Levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal User Reviews (Page 5)

• Apl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2022

Levothyroxine "I have used Levothyroxine for 30 years. I was first on Synthroid, but had to switch due to cost. Then I was on generic levothyroxine 125 mcg. Five years ago, I was lowered to 100 mcg, everything was still fine. Three months ago, Walmart filled my prescription with Euthyrox. I have taken this for 2 1/2 months. I feel horrible, I already have heart issues, R.A. Now I have no energy, my hair is falling out, I am gaining weight, all the stuff I used to have. Also, my blood work shows my thyroid is low. How could Walmart just up and give me this crap drug? Doctors need to make a stand for the patients. If they don’t give me what I had, I’m done with Walmart."

• Thi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 3, 2021

"After Levothroid was no longer manufactured, I tried Levoxyl. My body did not respond well to this. I get hives from Synthroid. So, I am on a generic. And since I have no other alternative, I go from Mylan to the Bayer, now on Acella (2 months). My legs are swollen, especially my feet. Muscle pain, skin itches, and I have a rash. Kidney pain. Gastrointestinal problems. The list goes on. I just wish they would make a decent replacement. I have lived without a thyroid for 49 years. I have not woken up in the morning feeling refreshed. Just as tired as when I went to bed. These are no replacements."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 17, 2023

"If you start on the Synthroid brand, sometimes you cannot switch to the generic Levothyroxine. Reason: a person can be allergic to the fillers in the generic brand. But if you start on the generic, you can switch to the Synthroid brand. Many, many years ago, this was settled in a Federal District Court case. The worst side effect I had was spontaneously falling asleep, especially during a conversation, therefore, I was afraid to drive a car until I got back on the Synthroid brand. Another was mood changes and crying for no reason. Due to changes in state law, pharmacies were required to fill prescriptions with generic drugs unless doctors notified them otherwise."

• chr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 5, 2021

Levothyroxine "I was switched to Euthyrox (Walmart Pharmacy) because I guess their contract ended with a different generic and it was becoming increasingly difficult to get those ordered every month. So, I said screw it and obliged to Euthyrox. Just like my experience in the past with switching thyroid meds, I had every reason to believe this would make my thyroid go completely bonkers, and I had even prepared to get labs done frequently. And to my surprise, my labs have stayed normal and have even improved by a few decimals. Note to patients: get labs done frequently whenever switching thyroid medications. Better yet, try not to switch at all. But if you have to, get labs done as much as you can. I wish doctors and pharmacists made their patients aware that switching different brands and generics can cause some issues. Do your due diligence and you'll be fine. I'm actually glad to be taking Euthyrox, an actual brand-name drug for the price of a cheaper generic. The blister packaging is great."

• Suz...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 29, 2019

"Nine years on this med and I feel worse. Osteoporosis, I developed it after being seen for extreme hip pain, a bone density test was ordered and osteoporosis was seen. I have to have hip and lumbar injections. I also feel research should be reevaluated on desiccated thyroid meds. My mother and grandmother were on this type and did wonderfully. The claims against it sound like a classic coup for pharmaceutical companies."

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 18, 2022

Levothyroxine "This stuff is awful. Had thyroid removed November 17th, 2022. It took a while to get my levels normal. When they finally were normal, I felt terrible. Chest pains, anxiety, going from cold to burning up, insomnia, loss of focus, and so much more. Through the grace of God, I found this website. The doctor immediately changed my medication when I showed him what I found. It is really bad and makes you feel out of control because you can't slow your heart down or do anything about the anxiety. I have been off of it for 3 days, and I am praying the side effects go away soon. If you are having these problems, take a deep breath and give yourself a break. Exercise was the only thing that would help, but the chest pain, fast heartbeat, and anxiety would come right back. Tell the people around you so they can give you a break. It makes everything really hard, and the smallest thing will frustrate you, and then you feel worse. Try to remember it's the medicine and not you, and it will get better."

• sal...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 18, 2021

Levothyroxine "I had the right side of my thyroid removed 3/10/20 and started on Euthyrox about one month later at 75 mcg from Walmart, and the side effects stink. Since I have not been on this medicine, side effects are terrible. They have switched me to 50 mcg and have more side effects. Going to switch to Walgreens to see if anything is better. Because I can't live with the pain I am in right now."

