Synthroid and Depression: What Users Say

• ire...
• October 27, 2011

For Underactive Thyroid "I have been on Synthroid for about 7 years. I am 43 now, but I still feel very tired and have no energy or motivation. My bones feel weak. I have been telling my doctor that maybe I need a higher dosage, but he said no. I suggested changing the medication, but he insisted I am fine. But I know my body. My hair is falling out, it's thin. Maybe a new doctor can help me."

• Anonymous
• March 17, 2020

For Hashimoto's disease "Synthroid is terrible, it gave me an exacerbation of mental health symptoms! Nervousness, restlessness, anxiety, fatigue, constant dark thoughts, and depression. My TSH dropped from 0.50 to 0.02, and still no symptoms of hyper, just the same symptoms of hypo: weight gain, tiredness, and depression. I thought I was losing my mind! Trying to adjust my psych meds, thinking that was the issue, didn't work because it was the levo causing the problem. It's difficult to separate symptoms of mental health problems from thyroid problems because they can be similar. I got a referral from my PCP to see an endocrinologist. They switched me to Armour. Significant improvement. Levothyroxine stinks! I'd rather take no thyroid medication and suffer the consequences than take Levothyroxine."

• Anonymous
• January 18, 2011

For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I was put on Synthroid after having my thyroid removed due to cancer 6 years ago. I think I've been put on every dosage there is. I have not felt the same since. I'm always tired, I wake up wanting to rip someone's head off, armpits sweat horribly, cry over nothing, depressed, hair loss, always colder or hotter than people around me, no energy, etc. But when I talk to my doctor and explain my issues, I'm told that I'm fine. (I beg to differ, needless to say I'm going to see a new doctor next visit.) Though I'm sure Synthroid is a wonderful medication, it just doesn't seem to be working for me in my opinion... my doctor seems to think differently."

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

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

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."

• Sha...
• January 19, 2014

For Hashimoto's disease "I've been on Synthroid for over 15 years due to Hashimoto's Disease and also partial thyroidectomy due to a nodule. For anyone who is on the medication and says they are feeling depressed, tired, etc., check into the symptoms of hypothyroidism/Hashimoto's disease as it may be that your medication is not at the right dose. My doctor considers 'normal' TSH to be between 1 and 3, while the AMA lists it as between 1 and 5. When I am at a 4, I do not feel well and have all the symptoms. DON'T just STOP taking this medication on your own as you can have severe side effects. GO back to your doctor and discuss how you feel. I cannot take the generics as they do not work for me. Only SYNTHROID for me! (I'm on 225 a day!)"

• Anonymous
• June 8, 2010

For Underactive Thyroid "I've been on Synthroid (Levothyroxine) for about a year and a half now. They've changed my dose 4 times so far and I'm currently at 100 mcg. Once they keep me on a dose for a bit, I feel okay, but with every change I have a few annoying side effects. I can say that if you take it every day like you're supposed to, it will work eventually. You have to be patient, it won't make you feel great right away. It took me about 3 months. But it helped with my lethargy, weight, and even depression. It's pretty good if you take it as prescribed. If you stop taking it suddenly, the effects of hypothyroidism come back pretty quickly and severely, so I recommend taking it as your doctor states."

• Anonymous
• December 10, 2011

For Hashimoto's disease "If you are taking Synthroid and you are still depressed, overweight, or losing hair (all symptoms of hypothyroidism, which this drug treats) then your dose is still not high enough. If your doctor tells you that you are 'within the normal range,' switch doctors - if you are still having symptoms, then your dose should be higher. I have been on this medication for several years now and as long as I'm on the right dose, I feel fine. I know I need an adjustment when I start to get tired and depressed. Those are the two most obvious symptoms for me (as well as hair loss). I have used low-carb diets effectively (New Atkins for a New You is good - has a section for vegetarians) to lose the weight I had gained when my thyroid became inactive."

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

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."

• Hop...
• October 18, 2013

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."

• Hyp...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 7, 2013

For Hashimoto's disease "6+ years on Synthroid, and this is what I have to show for it. Used to be a size 12, now a 28, no periods, pain all over, hypo symptoms still, mental and mood symptoms (anxiety, depression, mood swings). My growth hormone is only 40 and my FSH is 78. I can't have children. Finally switched to Cytomel, it broke me out and still had the same symptoms as above. My level was over 20 last they checked. Just got a prescription for Armour, hoping I finally get my life back."

