NP Thyroid and Headaches: What Users Say

• Eli...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 6, 2019

For Underactive Thyroid "Do not take this medicine! Started in July. He gave me samples first. Those were good. Did blood work again, doubled dosage and got script in August. My hair dried out and started falling out. Then insomnia, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, crying for no reason, menstrual cycle irregular, throat burning, stomach hurt, headaches, very greasy, complete brain fog, itchy with bumps, could barely talk, bad back shoulder and neck pain. Barely functioning day to day, I felt empty inside, like I was losing it. I couldn't talk right. I was waking up at 12 am wide awake, couldn't relax, completely amped and exhausted at the same time. I didn't understand what was happening. I stopped taking it. Every day my brain got clearer and felt more like me, my personality came back. I have always been healthy and didn't look at the side effects. I feel stupid for not, lesson learned. This isn't ok! I'm so glad I found this site and it all makes sense now. Please report this! I am!"

• Den...
• February 12, 2020

For Underactive Thyroid "I’ve been on NP for 4 months. I haven’t been feeling well and have a splitting headache, so I googled side effects. I don’t know what made me think it could be thyroid medicine. For some reason, it just popped into my head. I have very bad headaches daily, bloated stomach, constipation, I’m very cold all the time, foggy, and just out of it. I’m so tired and have a 'I don’t care' attitude. I used to take levo and didn’t have any of these problems. My numbers aren’t changing, so the doctor keeps increasing the dosage. Now at 120 mg, I have such blurry vision, which is sometimes double vision. Heart palpitations. Chest pain. Joint pain. I can’t sleep. I'm glad I came here to read, I thought I must have a terrible disease. Seeing doctor in a few days."

• Anonymous
• October 28, 2019

For Underactive Thyroid "I have been taking NP Thyroid for about one year now since NatureThroid became unavailable in 0.5 grain. It's been okay but the last two months I have begun feeling horrible. I have no energy, feel very tired, digestive problems, bloated painful stomach, headaches, brain fog, leg cramps, anxiety/panic attacks, depressed, complete loss of libido, fat gain around the middle, and more. In early September, I noticed my NP Thyroid refill smelled horrible. I contacted my pharmacist and he told me batches vary - it's normal. So I continued to take it, feeling worse over time. I stopped taking it for 3 days as a trial this week and felt somewhat better. I since found a few websites and blogs that discuss the issues. I am not alone. Will contact Naturopath tomorrow to see what my options are. I too, like others, feel poisoned. It seems like my reaction is more than just hypothyroid symptoms. I did not feel this badly before starting thyroid hormones."

• Mad...
• September 22, 2019

For Underactive Thyroid "I was on NP Thyroid for 3 years and finally got my life back. There’s a change in my most recent refill that has made me sick to my stomach, headache for days along with unbelievable fatigue. The pills smell like cat urine and taste the same. How dare you endanger so many people that are trying to regain their health. Do NOT buy NP Thyroid!"

• aka...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 20, 2021

For Underactive Thyroid "Last week, my pharmacy gave me NP Thyroid instead of regularly prescribed Armour Thyroid. At first, I noticed the strong smell and taste of mildew/cat wee. I checked the label on my prescription and noticed it wasn’t Armour. A week into taking this, I noticed my body aching and heart palpitations. Then my heart started pounding, and I got all jittery. My hands and knees were shaking, and I felt weak with a headache and brain fog. I called my pharmacist, and after talking to them, they exchanged that medication for my regular Armour. After looking into this medication, I found out it has been recalled multiple times, and my symptoms were identical to other multiple people's reviews. Please do not take this medicine. It is terrible."

