Synthroid side effects

When I was first put on this we started at the lowest level and worked up from there, after having labs every 6 weeks for the first few months. I did feel better and had a little more energy, but I had to pee all the time and it smelled god awful, went to my GYN she said it came back fine.....then a G/F who had thyroid cancer told me she takes Armour (a natural ,made from pig liver)...OMG what a difference, I can take less meds, it is cheaper and my urine no longer smells.My energy level is back too!! Armour has T3 and T4 and Synthroid does not. I suggest to those not happy with Synthroid to try Armour thyroid, again it takes about 6-8 weeks to notice but what a great change, and better for your kidneys (which is how synthroid is excreted)

I have been on Synthroid now about a year, and have had absolutely no side effects! In fact, it has assisted in diminishing the side effects I was experiencing from hypothyroidism. My doctor started me on a low dose, monitored me closely, and raised the dose. I think some people with so many side effects are not having their levels checked, so they are on too high a dose.

I Had half of my thyroid removed 16 years ago. I was immediately put on synthroid. It made me crazy. I had rage and emotions that I couldn't control. I went through 2 divorces because of synthroid. I did not realize that was what was causing it. My doctors thought that i was crazy when I told them my symtoms. It must be the help of God because I stopped taking synthroid and started doing research and found out that sea weed would help me and do the same thing that synthroid did. Just a flake or two a day has been helping me for almost 2 years now. I feel great without the side effect that I would normally get from synthroid. Two much will make you weak though but the small about I take works just fine for me.

im just took synthroid this year,,, and just recently i begin to feel my heart my doctor said my tests results were normal,,, i turned to Jesus and my suffering has a new meaning i just entrust my situation to him,, i felt relieved that im not alone,,,,,, i wish this drug will have no side effect,,,,, but i trust my lord

I AM SO GLAD TO KNOW THAT MOST OF YOU HAVE THE SAME SYMPTOMS. I am 25 yrs old and I went from 117-162 in about 4 years. I have been miserable!!!!! I was diag. in Aug. and have been taking SYNTHRIOD ever since when I first started taking it I took the medicine in the morning like the bottle and the doctor recommends, but I felt just like all of you. So I tried taking it in the afternoon for kicks and giggles to see if it would help at all. After about a week taking it at about 2pm I started feeling like a champ so I continued and now a month later I have lost 10 pounds. Just a suggestion......... The one question I do have is that I recently noticed that I have actually been ovulating and I am convinced that I haven;t in years hince why I have no kids I guess... Could your thyroid levels mess you up that bad to where you spend years not ovulating or should I go through the expensive process to see a fertility specialists. This is a question that I asked my doctor and of course they want to do 1000 $$$$$$$ tests to find out. Which I have no problems with in the future if worse comes to worse but I would like some advise from my fellow hypo sufferers and see if anyone was in the same boat as mee before being diag.

I have been on Synthroid and Levothyroxine for 12 years (I am 34 years old). All of a sudden, I had very achy fingers which got much worse over the course of two weeks until I could barely move them. Then my ankles hurt. I mentioned it to a coworker who told me the same thing happened to her but when she switched to armour it went away. So I drove an hour across town to the only doctor who prescribes it, and now just a few days have passed, and my pain has nearly ceased. I thought I had rheumatoid arthritis. I'm so glad I my coworker shared her experience with me. That is why I am posting now.

I have been taking levothyroxine for 25 years, my hypothyroidism was discovered when I was 2 weeks old. As soon as I hit puberty, I get fat (I was about 5 feet tall and 180 lbs). I have since had 2 kids, I am 5 foot 2 inches tall and about 197 lbs. I can't stand being fat and I can't do anything about it.

i just started taking synthroid for the first time, i am 54, started me on 25mcg which is a low dose, i noticed after about a month i started getting hot flashes all over again and my appetite was increasing, i am not overweight but i will be soon , I know i gained about 5 pounds in the last month, I do not like this so I decided (forget that) if it going to make gain weight, not sleep, have hot flashes, and i don't have any more energy and even getting more forgetful, it not worth it, I'll see how I feel without it!

