Levothyroxine and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Del...
• August 16, 2016

Levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "Thyroid was removed 3 years ago due to Hashimoto and nodule hyperplasia. Surgery discovered a substernal thyroid. Prior to surgery and attempts to reduce goiter with Synthroid, felt terrible every day. Multiple diagnoses due to muscle pain, fatigue, insomnia, stomach upset, rapid heartbeat, irrational blood pressure. Take Synthroid every morning 1 hour prior to breakfast. Feel great. No negative side effects. All above symptoms are gone. Age 59!"

• AAa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 1, 2020

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I have had an underactive thyroid for 8 years. I could not handle Synthroid and was always going off. I like Tirosint, at first, I am only on a small dosage of 13, but my hair was falling out so badly that I started taking 2 pills during Corona because of no doctor. It stopped hair breakage, but if I take too much, I get headaches and have trouble sleeping. But now if I take 13 only, I get bad depression and my hair falls out again. Overall, I like the meds. I am diagnosed with Hashimoto's, and this is just my life-my own thyroid not being regulated. I have a bad headache today, so I can't take 2 tomorrow, so I guess I can prep for severe depression. Oy vey!"

• bac...
• October 20, 2011

For Underactive Thyroid "I have been taking 100 mcg for six weeks. This medicine has improved my life. Before levothyroxine, I tried diet, supplements, and herbs, I kept getting worse. I developed strange muscle pains, weight gain, insomnia, extreme hot and cold flushes, no energy, a very bad attitude, and suicidal thoughts. I woke up more tired than when I went to bed. Within three weeks of starting the drug, I feel normal again. No leg pain, positive attitude, I sleep better, wake up refreshed. I do have some stomach upset (bad gas) from it and dry lips, but the benefits far outweigh the negative."

• tmi...
• April 9, 2015

Levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I had a goiter in my teens that was treated with radioactive iodine. I've been on Synthroid for almost ten years, having trouble finding the right dose. I was on 125 mcg for a few years, but my TSH jumped around a lot. Last time I checked, it was around 30, so not good. I decided to try 150 mcg. At first, I had a bit of insomnia, but otherwise, I felt great. Going to find out on Saturday if it's been working as good as I thought. I ran out 3 days ago, and I've already gained a bit of weight (looks like I'm bloated) and woke up this morning depressed. Oh well, I get more on Saturday."

• Ran...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 3, 2016

For Underactive Thyroid "I loved it when I first started. Felt more energized, lost weight, felt good. Now, 8 months in and with a dosage of 100 mcg, my levels are normal, but I feel worse off. Sore throats, mouth ulcers, painful diarrhea after mildly acidic foods, insomnia, weight gain, joint pain, hair thinning. Requested a full panel of all 4 and TSH, but doctors won't adjust anything since my levels are in the normal range. I feel worse on this medicine long term than I did before taking it. Hoping to try the desiccated hormone if I can find someone who can prescribe it."

• Sle...
• February 17, 2012

Levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "This is the third medication I have been on since my thyroid removal. Tirosint seems smoother than Synthroid. However, I have had a lot of gastrointestinal issues and sleep issues while on Tirosint. My quality of life is now very poor. Since Tirosint is better than the other two medications I tried, I will remain on it."

• Pom...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 5, 2021

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "Been on levo for 35 yrs. Started Euthyrox in May 2020 when Walmart changed meds. Pharmacist said it was the same thing, just a different manufacturer. Was fine for a while, then started feeling bad. Saw Dr in Dec 2020 for hives on my shoulders and forearms. Levels were slightly elevated but not enough for concern. Between Dec 2020 and Mar 2021, it all went south. Started having strange symptoms - sensitive skin from scalp to foot, itching, insomnia, palpitations, and weird headaches that seemed to come from nowhere, and then the rash started. Nothing put on topically helped. Changed detergent, lotion, and shower gel, and it got worse. Suspected the Euthyrox. On Mar 30, found these reviews that explained it all. Saw Dr the next day, said I was the 2nd person that day with the same problem. After doing research on my levels, in Mar 2020 my level was 3.5; in Mar 2021, the level was 23."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 21, 2023