• Gig...
• October 14, 2019

For Underactive Thyroid "After taking NP Thyroid for five years and doing well on it, I was expecting the same when I picked up my refill just days ago. After the first dose yesterday morning, I learned something had changed drastically. Within two hours, I had nausea and a terrible headache. Both lasted long into the evening. I had some older NP Thyroid pills left and took those this morning and searched on the web for any others that might have had a similar experience. It didn't take long to find others who have had the same experience. Seeing as though Medicare, in their 'infinite wisdom,' has decided not to pay for any medication with T3 in it for the elderly, the cost involved with this refill was substantial. Acella says even though they have changed their supplier to one in Europe, the ratio of T4 and T3 is the same. So we, the patients, are the guinea pigs!"

• Nur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 22, 2020

For Hashimoto's disease "I’ve been on Armour thyroid for over 10 years, taking 60 mg daily. My prescription got filled with NP thyroid this last time. When I received it, I saw the change, quickly looked it up, saw desiccated thyroid and figured it was fine. I finished my Armour and switched over. I was also recently diagnosed with type 2 narcolepsy for which I’ve been taking Modafinil for the last 4 months. So when I started developing headaches, palpitations, hypertension, and GI bloating, and let’s just say it-farts-I actually thought it was that. Even though it’s only been about a month of those symptoms. Today as I sat here and pondered why the headaches and increase in BP, I thought of the thyroid medication switch and started poking around. And here I found some answers. Along with reading the differences in Armour and NP. I won’t take it tomorrow or the next day, until they give me Armour back. Be alert to what feels good, right, and normal. Be persistent in your health!"

• Bow...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 26, 2019

For Thyroid Cancer "When I found NP Thyroid 11 months ago, I got my life back. I struggled for a year on different medications after a total thyroidectomy for cancer, but now Acella changed all that. That's over now. They changed the supplier for the active ingredient, claiming it worked exactly the same. It does not. I am having memory problems, brain fog, heart palpitations, headache, and a burning throat. There is something wrong with these pills. No more NP Thyroid for me."

• Mom...
• January 27, 2019

For Underactive Thyroid "Was doing well on Naturethroid, up until they seemed to change the formula. So switched to NP. Fatigue okay, but brain fog much worse, painful joints, stiffness in muscles, and leg pain that feels similar to restless legs. The worst symptom though is headaches-constant. Am now experimenting with altering my dose (again!), but I’ll have to swap to Armour, I think. I’m in the U.K. Getting hold of NDT is like finding a unicorn. I despair. I wish Naturethroid had never changed. I know they deny a reformulation, but it worked like a dream for me before their manufacturing issues, and I felt well. Now I’m back in the hypo pit, and it’s dreadful."

• Ame...
• December 4, 2018

For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "Like most with the WP/Naturethroid shortage, was switched to this drug back in 2017. On it 4 months; 120 mg/2 grains in the am, and 30 mg/a half grain in the afternoon. Managed to get back on Naturethroid right when it became available again in early 2018, not the greatest as they reformulated it and my levels were low, but at least no side effects. When my prescription for it ran out recently, I had no insurance to see my doctor again yet, and so had no choice but to take something I already had on hand. This time, after 6 hours of taking the first dose of NP, I experienced the most profound sadness/deep depression, complete with crying spells. It lasted for hours; I was in bed crying my eyes out for no apparent reason. Not like me! And that’s not all. Headache, dizziness, anxiety, heart pounding, feeling like I was going to pass out, diarrhea, vision problems, confusion/disorientation/brain fog, no appetite, “wired but tired” feeling, shortness of breath...what a list, good grief!"

• LAD...
• January 11, 2020

For Underactive Thyroid "I started taking this drug 4 days ago. Yesterday, I started having tremendous bloating in my upper abdomen. It feels like a balloon that is filled to the max and could pop. I’m in so much pain, my back is even hurting. I have horrible acid reflux. I feel incredibly nauseous. I have severe diarrhea. I cannot drink or eat right now. I feel clammy off and on with a horrible headache. I’m also very achy. I did speak to my doctor yesterday, and she said to stop taking it. I have, but still no improvement. This is so painful."

