Levothyroxine Is Satan (Page 2)
(Newest replies first)

I don't feel so confused anymore. Now I know all of you are going through the same thing. My doctor put me on 50mcg of Levothyroxine about a month ago and I have gain 8 pounds! I get short-breathed and winded REALLY easily when working out. I used to go to the gym for 2 hours, now I can't make it longer than 30 minutes. I wake up ALL the time with tingly fingers because my hands have fallen asleep. I have headaches, I feel 100 times more lazy than before...and it's supposed to help your energy, not drain it. I e-mailed my doctor today, this is not making me happy. Not to mention I now have an acne type rash that burns like hell on my chin and I've always had clear skin. If this drug is supposed to make you feel better it sure as sh*t isn't working for me. I feel like a fat lazy a$$ with an itchhy burning rash on my face... stay away from this drug, that's my suggestion. :(

REPLY

REPORT

"Thyroid hormones control metabolism, growth, body temperature, muscle strength, appetite, and the health of your heart, brain, kidneys, and reproductive system. Thyroid cells are the only cells in the body that absorb iodine. The thyroid uses iodine to create the T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine) hormones." Levo, synthroid Armour and the like are taken to replace the thyroid's natural hormones that are not doing their jobs due to hypo conditions or are inexistent due to rai or thyroidectomy. Levo, synthroid and the like have a huge multi faceted purpose and to say it is just to make our blood look good or has a simple task...and it must be "something else" that is going on is preposterous.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

How are you now? What have you done? Please share your experience and knowledge.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Synthroid sole purpose to to get your blood levels where they need to be, a normal range. I personally think when your TSH is between a 1-2 is when most people feel with a normal level as well on T3 & T4 test. If you have depression and weight gain but your blood levels are within this normal range then maybe blaming the medication is the wrong thing to do since it's obviously working. It's doing what it's supposed to do successfully, you probably need to look into other things. There are a lot of people out there with normal thyroid levels who are overweight and depressed for various other reasons. Synthroid or any other drug is not a cure all for weight gain and depression. If your blood levels are truly normal, (not a high normal) but between a T 1-2 and your levels show that you are no longer in a Hypothyroid state then you're not depressed and overweight from being hypothyroid, period. It's easy to blame the medication but that's not gong to fix someones weight issues or their depression when it's not being caused by Hypothyroidism. I think you have more going on, have you spoke with your doctor, do they listen to your concerns? If not then get a new doctor who will help you to try and figure out what is going on.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Levothyroxine doesnt work. I hate it but cant get armour in nz. Gota stick to synroid. Otherwise if i stop ill likly get underactive again. Mite bloody stop anyway. Bern depressd since i took itc12 yrs ago plus 10 kilos. And no energy. Annie

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

You are lucky that Synthroid works so well for you. Unfortunately many of us are not helped at all by Synthroid; in fact, we dont get better, we get worse and doctors dont believe it; they think its all in our heads. We are the ones who need recognition that we are not crazy and Armour Thyroid.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

Here's a good read on the subject of Osteoporosis and Synthroid for Hypothyroidism. After reading most of the studies through the years it really doesn't look like much of a contributing factor. For example, http:/­/­www.thyroid-info.com/­articles/­osteoporosis.htm. I keep my levels between 1-2 so it looks like I'm fine plus my Dexa scans are good. I started getting them at 40. The problem has always been when you are over medicated or have hyperthyroidism. Most Doctors and Nurse Practitioners check this at least 1-2 times a year if you are stable and your numbers aren't all over the place. Synthroid has done an excellent job of keeping me stable for the last 8 years at only 100mcg, I respond very well to the brand name.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Got osteoporosis bad. Now they say thlaking thyroid medication has increased the risk. I cant just stop my thyroid meds. Its messy. And stopping Estrogen replacement makes your bones brittle .. its a no win no matter what

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I was wondering why those of us that cannot take the generic wouldn't get some kind of clearance for a more reasonable cost for synthroid. Thanks, j will try.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

If the brand name Synthroid works for you and you decide to stay on it, have your doctor do a pre-authorization to your insurance company so you can get Synthroid for about the same price as the generic or hopefully only slightly higher. My pharmacist friend says that she highly recommends Synthroid over the generic, lots of problems with the generics on this medication. I'm allergic to the one of the binders in the generic myself.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

I have to share an update. After being a good soldier and enduribg the sudden "coincidental" symptoms that popped up just as I started taking Levothyroxin for THREE months, I finally couldn't take the incredibly debilitating joint pain(especially in my left arm..wrapped in an ace bandage). I switched from the generic levo to synthroid. I am on day three and cannot deny the pain in my arm is anout 20% of what it was, the "bumps" are going away verses festering, the swelling, tingling, burning in my hands and feet are dramatically better. My neck/throat feels better. Some things are still crappy but I again will soldier on to see if it gets even better as levo leaves my body fully and if synthroid continues in positive ways. If not, I will try armor. I have to conclude, I WAS allergic to the generic inert additives. Wish I had gone off earlier but I had to give levo a chance. The extra cost is pitiful being many cannot afford this and levo is toxic for some of us. I can only imagine what armor costs. Anyway, had to share. Here is to hoping this progress continues. Dare I hope to finally lose some of this dreadful weight I have gained even while on the strictest body builders cutting diet? Just happy I can use my left arm now.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

ITS A TERRIBLE DRUG BUT NECESSARY. I LOATHE IT BUT GOTTA TAKE IT. CANT GET ARMOUR THE NATURAL ONE IN BZ
YOUR WEIGHT GAIN IS LEVOTHYROXINE. IM TIRED THINNING HAIR MUSCLE ACHES. NOW OSTEO..... GOOD LUCK

