Levothyroxine and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Dus...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 10, 2022

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "Euthyrox, this is an awful medicine. Firstly, I live in Europe, but in a country that is not in the EU, but in Southeast Balkans. Whatever, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis in 2019 and was put on thyroid replacement drug, 25 mcg of levothyroxine, which in my country, N. Macedonia, you can only find under the brand Euthyrox by an American-German company, Merck. From the very first day, I had horrible side effects like skipping heartbeats, fainting, headaches, digestive problems, dizziness, sleepiness, blurry vision, brain fog, and general mood swings. I tried several times to stop this medicine, I felt great, but as the symptoms of Hashimoto's persisted, the doctors advised I keep taking. I got used to feeling like this, doctors raised my dosage with time from 25 mcg to 50 and then 75 mcg. Very often, when I take this pill in the morning, my libido, mood, and zest for life go from great to almost zero. I really hope I can find a source of supply of some other brand of levothyroxine to switch to."

• joy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 9, 2021

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I have been on thyroid medications (Synthroid and levothyroxine) for quite a few years with no problems and good results/bloodwork. Several months ago, Walmart Pharmacy placed me on Euthyrox, and it has been a downward spiral since that time. I began experiencing many symptoms that only continued to worsen over time: muscle aches, fatigue, brain fog, headaches, dizziness, dry mouth, weakness. It was relatively easy to tell myself I was depressed, I was working too hard, it was age-related (I am 74), and on and on. Finally, I went back to when my symptoms began and knew the only change in that period of time was my medication. Then I checked out patient reviews of Euthyrox and knew I was not alone, so why is this medication still being prescribed? I called my pharmacy to put me back on my levothyroxine and never substitute that medication with any other drug again. My following lab level also showed a decrease in my level. Why is it still out there?"

• Jen...
• July 12, 2021

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I noticed I was having severe night sweats, muscle weakness, itchy hands, but the worst was days-long migraines and cramps around my menstrual cycle. It wasn't until I realized that there may be an issue with my thyroid med, as it all started 2 1/2 months ago, right at the time of my last refill. I noticed it came in a box, and the pharmacy said it was the same thing. Went for my last test 3 weeks ago, and my TSH levels were severely elevated. The doctor thought I wasn't taking my medication. I told her I take it like clockwork every morning at 5 a.m. so as not to interfere with coffee or food. So she increased my dose. So glad I put 2 and 2 together. Walmart shouldn't do things like that with such a serious issue. This isn't the first time I've noticed an extreme difference, as I was having major headaches when they switched from Mylan. Can't believe they are still selling this if it almost acts like a placebo instead of actual medication."

• Ms ...
• July 15, 2021

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I’m so glad to know I’m not the only one! I’ve been on Unithroid for 2 years for hypothyroidism with no issues! Went to Walmart Pharmacy and was given Euthyrox. I have been taking it for 4 days, and I’m nauseous, no appetite, my body hurts, headache, and insomnia! What the heck! I called my doctor this morning, and he contacted the pharmacy to tell them to refill my Unithroid! I haven’t felt this sick in years."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 30, 2021

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I am certain that this medicine is harmful. I started taking it ten days ago. My doctor prescribed a lower dose of 112 mg instead of the 125 mg I have been taking. This is the tenth day of taking it, and I feel bad. I have been fatigued, sleeping ten hours, dull headaches, stomach pain. For the past four days, it feels as if I am sleepwalking through the day. I just called Walmart and asked them to replace it with Levothyroxine. They should stop selling this Euthyrox!!"

• Lot...
• February 21, 2016

For Underactive Thyroid "I started Levothyroxine 25 mg 3 weeks ago. I thought I was going through the menopause, so my doc screened me for loads of things. Discovered I had an underactive thyroid. The first few days I noticed a difference. I have had aching joints, my fingers feel bigger than they are, so dexterity altered. Dry mouth, eyes hurting at the back of my eyeballs, headache, and finally anxiety to the point of feeling like I was going to lose it. However, I had had those feelings before, thinking it was the menopause. Week 3, and I feel moderately better, though I still get tired easily. It's good to read others have had the same."

• 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."

• 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."