After a year and a half of synthroid because of removal of my thyroid for cancer, I feel worse than I have ever felt in my life. Many tests have shown that there is no recurrence of the cancer. I would think I had fibromyalgia if it weren't that I read the blogs from other sufferers like me. I now take 150 mcg on most days. Some days I have to cut it down or skip it because I just cannot bear the body pain, weakness, brain fog, constant awakening in the night, severe cramping knee and leg pain, and muscle aches (there's no word strong enough to describe this pain -- 'aches' just doesn't do it). On the days I don't take synthroid I begin to feel like my old self. But my old self was 40 pounds thinner and losing. My old self walked three miles a day and hiked into the back country with my son. And my old self felt energetic and woke up every day with happy plans. Now I feel like an invalid. Some days I can barely walk. I cannot stand for longer than 5 minutes. I have tried cytomel, unithroid, and armour with varying problems. Synthroid is all that is left. Those of us who are dependent on this drug really need some good research on its effects. And we also need compassionate physicians who do not dismiss our pain and, it is not overdramatic to say, suffering.

hot flashes, headaches, night sweats, loss of focus, forgetful

Hi there,

I am reading all these postings and I'm here to say, "I survived Synth". I have been off for 15 days now and went the homeopathic route. My levels were always on the higher end even with 100mcg. They never really balanced out. I was so sick of vertigo, brain fog, and the WEIGHT GAIN. I stopped September 15. I will continue to have labs run just for piece of mind, but a major upswing for me......nine pounds have come off and I know I will go back to my ORIGINAL WEIGHT. I feel for all who are dealing with these side affects, it's not right. No more. I'm done.

I've been feeling dizzy for about a year and half. Recently switched from levothyroxine to Synthroid and upped the dosage slightly. Now I'm feeling worse! My endo seems to think there is nothing he can do for me but get my thyroid under control. Is anyone else experiencing dizziness from the meds? Is there a med that is better for this?

IVE BEEN ON SYNTHROID FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AND ITS BEEN HELL. I WAS STARTED OUT ON A 100MCG MY PERIOD STOPPED I HAD MOOD SWINGS HOT FLASHES AND MY IRREGULAR HEART BEAT IM 31 YEARS OLD I GAINED 42 POUNDS IN 1 YEAR MY FAMILY DOCTOR CHANGE MY SYNTHROID TO 125MCG WERE THEN I WAS RECEIVING TO MUCH NOW IM ON 112 WERE I HAVE BEEN IN REAL BAD LEG AND FEET PAIN AND AWAITING A CURE FOR THIS AWFUL ILLNESS IF ANYONE HAS ANY SUGGESTIONS PLEASE EMAIL ME B/C IM ALSO TRYING TO HAVE A BABY PLEASE REPLY ASAP

Hello Ladies....I am 56 and diaged Hashimotos disease 3 years ago.At the moment on 112mcg of synthroid....dosage started off low and have gradually worked up....So angry with drs...was seeing endo, but moved and using family practice...so frustrated with weight gain approx 25lbs since diag. Also does the word sweat ....mmmm perspire for all us ladies, mean anything? I can't even wash dishes without breaking out in to a sweat...mmm beads of perspiration....Dry skin, I own stock in Aveeno....Also....does anyone get "boil type" skin eruptions in the nether region...butt, inner thighs etc? Does anyone or has anyone done any serious research on Iodine? I try to eat as well as I can, was doing Weight Watchers and gained weight do ya hear me? I am questioning my idodine intake or lack of....Presently take mulit vit with 150mcg. Considering uping it and dc ing my synthroid...cuz docs have been useless....eat less, (how much more less?) exercise more...I swim so much I look like a freaking prune....Any comments?

i have been on 137 mcg of synthroid after a total thyroidectomy 1.5 yr/ago. i have since gained 40 lbs...am fatigued and irritable...have severe pain in both of my feet...and my hair is falling out by the hand full. i am 43 yrs old and had hopes of conceiving a child with my husband...but have had no luck for the last 6 months. i am interested in meeting with a holistic doctor that is willing to listen to my symptoms. my physician now is only interested in my blood leves. will someone recommend someone in san antonio, Texas?

