Levoxyl and tsh

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.

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.

Sitting here with heat on thigh fm severe muscle cramp. Had one earlier in hand. Have had many probs with hands lately; thought it was carpel tunnel but pain seems to be randon in hand and fingers. The muscle cramps are unbelievably severe; didn't know about the loss of Calcium and B - good to know. Was taking Levothyroxine .25 with seemingly no effects but when TSH was still over 4.0, MD changed to .50 Levoxyl. Have been on it a month and have had nausea, bowel disturbances; irritable eyes; bloating, depression (which MD is offsetting with antidepressant), and SEVERE muscle cramps in places you wouldn't expect... hands, neck when I yawn, things, stomach, waist... it's awful. After hearing everyone else, I'm weaning off and doing more research. Thanks to everyone for sharing.

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.

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.

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.

5-12-08 Was put on 25mcg in Mar. 08. because of Hashimoto Disease &
Hypothyroidism. At first had more energy & no symptoms. After a month
severe pain in joints especially in hands & left wrist. Muscle spasms in
thighs, calves & shoulders. Neck & back pain. Also headaches. Am
bloated all the time and can't seem to lose weight. Force myself to stay
active, but difficult to do. Irritable because of pain. Oh yes, on l-7-08 my
TSH was 4.270 & 4-29-08 my TSH was 4.430 & Dr. doubled my Levothyroxine to 50mcg & after that above symptoms doubled to
excruciating. After reading this web site no one mentioned extreme dry
mouth, throat & nose with a metallic taste in their mouth as I have. Let
me know if anyone has had this problem. Thank God for this site & thank
all of you that confirmed my problems was not in my head like doctors
want you to think. Thanks M.

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

I have been taking levoxyl for 13 years. I have experienced a lot of the symptons you describe. It took almost 5 years to find the right dosage that I feel normal on. Just because the TSH is in the normal range doesn't mean you'll feel normal. I went to a specialist who tweaked the doses till I felt my best. For me that is a TSH of between 1 and 2. If it goes lower or higher, even though it is in normal range I get symptons of either hypo or hyperthyroidism. Each time a dose is ajusted it takes a good 3 to 4 months for your body to adjust. So finding the right dose is a long process. And finding the right Doctor to work with you can be a long process. The Doctor told me the thyroid is the theromstate of your body and if it isn't set exactly right you'll feel it. It regulates everything. I have never had an allergic reaction side effect of levoxyl just dose related side effects and they can be very depressing. To give all of you hope I can say that once you find your dose you'll feel like your old self again.I feel better then ever.

I am tired all the time, short of breath on exertion (ie. climbing stairs, running, etc.). Have cold feet and hands, especially at night. Also, either feel overheated and too warm or cold and it can change instantly. Have difficulty concentrating, am extremely tired in the morning upon awaking and can hardly get up. I take .05 mg of levoxyl. My TSH tests come back normal, but I haven't felt right since my thyroid surgery for removal of a nodule and 2/3 or thyroid about 3 years ago. I was also diagnosed with sleep apnea shortly after my thyroid surgery. I am not overweight.

I have taken Levoxyl for several years, over which time the dosage crept up from 25 mcg to 100mcg based on my bloodwork. At first, I noticed an improvement in my energy level and had no side effects that I was aware of.

Recently, I was stressed and had an irregular heart beat with an inner jittery feeling. I stopped the Levoxyl and found that the tight muscles in my back and butt went away and the heart eventually regulated itself. Of course, the doctor wants me back on the Levoxyl. I have taken it at 12.5 mcg every other day without a problem, but once it is taken daily, the tight muscles come back and I feel very tired.

How do I find a balance between how I feel and the numbers on the blood work? I think that how I feel should be more important than the numbers. Is it possible that the pituitary is sending out too much TSH in error?

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

Lowi~ Washington

I started taking Levoxyl about a year ago for tsh suppression therapy- to help shrink nodules. I have never felt better in my life! No side effects other than losing weight. I lost over 40 lbs in one year (but that was with diet and exercise). I am afraid my ent will take me off levoxyl permanently and i will feel exhausted and gain back the weight. Go for ultrasound and blood tests tomorrow.

Hello all: how are you? I am from Dominican Republic, and I use levothyroxine and the brand name is 'SYNOX' which is about the same as LEVOXYL. Well let me tell u my story. I have been on levothyroxine for about 2 years the doctor first put me on 0.1 Milligrams and i felt ok at first but then i have been feeling very hungry, anxious, and i haven't been able to concentrate on my books that i have to read for university.
I have been decreasing the dosage, and now i am on 0.025 Milligrams which is about 1/4 of the original dose (0.1 milligrams) I would like to go off levothyroxine because my TSH, T3, T4 have been in the normal range anyways.
Even though i have a slow metabolism, which is one of the first causes for me to go to an endocrinologist doctor, i think i can manage my weight with exercise, although i retain water easy. But like u, i would like to go off this medicine. I also get tired easy, but u know the thing about levothyroxine is that it leads to diahreah too it's a sort of laxative that u take so that's one of the bad effects of it too,

Thanx and I woudl appreciate your comments

Juan ***

I have been on Levoxy for 2 1/2 years now. I was subclinical hypothyroidism when diagnosed. 8 months ago my doctor increased my dose to 100mcg and my hair began falling out and I had mood problems. I complainded to him and he said that he didn't htink it was caused from the levoxyl because my TSH was in the normal range. IT HAD DROPPED FROM MID-NORMAL TO BORDERLINE LOW ABNORMAL! I had to gradually decrease my dose on my own and since, the symptoms have been better but I am still losing hair. When ever they make a change in doses, my pms is worse and overall mental health. Wish I could go off this med. Does anyone know of a better source? They also found a few nodules on my thyroid which I think is causing the whole hypo thing. Please email with comments to graham4@earthlink.net
All my best!

My hair is freaking falling out likre crazy, It has me depressed. I can't color it, blow dry it, heck I can't even wash or comb it!!!!! I want to go off but am so scared because my TSH was 40. I will have to change ... this is crazy. So Glad I found these posts!!!!

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

I was on 1 mcg generic levy thyroxine - manufacturer - Mylon.
My doctor switched me to Levoxyl 1.12 mcg - manufacturer - Monarch-james.

My TSH was 4.28 and the doctor said that he would like to see it in 3 range and bumped my dosage.

Since this change, I have started to loose hair and feeling aches in hip and my bones are brittle. My fingers in both hand and leg hurt too. I am feeling bloated, started having diareah for last two days.

I feel more energetic though but am not getting sleep quick.

Is the change in manufacturer is a mistake my doctor made. or Levoxyl it self has lots of issues. I understand that they are both levythyroxine.

Can some body expain what I need to do. I have been having panic attacks and severe anxiety too.

I was on levoxyl for about 4 months, felt good at first because I was so tired. I was in the middle of remodeling home. My TSH would be out of range one time next time not. I had a severe acute panic attack in November and have presently been trying to find a anti-anxiety and anti-depressant that works. I now realize that I think the tremors and panic I am having is coming from the levoxyl. I have started loosing my hair on the top. I am presently going through a course on anxiety and depression, it is wonderful. I have found out that if you have generalized anxity that it keeps you in the fight or flight state which triggers your adrenals which affects your thyroid. I think now that is why I had the abnormal readings in my thyroid. I am stopping the levoxyal today. Thanks to all for confirmation of what I was already suspiscious of. If you would like to talk further email me at ******