• Kya...
• June 7, 2020

For Underactive Thyroid "NP Thyroid failed me and made me lose my baby. Or perhaps it was the pharmacy that switched my medication without informing me. I was on Armour for about 5 years, doing fine. Then I suddenly had a regression of all my hypo symptoms in about 2 weeks. The third week, I skipped a day, then took the pill. Within a few hours, I was fatigued, had headaches, joint pain, incredible water retention, and chest tightening... After doing this a second time, I knew for sure it was the medication. I then noticed that my med bottle said “NP Thyroid.” I called the pharmacy, and they said they had replaced Armour with NP 6 weeks before. They did not inform me! NP totally didn’t work at all for at least a month. And while I took this failure of a medication, my pregnancy failed because I had no functional thyroid hormone to sustain it. I found that NP costs cents while Armour does not. It’s a case of insurance companies trying to pay out less $$, even at the expense of real people’s health."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2019

For Underactive Thyroid "Was prescribed this medication for hypothyroidism. My doctor and I agreed on this one because I would only have to take it once a day as opposed to twice a day, which sounded great. Started waking up with really bad headaches (I take other medication 2x a day to control migraines, so I thought I was getting sick), but then my knees started hurting really badly and swelling. I stopped taking the medication, and a few days later the headaches went away and my knees felt better."

• Anonymous
• October 25, 2021

For Underactive Thyroid "I was on Armour Thyroid for many years. Pharmacy recommended NP because of the price difference, so switched me to NP, and I noticed extreme flu-like symptoms, headaches, hair loss, insomnia, swelling (even facial swelling), all-over body pain, and constant exhaustion. I asked to be switched back to Armour after a month of misery on NP, and to please make note on my account to NEVER give me NP again because of the terrible reactions. After new blood work, I unknowingly was given NP again and took it without realizing that it wasn’t Armour. My life became a living nightmare! The anxiety attacks have been awful. My nails break easily, hair falls out in alarming amounts, continuous dull headaches accompanied by brain fog that has been very concerning. The feeling of exhaustion is unbelievable, and I cannot sleep. Joint pain, miserable indigestion and reflux, profuse sweating, inflammation, and muscle aches. My energy is ZERO, and the crying makes me feel crazy! NP Thyroid is HORRIBLE!!"

• hip...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 28, 2019

For Underactive Thyroid "I was switched to this medication, NP Thyroid, after being unable to fill my NatureThroid script in June 2019. Since then, my mental fog, headaches, and body aches have increased. I refilled my prescription in mid-September, and the latest batch made me so nauseous, with a severe headache. I'm now working with a new endocrinologist to get me off of this drug and reevaluate what I need."

• CBM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 30, 2018

For Hashimoto's disease "Pharmacist substituted Armour RX with NP two months ago. I didn’t notice because I didn’t read the label (12+ years taking the same thing.) Weight gain, headache, equilibrium/balance off, blurry vision, joints ache, picking up a pitcher of water difficult, memory issues. I’ve missed 4 of the last 5 days of work (I rarely take leave) because driving the hour to work is too exhausting. Only realized the switch yesterday when I called the pharmacist to request replacement pills-figured I had a “bad batch” of Armour."

• DTa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 23, 2019

For Hashimoto's disease "I just started this medication today after being on actual Armour thyroid for almost a year. This medication has given me a horrible headache, calf cramps, and stomach issues and pain. I feel like absolute garbage after finally getting my TSH level at a prime level. This stuff is terrible, and the smell is absolutely horrible. Nobody asked me if I wanted the cheaper brand! Obviously, paying Armour pricing is expensive, but I would absolutely keep paying if it meant I don't feel like I do right now. This is so wrong, and it's all about quantity and NOT quality. It's a money game!"

• TDB...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2023

"Horrible medication. I experienced pelvic pain, water weight gain, severe joint pain in my knees, depression, mania, puffy face, profuse sweating, headaches, and bloating. I also had abdominal pain and major chills. I went back on Armour…willing to pay more money. This drug is horrible, the worst experience of my life!"