I was on synthroid for 10 years after getting treated with Radio Active Iodine. As the years went by my period was all all over the place. They were heavy the first three days and lasted 9 days or more days. I spotted all the way through the month. Other times I was so late that I thought I was pregnant. I had PMS two weeks before I started and was irritable. I had low grade depression. I had anxiety and heart palpitations. My skin was dry and rough. I went to the doctor and had my blood test. He checked for TSH and T4 and T3 levels. He insisted they were normal and that something else is wrong wth me (he wanted to give me sleeping pills, anxiety pills, depression pills) and that it had nothing to do with my thyroid. He sent me to an endo to get a second opinion and he said my levels were normal too. I ended up going to a holistic doctor (paid over 1000 dollars for two visits plus meds) that checked under my feet (yellow) and my reflexes. She checked my reverse T3 and my free T3 and T4. It turns out that my body was not converting T4 to T3 the way they said synthroid (T4 only med) should. My diagnosis was hypothyroid. I was put on Armour and felt the difference in my skin. It was softer and moist! My teeth felt strong compared to before I felt like my teeth were getting loose. My stamina last longer and can run on the treadmil 45 min at six miles per hour. I am less nervous and my low grade depression seems to be lifting. My days are brighter and less anxious. My hair is falling less. I know I have a long way to recovery because my Adrenal glands need some healing and I am still being optimized. I might still need to be raised on the dose that I am in. I will never go back to synthroid! My period has improved drastically as soon as I started on Armour! I am down to 4 days of period and less heavy. I still spot on day 5 and 7 but it is nothing compared to what I went through when I was on synthroid (T4 med only). My gynecologist wanted to burn my uterus to control the menstrual flow. He said that he could also pull it out. It seems like main stream doctors are more interested in treating the symptoms than looking to see what is the problem that is causing the symptoms.

1990 - 2003 synthroid
Major bone loss
Complete hair loss

I am was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism about 2 years ago. I took the radiation treatment and was placed on Synthroid. Every 4 weeks the dosage was adjusted until my Dr doc determined 0.125mcg worked best for me. Well, at the time I was diagnosed I weighted about 150 pounds. Two years later I am at 180. I'm 5'8 so my doctor(s) tell me my weight is in portion to my height. Well, the extra weight is centered around my stomach and hips, I am extremely fatigued and lethargic, I have brain fog and would like to exercise but I'm just too tired. I heard about Armour but from reading some of the other experiences, it doesn't appear to be the 'cure all' solution either.

I don't believe you are experiencing side effects due to Synthroid - I have similar symptoms and just a couple of days ago my doctor and I have discovered that my symptoms may have to do with my PARAthyroid gland. I also have Chronic Kidney disease which also has a correlation to both the Thyroid and Parathyroid.

Ask your doctor to check your Ionized Calcium, PTH (parathyroid hormone), and your Vitamin D-25 - also your cholesterol levels. Also - check out GOITROGENS - certain foods and drugs, including SOY and Milk may affect your body's absorption of your levothyroxine dose (you may not be getting enough)

Why is it OK with the DR. if synthroid makes us gain weight?!!! I've been hyperthroid before and lost weight...why does the med make us GAIN weight...I've tried EVERYTHING....We must demand they do more research..something just isn't right..but what do they care as long as our blood work LOOKS right! We should have the same rights to meds that work as the rest of the population.

I had my thyroid removed 16 months ago. I had nodules and biopsies, but the biopsies couldn't tell if the nodules were cancerous or not---so I had the whole thyroid removed at my doctor's advice. I have been taking Synthroid and increasing the dosage---now up to 200---and I have gained 37 pounds!! I can't stand myself any more, none of my clothes fit,and I am so unhappy. I had gastric bypass surgery 9 years ago and lost 123 lbs. I had gained 20 lbs, but was stable for 7 years. Then I had the tyroidectomy and -boom- I'm fat again. I am really panicked. I don't want to gain all my weight back. It seems like I get fatter every day. My endo doesn't take me seriously, he says my thryoid is at the right level. I don't know what to do!!!!

I have been on Synthroid since 1983--varying dosages. Side effects have included: weight gain, heart palpitations,adrenalin misfires, extreme reaction to heat (sun burns) and body feels hot all the time, fingers go numb in cold weather. Just recently have not been able to regulate dosage--fluctuating between hyper/hypo. I would like to try a new medication with few side effects. Anyone had any luck finding a different med that works?

