Levothyroxine and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2021

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "Was switched to Euthyrox 4 months ago from levothyroxine at Walmart pharmacy. This change was made without my doctor's approval. I was told it was the very same medicine I had been getting before. It is not the same medication. I have begun having extreme dizzy spells, severe anxiety, and shortness of breath. I've been on the same dose of levothyroxine for over 10 years, and now my levels are extremely high. I'm experiencing an overdose of levothyroxine. My doctor has prescribed a lower dose and wanted me to go back to taking the original levothyroxine. I went to Walmart this morning to pick it up, and they filled it again with Euthyrox. They talked me into keeping it. After reading these comments, I am not going to be taking this brand! I will be calling the FDA and Walmart Headquarters on Monday morning!"

• ACB...
• May 12, 2013

Levothyroxine for Hashimoto's disease "I was affected by the Levoxyl recall and was devastated. I had been on Levoxyl for Hashimoto's for about 3 years, it was the only thyroid med that made me feel what I thought at the time was 'good'. Looking back, I wasn't good at all...no sex drive, weight gain, swollen face, extreme anxiety. I switched to Tirosint about a month ago, and when I noticed these side effects dissipating, I was ECSTATIC but also so confused! I had no idea the Levoxyl was causing so much negativity in my life. Tirosint has NO fillers, and for that reason, all those negative side effects from Levoxyl were gone. I dropped 5 lbs almost immediately, taking me back to my post-Hashimoto's weight. Sex drive was back, anxiety decreased. Best of all, I'm just happy again!"

• Doe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 3, 2020

Levothyroxine for Hashimoto's disease "This stuff is just awful! I’ve had my TSH go as high as 52.0 (wasn’t aware it was that out of control) and felt better than I do now on years of treatment on brand name Synthroid! Endocrinologist just doesn’t seem to agree? And now I have a whole new set of symptoms such as itchiness all over, horrible anxiety, headaches, weight gain, the list goes on and on, and nothing new has been added to my daily routine, I know it’s this medication, I hate it. Just throwing this out there for anyone else so that you know you're not crazy! Good luck!"

• Sky...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 18, 2019

For Underactive Thyroid "When Dr. increases the dosage for levothyroxine, I get overly anxious, palpitations, lack of concentration, can't sleep, an overall feeling of not feeling well, faintly feeling, no energy, bloated, itchy, eye problems, irritated, confusion, feeling like crying, very emotional, and this is only taking 50mg. I felt I was dying. The moment I took half of 25mg like I was doing before, I returned to my normal self. Doctors don't care about your symptoms, they just want to go by the book, and I'm not the only one reporting this. Others like me are out there. Doctors are not listening to us."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2021

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I was on Nature Throid for 13 years with no problems until they stopped manufacturing it. I tried Armour and experienced anxiety! I switched to Levothyroxine and have been in the dumps, suffering from upper back and neck pain ever since. Recently, I switched to Tirosint, my hair immediately started falling out, and I was having severe hot flashes. I stopped taking it, and both issues resolved, so now I just take Levo every other day. I'm not sure why these manufacturers cannot figure it out when there are so many people suffering. Please, someone manufacture Nature Throid again. I am at a loss."

• Hyp...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 23, 2019

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I am a 57-year-old woman who has hypothyroidism. I've been taking 100mcg of Synthroid for 10 years. I dread taking this pill every morning. I feel like I have an out-of-body experience, blood rushes to my brain, causing anxiety, hair loss, muscle and joint pains, itching all over, brain fog, and insomnia. For the past week, I have been cutting it in half. I will be stopping this crazy cycle. I have lost so much weight just from the anxiety and insomnia. I do not want to have to rely on a synthetic pill and Klonopin, and be told I am depressed. I feel better without it."