• Sic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 30, 2019

For Hashimoto's disease "I was on Armour Thyroid as was doing okay. Not great, but certainly better than when I was on Synthroid. Then my pharmacy changed my prescription to NP Thyroid from ACE without telling me, and I have been horribly sick to my stomach, headaches, exhausted, confused, and foggy-brained. No medicine is worth this."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2022

For Underactive Thyroid "It smelled and tasted like cat urine. I began having headaches, fatigue, and joint pain within a three-week period. I called Acella Pharmaceuticals and complained and requested a refund. They have a do-not-refund policy, which essentially means that they don't guarantee their product. My doctor wrote me a prescription for Armour, and my symptoms subsided within a month. Life lesson for me. Never again will I purchase NP Thyroid medication."

• Jea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 14, 2020

For Underactive Thyroid "5 months ago, I refilled my thyroid meds, which at the time I thought were Armour Thyroid, which I have been taking for years. Probably a week after, I wasn’t feeling well at all. I hurt all over. My legs got heavy and hurt anytime I was active. I kept getting the chills, headaches, and very fatigued. My joints and shoulders hurt. I had blood work done to see if it was my kidneys. I felt like I had a pelvic infection, and some days I felt like I had the flu. I looked online to see if there was a recall on Armour, and NP Thyroid came up, that some lots were recalled because of super potency. I then looked at my bottle, and it said NP Thyroid. My doctor never prescribed that. Today is the first day I haven’t taken it, and I already feel a little better. I’m so upset to see all the complaints. Please make sure you know what you are taking, and they have Armour in stock. If my doctor changed it, I probably wouldn’t have gone through all this for five months. He would have told me."

• Ann...
• January 1, 2021

For Underactive Thyroid "Worst medicine I’ve ever taken. My doctor prescribed this to me, and I took it for 3 weeks. I felt weak, nauseated, had headaches, horrible anxiety, and a racing heart! I called the doctor, and she told me that she takes it and she takes a higher dose than me, so it must be something else. I didn’t listen to her, and I stopped taking it. I immediately felt better, and I changed doctors. This medicine is awful!!"

• Bon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 1, 2021

For Underactive Thyroid "I have taken Armour Thyroid for years. I picked up my refill prescription from Kroger pharmacy and didn’t notice that I received NP Thyroid. Called the pharmacy and was told that the computer said generic and not Armour. It smells awful. Since I paid $70.00 for a 90-day supply, I thought I would just start out taking one every other day and still take Armour so my body could adjust. On the days I am taking NP, I am feeling okay until about 10:00 AM, then have a headache and am so fatigued I can’t get anything done. My body is aching too. I’m going to the pharmacy and getting my money returned."

• EmS...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 2, 2022

For Underactive Thyroid "I was originally prescribed 30 mcg of NP, and while it put me in normal range, it was on the very low end of normal. I told my doctor that I didn't feel a difference at all. So he upped my dose to 60 mcg, and wow! I feel myself again! So much more energized and motivated for the day. I wake up feeling more alert and ready for the day. The first couple of days, I had some lingering headaches and some wild dreams at night, but that was it. I will say, I read these reviews before taking it and was terrified, but what you new takers need to account for was most of these reviews were made when taking the NP during a recall of the med, which obviously isn't their fault, I'm not placing blame. But, of course, the side effects were awful, and I sympathize with those that had to deal with that, but it is no longer recalled and works great! I felt like a whole new woman! Definitely recommend :)"

• Lan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2021

For Underactive Thyroid "I could only last 10 days on NP Thyroid. I became so much more exhausted I couldn’t get myself out of bed. Increased brain fog. Increased headaches. Increased depression. Increased water retention. Stomach became bloated and developed constipation. I’ve been off of it for 5 days and still feeling off. I’m very sensitive to drugs, but this has never happened to me with other thyroid medications."