• Von...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 11, 2022

"Poor experiences from this medication. The side effects and warnings given with the drug, take notice, it does happen. Headaches, irregular heartbeats, shortness of breath, flushing, and swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, and lower legs! Yes, you can have all of these from the generic. They try to tell you the makeup/compounds are the 'same,' but they aren't! If they were, you wouldn't have all of the side effects. I can sit in a relaxed position watching a comedy, all of a sudden, my heart will race and shortness of breath until the episode subsides. I don't have any of these problems with Synthroid. Unfortunately, my insurance requires prior approval for the brand name. My doctor and I have to jump through hoops every year to get my insurance to cover the brand name."

• Ban...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 9, 2017

"Levothyroxine 50 mcg was prescribed. First-time user. First day took only half. By midday, I felt hyperactive. Had difficulty falling asleep at night. 2nd day took 1 tab. Still felt overactive for the day. Still insomnia 3rd, 4th, 5th day, heat intolerance set in. I had the air conditioner on all day and all night. 6th day, all were felt, and at about 7 pm, a severe headache was felt while at a party. Headache was so severe it felt like the pressure on my head was going to burst off my head. Cooled off by putting ice on my face, which also made my glands swell, did not lower the pressure on my head. Took blood pressure reading when I got home. It was very high. I have never felt such a pressure headache before in my life, nor high blood pressure reading."

• MRa...
• November 30, 2009

"I have Grave's disease, and after treatment, my thyroid is hypoactive. My doctor put me on the levothyroxine, but I struggle with constant fatigue and insomnia. I changed to Armour thyroid a few months ago and noticed considerable improvements-not only in my fatigue and energy levels but in my mood. I struggle with depression while I'm on the levothyroxine, but I don't on the Armour thyroid. Also, on the Armour thyroid, my skin and hair were much healthier, my appetite and gastrointestinal system more regular, and what an incredible thing it was to actually sleep! I have had to go back to the levothyroxine because of problems getting the Armour thyroid (it's on backorder). I have insomnia again, and I'm always miserably tired."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 31, 2020

Levothyroxine "I took Armour Thyroid for 40 years, and Dr. put me on Levocyl. Anyway, a few months ago, he dropped my dosage to 50 from 75. The tests showed there was a need. I feel drained... tired. Can I get back on 75 even if the test shows I should be on 50?"

• Bob...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 4, 2019

"Oroxine does not work, and you usually get most of the side effects that they have listed on their CMI sheet. Also, Aspen is the only manufacturer of thyroid meds, including generic brands. Oroxine is a T4 medication only, which doesn’t work. Aspen also makes Tertroxin, which is T3, but doctors either don’t know about it or won’t prescribe it for some reason. I have been on Oroxine for 8 and a half years. Two years ago, I was diagnosed with osteoporosis and now stage 3 kidney disease-side effects of too high a dose of Oroxine. Aspen needs to do a customer survey to see how many people are struggling every day by taking a medication that doesn’t work."

• Luc...
• August 24, 2017

"I got a total thyroidectomy around 5 weeks ago following a small papillary carcinoma. No need for RAI, so I was started on 125 mg/day of thyroid replacement pills (100 mg levothyroxine and 25 mg Sythroid). I am feeling completely normal and can't notice any changes in energy, etc., since the surgery. Everything is going smoothly!"

• DCG...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2022

Levothyroxine "I do love the internet for this type of communication. Wal-Mart switched me back in late November 21 to Euthyrox. By late December, I thought I was going to need my prostate removed. Body aches, joint aches, fatigue, and brain fog to boot. Do not let it happen to you. Back on levothyroxine, and after 2 days, everything improved."

• Ext...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 8, 2022

Levothyroxine "I was doing okay on Levoxyl until my last refill. Finally put it all together tonight and figured it out. Refilled March 3, 2022, and started to feel bad three days later. At first, I was tired, and then cold, hair falling out, my ears are ringing, increase in appetite, aches and pains, constipation, dry mouth, foggy brain, and just getting worse and worse. I do not have a thyroid, so I completely depend on the medication. This happened once before when I was on levothyroxine, and they ended up recalling that med. This is awful. Will call pharmacy tomorrow. Heart rate is in the 50’s, slowing down."

• Jos...
• November 22, 2020

Levothyroxine "I had large thyroid nodules and was advised to have a thyroidectomy, which I did 5 months ago. It seems that it is hard to adjust my dosage of thyroxine, which started at 11 mcg, 88 mcg, and now down to 50 mcg. I was told that my thyroxine level was low. Is this usually normal after having a thyroidectomy? The nodules were benign."

• Rob...
• September 30, 2015

"Diagnosed summer of 2000 with Graves' disease. (I was a hot mess with a huge goiter in my throat, and my eyes were bulgy, along with hair falling out and weight loss, mood changes) (5-6 years prior to finally being diagnosed with Graves, Drs thought I had major depression and anxiety). A few weeks later, I had radiation therapy to kill off my thyroid. Endocrinologist put me on non-generic Synthroid. Then the Synthroid was recalled, and I panicked. I have to be on this med, if not, my life is over. But then Dr. put me on Levothyroxine, and I'm here today. It actually works better than the Synthroid. I'm currently on .200 MCG a day."

