Levothyroxine and Tiredness: What Users Say (Page 4)

• TJa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 23, 2019

For Underactive Thyroid "I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in the autumn of 2017 and was started on levothyroxine 100 mcg daily, and after 2 years, nothing has changed! I haven't had a single moment of relief. Still exhausted. Still unable to lose weight. Still feel like I have the flu all the time. TSH levels are near 0, but my T4 levels are also still very low. MRI shows nothing wrong with my pituitary. This medicine just doesn't work, and the doctors won't increase the dose."

• Sus...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 20, 2016

For Underactive Thyroid "I've been on this 7-8 years, and it works well. I'm able to maintain my ideal body weight. When first taking it, I was starving and ate everything under the sun. After adjusting to the medicine, I'm able to stay at 115 lbs, which is perfect for me. I also have fibromyalgia and feel tired all the time."

• oth...
• October 9, 2016

Levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "Took 1.0 right after surgery for ten years. Then, specialist concerned it was too high. Conservative drop to 0.95, then dropped to 0.88. When dropped to 0.88, I was very tired, put on 5 lbs in 5 days. Was a Weight Watchers person, has lost 20 pounds, took me ten months to lose 20. Then, change in dosage, gained 5 pounds, added steps up to 20,000 a day, and cut portions back more. Finally, ten months later, have kept 20 pounds off. I worked hard to do this since the change from 0.95 to 0.88 made me very tired. Now they want to drop it to 0.65? I am still tired, constipated, and do not understand why if I am borderline. Whatever that means. Why would you stop it to 0.65? Very disappointed. Have moved to Clovis, California, will have to find a new doctor. Change in meds really stressed me."

• 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."

• 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."

• 21Y...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2015

For Underactive Thyroid "I was diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism. My TSH level was close to 7. I felt dizzy and had a low appetite for the first few days on levothyroxine. I started to feel better after that, but on the third week, I felt depressed, I couldn't process what I was reading, I felt paranoid, and had no energy. It was scary! I requested another blood test, and the results showed that my TSH levels dropped to 0.5. My dosage will go from 25 mcg to 12.5 mcg starting tomorrow. I will come back in a few weeks."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• September 6, 2011

For Underactive Thyroid "I have been on the generic version of levothyroxine for 4 months now. Have not noticed any difference in how I am feeling at all. The ones I do notice are not positive. All I do is look for a place to lay down all day. My hair is dry. My weight has not come off, I might be gaining more. I can't tolerate heat anymore, and I sweat. I used to love the heat, and I never had noticeable sweating before. Also, my periods have stopped. I went from 25 to 50 mcg and no change at all. I had hyperthyroid, now hypo, they say I will switch back to normal and gave me the levothyroxine just to alleviate being so tired. Well, in my opinion, this medicine is not the answer for me."

• Bir...
• July 12, 2021

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "Had to increase my Tirosint this week to 50 mcg, and I feel so sick and lethargic. I will not take it tomorrow. I was on only 0.25 mcg for over 2 years, but my TSH suddenly started fluctuating, jumped up to 14, then 22. So I began 50 mcg this week, and my body does not like it. I need to try a different brand for sure. This is awful."

• Luc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2022

Levothyroxine for Hashimoto's disease "It is 12/27/2022. I switched over from Synthroid 125 and now on Tirosint 125 mcg. I think this medication doesn't work at all. I am getting extremely cold as it's wintertime, and my family is getting mad at me for having no energy. I'm going to switch back to Synthroid when I see my endo again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 31, 2020

Levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I took Armour Thyroid for 40 years, and Dr. put me on Levocyl. Anyway, a few months ago, he dropped my dosage to 50 from 75. The tests showed there was a need. I feel drained... tired. Can I get back on 75 even if the test shows I should be on 50?"

• 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?"

• 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."

• Sun...
• July 7, 2016

For Underactive Thyroid "I have been on levo for a year and a half, and I have experienced a few side effects that are not mentioned when prescribed. I have heartburn, acid reflux, brain fog, always tired all the time, but I love this med. It has my periods back to normal, which is what I was hoping for, so it's worth the side effects. Before being tested, I didn't have a period in 18 months."

• 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."

• Hfg...
• March 5, 2010

For Underactive Thyroid "I've been on this medicine since I was 3 days old, I'm now 18. I couldn't imagine what I would do without it. I have missed my pill for 3 days before, and I became very tired, cold, and sweat a lot. It wasn't a fun time. Hearing your stories about how you lived without it sounds scary! Other than having very bad sleeping problems, this medicine is great. Never lost any hair and have healthy fingernails, etc."

• 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."