• Anonymous
• June 24, 2010

For Hashimoto's disease "I was on this medicine for about 6 months, and in that time, I felt worse than when I wasn't taking it. It took the migraines away, but I still had muscle aches, fatigue, hair loss, dry skin, brittle nails, and more. The huge symptom I had on this medicine that bothered me was the depression. I felt dread and doom every day. I couldn't take it anymore, so I stopped taking it, then I went to a different doctor who prescribed me Armour."

• Anonymous
• January 25, 2011

For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I had my thyroid removed in February 2009 and was on Levothroid until about 2 months ago. It did nothing to help. I switched to Synthroid, and it seems to work better, but I still am feeling depressed, have difficulty concentrating, and have trouble remembering things, like any new information given to me. I just haven't felt like myself since the surgery."

• Mic...
• April 11, 2015

For Hashimoto's disease "My Hashimoto's with a benign nodule was found after losing my twins to early delivery. Endo believes this was a missed factor in my loss. My TSH was over 4. Started on levothyroxine 100 mcg was great for 2 months, but by the third month, my blood sugars dropped, heart was racing (palpitations), body itching like the burn you feel after a workout, my hair was falling out, severe anxiety, and I was losing 2 lbs every few days (that part I didn't mind). I was insistent to check my TSH and it was 0.27, adjusted down to 88 mcg with an extra half tab once a week. My TSH is now 2.2, but I feel the depression and fatigue. Adjusting back up to 100 since it's been 3 years. At least now I know what to watch for. I no longer experience PCOS or DM 2."

• Roc...
• May 29, 2010

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!"

• Roc...
• May 29, 2010

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!"

• Pga...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 14, 2022

For Hashimoto's disease "Like many, I was doing amazing on Nature Throid until about 2017, and since then I have bounced from no medication and from Tirosint and Synthroid. Synthroid has been the worst decision of my life! I feel so sad and depressed, which probably has to do with a 40 lb weight gain after switching to synthetic meds. I truly wished this worked for me!"

• Pga...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 14, 2022

For Hashimoto's disease "Like many, I was doing amazing on Nature Throid until about 2017, and since then I have bounced from no medication and from Tirosint and Synthroid. Synthroid has been the worst decision of my life! I feel so sad and depressed, which probably has to do with a 40 lb weight gain after switching to synthetic meds. I truly wished this worked for me!"

• Pat...
• August 28, 2017

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."

• tmi...
• April 9, 2015

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."

• Fru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 8, 2022

For Hashimoto's disease "I have been taking Levoxyl for the past 10 years and doing well on it. Then all of a sudden, I was having severe hyperthyroid symptoms after my dose was increased, and I was switched to Synthroid. This stuff feels like poison. It caused heaviness in my chest, felt like it was more difficult to breathe, and caused me to feel very depressed. I took it for a month and said no more. I am back on Levoxyl now, and all of those horrible symptoms went away almost immediately. I have tried several different levothyroxine brands, and it’s so difficult to find the correct one. The batches seem to be inconsistent lately as well for both Synthroid and Levoxyl. But if you’re having horrible side effects from Synthroid, please switch to a different brand. It really makes a difference."

• M L...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 9, 2021

For Underactive Thyroid "By far, the best T4 brand. I was first diagnosed with hypothyroidism while in Germany. There, I was given Euthyrox - which was absolutely terrible. So terrible that I decided it was better to stop taking the drug and face all the symptoms of hypothyroidism. It's worth mentioning that a class action suit against Merck, the German laboratory responsible for Euthyrox, was successful in France. Now, back home, my endocrinologist changed my medication to Synthroid (same active substance, different brand), and she also told me that many patients had faced the same thing while on Euthyrox. It's been a bit more than 6 months, and I'm feeling absolutely fantastic. Depression is gone, hair loss is gone, lost tons of weight. Recently, I had my dosage reduced from 200mcg to 175mcg. I take it systematically every day right after waking up on an empty stomach. Really changed my life. + I'm also taking Wellbutrin XL 300mg (for 7 years now) and cholecalciferol. No interactions or heart palpitations."

• mol...
• November 24, 2009

For Hashimoto's disease "I have been on 2 different dosages of Synthroid for almost 20 years. In January of 2009, my doctor decided to take me off 1 of my dosages, that was the worst experience of my life. I went into withdrawals, fatigue, and depression all over again. I am now just getting back on my other dosage, keeping my fingers crossed it will all work out for the best again."

• Anonymous
• November 12, 2009

For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I had my thyroid removed six weeks ago. I have been taking this medication, and have experienced weight gain, depression, and anxiety. I have not felt like myself at all."

• bec...
• January 9, 2010

For Underactive Thyroid "I was depressed for 2 months while on this pill. As soon as I stopped taking it, my depression went away. I have a prescription for Naturethroid, and I really hope it works!"