Synthroid and Insomnia: What Users Say

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Ted...
• July 31, 2016

For Underactive Thyroid "I feel awful! I have been on this drug for 6 weeks. I have so many side effects. 1. Very tired (no energy). 2. Nausea. 3. Headache. 4. Can't sleep (even if I take a sleeping pill). 5. Always feel hot. 6. Sweating. 7. Clammy skin (have to have the fan on all the time). I live in Canada so it's not that hot. Never felt so sick."

• 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."

• Del...
• August 16, 2016

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!"

• 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."

• 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."

• Pam...
• September 27, 2017

For Underactive Thyroid "I don't feel it does anything. I have more headaches and insomnia. So I am telling my primary I am stopping it. If she doesn't agree, I am stopping regardless."