Levothyroxine and Insomnia: What Users Say

• NAa...
• September 8, 2020

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "Walmart switched my levothyroxine to Euthyrox. The first day, I had a headache almost at migraine level. Within two weeks, my hair was falling out, insomnia every night. I have been on levothyroxine for 12 years with no issues. Do not take this medication."

• 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."

• Geo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 12, 2020

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "Began taking in early June when Walmart pharmacy refilled my prescription, saying Euthyrox was their new generic and what I would be getting going forward. Within days of taking the first pill, I began to experience headaches that progressively increased in duration and frequency during the four months of taking Euthyrox. Then began the insomnia, tinnitus, heat intolerance, uncontrollable sweating, swelling in the face and eyelids, diarrhea, neck and shoulder pain, blurred vision, fatigue, occasional dizziness, dry mouth, loss of appetite, and brain fog. Stopped Euthyrox almost two weeks ago, and most symptoms have gone away except for headaches and neck pain. Definitely returning to the prior medication, this one was disabling."

• 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."

• LJL...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2020

Levothyroxine for Hashimoto's disease "This drug has many side effects that I am experiencing: labored breathing, hair loss, blurred vision, fatigue, chest pain, heart skipping beats, nausea, and insomnia. I was taking a little oblong yellow levothyroxine that worked great, but the drug store changed companies, and this pill is round and white."

• 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."

• Lov...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 23, 2016

Levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I was on levothyroxine for a year after my cancer surgery/thyroid removal. It was the worst year of my life. I was seriously hating life because I hurt every single day. Muscle aches, swelling, every symptom you can imagine. Weight gain was the worst. I fired my endo and waited two months to see the new one. If I wasn't married, I'd propose to the man. In three weeks, my life has changed. I can go to the gym and not feel like I have been hit by a truck. No muscle aches. I have lost 9 lbs. Brain fog is lifting. I sleep better, and I don't feel like a 47-year-old stuck in a 90-year-old body. I will pay ANY amount of money, and I will NEVER go back."

• Mil...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 31, 2017

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I took Synthroid for 10 years. I had severe insomnia, so I also took sleeping pills every day. I was depressed, so I took antidepressants every day. I had high blood pressure, so I took drugs for that. I couldn't focus at work, and just getting up in the morning felt like a chore. In 2013, I switched to natural desiccated thyroid drugs (NDT). It felt like waking up from a bad dream. I'm no longer depressed, my sleep hasn't been this good in my entire adult life. It's like night and day. I wish more doctors gave their patients the opportunity to try solutions other than Synthroid, because clearly, it doesn't work for everyone."

• 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."

• I...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 19, 2012

Levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "My wife has been taking this medication for about 5 years now. She has terrible paranoia, is always in a bad mood, has sleep problems, hair loss, and irritation. Her doctor tests her levels all the time and tells her she is fine. However, I do not agree! She goes out drinking when she gets upset."

• 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."

• 24a...
• August 19, 2013

Levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I started Tirosint after Levoxyl was taken from the market. It is the best. I take this in combination with Liothyronine. Aside from insomnia, which I have experienced with every other medicine as well, and I've taken them all, this is the best I've felt in years."

• Ted...
• July 31, 2016

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I feel awful! I have been on this drug for 6 weeks. I have so many side effects. 1. Very tired (no energy). 2. Nausea. 3. Headache. 4. Can't sleep (even if I take a sleeping pill). 5. Always feel hot. 6. Sweating. 7. Clammy skin (have to have the fan on all the time). I live in Canada so it's not that hot. Never felt so sick."

• Lil...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 4, 2019

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I have been on Levothyroxine a long time. Have heat intolerance, lightheadedness, get very weak, feel like a zombie, nauseous, headachy, insomnia, and gained 60 pounds. Doctor won't let me try something else. Time for a new doctor."

• Lbj...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 13, 2018

Levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I'm taking Synthroid - it's a horrible drug. I'm losing all my hair, headaches, insomnia, depression, fatigue, brain fog, etc. This drug sucks, I have no idea why doctors keep pushing this drug. I have a new insurance and doctor, hopefully, I can start taking Armour. If not, I have no idea what's to come."

