Levothyroxine and Hair Loss: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Ang...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 20, 2021

Levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I have taken levothyroxine for 38 years with no issues. Lately, I have been having severe anxiety, body aches, and my hair was falling out. All of these things could be from other issues, and I didn't connect the dots. I was refilling my med pack, and a light went off. The last time I had my prescription refilled, Walmart filled it with Euthyrox. I went online and started reading the reviews and side effects. I have experienced nearly all of them! I have been testing for food and detergent allergies, as I have had lip and mouth swelling, hives, itching. I called my old pharmacy and am going to pick up my old med. Do not use this! I am just hoping that things will get back to normal."

• Sma...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 5, 2022

Levothyroxine for Hashimoto's disease "I was started on Synthroid after being diagnosed with major depression, but I had had fainting spells before the depression. After about two years of antidepressants, I kept passing out, and my BP was 80/50 often, so low that drug store blood pressure testing stations could not get a reading. I was okay until a local lab tested me at a TSH of 68, then the next day it was 34. As a laboratory specialist, I knew that variation signified testing problems, but the doctors didn’t believe me and kept increasing the dose. Now my TSH is at the bottom end of testing, there is no lower result. My hair is falling out, my skin is terribly dry, I can’t sleep, and temperatures of 64°F still feel too hot. I am reducing my meds because I can’t stand feeling like this any longer. On the proper dose, I feel fine, but my doctor is very resistant to change, so I am doing it myself, and when my blood levels are tested again, I will see if I am correct."

• Tri...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 17, 2018

For Underactive Thyroid "I am 78 years old, and I have taken thyroxine since I was 35 and have been reduced regularly as the test results change. I was on 0.75 for 20 years. I am now in my 79th year. Recently, I was changed to 1/2 of a 0.25 and 1 tab of a 0.05. Is this an increase or decrease in dose? I have been feeling very sickly for at least 4 years. I am tired, gaining weight, brittle hair, cold feet, and hands constantly."

• new...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2021

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "After taking levothyroxine from Alvogen for 15 years and Synthroid prior to that, all with perfectly normal thyroid levels, Walmart switched my prescription to Euthyrox in late June. After a short time, I began to feel as I did when first diagnosed with hypothyroidism many years prior: rapid/irregular heartbeat, hair loss, insomnia, extreme fatigue, and new side effects such as difficulty swallowing, under-eye swelling, tightness in the chest, and nervousness/irritability. I called my doctor when Walmart again tried to give me a refill of Euthyrox. The doctor called in my original meds, and the cost went from $9 for 90 days of the levothyroxine to $288 now!!! I'm changing to a new pharmacy. I'm going back to 75 mcg of the Alvogen levothyroxine!"

• Luc...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 15, 2016

For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I am so frustrated. My endocrinologist keeps saying my labs are just right on 88 mcg daily of levothyroxine. But I am miserable since thyroidectomy 3 years ago. He originally had me on a higher dose but brought it down twice. I've gained 35 pounds, lost a lot of my hair, have constant headaches, vision problems, body aches, and absolutely no energy! The doctor says it's not because of my thyroid meds and says there is no alternative medication and he will not increase the dosage either. I am increasingly depressed by this but don't know where to turn. I have also lost much bone mass but refused Prolia because of known side effects."

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

Levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "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."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 3, 2021

Levothyroxine for Hashimoto's disease "I was switched by Walmart. On it 1 week. Hair starting to fall out, joint swelling, headaches, sweats, so sleepy and felt like heartbeat in my ear, and rash. Switching back to levothyroxine. I have Hashimoto's."

• Has...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 2, 2019

For Hashimoto's disease "I feel that there is a slight improvement, but it’s modest. My hair falls out badly with this med. I take 100 mcg daily. It makes me agitated sometimes, and I break out in hot sweats. Sometimes it feels difficult to take it. Heat intolerance during summer. I still feel sluggish. It’s not that great of a medication, and I can’t wait to try Amour."

• Mor...
• May 30, 2011

For Underactive Thyroid "I have been on this medicine for about three months. The first two months, it seemed that it was really working well for me. I was no longer tired all the time, and I felt completely new. Now, at three months, it feels like I can't get enough sleep. I've gone back to being sleepy all the time, only more so this time around. Before, the hair loss was irritating but minimal, and now it's worse. The only good side effect that I've experienced is the loss of weight that was greatly needed. I'm going back to my doctor this week, so hopefully she can explain some things to me."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2021

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "Wal-Mart switched my medicine to Euthyrox and told me the manufacturer changed because my current levothyroxine absorbs moisture. Within a week of taking Euthyrox, I had a rash on my legs. Two weeks in, a horrible rash appeared on my hands and feet. My body itched on my trunk, front and back, continuously. By the third week, most of my hair had fallen out, and I experienced tiredness and pain in my hips. After taking Euthyrox for 27 days, I had Wal-Mart switch me back to my old medication. It's been 6 weeks since I switched. The tiredness and hip pain are gone. The rash on my leg is mostly gone. The horrible hand and feet condition remains. My primary doctor gave me cream for eczema. The dermatologist has given me two different creams for eczema or psoriasis. My hands were dry, scaly, very red, and flaky. My hands itch and hurt at the same time. They appeared like burnt hands. My feet have very hard and dry patches. I am praying for some answers. How long will this problem last before it clears up? Has anyone else had this rash?"