• Eut...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 19, 2021

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "On a whim trying to figure out what is wrong with me. No doctor seems to help me. I researched the difference between the two drugs & mercy. Have I found the culprit? I have been feeling so lethargic, insomnia, weak, dizzy, fast heart rate, sweats if I try to push myself and faint. Physically unstable, nauseated, ankle and leg cramps, foggy, foggy. Memory getting bad, vision, headaches, chest, indigestion. I was given Euthyrox by Walmart instead of Levothyroxine. Taking for 3 months. Changed pharmacy in the meantime to Walgreens. I picked up new 90 Levothyroxine."

• Yvo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 31, 2021

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "This drug needs to be taken off the market! Should have been taken off before now with all the negative reactions. My dosage is 88 mcg. My experience after beginning this drug is as follows: insomnia, headaches, fatigue, blurred vision, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, leg cramps, weakness in legs. I am so angry! Can't we trust our FDA to approve only what is safe for us? Look at the low rating!"

• Oca...
• May 11, 2018

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I have only 3 days in this medicine since I have the short thyroid, it does not produce enough. I must say that before being on this medicine, I had never felt any discomfort, but once on this at a high dose of 112 mcg, on the second day, I had palpitations and shortness of breath. I had to go to an emergency room. Then the nervousness began: anxiety. I lowered the dose to 50 mcg and began to feel, on the third day of using it at 50 mcg, I have sunstroke inside me, something hot, muscle aches, headaches, chills at night, sweat on the hands and legs. It's the worst feeling I've had. I went to the emergency room, and they just told me that this medication can give these side effects until the hormone is regulated, and then everything goes back to normal - until then, I can feel this. I told him to switch to the Zytroid brand and use 25 mcg to see if the situation improves."

• Nin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2022

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "Walmart changed my levothyroxine to Euthyrox. I questioned the pharmacist because I had never taken one in a blister pack. She said it was the exact same thing, that they had taken the dye out of the pills and repackaged. I started taking them, I got severely ill: lightheaded, fatigue, headache, heart palpitations, cold sweats, chest pain, and dizziness. I went to the doctor, he said I tested positive for the flu, still did not think about it being meds, so I wound up at the ER with chest burning, dizzy, body shaking uncontrollably. They said all my tests looked okay. Then he asked if I had started any new meds. I told him I started Euthyrox about 16 days ago. He told me to go back to my old pharmacy, not Walmart, and get them to fill a new prescription with the levothyroxine that I was supposed to be taking! I have been back on my regular meds for 2 days, still have a ways to go to get back to normal. People, please do not take this drug. I can’t believe Walmart is still dispensing this drug."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2022

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I’m so thankful for this comment section. Walmart Pharmacy switched my Levothyroxine for Euthyrox. After a month and a half of taking it, I noticed I was feeling very poorly. Severe headache, thirst, muscle aches, extreme feeling of being cold, and generally achy and fatigued. After thinking about what I was doing differently, I did some research and realized it was likely the med change! Switching back to the Levothyroxine that I have taken for the last 20 years and hoping to be back to “normal” ASAP. Thanks, everyone, for sharing your stories. :)"

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

For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "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

For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "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."

• Mis...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 17, 2021

For Underactive Thyroid "Levothyroxine is awful. I've been taking it for 7 years, and the side effects (nausea, brain fog, depression, PVCs, PACs, air hunger, muscle twitching, muscle pain, and stiffness, headaches) began 5 weeks after starting it. I've been up and down the TSH range, and nothing helps. The horrible side effects are worse than the disease. I've tried Mylan, JSP, Sandoz, and Tirosint. Endocrinologists are only concerned with TSH, with no capability for critical thinking. If all that matters is keeping TSH within range while ignoring everything else, this can be more effectively done by a computer. If you want to remove all quality of life, this is the drug for you."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2022

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I was recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I was put on Euthyrox. After one week of this medicine, I started experiencing headaches, loose stools, muscle pain and tingling, extremely tired, dizziness, and heart racing. I’ve now been off this medicine for three weeks, some of the side effects from this medicine have subsided. I hope when I see the endocrinologist next week, they will be able to give me another medicine."

• Jen...
• September 2, 2022

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I have been taking 125 mcg levothyroxine for 30 years, and everything has been well. Walmart changed my prescription to Euthyrox, and I have had chest pains, racing heart, followed by a slow heartbeat, headaches, and a general malaise. Do not take this medicine! Something is not right with it."