I have been on synthroid since 1982 after RAI to treat Graves. I had 1 child since then and was early 20's but around 30's started having weight gain and fatigue etc. I stopped the meds in 1992 on my own for several months then dr was very scolding and said never do that again. Ever since I went back on I have been gradually worse and worse. Went from 105 in 1982 to 192lbs now. I feel so helpless and lack of care from doctors in trwating me. 1996 had hysterectomy and both ovaries removed which has caused even greater imbalance of the estrogen and thyroid. I pray that I can find a cure that does not require medication like synthroid. Tried Armour in 2005 but did not get better. Lost a little weight but now I found it again and more. The only doctors in MN that I believe can help do not take insurance and I am single parent of 2 children and cannot afford to pay out of pocket expenses. I have already spent close to $1000 to the naturopaths but they sold me way too many supplements, I cannot even take all them its too much plus they both said lose weight. I have no energy or mind skills to implement a structured diet and exercise plan. Anyone know a doctor in twin cities, MN that takes insurance Preferred one that can help me with bio-hormones? Tmaya

IN FEBRUARY MY DOSAGE OF SYNTHROID WAS CHANGED FROM
100 MCG TO 200 MCG ... I AM WONDERING IF THE MAJOR CHANGE COULD HAVE MESSED UP MY MENST. CYCLE BECAUSE IN APRIL
I FOUND OUT I WAS PREG . AND DID NOT HAVE SEX ANY WHERE AROUND THE TIME OF MY USUAL MOST OVULATION CYCLE ... IN FACT BY THE ULTRA SOUND THAT WAS DOWN THE DOCTOR TOLD ME THAT MY LAST PERIOD WAS ACTUALLY LATER THAT I TOLD THEM
NOW MY HUSBAND IS ACCUSING ME OF CHEATING ON HIM
BECAUSE HE WORKS OUT OF TOWN AND WAS NOT IN TOWN
WHEN I SUPPOSEDLY GOT PREG I KEEP TRY TO TELL
HIM THAT MY MEDS PROBABLY MESSED IT UP

I am a female and was diagnosed with Hashimoto's three years ago (looking at old childhood photos I've probably had this all my life) and have taken Levoxyl and Synthroid in escalating doses over time. Initially 25mcg for about a year and that was the endo plan until bloodwork indicated a need for more. I quit taking it after a year as it seemed I was gaining weight. After a few months went to a different endo and he started the treatment again with 25 (I weighed 160 at the time) and now has worked it to 100mcg (I now weigh 178!!!). I thought that with the higher dose I would have more of a weight loss effect (definitely not weight gain) and thought I'd have more energy, better brain function and happier outlook. I am experiencing the complete opposite. The last time I visited the endo and he looked at my weight gain he just said to "stop it". I work out almost every day for 45 minutes to 2 hours, have a job that at times requires arduous work, I eat a very healthy diet full of fiber, low in fat, low in carbs. I'm always hungry and feel like eating to make up for a lack of energy. I come home from work exhausted. This isn't living. I've had it with the Synthroid and any form of T-4 alone. I'm going to see a natural healthcare professional to try Armour because none of the medical doctors I've seen will prescribe it or synthetic T-3.

Ive been on synthroid since Saturday august 23rd and I noticed Im more nervous like I want to climb the walls and im sweating profusly. I have lost over 100 lbs since February and I had blood work done on tues august 19th and the doctor put me on 25 mg. Im suppose to go back in 6 weeks and get my level checked again but Im going to call the doctors office tomorrow and tell them what is happening. If this is what is going to happen Im not staying on it. Im only 42 and I am battling deg.disc disease which hurts enough and sciatia.