• Mat...
• September 23, 2017

For Underactive Thyroid "I was on the 50 mg levothyroxine for 6 months. Before that, my dose was up and down from 100 to 125 to 75, then to 50. I was freezing all the time and sick. This went on for 14 years. Then in 2017, I had kidney stone surgery, and the doctor took me off the thyroid pill, and my test results were all in the normal range. Now, I have been off the thyroid pill and am having hot flashes like crazy. I am feeling tired with no energy sometimes. Now, I sleep pretty well at night, as before, I didn't even sleep. I'm still having those hot flashes at night. I am wondering if this is my body adjusting to being off the thyroid pill. I'm 74, 100 lbs. When I was on the thyroid pill, I kept losing weight, but now since I'm off the pill, I eat healthy but still can't gain a few pounds. My doctor says I need to get up to at least 115 lbs to be healthy."

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 11, 2021

Levothyroxine for Hashimoto's disease "Walmart switched me from levothyroxine in August to Euthyrox. I started feeling lethargic and not doing well. I didn’t know the cause until I switched back to levothyroxine. Euthyrox medication doesn’t work, and I am throwing away what I have left. Cannot believe Walmart can just switch your medication without your approval. I will not use their pharmacy again!"

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 4, 2021

Levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I have been switched to Euthyrox and have been taking it for 8 days. The pharmacist said it's the same thing but different packaging. Day 4, I started to feel lightheaded, nauseated, terrible muscle aches, and feeling extremely tired. Very hard to concentrate, so I had to go to the ER, they said nothing was wrong and levels were fine today. Maybe I was getting a virus. Now that I am reading these posts, I am convinced it is this new medicine. I was on levothyroxine for 10 years and had no problems. A few days of this and feeling like rubbish! I emailed my doctor to let them know and got a hold of the office, and they show that the only one he prescribed was levo, not Euthyrox. I am contacting Walmart and my doctor again to get my levothyroxine back. If you stop taking Euthyrox, how long before side effects go away? The ER brushed me off without even checking into it. I told them about it, but labs were normal today. If I kept taking it, I wonder if my labs would have come out worse."

• DON...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 1, 2022

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "The same thing happened to me as everyone else is describing. I have taken Levo for over 15 years now, and my levels have been fine. Walmart switched this on me and told me, 'It is the same thing, just different packaging.' I thought something was off, but I went with it. I took them for two weeks, then I had my first blackout. I had a hot flash, hard time breathing, and ran into the door until collapsing to the floor. I tried to dismiss it, but then not even a week later, I was with some friends, and I felt totally fine when all of a sudden, I had the heat flash again. I tried to walk to the door and fell straight down to the floor. I tried to stand and fell again. Do not take this drug, it will cause you serious issues. I have also been feeling very tired and gaining weight since taking it. It doesn't do anything to benefit your body."

• Arv...
• April 8, 2018

For Underactive Thyroid "I’ve been on this since 2009. After 8 months of very little improvement, I went to my GP and begged them to add Cytomel. This combination of T3 and T4 works for me. You get to a point where you know when you need to be adjusted due to feeling exhausted, gaining weight for no reason, brain fog, etc.—it’s been a struggle to get a doctor to increase my dosage due to my high TSH levels. Finally, I found someone who went the extra step and ordered further testing. I’ve been diagnosed with a benign pituitary tumor, which was causing my pituitary to overproduce prolactin and TSH. My suggestion, if after 8 months of taking Levothyroxine your symptoms don’t seem to be alleviated—ask to add a T3 med, for me, it made a huge difference in quality of life."

• sur...
• September 21, 2016

For Underactive Thyroid "My TSH levels were/are 4.9, which is borderline but still hypo. My T-3 and T-4 levels are normal. I was prescribed 50 mg of Levothyroxine to be taken before breakfast. From the second day, I felt so tired and lethargic that I could mostly just lay on the sofa. After four days, I stopped taking it altogether. I emailed my doctor and asked him if taking the med every other day would be OK, and he said to try it. But because I have to have energy and meet the public in my job, I have not done that yet. I just can't take the fatigue/lethargy again. I still feel tired, so I guess it is hypo, but the med makes me feel worse. Such a dilemma. Any suggestions would be welcome as I see this as getting worse but with no solution."

• sur...
• September 21, 2016

For Underactive Thyroid "My TSH levels were/are 4.9, which is borderline but still hypo. My T-3 and T-4 levels are normal. I was prescribed 50 mg of Levothyroxine to be taken before breakfast. From the second day, I felt so tired and lethargic that I could mostly just lay on the sofa. After four days, I stopped taking it altogether. I emailed my doctor and asked him if taking the med every other day would be OK, and he said to try it. But because I have to have energy and meet the public in my job, I have not done that yet. I just can't take the fatigue/lethargy again. I still feel tired, so I guess it is hypo, but the med makes me feel worse. Such a dilemma. Any suggestions would be welcome as I see this as getting worse but with no solution."

• Jus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2015

Levothyroxine for Underactive Thyroid "I had a blood test 3 weeks ago, and I knew something was wrong. The doctor prescribed this to me. I don't know my numbers. I'm taking 25 mcg. I was tired before, but now I feel like I'm dead. Too bad you can't take this medicine at night. I never had a puffy face, but the cold bothered me a little. Very dry skin that developed over the winter. I used to have Addison's disease, which was easier to check with a simple prick of the finger."