Stopping Levothyroxine
(Newest replies first)

I have been taking Levothyroxine .88mg for the past two years. I just left town on a three week vacation and realized I left this prescription at home. Should I be concerned?

REPLY

REPORT

Re: Kathie (# 20)

It is very dangerous to suddenly go off your thyroid medicine because my doctor said that so many parts in the body are affected by your thyroid level. I tried it once and started having severe chest pains after about two days. I started taking it again and was fine.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I was put on Levothyroxine 25mg six months ago and at first, it seemed to make me feel better. Then in the fourth month, my hair started falling out by the fistfuls. I learned a lot about the thyroid and the nutrition and vitamins I needed to help me make my thyroid strong. I am taking my thyroid medication every other night weaning myself off of it while I am taking selenium, vitamin C, D, iron zinc, K, and A. I am also doing the iodine protocol. Good luck all.

jeffreydachmd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/The-Guide-to-Supplementing-with-Iodine-Stephanie-Burst-ND.pdf

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: erin (# 19)

I did. I went to the ER so many times I lost count. I was put on 25 mcg about 3 years ago when I was menopausal based on my TSH being 5.25. I also had symptoms of being hypo- my skin was really dry and I was exhausted no matter how much I slept. I had frequent hot flashes and night sweats. The medicine helped and everything was fine until about 2 years later when I was post-menopausal and started having heart palpitations, horrible dizziness/vertigo, numbness, tingling, and subsequent panic attacks because I was convinced I was having a heart attack. If it weren’t for Xanax I would probably be in a mental institution. Each time I would go to the ER or call 911 they would say my heart was fine and that it was a panic attack. I even went to a cardiologist and did extensive testing and wore a heart monitor and he said my heart was perfect and saw nothing from the monitor even though I felt the heart palpitations. I think the monitor only detects abnormal rythyms. I didn’t put it together that it could be the Synthroid because it had worked well for me before. If I even missed a dose I could feel the difference in my energy. So eventually I started reading on forums like this and realized other people were having the same symptoms. I also started having diarrhea and would have to get to the bathroom immediately after eating lunch. For some reason not so much at night but I was up and down all night due to frequent urination which was another lovely bonus. So I quit taking the Synthroid cold turkey and felt great and was sleeping better until day 4 and then boom- now my heart felt more like it was fluttering and I would feel like I was going to lose consciousness. It seemed like my heart was skipping beats too and my neck hurt and my arms would go numb and then of course another panic attack.

So I made a plan to wean myself off gradually so I cut my dose in half. I was due for my yearly blood test so on day 10 after halving my dose my TSH was high again at 4.9. My doctor called to tell me he was doubling my dosage to 50 mcg (I didn’t tell him I had cut my dosage because I was afraid he would be mad). As the days went by I was still having the issues and also what felt like adrenaline surges that would literally jolt me awake if I was sleeping. And the dizziness that was really scary but it seemed like it was getting fewer and farther between so I pushed threw it. I bought one of those blood pressure cuffs that you put on your wrist which gives your pulse also and I started monitoring my temperature throughout the day. Some days the anxiety bouts would last for hours and I was terrified to be home alone for fear I would pass out and not be able to call for help. Oh and also while still on the higher dose I had anxiety when I would be driving and became claustrophobic-I refused to get on elevators and was always worried I would have an attack while in a meeting at work. Basically I was a hot mess. After 41/2 weeks at half dose I started taking a third of the pill- baby steps lol. It’s been 5 weeks total tomorrow since I started weaning off and today was the best day I can remember having in a really long time. And my eyelashes have even grown back! I started exercising also at the same time I started weaning off and I had to take it very slowly because I still was worried I’d have a heart attack but today I made it through the whole hour long workout tape and no issues. I also bought really good vitamins from GNC that are called “Women’s Ultra Mega Active”. I am happy! In retrospect I would never have taken that medicine. I had no idea that I was stepping onto what I call the devil’s roller coaster ride. I plan to remain at a third dose for awhile longer and then go to a fourth and then none. That medicine is nothing to play around with especially for people that have sensitive systems like me. I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel and I sure know a lot more about thyroids now lol. I am so thankful for forums like this because without being able to hear that others had these terrible side effects and that I wasn’t the only one I would still be thinking I was just going crazy and I don’t know what would have happened but I was one miserable person. So thanks to everyone for sharing and I hope everything works out for all of you!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I've been on .100 for 15 years, when they removed a cancerous lymph gland next to my thyroid. I'm 76. My wife eats 3 times what I do and she is skinny! I eat very little and sh'e always gettin on me to eat!. I'm rarely hungry, gave up sugar, (well a lot of it) don't drink coffee, soft drinks,eat sweets (maybe a2 cookies once in awhile) etc, but cannot get below 205 bs.!
I took an extra Levo about 2 weeks ago and it about killed me! I've thot about stopping the Levo altogether. My mother was on Armor for years and was alergic to Levo. Can't find Armor though.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Carol (# 5)