I had always been 160 lbs since 8th grade, which was a fine weight for me bacause I'm tall and muscular. When I was 25 I gained 20 lbs over 3 months with no change in diet or activity. So I went to the doctor because hypothyroidism is very prevelent in my family. The blood work showed I was borderline hypothyroid, so the dr didn't suggest starting any medication. So I started working out 4-5 times a week for at least 1-1 1/2 hours per day. I also got on phentermine to help jump start my diet. After doing this for 2 months, I had gained 5 lbs. Which is crazy because anytime I needed to lose weight, I had no problem dropping 10 lbs in 2 weeks. I was frustrated but ignored it for a while because I got pregnant shortly after that. During the pregnancy, my throid was checked again and was normal. I weighed 248 lbs the day I went in to give birth. 2 weeks later, I weighed 210lbs and a month after that I was 200lbs. Then I went back to work,(where I walk continuously all day) and I could not budge my weight below 200 lbs no matter what I did. So I went back to the dr and I was slightly hypothyroid again. I opted to go on generic Synthroid 25mcg. I then gained 37 lbs over 4-5 months. So I went to another dr. to get on phentermine. I started the phentermine and lost about 27 lbs. I have been off phentermine for a while, but have been working out vigorously working out and watching my diet and couldn't lose another pound. So, I thought the synthroid might be making it harder to lose weight. I stopped taking it and have lost about 10lbs in the last month. I think there is definitely a connection in synthroid and my inability to lose weight. But I still can't get below 200lbs and I still feel sluggish. I am only 28 and don't think I should attribute this to age. I can understand age causing weight gain of 5-10 lbs per year but not 155lbs in May '05 to 183lbs in Nov '05 then to 200lbs in Jul '07. Please give me any suggestions you might have. Diet, medication, activities???

Welcome to my hell!

If I could choose to have my thyroid back, I take it and take my chances with the cancer. Well lets see... I take .300mcg of Synthroid and generally feel good only when I forget to take my medication for a couple of days. After about 3 days, I start feeling tired and will eventually start crashing for 10 to 12 hours at a time. OH! Ive heard that it takes weeks to level out, but I can feel the difference in about 3 days. Of course, the doctor says that's not possible, but then - he is holding my thyroid hostage.

I have gained 30 lbs. Have headaches frequently, get moody, AND now I get bloated when I eat. Im ready to try the Armour thing that Ive read about. Cytomel makes my heart race.

Im pretty sure that smoking helps! I read that it lowers your TSH levels.

Im just tired of feeling like sh_t all the time.

Just switched to synthroid 88 mcg after 8 yrs on Armour. My doctors found an ugly mass on my right thyroid and rushed me to surgery, certain it was Cancer: it was just an ugly goiter..now I have to take thyroid meds the rest of my life. :(

It took a year to get me regulated on Armour and I gained 30 #. 20:20 hindsite. I thought it was good and natural too... for 8 years

BUT here is an FYI: NOBODY TESTS THE PIGS. THERE IS NO QUALITY CONTROL TO SEE HOW MUCH THYROID WE ARE 'REALLY' GETTING.ANIMALS CAN BE HYPO AND HYPERTHYROID TOO.

Sooo... 7 weeks into a 90 day supply of my Armour and my pharmacy recalls it. I mention it to my doc who promply makes the connection and draws my labs, VOILA I am suddenly hyperthyroid AND now I can understand some of my crappy symptoms of late..

Lesson learned. Hoping to be feeling better soon. Hope you all find what works for you but these are all drugs and be aware.

Hi,
I am 50 years old. I was diagnosed with as hypo at age 39. My doctor prescribed Synthroid at 25mcg and I have (proudly-ha!) worked my way up to 125mcg. I was always one of the "lucky ones" who could eat any and everything and my weight stayed the same. I am a busy mom of two and a first grade teacher, so the 33 lbs. I have gained since age 39 has not been due to diet changes or sitting around with a bag of chips in front of a TV all day. I also questioned my doctor about this and he just brushed it off. Well, I am tired of not feeling good about myself. My life is in good order except for my weight. I want someone to take this seriously. Should I see a specialist rather than my regular internist?
Wow! I think I just lost a little weight telling you great people about this!
jf

I was put on synthroid a year ago, due to a tsh level of 87. I pretty much felt better right away after taking it. First I took 50mcg and then it was upped to 100mcg. Everything went well until I had my latest tsh test. The level was going up again (tsh 5.4) so the doctor decided to put me on 125mcg. After about a week I began feeling like crap. Slugglishness, tiredness, muscle pain, joint pain, and it became progressively worse. I have an appointment coming up thank god. In the mean time I read 3 books on thyroid and it was mentioned that most people don't benefit from just taking T4 (ie. synthroid), despite the fact that the pharmac. and some docs say that body breaks t4 down into t3.
Some people's body cannot successfully break it down enough, some are cellular resistant to thyroid hormones, and those people absolutely need t3 in order to not develop Hypometablolism. The cell need the T3 to function. But unfortunately one can be hypo and still have good TSH levels, because this particular test only tests if there is enough T4 in the body.
Unfortunately, it's so hard to explain that to mainstream doctors.
One doctor I read about said it right: Don't just treat the test results but also the bodily symptoms, for everybody is different anyways. Just like our finger prints are unique, so is our hormonal metabolism.
I'm going to try to talk to my doc about this, but if he doesn't listen I will look for another doc until I found one that will. Good luck to all in this hormone jungle.

