Levothyroxine and Tiredness: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Hop...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 26, 2023

Levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I had my thyroid removed in December 2013 and have not felt like me since it was removed. I have been on Synthroid 100 mcg and am having back and knee pain, terrible chest discomfort, tiredness, fatigue, and shortness of breath, which prevents me from doing daily chores as I would like. Doctors keep saying it has nothing to do with the med, but I beg to differ. Cardiac workup fine; at times cholesterol goes up, glucose and blood pressure go up, and the list goes on. When will the doctors listen to patients and not try to tell them how they feel (because they are not the ones suffering)? Pray that I can find a doctor who has thyroid problems. These drug companies are thinking of their bank accounts and not that of the people who have to take their drugs."

• 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."

• Mrs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 17, 2016

For Underactive Thyroid "Today is my third day on this medication, and so far I haven't had any adverse reactions. I have had a goiter for over twelve years. For years my doctors have been telling me my blood tests are normal. Last year I pushed and had a thyroid scan. They found three nodules, with one having its own blood supply. For years I've been silently suffering, dealing with low sex drive, weight gain, chronic constipation (enema, laxatives), brain fog, tiredness, body aches, depression (meds), hair shedding, and now I'm noticing my extremities are always cold. And so once again I told my doctor something is wrong. She started me on 25 mg levothyroxine. I'm nervous because I don't want more hair loss. Today I'm wearing a wig, ashamed of my hair."

• Don...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 30, 2016

For Underactive Thyroid "I am 22 years old and a fairly healthy, educated young woman. I had blood work done in August 2015 and found out my TSH was 60, so my doctor prescribed 50 mcg of levothyroxine. In January 2016, I had my TSH rechecked and it was down to 30. I continued to take the levothyroxine for a month and a half, from late January to the middle of March. During the time I was taking this medication, I felt so lethargic, I had terrible brain fog, and I was so bloated that I actually got stretch marks on my stomach! I have never been pregnant or even had sex, and I got stretch marks from being miserably bloated! Also, with the levothyroxine, I had the worst heartburn in my life. The acid reflux was so bad that I would get choked and start coughing from it."

• Roc...
• May 29, 2010

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I was born with a thyroid condition. I am a 23-year-old female. I did the other brand for a while, and it made me tired, sad, and just made me feel hopeless. I am on Synthroid 88 mcg, and although I sometimes feel sad, my weight is maintained, I'm able to work, and play with my 1-year-old daughter, who, thank God, is healthy. Finding the right dosage is so important and is trial and error. If everything is good and you only have one symptom like sadness... get a hobby, again a close friend is so important and always take your pill!"

• Jan...
• January 29, 2016

Levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I'm not sure how to rate Levoxyl, honestly. I had thyroid cancer and a full thyroidectomy 2 years ago, and I still have yet to feel like me again. I'll be good for a few months, then the weight goes back on. I'm exhausted, brain fog, and anxiety. I'm on 176 mcg and 10 mcg T3. I still feel like crap and am unable to lose weight. I used to do bikini competitions for bodybuilding, so I know how to be motivated to eat clean and hit the gym. I'm doing all of this with zero results. I'm beyond frustrated."

• Kat...
• January 14, 2016

For Underactive Thyroid "For most of my life, I have been on this medication. I don't remember much of my symptoms from before, but basically, I will usually feel quite tired and cold, which is the main thing that will probably stick with you if you have hypothyroidism. As for treating my 'symptoms,' I would say it does an alright job. The main issue I see a lot of people talking about is weight loss. I am here to confirm that you will probably weigh less and lose a bit of weight if you are taking the right dosage. Since I have taken the medication for quite a long time, I can confirm that I am on the lighter side of the scale, however, I am not speaking for all the users of levothyroxine. Speak with your doctor about whether or not this is the right medication."

• 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."

• Pat...
• August 28, 2017

Levothyroxine for Hashimoto's disease "43-year-old female, 5'7", 76 kg. I used to be 56 kg, and in a matter of 2 years, I reached 80 kg after quitting smoking. I also had a plethora of other problems, among which were lethargy, extreme fatigue, and depression. My doc discovered by accident my TSH was 10, plus huge antibody values. Started me at 50 mcg Synthroid and I went up from there. I am now at 175 mcg, a huge dose, and feel fantastic. My blood values are low, TSH, upper limit T4. I kind of talked my doc into increasing the dose, as his choice was 125 mcg and I felt that was too low. I finally have the energy to go to the gym. I feel like my old self. I LOVE Synthroid and I hope he won't lower it for me."

• Sab...
• January 6, 2015

For Underactive Thyroid "Honestly, I found out that I was diagnosed after I did a physical at my primary care doctor's visit, that my thyroid was underactive, which was strange because I was wondering why I couldn't lose weight like I wanted, but my levels of my thyroid, I believe, weren't extremely low. I've been on levothyroxine 0.025 mg for about a month, and it has been the worst feeling in my whole life. When I started to take the medicine, I noticed I was extremely tired the first week of taking it. The symptoms got worse, which was I was trembling at night, my heart was pounding out of control, sweating really bad, barely eating, diarrhea all the time, and I lost 5 pounds in like 2 weeks. I went to the emergency room several times, and they couldn't see anything wrong. So frustrating."

• K L...
• April 12, 2013

For Underactive Thyroid "I have been taking Levothyroxine .88 MG for at least 5 years. Recently, I have developed sweating and being very tired. I was taking my pill during the night, as you are supposed to take it on an empty stomach. I have recently discovered that taking it at that time has caused me to have pounding heartbeats and fluttering in my chest. I went through a stress test only to realize it has been caused by my thyroid medication. I changed it to morning before breakfast and have found it to be better. However, I still get tired very easily."