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Been on levothyroxine for 9 years. I dont have a thyroid so its necessary to live. (Hypothyroidism) The first 2 years after the surgery, I didnt take it daily or as instructed. Thought I was going crazy. Once stable, I started gaining weight and now am 40 lbs heavier. Cant breathe well and I have bumps in/on my scalp as well as my face. Been worried and was going to go to a dermatologist until I saw these posts about other people and levothyroxine. My hair is very thin, have no energy, muscles stay sore daily even without using them, extremely dry skin just to name a few. Now I dont know if these symptoms are side effects of the medicine or the hypothyroidism.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

You should talk to your doctor about your symptoms, chances are Synthroid or the generic if you take that is not the cause of all of your symptoms. If you believe that it is then have your doctor switch you to something else. If you are hypothyroid then you should be on something or you will get all of the hypo symptoms that your current medication is currently treating you for. The problem with these forums is that a lot of scary unproven stuff is thrown out there about certain medications when there is no actual proof that the medication is actually causing such symptoms. Posting such stuff only causes a mass hysteria when sometimes the very symptoms that a person is experiencing are actually symptoms that their health condition(s) causes in the first place. Unfortunately the only opinions that you will usually get from forums like this will be negative and will not always reflect how the masses feel about the medication, only the few that complain on community boards like this. The best thing to do is talk to your doctor and even your pharmacist about your concerns, most of the people on these boards are not qualified to give medical advice, only a few are. Just remember folks that are happy with Synthroid or a generic form of it are not the same people on boards like this complaining, there are hundreds of thousands of people on Synthroid that have zero problems with it with zero adverse reactions and are pleased with the medication, some of the discussions on boards like this are not fair and balanced and only frighten and scare people. Talk to your doctor to make sure that your symptoms are inline with the adverse reactions of the medication and not caused from something else. As for me I can only take the brand name, Synthroid and not the generic because I'm allergic to something in the binders of the generic. I wish you well!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

How did it go? My pain is worse now. I am call v my pharmacy to see if I can just switch to brand name synthroid. I will give that a chance to see if the debilitating side effects go away. ibwillbthek push for armor. This has been so much time out from loving a normal life. Life is too short and I will do what helps my body best to get out of this nightmare. Don't feel ashamed for being one of those that have a bad reaction to certain meds. We can feel free to express our feelings and experiences here thankfully. One of the few places we can share and have shared experiences and support.... complete understanding.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I understand as your symptoms are mine. Id love to stop my bones are so painful. No energy. Goin bk to doct today. I cant get armour natuural thyroid in NZ or Aus. Mite stop. Its killling us . Now im dizzy and swilken up like a beached whale.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Is there a reason my original post was not posted?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

What would happen if we stop taking the Levothyroxine I find I'm tired, breathless, blurred vision some days even a kind of dizziness just feel awful, I take 50mg one day and 75 every other day. I cannot keep on top of things like housework, garden and I'm retired and have all day just no energy and limbs ache after small task.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I take only the brand name Synthroid 150mcg the last 10 years, due to an autoimmune disorder that has been killing off my thyroid. I have never had one bad effect, no acne, nothing. However I'm no longer losing my hair, I no longer have itchy dried out skin, my hormones levels are better so less mood swings, my weight has evened out, no more weight gain. All of my blood work is much better and shows I'm much healthier. My doctor stressed the importance of taking the brand name Synthroid and no generics, most insurance companies will allow you to switch over to Synthroid with or without a prior authorization from your doctor. I do wonder if these acne complaints are coming from folks who have hormonal issues anyway and low Thyroid levels were masking other hormonal issues. Synthroid helps to stabilize Hypothyroidism which in turn helps stabilize other hormones.....just like when I take Metformin which is a blood sugar medication and it causes me to start ovulating again and then I will have some acne because Metformin is used off label for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome because it works to normalize your hormones and help you ovulate. Many ladies have acne when they're properly ovulating. A healthy Thyroid gland helps regulate more than just your thyroid levels, therefore a medicine like Synthroid will help more than just your thyroid levels, it will affect other hormone functions as well. It's really easy to blame the medication for everything but you need to understand everything that the medication really does and all that it helps to regulate, off label. Synthroid has helped millions of people live a more normal life, it's not the devil, lol......If you don't like how your body responds to a particular medication then talk to your doctor and find an alternative if there is one. Trying to scare people and bash a highly successful medication such as the active ingredient in Synthroid is just not the answer.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

It drove me to insanity! My Dr put me on Armour Thyroid which is a more natural harmone.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hello. Please let me know if you find a way to get off it safely. Thank you.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have been taking levothyroxine for a few years and I went to a different Drug Store to get a refill of levothyroxine a...

4 REPLIES

What are the benefits of thyronorm over levothyroxine? Do the symptoms like hair fall continue even after starting medic...

3 REPLIES

Is the Amneal brand of Levothyroxine gluten free? I can't seem to find definitive wording that it is. ## Are you ref...

3 REPLIES

I've taken this medication on and off for years. New endo- thought we should try again, despite my very educated dis...

21 REPLIES

I've taken this drug for sometime now, or at least one with a very similar look. Originally I had to be represcribed...

2 REPLIES

Hi everyone, I am curious if anyone has experienced intermittent vision loss while being on levothyroxine. For about two...

6 REPLIES

Hi, my100mg levothyroxine tablets are no longer working for me.I have been taking these for 2 years with a gradual spira...

8 REPLIES

Hi, I have been on 100mg of thyroxine for around 2yrs now after a total thyroidectomy. I have recently decided to get fi...

1 REPLY

I was recently prescribed an ultra high dose (300mcg and climbing) by my psychologist for a mood disorder. I guess this ...

3 REPLIES

I have been taking 25mg of this crap for almost a year. Im 28 over weight and wondering if stoping this med suddenly wit...

6 REPLIES