• Bre...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 21, 2016

For Underactive Thyroid "This medication is used to treat low thyroid hormone levels. I have Hashimoto's. This is an autoimmune disorder where the body attacks the thyroid until it no longer functions properly. Many people with low thyroid hormone levels have this but are not aware because doctors tend to treat with the medication rather than the whole disease. A lot of the people posting claiming side effects are actually describing side effects of LOW THYROID or HIGH THYROID! The medication is simply a replacement hormone and will not make you constipated, have brain fog, anxiety, fibromyalgia, heart palpitations, etc. unless you are taking TOO MUCH or TOO LITTLE of the hormone. A lot of the negative reviews of this medication are absolutely ridiculous!"

• Anonymous
• March 17, 2020

Levothyroxine for Hashimoto's disease "Synthroid is terrible, it gave me an exacerbation of mental health symptoms! Nervousness, restlessness, anxiety, fatigue, constant dark thoughts, and depression. My TSH dropped from 0.50 to 0.02, and still no symptoms of hyper, just the same symptoms of hypo: weight gain, tiredness, and depression. I thought I was losing my mind! Trying to adjust my psych meds, thinking that was the issue, didn't work because it was the levo causing the problem. It's difficult to separate symptoms of mental health problems from thyroid problems because they can be similar. I got a referral from my PCP to see an endocrinologist. They switched me to Armour. Significant improvement. Levothyroxine stinks! I'd rather take no thyroid medication and suffer the consequences than take Levothyroxine."

• Anonymous
• March 17, 2020

Levothyroxine for Hashimoto's disease "Synthroid is terrible, it gave me an exacerbation of mental health symptoms! Nervousness, restlessness, anxiety, fatigue, constant dark thoughts, and depression. My TSH dropped from 0.50 to 0.02, and still no symptoms of hyper, just the same symptoms of hypo: weight gain, tiredness, and depression. I thought I was losing my mind! Trying to adjust my psych meds, thinking that was the issue, didn't work because it was the levo causing the problem. It's difficult to separate symptoms of mental health problems from thyroid problems because they can be similar. I got a referral from my PCP to see an endocrinologist. They switched me to Armour. Significant improvement. Levothyroxine stinks! I'd rather take no thyroid medication and suffer the consequences than take Levothyroxine."

• And...
• October 10, 2018

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I have Graves' disease and took RAI (radioactive iodine (I-131)) to treat the disease, which means now I have to top up my thyroid levels. I've previously taken Levoxyl, Synthroid, and lastly Armour. I always felt miserable with Levoxyl and Synthroid, which is why for the last three years I was taking Armour. Within the last year of taking Armour, I've had terrible inflammation, joint pain, anxiety, insomnia, hair loss, dry skin, weight gain, and the list goes on. It was coincidental that I forgot to take an Armour pill and realized how in one day all my symptoms went away. The next day I took my Armour and they all returned. It was so bad that I couldn't even bend my knees. I was miserable! I've been reading about Tirosint for the last few months, and my endo was more than accommodating to let me try it. WOW! What a difference! I'm not as hungry, losing weight, no anxiety, sleeping through the night, and overall just feeling great, as I've never had thyroid issues. However, I did have some heart palpitations last night. I'm going to get my lab work done today, as I feel the dosage may be too high."

• Deb...
• January 7, 2014

Levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I had my thyroid irradiated in 2005 due to Graves' disease caused by Hep C treatment (Ribavirin & Interferon). At first, I saw an endocrinologist that prescribed Armour Thyroid, but loss of job and insurance forced me to go to a free clinic, where I received Synthroid. The clinic doesn't seem to understand the difference between experiencing low thyroid levels from naturally occurring hypothyroidism and complete loss of thyroid. My NP says to me, incredulously, 'You take an awful lot of thyroid!', and at that time, I was only taking 75mcg a day. Finally, after three years of 75 to 100mcg, when I felt absolutely crazy (tired, confused, hair loss, cranky, paranoid, angry, enormous weight gain), she now has me on 150mcg which seems not perfect but better."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 27, 2012

Levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I had half my thyroid out almost three months ago. Started taking medication about five weeks post-op. I have become depressed and stressed. Everything bothers me and I cannot let it go. I go days without sleeping and live on black coffee. I have the shakes and hate everybody and everything. I cannot rid myself of the stress. I do not know if this is the medicine but that is the only new medicine I have been taking."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 15, 2016

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I was taking Levothyroxin 50mcg for the past 3 months. My initial TSH was 13 when I started Levo; within 2 months, my TSH dropped to 2.5. Although my levels were normal, I continued to have some fatigue, sleepiness upon waking, night sweats, facial flushing, anxiety, and horrible brain fog. I decided to try my sample of Synthroid 50mcg and within a week, the brain fog, night sweats, and sleepiness were gone! I wake up with the most energy I have ever had! I am still experiencing some anxiety and facial flushing which we are monitoring, but overall Synthroid is working for me! I am 32 years old and 9 months postpartum. I also take my dose at night, hours after dinner."

• Jo ...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 8, 2018

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "For underactive thyroid, I was first given Synthroid. I had very bad side effects, which included feeling very hyped up, terrible insomnia, and anxiety out the roof. I felt crazy, like I was on street drugs or something! Horrible experience that went on for many weeks. I finally was able to see an endo, who right away put me on Tirosint. Wow, what a difference! No side effects. It took almost one year to get my levels right and my medication dose settled in, but it was worth it. In the short term, I felt much better after about a month. My doctor says the dyes and other fillers could have been causing my previous reaction. I am super sensitive to drugs and will not take over-the-counter meds or anything because of this. Tirosint is worth the extra cost if you are having problems like mine. They do offer a $35.00 coupon good for 18 months online if insurance won't pick up the cost."

• atr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 21, 2013

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I was on Tirosint for over 6 months, and during that time, I've had fluctuating blood pressure, a sore neck and throat, sleepless nights, nervousness, and generally not feeling well. While it may work for some, it didn't work for me. I am now on the natural hormone Armour Thyroid, and I hope to stay on it."

• No ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 14, 2020

For Underactive Thyroid "I have only been taking this drug for seven days after being diagnosed with hypothyroidism. This drug is awful. I honestly would not suggest it to anyone. I feel like I'm pregnant and have menopause at the same time! I'm having hot flashes, sleeping terribly, my emotions are way out of control (got really upset and in tears over something that normally wouldn't make me react that way). I feel bloated, my joints hurt worse than they did before this med, my heart is racing, and I've had muscle spasms in my back, chest, and legs. I've also gotten severely nauseated for multiple hours every single time I've taken it. It was so bad yesterday that I had to run to the bathroom because I thought I was going to throw up. I also feel very tired, more depressed than usual, and I have intense anxiety that is making me paranoid. Never again will I take this drug! Don't put yourself through it. It's not worth it."

• Lou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 20, 2020

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "Euthyrox is a horrible medicine! I've been taking levothyroxine for a few years without any problems from Walmart pharmacy. The last time I had my prescription filled, they gave me Euthyrox, and I noticed right away that it was new medicine and talked to the pharmacist about it. He told me they were running a short supply of the levothyroxine and Euthyrox was the same as the levothyroxine. I came home with the new medication and gave it a try. Since starting the new medicine, I have had hives, angioedema, and anxiety now going on a month. I called Walmart, and they immediately filled my levothyroxine, and they told me the two medicines had the same ingredients but different inactive ingredients, and that was probably why I was breaking out with hives/angioedema. I have been off of the Euthyrox for almost a week and still having hives. They are some better, but I'll be so glad when they are gone. I won't be trying new medicine again. I'd rather not take any at all."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2021

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "So I have been taking Levothyroxine for the last 14-ish years. I get my script filled by Walmart, and for some reason, I started to get this brand. Since I've been taking it, I have had all the following side effects: irregular heartbeats, shortness of breath, nervousness. I actually went to the doctor, and she lowered my dose since my thyroid levels are now off. My dose was lowered from 125 to 112. I was using my older 112 from an older script and started to feel better within about a week. When I ran out, I started to take this brand at a lower dose, and within 2 days, I am back to the horrible side effects. I will not take this brand anymore... I called the pharmacist, and they are going to see if they can get my old brand back, or I will switch to another pharmacy! I will not take any more of this medication."