I accidentally ran out of levothyroxine and was off it 2 weeks before being able to get back on it .i noticed i had less energy and got tired faster i am back on it and beginning to feel better.i will not run out again.i take .123 mcg a day

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I stopped taking Leavitt the Roxson line 3 weeks ago. My doctor said my levels are normal and I really do not need to continue taking it. I was only on it for five months but notice my hair was falling out and breaking. I did not have any problems with my hair prior to taking the medication. It has been three weeks since I stopped taking it and my hair is still falling out. Has anyone had any experience with this? I am hoping it will stop soon and my hair will go back to normal.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Yes I have been off the a week now and already getting light heads...and feeling wreaked..

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I ran out of Levo for about two weeks before I could see my Dr.. I was hoping to change meds, after ten plus years I just didn't believe the meds were doing anything. He sent me for blood work. I went the next day and when I finally got to talk to him, about 2-3wks later, he said I no longer needed the meds, my levels were normal.?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

My daughter was having trouble conceiving but after going on thyroxine she is now 18 weeks pregnant she got to take them thru the pregnancy fsh level should be below 3 to get pregnant

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Karen, I would love to know how you are doing. Your post was from Dec of 16 and you had been off thyroid drugs for a month. I've been on them for 30 years and my endocrinologist said it's safe to go off. Like you I was always on one or another drug ending with 162.5 nature thyroid. It's been 1 week with no side effects but I'm waiting for a crash. Hoping it won't be so bad that I do go back on. Thank you

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hi, my nurse practitioner put me on Levothyroxine 0.025 mg, she diagnosed me with hypothyroidism. I took the medication almost for 2 month which was since April 4, 2017 to June 11, 2017 and now is balanced. I had just stopped yesterday June 12, 2017 taking the med because I think that the Nuva Ring is causing me to have hypothyroidism. So I decided to get off of Nuva Ring for 2 or 3 months and have blood work again to find out. My question is, is it dangerous if I abruptly stop taking Levothyroxine?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I would love to know how you are since discontinuing thyroid meds. I've bee on them for years also but endocrinologist said I could safely go off. I'm a little scared but after 6 days no bad effects yet.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I've been on levothyroxine 88mg for about 2yrs. I been out for about 4months. How dangerous is this and what are the earning signs?.....thanks Shelly

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I am traveling and I forgot to take my thyroid replacement medicine the past two weeks. I have been working on weight loss but it stayed the same. I have had flu like symptoms today. I also have been feeling very depressed. I was reviewing my medicine and realized I have not taken my thyroid medicine. Happy I am figured out what the problem was.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