Headache, confusion, swelling, sore throat, weight gain, anxiety, heavy bleeding.

I been on Synthroid now for 10 years. Almost right after I started the medication i started to have headaches. I had / have headaches every single day , all day long. Before the Syntthroid i NEVER had headaches, EVER. It has been 10 years and i still complain. I have spent so much money and wasted time on exams and doctors. All the doctors tell me is that i am stressed or its sinus or something else . Which i don't think i am . I have CT scans a few times. I am not crazy, i know what i am saying. Doctors don't listen. I looked on online and saw that headaches are a side effect. I went back to my doctor and explained. The doctor(s) insist that the Synthroid is not a cause of my headaches. With headaches every single day a person can not function normally.

I ran across this website and in a way i felt better knowing that this symptom is real and other people are experiencing the same thing. On the other hand it upset me that all these people are complaining and no one is listening.

Is there no solution?

It took 3 years for me to be diagnosed with hypothyroidism and for a year I tried levethyroxine. This was a total waste of time. I was so exhausted the kids kept missing school, I kept walking into things, couldn't remember anything so I asked my doctor to let me try armour thyroid. This has apparently T4 T3 T2 and T1 and the T2 is the one that helps your metabolism (weight).
The change is nothing short of miraculous...I know it may not work for everyone but it is worth trying. I also had very extreme mood swings and the doctors were considering manic depression, but the latest thinking with that is to take your TSH levels higher before considering drugs such as lithium. I have just moved to Reading and my new doctor thought my T3 levels too high so reduced my armour dosage by half .....BIG mistake. Ended up in bed for days, couldn't remember which day it was, and the mood swings
!!!!!!! screaming, tearing my hair in frustration, punching my boyfriend. I staggered, literally, in tears back to the doctor who reinstated my original dosage of 2 grains one day 3 the next etc. For me my TSH has to be 0.1,
T4 around 14 and T3 around 8 to 9; basically on the high side but my blood pressure stays low as does my body temp and I feel alive again. It is worth trying different variations synthetic T4 AND T3, and don't rule out armour thyroid if nothing else is working after 6 months of use.

I was diagnosed with graves disease last year, I had a really acute case that turned me into a total nut job.
In October after going through several thyroid storms and the doctors not being able to keep me stable with medications, I had a full thyroidectomy in October.
I started on .100 mcg of levothyroxine and then the dosage was gradually decreased, I started having a lot of random body aches, mood swings, lots of muscular pains and no energy.
They ended up raising my dosage and detected that I had a large vitamin D deficiency, after several treatments of taking 50,000 units of vitamin D, and also adding my levothyroxine dosage I started feeling better. I still have mood swings here and there, and feel sad periodically, but the last month or so I've been feeling more fine than I have in a long time. They have me on .170 mcg of levothyroxine for two months now. Last week I started getting headaches more frequently, and one of the times I got this nose bleed.
This past weekend I got a headache, and then later that night I had another nose bleed.
I don't usually get nose bleeds or this many headaches so I'm a little concerned.
Also the last time I was getting headaches and constant nosebleeds was when I was really hyperthyroid.
As far as the doctors go, I'm in between insurances and quite honestly I've been frustrated with both my pcp and endocrinologist...

Re: Dosage Confusion- Synthroid

This simple of communicating dosage became confusioning. To prevent confusion synthroid is always discussed in terms of (mcg). That is, micrograms (mcg) vs. milligram (mg).

This is of tremendous value The conversion factor is 1000, for example a dose of Synthroid represented as 0.025mg, would be converted as
.025mg x 1000=25mcg. To fully understand this blogger’s statement feel comfortable to talk with your pharmacist or physician.