• Ali...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 31, 2017

For Underactive Thyroid "I have been taking Levothyroxine for 7 years, after being diagnosed in March 2010. I do have to take a particular brand of it, though, as the other brand gives me a severe headache, but luckily my pharmacist has my brand on his computer, and that is the only one I am given. I am now on 150 mcg, and I have been constant on that dose for the last 2 years. My energy levels do plummet during the afternoon, but my 'normal' thyroid colleagues do too!"

• AEB...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 16, 2022

For Underactive Thyroid "Because of a change in insurance, I switched from Levoxyl 75 mcg to generic Lupin Pharmaceuticals levothyroxine 75 mcg. Levoxyl works extremely well, keeps my TSH number in range, and I feel good. At only a couple of weeks into Lupin's levothyroxine, my whole body is a complete mess. I am certain that I have an intolerance to inactive ingredients in the generic. Every joint and muscle hurts, I developed an eczema-type rash, my hands have tremors, there are GI issues, nausea, flush, temperature intolerance, and headaches. I went to my doctor this week, and he specifically prescribed the Levoxyl brand. I won't feel like I've been run over by a Mack truck when I get this generic garbage out of my system. Also, my TSH number increased while on the Lupin-made generic. Make sure to get a quality brand name levothyroxine. Levoxyl is a 10. Lupin is a 0."

• Mou...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 1, 2022

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "When my doctor upped my dosage from 50 mcg to 75, Walmart gave me this box instead of the bottle of a 3-month supply at once. Euthyrox. I've never been completely happy with the hypothyroid meds, as I've never gotten rid of my symptoms of hypothyroidism. My dosage is too low, and my doctor won't listen to me. My last test showed my blood level at a 2.8. The 'normal' range being 2.4 - 4.2. Being that low is NOT okay for me as a woman still of childbearing age, and my hair loss has not let up at all, like it should if I was on the right dosage for my body. But since June 24, 2021, when I was switched to this Euthyrox, I'm even more miserable. I didn't realize the side effects were so bad from what I'd been on previously. I started doing research in March, and everything I've found has not been good for Euthyrox. My symptoms/side effects have been shortness of breath, muscle spasm, headache, nervousness, irritability, insomnia, tremors, muscle weakness associated with Euthyrox. No more of this rubbish."

• Too...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2017

For Hashimoto's disease "I'm a 55-year-old male, diagnosed with hypothyroidism on 8/30/16 (T4 lab 0.8 ng/dl). Started on Levothyroxine 50 mcg at a weight of 226 lb. On 11/10, T4 was up to 1.1 ng/dl (within normal range), and my weight was 224#. While taking the med, I experienced a dull headache in the morning along with terrible fatigue by midday. My PCP sent me to an endocrinologist who increased the dosage to 75 mcg in hopes of improving my T4 level and weight loss numbers. T4 was 1.3 on 3/10/17, but weight increased to 233#. With my endocrinologist's approval, I stopped taking the med due to side effects, and within a week, the headaches and fatigue stopped, and weight began to drop. Requested to try Armour instead, but the endocrinologist is not a fan."

• pol...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 23, 2023

"I have got a lot of thyroid symptoms like being cold, headaches, nausea, leg cramp, weight gain, constantly fatigued, and brain fog. I was on 50 mg Pharma Mercury, one a day, I felt awful and went cold turkey, as they made me feel worse. I am starting to feel normal again. Doctors are no help at all. Would not recommend these."

• But...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 26, 2021

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "The Euthyrox is horrible for me. Took it for a month, maybe more. Had headaches, terrible fatigue, muscle cramps, foggy brain. Probably more symptoms, just didn't make the connection. After researching, I read all the side effects. Went to Walmart and told them I did not want this Euthyrox anymore. It is confusing when I compared the generic of Synthroid and Euthyrox, it both said Levothyroxine. I told the pharmacist I no longer wanted the Euthyrox, but if they label it all as Levothyroxine... my rx history only shows Levothyroxine. So very leery. Will be asking for Synthroid generic to be more specific. See if that changes anything. Until then, I am miserable right now. I suggest DO NOT TAKE EUTHYROX."

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

For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "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?"