• Ree...
• August 11, 2019

Levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "Graves disease/RAI diagnosed 2004. Today is day 19 on Tirosint. I have rapid heart heartbeat, shortness of breath, waking up gasping for air, body sore in the weirdest places, hips, calves, under both armpits, as if they are bruised. Major anxiety, I feel like I am vibrating throughout my entire body, shaking so bad I sliced my finger open cutting veggies earlier. Zero history of any sort of anxiety issues. Have experienced a few episodes of leg cramping, but the seized muscle from my neck down into my shoulder on the left side is very painful. Maybe the dose is too high because it is a concentrated, more natural version, which I understand, not chancing anything more serious. I have read wonderful reviews about this medication, and we are all different, this is simply my experience."

• l2b...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 28, 2015

Levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "Due to thyroidectomy, I am hypothyroid. While on Synthroid, I felt awful. High anxiety, quick to anger. Definitely did not like this drug. I like Levoxyl and Nature-Throid. Doing better. Keep trying other meds if you feel awful."

• Pat...
• June 23, 2016

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I have had trouble with my hypothyroidism for 40 years. For the last 4 years, it has been out of control. I can't keep my levels good. I fall asleep at the drop of a pin and I am tired all the time. My doctor put me on Tirosint. At first, I felt like a million bucks! Then the panic attacks started, along with bad cramps in my legs and feet. But the worst was feeling like I was in a constant state of diverticulitis. I was taking pain meds and on antibiotics for weeks! Then I stopped taking it. It went away. It has only been a couple of days, but my belly is feeling better. However, my anxiety is still running at a 9, along with irritability."

• M51...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 17, 2013

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I had been on Levoxyl (name brand) for about 10 years when they just recently decided to recall the medication from the pharmacy shelves. I was on 0.50 mcg three times per week and 0.75 mcg three times per week with one day off altogether. I did very well on it. My thyroid had finally gotten to the normal range when they decided to pull it off of the shelves. Now I am at a loss as to what to take. The doctor put me on Synthroid (Levothyroxine 50 mcg). I took it for a month. It was not too bad at first but as it started to build up in my system I began having tremors and feeling jittery all of the time with a weak feeling in my legs and muscles. I am now on Synthroid but don't feel all that good."

• Nat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 10, 2019

For Underactive Thyroid "I took this for 12 days. Day 6-12, I legit thought I was losing my mind. I’ve always had anxiety, but this junk made it go through the roof, and it was completely different than my “regular anxiety.” My chest felt tight, shortness of breath, felt like my skin was simultaneously on fire and crawling, and my brain felt super weird, plus depression. Once I figured out it was the Levothyroxine, I switched to Nature Throid, and I’m MUCH better! I’ll NEVER take this meds again."

• Hop...
• October 18, 2013

Levothyroxine for Hashimoto's disease "I was on this medication for about two weeks or so, and within the first couple of days, it made me feel extremely anxious and depressed. I felt as if I was not in control of my emotions. As if this was not bad enough, I also felt an uncomfortable sensation in my neck and experienced trouble sleeping."

• ANa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2021

Levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I just stumbled across this site because I am looking for the cause of extreme hair loss, which started a few months ago. My hair started shedding heavily in the summer and just got worse. Comes out in strands. I thought it was just stress, but I started wondering if something I was taking caused it. Then I remembered a few months back WM pharmacy substituted my regular Levothyroxine with Euthyrox. Had WM print my meds out for the last 2 years. I was given 90 days of Euthyrox early August 2020. Now I'm wondering if some other symptoms, like high anxiety, were caused by the change. Will not accept it again."