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I've been diagnosed with minor hypothyroidism in Oct 2021 and soon after, prescribed Euthyrox. Started on 25 mcg and experienced side effects since day one. Despite taking it as early as I could every morning, the side effects occurred anyway. I became unable to sleep at night and extremely irritable during the day. At that time, I was taking more meds, so I checked the potential side effects of each one. I also started college. Thinking it was the pre-college angst that kept me awake every night, I decided to drop out. I dropped out, but my insomnia didn't go away. A few days later, I had an appointment with a different doctor. Noticing my unusual rudeness (I wasn't rude before Euthyrox), he decided not to schedule any further appointments for me. It was not until mid-November that I decided to quit Euthyrox. And I'm happy I did because I could finally sleep at night again. It turned out Euthyrox was the culprit for all my anger and my sleepless nights. I'm never taking Euthyrox ever again!"

• Anonymous
• April 14, 2012

For Underactive Thyroid "Levothyroxine - 0.50 mg for 1 year. Aged 54. I have had many side effects from this medication: severe fatigue, extreme weight loss, heat intolerance, fever, excessive sweating, depression, headache, insomnia, muscle weakness, extreme hair loss, skin rash, and decreased bone mineral density. I have been prescribed sleeping tablets and Prozac to no avail. I have also been recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Having done some research, I have found that levothyroxine makes you deficient in iron, multivitamins, and calcium - hence the hair loss and weak bones. My GP said she's unable to change my medication as this is the only one available."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 10, 2016

For Underactive Thyroid "Original symptoms slightly decreased, but side effects such as heart palpitations, sweats, hunger, weight gain, hand tremors, feelings of panic/stress, insomnia, acne, and irritable/depressed make me question if it is the drug or if it is the dosage. Dr. says a higher dosage is needed. Endocrinologist says a lower dosage is needed. Surely, medicine for a complaint should be more clear-cut and less guesswork done by the medical profession. I'm told there is no other drug available to me for my hypothyroid problem."

• Jac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 1, 2021

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I, like many who have reviewed Euthyrox, received it from Walmart. I have been on Levothyroxine for many years without issue. I started on the Euthyrox, and within one week, I started having insomnia. I went back to Walmart with the boxes in hand, and the pharmacist immediately came to the counter and said, “I bet you are having issues.” I wasn’t the first person she had helped with a similar problem, although she did say she had not heard about insomnia. She got me the previous Levothyroxine at no charge, and I’m a happy camper. This is not a drug you should be interchanging willy-nilly!"

• ejm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 21, 2015

For Underactive Thyroid "I'm currently 16 years old, about 4 months ago, I was told I had hypothyroidism. Before starting the levothyroxine, I gained 80 pounds over a span of 6 months. Before this, I weighed 117. I was then put on levothyroxine at 197 pounds. It has done nothing but worsen the side effects I already had: shaky hands, hair loss, irregular menstrual cycles, weight gain, dry skin, sensitivity to heat, extreme lack of energy, insomnia. I've also gained 20 more pounds since being on it. Though I work out 2 hours a day and have a 1000-calorie diet, I still gain 2 pounds a week. My doctor doesn't think the weight gain is associated with the disease and blew it off. I don't know what else to do - not much more I can take."

• lev...
• October 17, 2016

For Underactive Thyroid "I have been on levothyroxine, and I hate it. Palpitations, fast heart, nausea, fatigue, headaches, insomnia, tremors, irritability, depression. I can't understand why doctors don't really care. You get told you need levo, no other medication, just that one. Why? There must be more out there. In the UK, no decent choice. Do doctors get paid more for giving levo only? I was so ill on this horrible thing I went to A&E. Too much levo only, I was on 75."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 7, 2017

Levothyroxine for Hashimoto's disease "I was on Synthroid 50 mcg and generic levothyroxine 50 mcg. With both medications, I had palpitations, heat intolerance, and severe insomnia. Synthroid was worse than levothyroxine. My TSH numbers were fine, but I couldn't tolerate the insomnia. The positive thing was that I lost 30 pounds. I was switched to Tirosint 50 mcg and immediately could finally sleep. No more insomnia, no more palpitations, no more heat intolerance. I recently got my lab work back, and I have a normal TSH, but I've started getting hypothyroid-like symptoms I used to have when I was on no thyroid medication. So even though my TSH is normal and I can sleep, I am having weight gain, increased constipation, and hairline eczema. Alas, I will try another brand!"