• M L...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 9, 2021

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "By far, the best T4 brand. I was first diagnosed with hypothyroidism while in Germany. There, I was given Euthyrox - which was absolutely terrible. So terrible that I decided it was better to stop taking the drug and face all the symptoms of hypothyroidism. It's worth mentioning that a class action suit against Merck, the German laboratory responsible for Euthyrox, was successful in France. Now, back home, my endocrinologist changed my medication to Synthroid (same active substance, different brand), and she also told me that many patients had faced the same thing while on Euthyrox. It's been a bit more than 6 months, and I'm feeling absolutely fantastic. Depression is gone, hair loss is gone, lost tons of weight. Recently, I had my dosage reduced from 200mcg to 175mcg. I take it systematically every day right after waking up on an empty stomach. Really changed my life. + I'm also taking Wellbutrin XL 300mg (for 7 years now) and cholecalciferol. No interactions or heart palpitations."

• Anonymous
• March 8, 2010

For Underactive Thyroid "I've been on levothyroxine since I was about 16 (I'm 38 now). I stopped taking it in 2005 and found that after plucking my eyebrows, they didn't grow back. I had hair loss, fatigue, mood swings, everything you can imagine...I had it. I am now going back on the dose I was on prior to stopping, which is 325 mcg. I know it's a lot, but my thyroid is so off the charts they need to ramp me up. I'm hoping I won't feel so tired and bipolar after a few weeks of being back on the medication. I'm not really clear on why I stopped taking it, but I'll be happier for being back on it."

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

Levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "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."

• Moa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 30, 2021

For Hashimoto's disease "I can honestly say after 5 years on Levothyroxine, now on 100 mcg to 125 mcg alternating it hasn't improved me. I have low mood, no energy. I felt better when I was first diagnosed with subclinical. Now it's hair loss, feel low most of the time. I really don't think this medication is doing me any good from a person who never takes pills if I can help it, and taking this medication and in 5 years have only felt worse."

• Rob...
• September 30, 2015

For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "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."

• Mon...
• April 10, 2021

Levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "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!"

• twe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 18, 2016

For Underactive Thyroid "I was switched from levothyroxine after experiencing hair loss to Synthroid. Had extreme irritability on it and didn't seem to stop the hair loss. Only gave it about 3 weeks. The crankiness was not normal to me. Now back to levothyroxine and will give it a full 3 months and see if the hair loss stops."

• Rae...
• December 12, 2020

For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "More recently, I got put on a generic and have had lots of problems! My life has been miserable! I have a different PCP, and these people do not seem very knowledgeable regarding thyroid (which I believe is very common). At the same time, I was also under a lot of stress, so I thought the stress was causing my symptoms, except the stress is over and the symptoms are still there and getting worse and worse. I was taking good care of myself, eating well, getting lots of exercise, taking supplements, etc., but everything I was doing was not helping. Saw my PCP, and she is putting me back on Levoxyl. This was an awful experience. My heart rate was very low, I was extremely cold, I lost about half of my hair, and my skin was extremely dry no matter how much cream I put on it. And a lot of other symptoms too. Depression was bad. Joint pain and stiffness. I had swelling under my eyes, and my hands were swollen. And at the end, I was extremely fatigued. The rating is for the generic medication."

• Nik...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 1, 2019

For Hashimoto's disease "I've been on this med for a while. It doesn't matter who makes it. Maybe people who feel like it gives arthritis have underlying conditions they're not treating. Underactive thyroid or Hashimoto's causes the body to attack itself when not controlled properly. You need to ask the right questions at their endocrinologist. If you're not seeing one and only a regular M.D., then find a better one. I've done fine on levo and liothyronine combo. I do have psoriatic arthritis and hair loss and pains, but it ain't the thyroid meds causing it."

• Anonymous
• April 13, 2011

"I had my thyroid removed 23 years ago and have been on this same medicine since my surgery. The only side effect I have ever had with this medicine started a few years ago: dry skin, a little thinning of my hair, and bad nails. Other than that, this medicine has done very well for me."

• Anonymous
• February 28, 2012

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I have found energy again, however I have noticed my full head of hair is now thinning."

• gra...
• August 25, 2009

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I was at Phase 3 of hypothyroidism, and 150mg a day has halted all side effects of the disease, e.g., loss of hair, nails thinning, lethargy, etc."

• vin...
• April 4, 2009

Levothyroxine "Synthroid was horrible. I had severe fatigue, hair loss, dry skin, constipation, weight gain, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol while taking it."

• Anonymous
• March 31, 2011

Levothyroxine for Hashimoto's disease "Only on 75 mcg for three weeks, but have headaches, spine feels compressed, joints ache, muscle fatigue, sleep disorders, not to mention extreme hair loss, dry skin, oh yeah, forgetfulness."

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

Levothyroxine for Hashimoto's disease "I switched from Synthroid to Tirosint. I've gained 10 lbs, hair loss, constipation, and high blood pressure. How could this cleaner product be causing so many side effects?"