Synthroid and Hair Loss: What Users Say

• Won...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 16, 2019

For Underactive Thyroid "I was on Synthroid for 10 years. I was in so much pain in my joints, I couldn't function. This is a known side effect of this medicine. My numbers were where they were supposed to be per the doctors, but I still felt tired and my hair was still falling out. After my husband and I did research, we worked with my doctor and switched to Armour Thyroid. Within 6 weeks my pain was gone, I felt better. I wasn't tired and my hair was falling out. No matter what medicine you use - you know how you should feel. Do the research and work with your doctor. Only you know how you should feel. Don't depend on the doctor to tell you."

• Paw...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 18, 2018

For Hashimoto's disease "Had my thyroid removed 2 years ago. Was put on Synthroid and have felt terrible ever since. Weight gain, joint and muscle pain, blurred vision, tremors, hair loss, constipation, irregular heartbeat, stomach problems, and the list goes on. Doctor tells me my numbers are fine, and I should be put on an antidepressant. Really. That's because they don't know enough about thyroid disease and keep pushing the drugs. This drug is next to poison, but no one listens to us. We are held hostage to these doctors that don't care. Where do we turn to because we are suffering. Help!"

• hap...
• October 14, 2011

For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I've had my thyroid removed 10 months ago, and I started taking the lowest dose of Levothyroxine (generic) six weeks after the surgery. I had my blood work done and dosage adjusted every six weeks until I ended up at 137 mcg daily, 5 months after the surgery. Then I switched to Synthroid brand. All this adjusting was done by an endocrinologist. I feel great, definitely much better than before the surgery when I suffered from severe hyperthyroidism. I did gain some weight right after the surgery, but once the dosage was correct, I was able to lose the pounds easily. All of my other symptoms (hair loss, abnormal sweating, fatigue) were gone once the dosage was correct. The right dosage is extremely important."

• 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."

• 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."

• Hyp...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 23, 2019

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."

• 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."

• Deb...
• January 7, 2014

For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I had my thyroid irradiated in 2005 due to Graves' disease caused by Hep C treatment (Ribavirin & Interferon). At first, I saw an endocrinologist that prescribed Armour Thyroid, but loss of job and insurance forced me to go to a free clinic, where I received Synthroid. The clinic doesn't seem to understand the difference between experiencing low thyroid levels from naturally occurring hypothyroidism and complete loss of thyroid. My NP says to me, incredulously, 'You take an awful lot of thyroid!', and at that time, I was only taking 75mcg a day. Finally, after three years of 75 to 100mcg, when I felt absolutely crazy (tired, confused, hair loss, cranky, paranoid, angry, enormous weight gain), she now has me on 150mcg which seems not perfect but better."

• Peb...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 25, 2019

For Underactive Thyroid "I do not notice any difference with the medicine. I’m still suffering from depression, and I have extreme hair loss and weight gain even if I don’t eat more than 1500 calories a day: high protein, low carbs."

• Anonymous
• March 5, 2010

For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I had my thyroid removed almost a year ago, and I can agree that while I have not lost any weight using this drug, I have not gained any either. I have had horrible mood swings and lost a great deal of my hair. My doctor refuses to change the dosage because she says 'I'm within normal range' - whatever that means. I do feel like I'm experiencing memory loss or having problems concentrating."

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

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."

• miz...
• December 30, 2016

For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I ended up with an emergency complete thyroidectomy after an ultrasound revealed the tumors (2 in each lobe of my thyroid) had grown and were the culprit for me having to turn my head to the left to swallow food or even drink liquid. After years of taking levothyroxine, I was put onto the brand name Synthroid. At worst, my levels were 86.4. Yes, you read that correctly. My hair falls out in clumps, I feel tired, exhausted, have body aches and joint pain, and chronic fatigue, etc. Now my routine is to take my Synthroid at bedtime with vitamin C. I wake up fine, I'm down from 325 to 181, and I feel great! Please remember your thyroid takes weeks/months to change, you won't notice anything three days to a month into taking this."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• December 22, 2011

For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I do not feel too much of a difference from before I had my thyroid removed. I do understand how so many people have such a wide variety of symptoms. I can say though that my weight is lower than ever, even my teenage years. My hair does seem to be thinner and cannot tolerate cold very much but that is pretty much it."

• 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."

• Miz...
• October 27, 2014

For Underactive Thyroid "Had partial thyroid removal with benign tumor 30+ years ago, was OK until about 2 years ago and routine bloodwork showed low thyroid. After 2 years being OK on the medication, suddenly the thyroid levels are dropping again, hair falling out, skin is breaking out in itchy red welts, gaining weight, so Dr. upped the dosage. A couple of weeks on a higher dose I feel like I am 'wired' in high gear, can't sit still, talking to myself going in circles, and my hot flashes have really, really ramped up big time. Dr. says to give it at least 60, preferably 90 days to adjust, not sure I can hold out that long before stopping it. Hoping there is a better solution out there someplace."

• Aya...
• December 6, 2017

For Underactive Thyroid "I used Synthroid (25, 50, or 75) for over more than 10 years, but had to use the original, not the generic, because the generic does not work in some people. I've not been operated on, but for over 2 years, I've been using NatureThroid (32.5) instead, which was recommended by my ND, and I have to say that all my side effects that Synthroid caused had gone. I almost lost all my hair and had terrible heartbeats, headaches, joint pains, etc. I do not have Hashimoto, and really don't know if it works for people with this condition, but I tried NatureThroid, and I am very happy with the results."

• Anonymous
• August 21, 2012

For Hashimoto's disease "I have been on Synthroid now for 4 years. I wasn't able to take the generic Levothyroxine because it caused me high blood pressure. I was shocked to find out I had thyroid disease. My dosage continues to go up, I'm on 125 mcg now, and just had my TSH checked, and it's again on the low end (which I can tell because of fatigue, weight gain, hair loss). I demand my thyroid to be tested every 4 months. When it's in the middle of the 'normal' range is the only time I feel good!"

• 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."

• 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."

• fir...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 2, 2016

For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I was 1st diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism. The doctor said it wasn't bad to just watch it. After a couple of years, it got worse - I saw another doctor, and he did 6 biopsies - found that I had papillary cancer. Following month, I had my thyroid and 2 parathyroids removed. The surgeon put me on 100 mcg of generic Synthroid - seemed to be doing okay until I had the RAI, twice, then everything messed up. I was still having hair loss, ears ringing, teeth getting bad, bathroom habits were never the same, cramps, affected my salivary glands permanently, so I'm dry all the time. Plus, I've put on 25 lbs. I eat, I don't eat, it doesn't matter, the weight will not come off. The endocrinologist changed my dosage to 112 mcg, and I seemed to be doing better. I am back to 100 mcg with previous symptoms."

• Sma...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 5, 2022

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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• February 28, 2012

For Underactive Thyroid "I have found energy again, however I have noticed my full head of hair is now thinning."

• gra...
• August 25, 2009

For Underactive Thyroid "I was at Phase 3 of hypothyroidism, and 150mg a day has halted all side effects of the disease, e.g., loss of hair, nails thinning, lethargy, etc."