it should. i weighed out at 282 when i went in this morning for my appt. with him. so i will start tomorrow morn when i wake up. i will let you know what happens in a few days. today is 10-23-08 Thursday. i'm to go back for a blood test next and then to see him the following week to the doctor again. i read all of your comments on this medication sure didn't sound to exciting. till next time. B.

I was on Levoxyl .175 for 6 years and found it was the only one that worked for me. I do have pain in my joints ,but defiantly have arthritis, I have anxiety and panic but have had this stuff my entire life. About 4 months ago my doctor had me cut my .175 in half despite my level was in the normal range,all it did was wack my thyroid out and now my TSH is 18.4 .Instead of giving me my .175 back he felt I may be getting to much with it (though my levels were always normal on it) and put me on .100.
I did notice when he changed it,I felt nervous and bad for a week now its been 2 weeks and I feel like I always did so far the only difference is im having trouble with constipation and stomach pain and I have nausea ..Not sure though if its the Levoxyl or something else going on.

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 started taking thyroxine about 6 weeks ago - i went to the doc with tingling fingers, bloods showed tsh 34 so doc gave me 50mg thyroxine. Felt awful within a few days i was getting palpitations and felt like my skin was crawling. I couldn't bear even the slightest noise. I had diarrhea (cant spell) fast heart rate, the shakes and couldn't handle lots of people in a room. I am a teacher so it became difficult for me to work. I went up to 100 it got worse, until in the end I decided to stop them.
I am going to wait and see but I would rather be hypo than have these symptoms, my doc said you will feel great soon, pah what a load of c%%%

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.

Everyone here PLEASE LISTEN TO ME! Dr. Holtorf in Torrence, California is the only one who tests for REVERSE T-3 and 80% of people are not being treated properly for thyroid function. The Holtorf Medical Clinic is the ONLY way you will find the answers and people are experiencing miracles.

i have been on the same med and am getting off made me feel nuts crying all the time, hot flashes, my body feels like its on fire very depressed tired panic and anxiety attacks never was like this before being weaned off and going the natural way going to take thyroid essentials and macafem i can't wait to get off this dam pill

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 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 taking Levoxyl 25 m for about 4 or 5 months. I started taking it because i was waking up in the middle of the night clutching my chest because it felt like my heart would just stop. I had to grab it and start rubbing it thinking that was going to make my heart work again lol. I went to the doctor and she did some ultrasound on my throat and found a sist in my throat around my gland. So then i got the call saying that my thyroid was a lil out of wack. She put me on Levoxyl 25 m. Now i was like 130 pounds tops! I could eat anything i wanted for 28 years and never worried about gaining weight. I had a very toned stomach and all. I am not NOT toned and have rolls of fat on my stomach and it bothers the hell out of me when i sit down. I look like i have a beer belly or something and it is SICK looking to me. I got tired of it so i had called my doctor today and said that it made me fat and hasn't changed anything. I wanted to get off of the med and not be on any medicine at all. The doctor told me that the medicine didn't do that to me, but now after reading this page. I know shes a f-ing lair and i am going to sue her ace off! I have gained over 20 pounds and it has all went to my stomach and sides. These people will pay for this crap! I think everyone should sue them for it cause if more than one person goes to sue then it will become a huge thing and they will not do this to other people that haven't looked up the side affects.

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.

Wow - I just had an MRI today of my head and am scheduled to go through 3-5 hours of tests with a neuropsychologist next week. I have been on levoxyl with no substitute allowed due to this being the only drug that has leveled out my Hoshimoto's disease of the thyroid. My endocrinologist whom I saw on Friday suggested I see a neurosurgeon as "levoxyl can't be the cause of all your issues" which are identical to all of those I am reading about on here. I am a breast cancer survivor, take arimidex daily as well as xetia and a couple of other prescriptions for gastric reflux and anxiety. Now they all tell me that taking all these pills is fine as long as I don't take them all at the same time. Add today prednisone for the severe headaches - 6 at a time - I felt like a drug addict putting them all into my mouth at once. If this all is because of levoxyl I am going to be very relieved yet very PO'd that I have been told otherwise.

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 have had a total thyroidectomy due to thyroid carcinoma about 2.5 -3 years ago. I have been on synthroid and levoxyl and both have caused tingling and numbness in my hands and feet, what I call a general fog (hard to concentrate or think, sometimes talk). I have been tested for neuropathy since endo said radiation may have caused issues. Only to be cleared by neurologist. Now endo switched does lower after rebout of cancer from 300mcg to 274mcg and have knee joints now going numb I want to sleep all the time, general weakness and now low testosterone levels.

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