Synthroid User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• Den...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 16, 2017

For Underactive Thyroid "My doctor prescribed Levothyroxine for low thyroid, and I had been feeling so tired and wiped out. Levothyroxine did help improve my numbers (TSH of 7.5 dropped to 4.5), but I felt awful on it. Everything hurt, and I was so exhausted. After 3 months on Levothyroxine, I asked to try the brand name Synthroid. What a difference! It improved my numbers even more (same dose, TSH decreased to 1.75), and not only that, I felt better. I had energy. My experience is night and day. I know generics are supposed to be equivalent, but I can tell you there is a difference. Synthroid brand works so much better than Levothyroxine. Recommended."

• Dor...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 8, 2019

For Hashimoto's disease "So sorry some of you are having this experience with Synthroid. I have been on this medication for 8 years now. When I started out with it, I had many of the same symptoms as all of you for about nine months. During that time, I went through 5 medication adjustments. I started out at 25 mcg, then ended up at 100 mcg. Then I went to taking the 100 mcg 5 times a week and cutting the pill in half two days. What worked for me is the following: - Take exactly at the same time every morning - Do not eat or drink anything within the hour after that - Some medications and supplements interfere with the absorption of it. Take them 4 to 6 hours before or after. This is important because Synthroid is a narrow therapeutic dosing drug. In other words, if your dose isn't just right, you will experience all the negative side effects of both hypo and drug side effects. - If your doctor isn't willing to adjust the dose for you like my doctor has, find another doctor."

• Anonymous
• February 20, 2012

For Underactive Thyroid "Have been taking thyroid medicines for 10 years. I found that the generic version is not absorbed as well as Synthroid. Went back to the brand name a few days ago and am no longer tired, and my period finally stopped after 3 continuous weeks. 10 on the scale for sure!"

• ric...
• August 6, 2020

For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "Many doctors have begun to realize that many people are allergic to the ten or more additives in Synthroid. I had papillary thyroid cancer over 30 years ago. I had surgery, and I have been sick for over 30 years. The brain fog was terrible. I have fired more than 20 doctors over this time. They always said, 'Your lab report says your levels are fine.' On my second visit to a holistic doctor, she changed me to Tirosint, which has no additives. Tirosint is relatively new and is produced in Europe. TRY TIROSINT. Please…. You will not be sorry."

• 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."

• Str...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 1, 2015

For Underactive Thyroid "Since being diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 1999. First, I was given antidepressants for being tired and gaining weight (eyeroll). I have been on 88mcg of Synthroid daily. My blood work has always come back with my TSH at the high end of normal. Former doctor retired years ago, so no continuum of care (walk-in clinic). Recently, a new doctor suggested we adjust meds to bring down the TSH level. Started with 100mcg of Levothyroxine 5 days & Synthroid 88 - 2 days a week. In a few months' time, I suffered some pretty severe side effects - extreme dizziness/weakness, lack of energy, mood extremes, weight is either climbing or stagnant, racing pulse/heart rate. We checked levels, and now TSH reads at the extreme low end of normal. I'm scared, please help."

• Amy...
• August 13, 2016

For Underactive Thyroid "Diagnosed with Graves' disease, my thyroid was radiated and destroyed. Put on Synthroid, took a while to get dosage right, but I have been on it for 8 years now and without it, I would want to die. I take 100 mcg a day, and I set my phone alarm to go off at the same time every day so I won't forget it."

• Cat...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 27, 2020

For Underactive Thyroid "I have been on Synthroid since 1993. Prior to starting it, I couldn't lose weight no matter what I did. It was and is the help I needed. After being on Synthroid for about a decade, my insurance requested I switch to a generic. After a couple of months, my TSH levels were no longer balanced, and my dose was increased. After nearly a year of no control, no matter what dose I was on, my levels and symptoms wouldn't stabilize. My doctor and I realized the change happened when I was switched to the generic. It took several months back on the Synthroid before I was stable again. No more generics for me, now it's my wallet getting lighter because of how expensive it is. But at least my levels are stable."

• 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."

• pli...
• October 25, 2009

For Underactive Thyroid "I have taken Synthroid for 23 years. The first 3 years I did okay on it but over the past 20, I started to feel lousy. I'm tired all the time and very irritable. I've taken from 0.050 MG to 0.125. I still feel bad. It's been adjusted at least 30 to 35 times throughout the course of 23 years. I feel totally helpless and hopeless. My doctor will not change my thyroid medication."

• Anonymous
• August 16, 2011

For Underactive Thyroid "The only confirmation I have that it works is my blood work. I feel no better or worse on Synthroid. It is very annoying to take. You have to take it in the morning, on an empty stomach, no food for an hour. And for some, no calcium for two hours. Tell me, how do you eat breakfast with this medicine!? It does work though, so I gave it an 8."

• l2b...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 28, 2015

For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "Due to thyroidectomy, I am hypothyroid. While on Synthroid, I felt awful. High anxiety, quick to anger. Definitely did not like this drug. I like Levoxyl and Nature-Throid. Doing better. Keep trying other meds if you feel awful."