• Pum...
• December 12, 2016

For Underactive Thyroid "Took levothyroxine for 32 years. In the last 3 years, the weight gain, bloat, insomnia, and overall funk became unbearable. Saw everyone is having similar trouble. Quit cold turkey, 2.5 months ago. Feeling much better, immediately began losing weight. They say stopping was supposed to be dangerous, but I had no issues. Am not taking any other supplements."

• Hap...
• June 13, 2016

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I have been taking Levoxyl for 3 months, and my blood tests have gone down from 110 to 65. It's still not normal, still underactive thyroid. Half my hair has fallen out in the 3-month period. My stomach hurts, and the doctor said no Pepcid or antacids for 4 hours after taking the medication. My joints and muscles hurt all of the time, and I have insomnia. I think I may be adapting to the meds, as I no longer have to spend half the day in the bathroom. Diarrhea has lessened, but stomach cramps persist. I was just told I need to increase the Levoxyl to 0.75 mg. I'm terrified I may end up bald with an ulcer."

• 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."

• Bab...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 7, 2019

For Underactive Thyroid "I was on 100 mcg levothyroxine for quite a while. I changed doctors and told her that I’m unable to lose weight. Without doing any blood work, she increased my dosage to 125. After using it for a few months, I realized that my hair was coming out more, it was harder to go to sleep, and I still wasn’t losing any weight. I recently stopped taking any levothyroxine."

• Lau...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 13, 2023

Levothyroxine for Hashimoto's disease "I am on Tirosint and also Armour. I cannot sleep, and my fingernails stay horrible. My TSH fluctuates. I feel better when it’s around 2.0, mine is 3.93. I fight fatigue and mentally lack ambition. I wonder if others have this same complaint."

• Ral...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 22, 2019

For Underactive Thyroid "11 days ago, I was prescribed 25 mg of levothyroxine, and it was bad from the start. I took it for 2 days straight. I got super hyper. The third day, I thought I was dying. Tremors, hyperactivity, confusion, and others I forgot. I actually got my last will and testament out and put it on the table. I called my internist that night, and he told me to just take some sedative and go to sleep and take it every other day to further cut the dosage down. That helped a lot, but I get anxiety and panic attacks along with insomnia. It also increased my blood pressure about 30-40 points, along with increased heart rate. I always had low blood pressure (in the 100s) and blame it on the drug. I had no hypertension before taking this drug, but the doctor does not believe me. The doctor just wants to put me on high blood pills to counter the side effect of levothyroxine. This drug is disgusting."

• Kri...
• April 6, 2021

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I also had a terrible experience with this drug, my hair has been falling out so badly and also feeling lethargic and not sleeping. I went to Walmart, and they changed me back to Levothyroxine and were great about it. I was on the Euthyrox for months before I figured out what was happening."

• Bin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 10, 2018

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I was excited to switch from Synthroid to Tirosint because my doctor told me that it was gluten-free compared to other medications. I have been on it for a little over a month after switching from Synthroid, and I feel so terrible: anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, lots of hair loss, and weight is stuck, and my goiter in my neck is enlarged again. I called my doctor because I want to go back on my Synthroid. I did read that some people do better on it than others, and I believe it is just not for me."

• Hor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2022

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I have been on Levothyroxine for 4 years. I recently had my prescriptions moved to, guess where.... Walmart.... and they switched me to Euthyrox. I have been feeling awful. Horrible mood swings, insomnia, sweating out of nowhere, waking up due to the fact that my heart is beating 85 bpm while sleeping and horrible heart palpitations that go on for hours. The heart palpitations have been so bad that I almost went to the emergency room. I did see my doctor yesterday, and I did ask them to do blood work and am waiting for my results this morning. My doctor wants to put me on a heart monitor for a week and do a stress test for my heart. After reading these reviews, I am certain it is this drug. I am seriously considering seeking legal counsel. The pharmacists at Walmart are just that, pharmacists. Who has given them the right to change anyone's medication without a doctor's consent?"