• OBA...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 8, 2012

For Underactive Thyroid "I have been on for 5 months. Male, age 55. No medicines or hospital visits until colonoscopy. Hate to now have to take medicine, but I religiously follow. Overshot and cut back to lower dosage to right level. Symptoms include dry mouth and now muscle spasm along the right upper cheek of the face. Weird. Perhaps a minor case of thinner hair. Has helped with sluggishness in the early evening, but at times can cause insomnia. Also lower muscle mass, as I am also on a doctor's prescribed weight loss medicine, Phentermine. Six months now for both, went from 219 lbs to 197 with a goal of 185. Feel good overall and have gone from 41 to a comfortable 38 with a goal of 36. Look thinner!"

• MNe...
• August 15, 2009

For Underactive Thyroid "I've used this medicine for over a year now, and I've had it adjusted only one other time. Though, when I've had my blood work done after the adjustment, the doctor says that I am in the 'normal' range. But from my own experience, it doesn't 'cure' all of the symptoms. I still have hair loss, insomnia, and some of the other symptoms that occur when you have an underactive thyroid. But despite what my doctor says, I'm hoping to see an endocrinologist about it."

• Nis...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 10, 2018

For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "This drug does me no good, swells up my face, body, fatigue, no energy, brain fog, more depressed, insomnia, appetite increase, more migraines, dry swollen irritated eyes, sinusitis, blurry vision, anxiety, overnight weight gain, heat intolerance, sweating more, hair falling, heart palpitations, muscle spasms in neck, shoulders, back, legs, acne, just miserable. I've told Drs. I can't take this medicine, it does nothing for me, but they don't listen for over 50 years. I've had a total thyroidectomy, thyroplasty, and as a result of surgical negligence, permanent paralyzed left vocal cord, compromised voice box, permanent laryngeal spasms. So miserable."

• dep...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 6, 2019

Levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "Started out with the pink 200 mg, had swelling in my tongue. Was switched to four 50 mg tabs. I hate this pill, I already have issues with insomnia. It has made it 10 times worse. Not to mention that within an hour of taking it, I have diarrhea for 2 hours."

• 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."

• 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."

• jac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 12, 2015

For Underactive Thyroid "I took levothyroxine 0.05 (50 mcg) for 4 days. On day 3, I developed side effects of joint pain, muscle weakness, fatigue, crying, severe hunger pains, and insomnia. On day 4, all of these side effects intensified, in addition to developing itching skin and sweating. I called my all-night pharmacy because this all came to a head on a Friday night and the doctor's office was closed. I was told to stop taking it because I was having a severe reaction to it. I have not taken this in 2 days, and I'm still sick with joint pain, weakness, itching, and sweating. I will never take this again. By the way, my TSH was 6.4 and I was having no hypothyroidism symptoms. I only found this out due to yearly lab work and physical."

• 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!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 8, 2021

Levothyroxine for Hashimoto's disease "Horrible medication. As a 65-year-old with a recent diagnosis of Hashimoto's disease, I was on this drug for 2 months. The second month, things got worse. Chest pains, not sleeping, terrible muscle aches. Well, I ended up in the emergency room with chest pains, which led to a triple bypass operation! This drug should be off the market!"

• kin...
• July 18, 2010

For Hashimoto's disease "I have been depressed for almost 3 years, could not get enough sleep, was no fun, slept all the time, had no interest in anything anymore, felt like I was in a cloud most of the time, had vibrations in my thyroid, have gained 40 pounds. I started to take this medicine 3 days ago, and I feel like a different person - the old me. Everyone is commenting on how different I am. My body must have been so depleted of the thyroid hormone for years, and my body was not working right. If this gets better and better, my life is going to change! I am so happy!"

• Anonymous
• October 6, 2009

For Underactive Thyroid "I recently took levothyroxine for 3 days as I am newly diagnosed hypothyroid. This medication made me shaky and irritable, as well as having insomnia. I've seen here that the non-generic form may be better, I will try that."