• JRR...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 4, 2022

Levothyroxine "Within just a few days of taking this brand of medicine, I broke out in head-to-toe hives, rapid heart rate, and trouble breathing. I’ve been on the generic for levothyroxine from Walgreens and Kroger for years with no issue. Had to get a steroid injection from the doctor and she immediately called in a new prescription to Walgreens for levothyroxine. I’ve filed with the FDA and will be talking to Walmart tomorrow, who is who switched me to this horrible medication. After reading these reviews, I know I’m not crazy for how bad this medicine made me feel."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 4, 2021

Levothyroxine "I have been switched to Euthyrox and have been taking it for 8 days. The pharmacist said it's the same thing but different packaging. Day 4, I started to feel lightheaded, nauseated, terrible muscle aches, and feeling extremely tired. Very hard to concentrate, so I had to go to the ER, they said nothing was wrong and levels were fine today. Maybe I was getting a virus. Now that I am reading these posts, I am convinced it is this new medicine. I was on levothyroxine for 10 years and had no problems. A few days of this and feeling like rubbish! I emailed my doctor to let them know and got a hold of the office, and they show that the only one he prescribed was levo, not Euthyrox. I am contacting Walmart and my doctor again to get my levothyroxine back. If you stop taking Euthyrox, how long before side effects go away? The ER brushed me off without even checking into it. I told them about it, but labs were normal today. If I kept taking it, I wonder if my labs would have come out worse."

• Dr ...
• July 12, 2009

"Reviewers who have had deleterious symptoms after using this drug after thyroidectomy due to cancer were either overdosing or underdosing it. Adequate dosing has virtually no side effects for otherwise healthy patients."

• hca...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 6, 2021

Levothyroxine "Had my thyroid removed in 2006, and have been taking Levothyroxine for years with no issues. Walmart recently switched me to Euthyrox. Just had my labs done, and my TSH level was 20! Warning to everyone, do NOT take this medicine!"

• Mon...
• April 10, 2021

Levothyroxine "Thank you, everyone, for sharing your experiences with this drug. I couldn’t figure out why my hair was falling out, and I was dizzy all the time since I filled my prescription in January at Walmart! Switched back to levothyroxine tonight!"

• Mai...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 9, 2021

"I had a thyroidectomy in 2006 - benign growth. For 12 years, I was on Levothyroxine Milan mfg. and my TSH stayed around 2.6. About 3 years ago, due to an insurance change, they substituted from Milan to Lannett mfg. I spent 6 months going back to the doctor for excruciating neck and headache. I found out, after research, the Lannett mfg. had a lactose binding agent in it. I changed doctors, he thought it was all in my head and told me to get a massage. I went back to Milan mfg., but my TSH recently has been .26. Started having pain nightly on the mastoid bone behind the left ear, insomnia, and joint pain. I am so frustrated, I like my doctor, but he isn’t an endocrinologist. Anyone have symptoms like these?"

• mmm...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 20, 2020

Levothyroxine "Synthroid in high doses can precipitate hyperthyroidism and, in severe cases, thyroid storm, cardiac shock, severe tremor, etc. It is often given with other medications that interact, such as lithium, and therefore some chemical synchrony and finesse would be required. Mistakes can be avoided that way. The opposite, of course, is hypothyroidism. I hope we can have a collaboration between chemists and doctors in polypharmacy. Experience has taught me quite a bit. Cheers."

• reb...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 29, 2022

Levothyroxine "In 1995, I had my thyroid removed. In 2003, there were thyroid nodules. They were removed. Later, I found some of it had grown back. I've been taking levothyroxine for 20 plus years. Just like everyone else, around the time the pandemic started, all of a sudden my prescription was switched to the Euthrox brand. I didn't really think much of it. I just blamed the pandemic. But the funny thing was, my mom's thyroid meds were not changed. (Maybe because of her age?) I never thought about it. My doctor didn't know about it. She didn't think much of it, said it wasn't recommended, but since I really wasn't complaining and she was preoccupied with life, I guess she kept me on it. She didn't monitor it well. I went to another doctor. Well, a lot of the effects mentioned here started popping up - but I didn't think it would be the meds. After many tests, the new doc put me back to levo. I started today. I will update in 30 days. Stay on the medicine brand you originally started on. Follow the plan. You know your body."