Levothyroxine Side Effects
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I was recently diagnosed with an underactive thyroid. I have been taking levothyroxine for almost two weeks. For the last four or five days I have had a weird feeling. It is hard to explain. I don't really feel dizzy but I get a strange feeling in my head. I guess you would describe it as a head rush. Has anyone else had this feeling and will it go away as my body adjusts to the levothyroxine?

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Medications are expensive and dangerous so doctors don't dish them out lightly. Check with your doctor why you are prescribed each thing and voice your concerns. Yes, sometimes you end up taking one medication to alleviate the side effects of another (things like stomach meds for a short while whilst your body gets used to thyroxine). Some medications you can decide not to take and suffer the symptoms instead for example not taking anything to stop the itch from an an itchy rash that will go on its own BUT some meds you need to live and sadly thyroxine is one of those meds. Sadly because for some of us it takes time to adjust to it (I'm talking months here or even a year or two!). Try to think of medications supporting your body so that it can behave normally.Yes, it's a real drag but at least they are oral preparations and not injections. Thank goodness. Hope this helps

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I have been also, taking this medication for some time now myself. I am wondering, just how does one get their life back after being on the medication for a while? I have also, been taking several other types of medications and to me, I feel, as if, I don't even have a life anymore. I feel as though, my life has been taken up by taking medications on a constant basis now, and to be honest with you, I don't like the thought of taking them nor, what they are doing to me and my body. I for one, have never been for taking any medications of this magnitude and now, I can see why. Is there any serious side effects for one to discontinue to taking their medications all together? If so, please, do let me know. Look forward to hearing from someone on this matter.

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pj - very good advice. I will try that. I've started taking 25 mcg. two days ago and am doing ok. Thanks for your encouragement.

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dtl..try taking 25mcgs a day for six weeks. If you are ok with that then increase it on maybe alternate days for 6 weeks. If at any time you feel rough then go back to the 25mcgs until you feel better then increase it again maybe every 3rd day for 6 weeks etc etc, If on the other hand you don't get to the 6 week point stop taking it until you feel better then take it alternate days for 6 weeks etc etc. I lost count of how many times I stopped and went back to 25mcgs. It is just a matter of persisting and going as slowly as your body needs. Remember any you take is better than not taking it at all so going slow is ok if it gets you there in the end. Good Luck

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pj - thank you for telling your story. I took Armour w/out any problems for a year, then started feeling very ill (like w/flu), extremely nauseated and lost 28 lbs. When I stopped taking it, within 48 hrs. I felt fine. That's when my Endo started trying other meds. They all affected me the same way, except for compounded T4. I started w/25 mcg. daily and after a month increased to 50 mcg/day. A few weeks later I started having the nausea and flu-like feeling again. I stopped for 4 days and am now back on the 25 mcg/day. The Endo doesn't understand why I can't tolerate the meds and why I haven't gained back the weight I lost. I have read that low thyroid affects the gallbladder and am wondering if this could have something to do with it. Am having it checked. Thanks again for your response. Hope you continue to do well.

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dtl.... you need to take it slowly. As you have tried different brands I assume you've told your doctor. Yes they made me so nauseus that eating was hard work and I felt dreadful as well. The nausea bit was sorted by taking stomach meds from the doctor (proton pump inhibitors) just for a month whilst my body adjusted. then the other bit I resolved by taking it slowly to give my body time to adjust. I worked on the principle that any was better than none (my TSH was 100+). I took 25mgs maybe once or twice a week until I could take it with no ill effect (remember that each change takes 6 weeks for it to build up to the maximum it can in the body). I then increased it 25mgs at a time increasing the number of days one at a time (if you see what I mean). It took me nearly 2 years to get to 100mgs daily with no ill effects but I can say it was worth it. In the last 6 months my hair has got thicker (than I ever remember it), my stamina has increased and my libido has returned. My doctor thought I was mad to start with but now he really sees the difference. I hope this helps. (Oh, It makes you feel weird because every cell in the body is affected by it and they go a bit haywire when they have been short for a while and then get some!)

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I am hypothyroid w/a TSH of 45. ALL thyroid medications, even compounded, eventually make me nauseated and give me flu-like symptoms. I feel better when i stop, but I know i must take medication. Has anyone else had this problem?

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Great to hear that people are getting some relief with Thyroxine. Ricky - what you are saying about how you are feeling is very concerning. I have to say that prior to taking medication i felt more like you are describing - particularly with the joint pain. I struggled to concentrate, and basically everything slowed down for me. Since being on the meds, i do feel better, but it has taken quite a few months to get there. Part of that i imagine would be from my dose being adjusted, and slowly increased. The type of medication is such that it takes time to settle into your system (? correct medical terminology for this:P). I wonder if there is something wrong with your dosage? Prior to being treated my hair was getting thinner and thinner (and it's already thin!!!), i had put on a small amount of weight, but was working out like a dog (running for 1 hour a day). Keep on trying to all of you that are suffering - you can get there eventually. My hair is now thickening, I've stabilised my weight, i look thinner in the face (prior i had jowls and i'm only 36) - i do suffer a horrid scaly rash on my arms and wonder if it's from med? Some things the doctors don't know, and sometimes they don't seem to care to find out. Good luck :)

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Get exactly the same thing. Aftger exercising (running, biking) I have fainted briefly, with a pulse in the 150s.

