Is levothyroxine really that bad?

Question

Hi,

A week ago I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism after suffering ridiculous health issues for the last 18-24 months - tiredness, stress/anxiety, mental slowing, weight gain, stomach issues, constipation (if not the complete opposite!) constantly freezing cold, muscle aches and pains and generally just feeling miserable.

I've fought my GP for blood tests throughout this time as they initially kept trying to tell me I was suffering depression and trying to get me on anti-depressants. I kept refusing because I know my body and I knew there was something else to it all.

After finally getting bloods tested my TSH was 62.4 (VERY high!) and my thyroxine levels 4.8 (VERY low!) - hence immediate diagnosis and prescription of hypothydroidism and levothyroxine.

I've been prescribed 100mcg pills to start with a blood test scheduled for 8wks later to test again and work out next dosage stage from there.

In the mean time I've been reading many online articles and sites about levothyroxine and it's affects on various people and I have to say I am now absolutely scared to death of being on this medication (but appreciate I cannot stop taking it as that would also be disastrous).

I'm trying to give it time - I've only been on it 1 week and I am really not sure yet whether it's doing me good or not. Surely it's too soon to tell?

Yet I have read reviews from people saying it caused them massive weight gain, nausea, headaches, major cramps and muscle pain, brain fog, terrible hair loss and fatigue worse than ever.

I would question whether those people are sure it's the levothyroxine causing all this? Have they given it enough time to regulate in their system? Is it not just the normal symptoms of under-active thyroid they are experiencing only now they are more aware of it and perhaps looking to blame it on the drug they are now taking? Is it that the levothyroxine is speeding your metabolism therefore your appetite is bigger and that's why weight gain happens? Are they eating carefully and managing exercise etc or just eating more?

I just don't understand how a pill designed to replace a hormone your own body can't produce (which is supposed to help you) can really be so horrific to take?

I appreciate there are listed side effects with levothyroxine including hair loss etc but all in all my GP tells me this should make me feel like a new woman. But all these reviews have me petrified it's going to make me worse and a long road of exploring alternatives might be ahead of me.

Does anyone have anything good to say about vevothyroxine? :(

Answer

Here's my 2 cents: Your post says "Yet I have read reviews from people saying it caused them massive weight gain, nausea, headaches, major cramps and muscle pain, brain fog, terrible hair loss and fatigue worse than ever."

For me, the above was what it was like for me BEFORE I took Levothyroxine. Aflter about 3 or 4 weeks the issues were either gone or improved. Further blood tests revealed Hashimoto's Thyroiditis was the cause of my hypothyroidism.

Hang In there & be your best advocate.

Answer

I have been on varying doses of Levothyroxine for 10 years and it saved my life, I was so depressed and sad before I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Hypothyroidism. I still struggle with my weight but I also struggle with cheeseburgers. :-) I have done the Whole30 with a 13 pound loss in 30 days-I am pondering going gluten and dairy free for life. Pay attention to your body, what is right for you is not right for everyone.

Answer

Hi, I just recently started taking this medication, first was put on 50mcg, went back to check blood and thyroid and it was lower so she upped me to 75mcg. I have been so sleepy through out the day, barely can keep my eyes open, hair is falling out like crazy!!! I'm having trouble sleeping at night, and my appetite has gone from nothing to wanting to eat way more than I should! I just started the 75mcg. about a week ago. I don't know if I should just give it time or if I need to tell my doctor and try something else. But, good luck to all of you!!

Answer

My daughter has been on 150mg of this drug for 10+yrs and has had 2 healthy children in last 5yrs.. so i can only say its working for her... im also on this drug since 2.2 .16... and was also feeling ill for years and also had major  hair loss , finally diagnosed with thyroid problems, this triggered off auto immune problems for which i was put on steroids for 2 mths... WHAT A DISASTER... im left with more health problems than ever... ( the steroids have messed up my HPAA) stay away from these please... name of steroids is PREDNISOLONE.

Answer

Hi Pamela:
I am hypothyroid also. After trying Synthroid, bioidentical-compounded thyroid capsules, and Biothroid, and Armour Thyroid, I was finally prescribed Nature-Throid. It is the medication that was better than any of the others, in my opinion. I had a problem with the synthetic meds such as Synthroid. Levothyroxine is the generic form of Synthroid, and it not always consistent from batch to batch. It is one of the meds that is recommended to take the Brand name of,rather than generic, for this very reason.
Nature-Throid is available everywhere now. My insurance doesn't cover it, but I pay cash for it at Walmart and it only costs $16 for a 3 month supply. It is made by RLC Laboratories.

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NatureThroid works like Armour Thyroid, it contains T1, T2, T3, and T4. The combination of all these makes the T4 more effective in treating hypothyroidism where absorption is concerned. The difference of these two, is that Nature-Throid has hypoallergenic fillers, so there is no chance of being allergic to any of it. It is very effective and the safest form of thyroid medication, in my opinion. I have been taking it for 16 years. (And it doesn't stink like Armour Thyroid either).
When and if you take calcium supplements, be sure to take them 4 hours apart from your thyroid meds. Let me know if this helps. "G"

Votes: +2

Answer

Hi Pamela0106, I responded yesterday and not sure why it's not here now. However, in a nutshell, the brand worked better for me vs the generic. And as you've already learned there's some natural hormone available as well. Ask your docs to check your thyroid antibodies. Your case sounds so much like mine. Once my antibodies were checked I was positive for Hashimoto's, which is why I have low thyroid to begin with. Keep on keeping on. Best of luck.

Answer

Don't believe everything you read online. Yes, there are people who have problems with every drug on the market, but that doesn't mean you will. The only problem you might encounter is that the levothyroxine does not relieve all of your symptoms, and you might need to switch to a natural thyroid hormone such as Armour.

Answer

Boy, do I know exactly how you feel! I was you reading of people's bad experiences with this medication I was just prescribed and I was terrified. That was 4 weeks ago. I ate the same amount of food and had my usual activity level and I did gain 4 lbs the first week but found I had lost 8 lbs at my Dr appointment last week. I did have a racing pulse, some mild chest pains and slightly elevated blood pressure the first couple of weeks but have cut way down on caffeine consumption and those problems went away. I'm just now starting to feel a little better but don't know if its the levothyroxine or the fact I'm finally recovering from a flare up of Epstein Barre virus (mono). I have noticed the amount of hair shedding when shampooing my hair has lessened and the incredibly heavy periods I was having have improved considerably. My severely dry, itchy skin improved, also.

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My Dr explained those problems are common with hypothyroidism and should improve with the levothyroxine but would take several weeks. I decided to stick it out and wait to see how I felt and I'm glad I did. I hope things will continue to improve as time passes. The only way you'll find out how it will affect you is to take it and give it some time. Make sure you address any symptoms or concerns with your Dr. Best of luck to you.

Votes: +1

Is levothyroxine really that bad?

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