I've been on synthroid now for about a year. My dosage is VERY little (0.075). My doctor keeps running blood tests every 3 months and assures me I am within the "lower-end" of the norm, but I still feel tired, sleep deprived, wake up with night-sweats and I keep gaining weight...

I am only 24 and have just been told that I need to take this medication for the rest of my life, it\s pretty depressing. I keep asking if there are other ways to lose weight and feel more energized. He tells me that I need to keep taking this medication and has put me on a "sleep hygeine" routine where I go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.

Does this "disease" mean I will always be overweight and tired for the rest of my life? I would like to know if someone else with more experience with this medication can give any sort of advice? Feeling a little hopeless about it and not really interested in complaining to my doctor anymore.

Thanks:)

I have just been switched to Synthroid (by my Endocrinologist) after being on Armour for 4 years. I have to tell all you out there that think "Armour" is the save all drug..and believe me I am not an advocate of Synthroid either because I have not been on it long enough to know what possible side effects I might have..however when I first started on Armour I felt like I did before I had been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism ..then about 1 yr ago I started to gain rate rapidly like 40lbs in 6 months feeling sluggish, off and on skin problems, puffy hands, face, feet,hives, pimples in the back of my head almost hive like,some hair loss that is noticeable to me as I have had very thick curly hair all my life now it is getting noticeably thin and It is making me very nervous...My Endo put me on .75 mcg Synthroid and .5mcg Cytomel which she calls a "controlled Armour"..Armour does not stay consistent with your T4's and T3 levels and that is what cause my thyroid to become suppressed and these are the symptoms I was experiencing...she also put me on Spironolactone which is a mild diuretic to lose the puffiness in my face,hands,and feet and so far so good...Like I stated earlier, I am not an advocate of Synthroid or Armour our any drug for that matter, I just want to find what is right for me and stick with it..and if Synthroid doesn't work for me, then I will try something else...Just remember one very important thing.."You" are the only one who knows how you feel and Dr's are not God they can't fix everyone that is why its very important to read about your disease and find out what things might work for you..I suggest getting this book I bought that was recommended to me by my Endocrinologist called "Screaming to be Heard" Hormone connections women suspect and doctors still ignore written by Elizabeth Lee Vliet, MD...its a fabulous book and I am sure all you women can relate to this book...its all about us....Most important thing is to stay healthy eat a well balance diet and exercise..also find out about the foods that only worsen thyroid problems...

The biggest side of taking Synthroid for me: it did NOTHING for me. ZILCH. ZERO. It was no better than a sugar pill. After 17 years of that nonsense, I switched to Armour and WHAT a difference.******

I have been on synthyroid for the past 4 months and my doses have been increased from .75 to .112 which I am currently on. I weigh 92 pounds, which is my normal weight, but it seems this new increased dose has increased my appetite (I always had a fast metabolism) given my palpitations, flushing, sweating, high and low blood pressure and generally feeling overstimulated. It's been two weeks since my dose was increased and I felt better with the lower doses. My endocrinologist keeps increasing my dose since my TSH levels are still not in the right numbers, but this new dose is making me sicker than I was before. Could this new dose be too high for me.

I have Hashi's and have been on Synthroid for about 2 years. I was recently on 75 mcg and was teetering on the brink of being hypo again so my doctor increased my dosage to 88 mcg last week. Ever since I have been on the new dosage, I have had the worst insomnia. I wake up covered in sweat (in air conditioning) and I feel caffeinated all the time ( I don't consume caffeine). I feel strung out! Is my body just getting used to the new dosage or am I being over medicated? I don't want to complain yet to my doctor if this is just my body getting used to the new dosage but this really is terrible.

Hello To All,

I too am on this med, I have been on it for 1 year as of July 2008-

35 pounds, brain fog, headaches, eye sight for reading, chest pain and fluttering heart beat. My doctor who is my friend has told me that he will up my dose... "Dear God" any more and I will go nuts. Does anyone know of any study done in a medical journal that theu could forward to me so I can show my doctor.

Please email me at ****** I would be so very thankful.

Thanks to all and be healthy.