If I stop takingmy daily levothyroxine 125mg how long would it be before I died and how would it happen?
What would I suffer beforehand?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I am on levothyroxine for past 4 months. I stopped taking thinking that I don't need but in 30 days I got tremendous weights gain, puffy face, swelling on hands.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I tried Levothyroxine, Unithroid (generics), and finally brand name Synthroid, which was so strong that I stopped after 3 days. I finally begged my doctor to put me on natural desiccated thyroid hormone, so he put me on Nature-throid. I'd been trying for 8 months to find that tiny window of optimum dosage that's supposed to exist with the synthetics, and never did, going from 12.5mcg to as high as 100mcg and everything in between, up, down, up, down. It was insane and I couldn't function. At times I thought I was going crazy. I'm currently going through what I can only guess is withdrawal from the synthetics, with extreme muscle tension, jerks and twitches (baclofen helped a lot, but must be weaned off when you stop), a dis-associative feeling of living inside my own skull and observing the world from there. The worst was loud tinnitus and ear drum pain, with heightened sensitivity to noise; startle reactions; migraines that were really tension-related; and feeling like my brain was being squeezed by a body-builder, with a tight rock-like mass of solid tension at its center. These symptoms were with me 24/7 for 2.5 weeks, never let up. I slept 1.5 to 4 hours for 3 weeks, spending most of it in bed because of the severe tension, physically and emotionally, yet I also felt restless, couldn't relax. I tried introducing natural Nature-throid along with the withdrawal, then couldn't differentiate which symptoms went with which thyroid med, so stopped everything until I couldn't stay awake due to being in hyperthyroidism. I continued the natural thyroid yesterday, and today felt something different. That knot of tension at the center of my brain is smaller and lighter, my muscle, while still very tense, especially shoulders/neck/down my back, are a little less tense. I'm hoping I'm finally clearing the synthetic to the extent that the natural has a chance to work. It's been a long, difficult ride. My advice - go to the naturals and get off the synthetics. Check the website StopTheThyroidMadness. Compare blogs for others' experiences on synthetics vs. natural thyroid. God bless.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I was same as you within 6 months of taking them I had a heart attack

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I stopped taking Levothyroxine after 20 years of being either on it or Synthroid. I was diagnosed with Hashimotos right after my daughter was born and eventually I went on .175 MCG. I hate this medication. I have NEVER experienced any of the so called benefits from taking it and so as a gift to myself, I am done. It has been a month now and yes I am going through withdrawal, but the withdrawal is nothing compared to the side effects of this medication. I am an extremely active person who is very careful with my diet and yet I am 30 pounds overweight and have been since starting this medication. Since stopping I have pretty intense body aches, increased urination and a tiny bit of weight gain. The good news is that I also have my life back. I am happier than I have been in 20 years, I am almost bouncy with the energy I have and my libido is back (I am 49). My fingernails are stronger, my eyebrows stopped falling out and I know that once I have this medication out of my body, I will finally be able to lose the weight. My own endocrinologist suggested that I stop taking Levothyroxine and take probiotics instead. I am taking his advice and I am so happy that I am!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 3

Been on 75 mcg of levothyroxine for 6 weeks. I never had a problem with my knees, but since on this med my knees hurt so badly I can barely manage going up and down stairs. Want to get off this med, but am afraid of withdrawal. Has anyone else experienced knee or foot problems while on this med? I am 74 yrs. old and never had a knee problem before...now it is both knees.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I was recently diagnosed with an underactive thyroid. I have been taking levothyroxine for almost two weeks. For the las...

504 REPLIES

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 ...

223 REPLIES

I had a total throdectomy 2 years ago due to thyroid cancer. I have been on 150 - 200mg Levothyroxine daily. Side effect...

75 REPLIES

I recieved a letter from my health care provider saying that i cannot continue getting Levothyroxine 50mcg tablet that t...

31 REPLIES

I was recently diagnosed with Hypothyroidism after having my thyroid tested and my TSH was 5.9. I have been taking Levot...

26 REPLIES

I've been taking Levothyroxine 25mg for almost four months, first three months was fine, now seem to be having dizzy...

22 REPLIES

I was a perfectly healthy 14 year old until I grew very tired and went to see a doctor. We got blood work done & my ...

22 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

What is a white oblong tablet with M on the front and L5 on the back? It says substitute for Synthyroid? ## Located an e...

15 REPLIES

Ive been taking levothyroxine sod 0.125 for a long time now and managed to keep a stable weight. However, I am trying to...

10 REPLIES