• kin...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 28, 2019

Levothyroxine for Hashimoto's disease "When the medication was made by Johnson-Stevens, it worked very well. I’ve been on it for over 10 years. The past couple of years, something changed and it stopped working. After taking it in the morning, I had a metallic taste in my mouth and it made me very tired. I will report these side effects to the FDA. Had to switch to another brand made in Austria, but it works very well."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 16, 2012

For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I've been on this medicine for more than 4 months. Not feeling any better at all. More tired, and more hair loss is what I've been experiencing. Still feeling no motivation, lethargy, and depressed/isolated."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 16, 2012

For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I've been on this medicine for more than 4 months. Not feeling any better at all. More tired, and more hair loss is what I've been experiencing. Still feeling no motivation, lethargy, and depressed/isolated."

• Nut...
• January 5, 2016

For Underactive Thyroid "Recently, I've been having a lot of headaches, extremely tired, and very bad mood swings. Night sweats come and go. Poor sex drive. I'm usually hot or warm. I was also experiencing pain in my feet, and I get cramps in my lower calves from time to time. I've been taking levothyroxine for about 10 years now. At first, there was a moderate weight loss. Then, just recently, over the past six months or so, I gained over thirty pounds. There has been no change in my diet. My doctor checked my TSH levels; not surprised, they were extremely off. He has upped my dosage from 150 MCG (I remained on this dosage for 9 years) to 175 MCG. This is day one with the new dosage, and I'm hoping all goes well."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 10, 2021

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I was switched to Euthyrox by Walmart four months ago. My TSH levels were low, so he dropped my meds down a small amount. That's not unusual with my condition to have to change the meds a bit now and again. Within a few weeks, I had constant muscle aches and pains. I started feeling tired all the time. My husband kept complaining because I was, in his words, unusually cranky. My sleep habits changed. I did not associate this with my new medication until today. Today I got my TSH levels back from the lab: 10.59. The only change in anything is this medication. I'm seeing my doctor in two weeks, and I will never again accept this medication."

• Anonymous
• July 29, 2009

For Underactive Thyroid "I have been taking levothyroxine for several months. Never had any symptoms of an underactive thyroid. Test results determined the problem. Lately, I have been experiencing some palpitations and tiredness and am feeling a bit nervous."

• dvd...
• July 19, 2016

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I'm hypothyroid and skinny as a rail and cannot even gain a single pound, 58 yo, 5'6", 88 lbs, thyroid damaged through radiation, have been on Synthroid/levothyroxine 50 mcg daily, and I notice no change at all, still no energy, still totally exhausted 24/7, still losing weight like crazy with a relatively healthy appetite. However, since I totally trust my oncologist, I keep taking them."

• dvd...
• July 19, 2016

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I'm hypothyroid and skinny as a rail and cannot even gain a single pound, 58 yo, 5'6", 88 lbs, thyroid damaged through radiation, have been on Synthroid/levothyroxine 50 mcg daily, and I notice no change at all, still no energy, still totally exhausted 24/7, still losing weight like crazy with a relatively healthy appetite. However, since I totally trust my oncologist, I keep taking them."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 12, 2018

For Underactive Thyroid "This medicine caused serious weight gain in 6 weeks (19 lbs). My knees swelled up like a tennis ball filled with fluid, tired, etc. My PCP had me on the lowest dose of Armour Thyroid. Found a nodule, so I was sent to the Cancer Thyroid Clinic. No cancer, just a cyst. That endocrinologist immediately took me off Armour Thyroid (Endos don't like alternative meds) and put me on 75 mg Levothyroxine. Horrible experience! While my labs were perfect, the Endo said after 2 months, my symptoms and side effects were horrible. The doctor refused to listen and I told her how much weight I gained, still no concerns. I went back to my regular PCP and am now waiting to try Nature Throid tomorrow. Just because those numbers look good doesn't mean it's the right fit for you!!"

• wor...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 19, 2023

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I have my hair, eyebrows, and lashes. I retain water. I feel tired often. But I sleep fine. Mood is stable. Weight is about 10 lbs over where I'd like to be, but not bad. Without this medication, I would feel way worse. I've been on it for 20 years. It's not perfect, but I can't live without it."

• fat...
• October 31, 2009

For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "Been taking it for over 1 year and have had loads of weight gain, which in turn makes me feel tired all the time, so I'm not a happy bunny. It's hard to tell if it's just the fact that I've put on so much weight that makes me feel so bad or that it's a genuine side effect."

• Den...
• March 4, 2016

For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "Do not do it! It causes tiredness, mental fog, emotional instability, and depression. The thyroid is critical to mental function. This med will cause you to behave in ways you find surprising. The problem is that this is a T4-only medication. Your body also produces T1, T2, T3."

• Tuc...
• January 28, 2011

For Underactive Thyroid "Age 47: Female: Long ago hysterectomy; prior symptoms - unable to sleep at night, extreme tiredness, some notable hair loss, weight gain of 25 lbs., notable vision issues, mood changes, lump in throat, and somewhat difficult to swallow. Blood test shows elevated TSH at 4.69, so the doctor put me on this medication at .05 mg to be taken in the morning with a full glass of water. I saw Dr. Oz say you are to take it at night so it works better. I took it yesterday at noon for the first time and this morning, and will take it tonight before going to bed so I can work it into my system for nighttime, like Dr. Oz suggested. I slept through the night for the first time in a long time, but I was up at 5:30 a.m. That's awesome to me. Will check back soon."

• 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."