I am a diabetic with hashi. I had been taking synthroid longer than metformin and had been on both for at least a year now. Recently I have been to ER due to heart palpitation and shortness of breath, so I had stopped my synthroid .1 for one day and felt better. So I stopped taking synthroid altogether, After 3 weeks I took it again because I was afraid not to follow my doctors order. 3 days into it, I was back to a high pulse, shortness of breath, chest pin and palpitation. I went to a different doctor,
and he agreed that we experiment on the dosage and try a generic brand.
I took .25 this time and I had the same reaction as taking synthroid .1.
I have now stopped completely, I am hoping to that my doctor will listen to me and will give something else other than synthroid.

Wow! So glad and sad to find other sufferers. I wish our doctors would listen to us and take us seriously! Why are they stuck on forcing Synthroid on us? At this point, I think I'd rather not take any Synthroid. I stumbled upon this site while looking for something I might take to counteract the effects of Synthroid. I had to halve my 112 mg pills because of the side effects: frequents headaches, bloating, weight gain, irritability and anxiety, dry mucus membranes (eyes, nose, throat, etc.), allergies, muscle fatigue, achy joints. Of course, my doctor is slowly upping the dosage again, because my TSH is chronically high, but I feel like sh*t, physically and mentally. I used to feel so much more normal and like myself before I was diagnosed and "forced" to take Synthroid.

Just posted, but having trouble with the website, maybe 'cause I'm new to it. Can't see my posts. Anyway, forgot another side effect (there are so many): more armpit sweating.

This medicine is horrible for me! I gave it a long while to give it a chance. Rapid weight gain, hair loss (ongoing), terrible aches and pains, hives, dead tired, terribly hot, irritable...the list goes on and on. After getting pro-active with my health care provider, I have now changed to Armour and now I'm remembering what 'normal' feels like again. I've lost all the weight I gained, my hair and skin feel much softer. I can't believe the amount of people that feel bad on this drug. It seems to be bad-mouthed all over the internet. I guess as long as the major drug companies retain it as the 2nd or 3rd best selling drug in the States and continue to fund, wine and dine and court physicians, we're never going to get rid of it. I chose to dispose of every single one of those evil pills. Armour stepped in to change my life for the better as Synthroid was slowly destroying me.

I have been on Synthroid for 12 weeks now. I have been experience extreme leg pain and knee pain on one side. Now my ankles ache in the morning and my elbow is starting to hurt. My doctor thinks there is no relationship of the synthroid and my joint pain.

I had a thyroidectomy on 4/16/08 and started on the generic synthroid right after that. The reason for the surgery was nodules and pre-cancer cells( I have had breast cancer and mastectomy 12/06. Since starting it, I have had swelling all over my body and was wondering if it could cause it. Since reading all these blogs, I see it is probably the cause. I am taking 75 mg and was wondering if maybe it's to high a dose.(?) I don't go to my Endo for a month but was planning on calling him tomorrow to see if I can half the dose until I see him-Is that a good idea or should I increase it? I'd appreciate all replies. Theresa

Twitching of the toes and fingers, wondering if this drug is the cause of it. I am a 47 year old female, been on the drug one year because I have nodules. They have been tested, so far no problem, but they test me every 6 months.

I have had Hashi now since 2000, i got it when I was still in high school. They though that was rare that this would occur at such a young age. No one in my family had it, well not quite yet. I was the first to get diagnosed. My gyn mentioned that there is a link between autoimmune and preeclampsia. I had a terrible preg. I take synthroid now well the generic. And I do not feel much better at all. But people who use Armour should be careful. My endocrinologist strongly disapproved to this. It is Pig tyroid. This is from a site "The prevailing opinion is that everyone converts all the T4 needed into T3 automatically, and that drugs such as Armour and Thyrolar are outdated and old-fashioned at best." Also does not mention much on Hasimoto patients like myself. I would like to try it though to feel better. The side effects are higher as well. Esp long term.
Unfortantly, what works for one, does not always work for another person. So though some have problems with there synthroid others do not. Also it takes a while for you to notice a difference with this. IF you take it regularly at the same time and follow instructions on eating as well as not take it with vitC then you should be experiencing something. If not then you really need to get a new endocrinologist. Regular doctors are not made to deal with these issues, though they try, you need to see a specialist. Just remember that you know how you feel and if Synthroid is not working for out then change.