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I was diagnosed with hypothyroid approximately 4 months ago, my mother is also hypo and had been telling me for years to get checked. I do not like taking any type of medication and did not like the idea of taking a pill for the rest of my life. I have struggled with wieght gain for the past 10 years, I am 34 years old. I started taking levothyroxine about a month and a half ago and have seen many changes already, my "foggyness" has decreased as has my hair loss and in the last 4 weeks have started to loose some wieght. So far so good.

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sometime after I started takin levothyroxin, I have had a terrible rash between my legs. it runs down both legs a little ways . I need some relief. Is it the medicine thats causing it?

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After reading all of everyones storys. I know now the feeling of discomfort from its the meds the Dr gave me for my underactive thiroid. I have tingle sensation threw out my face and sharp joint pains . Also my hair is thinning out and the feeling of being drunk and dizzy . The Dr said my thiroid is 42.8 under being normal but I definitely felt like a million bucks before I started takeing this . It has slowed me down at work, I lift 100lb boss all night long so my joints are givein me sharp pains even when I'm just trying to drink a glass of water . I'm always cold when I shouldnt be. After seeing all of you people with this I know now its the meds . All done . Good luck

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I've been taking a low dosage for over a year now. It's 25 mcg and at first I have to admit it gave me a feeling of being drunk. With time it got better. I take it at either 4:30 or 5:30 in the morning and then I sleep for another 3-4 hours afterwards and I wake up feeling fine.
It said u can take it at night also...u guys should try that. That way you don't feel the effects of it. Just a thought.

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My understanding is that the thryroid is removed if it is not performing properly - if this happens you will certainly need thryroxine for the rest of your life :( - i have been on it for quite a few months now and it definately has its ups and downs in the way i feel; but having said that, i wonder how much of this is just what all human beings expect (can't always feel great!) and also females may suffer more with PMT on top etc... You really need to give the medication time to work in your system - i have also discovered to take it at the same time (pretty much exact) every day, and not to eat anything for around 2 hours after. Certain foods and multivitamins can also counteract the effectiveness of it. Much information is available on the web and can really be helpful. Good luck :)

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I act the same way that I on top of it I am very moody and anything will set me off. I don't know what a thyroid does but I can not live with the moodness of the side effects. I almost lose a good friend not worth it. Can they take it out?

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I have had the exact same problems for 21/2 years now and every doctor thinks I am crazy.

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When you take thyroxine it is because your body is short of it...... Every cell in your body needs it so when you take it they all (the cells) sort of 'party' (hence palpitations) til your system readjusts back to having enough... hence all the weird side effects... It takes a long while for the body to adjust which is why side effects can be reduced by taking it slowly even very slowly.... slower than your doctor may want... but you have the symptoms, not them AND any thyroxine in your system is better than none so taking it slowly is far better than throwing the towel in and not taking it. Think of it as an 18 month adjustment programme. If you get there sooner great but if not be reassured you will get there. (there being a point where you feel better than you have for years!!) Talk to your doctors many will understand your problems and be happy to let you take it slower and if not and you go it alone keep them informed of the dose you really are taking. Don't just tell them what you think they want to hear as the more times they are told 'I need to go slower' by more people the better they will understand.

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Holly,
I'm in my sixties and although I have a good head of hair, I notice, particularly when I wash my hair, I'm losing a fair amount. I've been on levothyroxine for 5 weeks. My dosage is 0.075. That and a couple of sore teeth are my main problems. I haven't seen any reference to headaches but I'm getting mild headaches from somewhere which I didn't have 6 weeks ago.

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I, too, have a couple of teeth hurting since I started levothyroxine five weeks ago. I'm in my 60's so thought I might need a root canal. Visited my dentist - following X-rays and dental exam everything is ticket-boo!

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Thanks PJ. As each day goes by I learn something new about taking this medication. My doctor is still trying to get my TSH levels back into the reference ranges - this is why she has increased it as I found I was starting to feel very tired again, and achy arms and legs. Thanks for the advice of increasing it gradually - def worth a try. I am feeling better today, but have to say the last 3 days were terrible - and it's a worry for me that there is no warning this was going to happen. I had a blood test yesterday so will be interesting to see the results - will keep you posted. Great news for you that you are feeling so much better - I can completely understand that you are reluctant to have bloods taken

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