• Art...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 21, 2018

For Underactive Thyroid "I have been on Synthroid for 12 years, and I have had no side effects. I only have good things to say about this drug. However, when you start, blood tests are essential to determine the right dosage. You must take it on an empty stomach and have no food for about an hour. Also, you need to keep the Synthroid level constant in your blood system. If you skip a day or two, it is like you have to start over to get back to the dosage you were prescribed. This drug works. Use it as your Dr. tells you to and have blood tests on a regular basis."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• July 3, 2008

For Underactive Thyroid "I have been taking Synthroid for about eight years now. I have tried the generic Levoxothyrine, and it makes me shaky all over even at the same dosage. My history has been going from hyperthyroid, caused by thyroiditis, to hypothyroid afterwards. I take my dose religiously every morning, 1 hour before breakfast. Even in light of this, I seem to have great fluctuations in my levels. I assume this is more a physiological problem than that of the medication. When we get it leveled out, I feel well."

• KFS...
• April 13, 2011

For Underactive Thyroid "I have been on Synthroid for over 8 years and have actually gained weight. I have a very healthy lifestyle (exercise for one hour 5 days a week, and eat healthy), but nothing has been working. My endocrinologist consistently increases my prescription and nothing changes. Next time I see her I am going to get on Armour."

• dav...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 6, 2017

For Hashimoto's disease "Synthroid is only one of the four hormones produced by the thyroid. So it produces about the expected mediocre result. For me, it was worse than mediocre, it was horrible, leaving me essentially bedridden for almost 3 years. This company has a bad record, and pressure is put on docs to use this stuff exclusively. Why aren't we offered other options at the start?"

• Mar...
• June 17, 2021

For Underactive Thyroid "I have taken Synthroid (branded) since 2005 (dose .075) with no issues or side effects, have kept annual notes on TSH, T3, T4 test results since that date. Recently, my TSH dropped to .25 with T3 and T4 in normal range. Doc switched me to .50 from .075 because my TSH was low. The side effects were absolutely awful for 5 weeks, with the worst being muscular pain throughout my whole body, afraid my legs would give out. I stopped taking it after 5 weeks for 2 days while waiting to see Doc to see what’s happening. Within 1.5 days, the symptoms relieved without any pain medication. I believe there is some change to the drug and have contacted AbbVie (waiting for an answer) to see if the fillers (which are numerous) have been changed from 1 dosage to another. If you are having any side effects, you must call them and report it, especially if they are long-term or severe as mine were. I am back on .075 with no issues... something is wrong here. Will keep posted."

• 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."

• jrb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 7, 2020

For Underactive Thyroid "I had a partial thyroidectomy in 2007. I've been on generic Levo 88 mcg for about 10 years now. Maybe it would be different had I been started on Synthroid from the get-go, but I've tried Synthroid two times, once at 75 mcg and this week at 88 mcg, and the results were the same. Within three days, I had muscle weakness, muscle spasms, more pain in my neck, and extreme fatigue. Regulation mandates 95-105% of the active ingredient be present. I've taken Unithroid 88 mcg, and I never had the extreme symptoms like with Synthroid. I steer clear of this med because I can't afford to miss another week of pay fiddling around with it. Generic and Unithroid aren't perfect, but at least I can function."

• Nan...
• January 23, 2016

For Underactive Thyroid "Before Synthroid, I was achy and tired. Now I have headaches, bloating, stomach pain, loose stools, and the feeling of being in a fog. I'm only on day 4 of the lowest dose cut in half. I'm stopping it. I was put on it before and it made my heart go to sinus tach, but the new doctor insisted I try it again! Hell no! I felt better before the medication!"

• Ale...
• June 14, 2019

For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I have been on a roller coaster ride for the last 3 to 4 years. Every time my levels are checked, they come back off. I had been on Levoxyl 100 for years and don’t recall having any issues. Due to a health insurance change, I was switched to levothyroxine 100 and problems started happening. On levothyroxine 100, my levels would be out of whack, and the doctors switched the dosage to 112, and I thought I was dying. Within a couple of days, my joints, back, neck, and feet would ache. I started getting palpitations, it felt like I was having a heart attack. I ended up in the ER because of a fast heart rate and heaviness and numbness on the left side of my body. Doctors thought I was having a stroke. I was switched to Syntheroid 100. 6 days on it. I have such bad pain throughout my body and joints. My legs feel as if they are swelling. I have tried Armour and immediately developed double vision and dizziness. I have stomach issues and gluten sensitivity."

• Mis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 1, 2018

For Hashimoto's disease "I've been taking generic (levothyroxine) for 2.5 years. I took it for a little while about 4 years ago, but I didn't keep up with my health as I should have. My TSH was 58.8, and I started on 50 mcg. After seeing my GP and now an endocrinologist, I am now up to 150 mcg, and the last TSH was 0.99. I have had no side effects from either Synthroid or the generic. The medicine does what it's supposed to do. My hair grew back, the fog lifted, I got my energy back, severe muscle pain went away, joints no longer hurt, and my cholesterol went down from 280 to 200. I take it in the morning but don't follow any rules. The endo just said to take it. I usually take it with my vitamin D, prescription Pepcid, and vitamin C. I take it with coffee or milk. The endo said it really didn't matter, just take it because not taking it is not an option."

• CMI...
• March 6, 2012

For Underactive Thyroid "I've been taking Synthroid for about 3 years. I had to have radiation on my thyroid because they couldn't control levels. It just would go real low then extremely high. I'm on 300 mg taking Monday through Saturday. I'm feeling better but it takes a long time before they find the right dosage."