1. Community
  2. Diabetes and hormone problems
  3. Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism, Levothyroxine adjustment, Panic attacks and Brain Fog

Posted , 8 users are following.

TheAnnamal
TheAnnamal

Hello, I have recently been lowered from .125mcg to 112mcg levothyroxine. It will be 5 weeks this Wednesday since I have started the new dose. I have been in a complete nightmare. I'm not sure what is going on but I'm hoping my body is just getting used to the new dose. I had trouble before it was lowered and symptoms have gotten better but not all of them. Sometimes they just pop up out of nowhere. My symptoms have included pacing and an inability to sit still, depression, anxiety and panic attacks. I have been to the ER because I felt so strange. Luckily I don't as bad with the panic. But I still have pacing spells that last up to a week where it is extremely difficult to sit or lay down. I am not currently feeling like pacing but I was last week. I am also having a horrible time concentrating and learning new information in school. I am forgetful and just feel like I'm not as sharp minded. I am 26 years old and feel like my brain has gone downhill. Some days are better than others. I guess I would just like to know if anyone else has had such symptoms and maybe could elaborate a bit as to what's going on.

1 like, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • shellyC19
    shellyC19 TheAnnamal

    Posted

    Hello TheAnnamal:

    My name is Shelly and I am a nurse and I am in the USA.  I have Hashimoto's thyroid disease.

    Thyroid problems, (HYPOTHYROID) problems can make you feel sleepy and out of energy, gain weight, lose hair, muscle aches/pains, depressive feelings., brain fog, unable to concentrate on items or task, brusies, dry skin and brittle nails.

    Hyperthyroid problems/symptoms are extremely anxious feelings, nervousness, eye buldges, fast heart rate, feeling HOT, and loose bowels.  There are more symptoms for both conditions these are the most common ones.

    You need to ask your doctor for some thyroid tests.  They are: TSH, T3 level T4 Level, reverse T3, TPOA antibodies test, mineral panel to include Calcium, socium, magnesiun, potassium, iron and ferritin levels, RBC levels and blood glucose.

    The sooner you see your GP and explain your sysmptoms the sooner it will be sorted out. So please contact your GP and ask for the blood work.

    i hope this helps,

    Shelly

    • TheAnnamal
      TheAnnamal shellyC19

      Posted

      Thank you so much. I am in the USA too. I just had my horome levels tested by my family physician a week and a half ago. She said my levels are starting to improve and I'm going to be tested again at the six week mark after starting my lower dose of 112mcg. I mentioned maybe testing for vitamin deficiencies, but she pretty much said it was unneccessary. But, I have heard of being tested for the minerals like you said, which is why I asked her. I am going to try to get in to see an endocrinologist as soon as I can. I appreciate your help. smile

      Anna

  • mags1909
    mags1909 TheAnnamal

    Posted

    Hiya, I have not been long on thyroxine and I don't proclaim to know everything about this medication. The one thing I have noticed with myself that if you are not on the right dosage then all sorts of problems do occur when you are under or overactive.  You could go back to your doctor, but they might ask you to wait until 6 weeks has passed, I know my doctor does. Only then do they seem willing to take blood tests as it takes 6 weeks for the current medication to fully settle. Not much help when it is playing havoc with your life, I know, I have been there, 6 weeks seems like an eternity. Hope things improve for you soon.
    • TheAnnamal
      TheAnnamal mags1909

      Posted

      Thank you! It is so nice to know that I'm not the only one and that I am not crazy. I feel like I may need to go back on celexa, but it makes me feel ten times worse every time I start. I feel like my whole life is almost put on hold every time this happens.
  • shellyC19
    shellyC19 TheAnnamal

    Posted

    Hi Annamal:

    You may also want to ask the doctor for a different medication besides Levo.  There is just T3 Liothyronine, T4 Levo, Thyrolar a combo of both and NDT made from a pig's gland.  So you may need a different medication or have a combo between T4 Levo and T3 Liothyronine.

    If you have recent lab results please post them so we can see what is going on with your blood.

    Regards,

    Shelly

    • isabel36588
      isabel36588 shellyC19

      Posted

      Hi Shelley 

      my results show antibodies of 75 tsh 18 and t4 8, Dr did tests for calcium, and sucrose, kidneys and menopause, everything normal except menopause was raised. Due to see Dr this week as off work as not sleeping as been having fast pulse really bad palpitations and tremors, which have eased off now. Only on 25mg of lexothyroxin so Dr didn't think my reaction was down to meds as a such low dosage and only been on it

      12 days. Another Dr said I may be sensitive to thyroxin as may have been low thyroid for some time. I am in UK and heard Drs can be reluctant toprescribe anything other than lexo. I was going to ask her as suggested on this site to check my vitamins etc any other tips

    • shellyC19
      shellyC19 isabel36588

      Posted

      Hello Isabel:

      I also have heard of UK not wanting other meds except Levo. Some people are sensitive to it at a low dose, so it would be best to try and cut it in half.  It is a small pill and see if things are better. 

      You may want to cut it in half and take some in morning before you eat, wait at least one hour before eating.  Then try some at night at bedtime.  Sometimes your body gets used to it and it takes 6 to 8 weeks to build that level.

      Yes, check the minerals and vit B12 and Vit D. Many thyroid patients have low Vit D so it is wise to check. 

      Menopuase can cause some Hot feelings in neck and face even chest area and sweating, and a racing heart at times, but it is not 24/7.   Best to log the feelings, an example would be:  2 hours after Levo  heart rate is fast....and let's see if a pattern develops. 

      Also watch caffeine in Tea or Coffee  and soda or Red Bull drinks, as it can cause people problems if you drink a lot of it and are on thyroid meds.  It can also raise Blood Pressure and make you shake and cause some insomnia.

      I hope this helps,

      Shelly

    • isabel36588
      isabel36588 shellyC19

      Posted

      Hi Shelley 

      thanks for the information very helpful I do know of someone in UK who did manage to get armour thyroid after a year of persisting her endrocologist, she was off all meds for a year during that time as wouldn't take anything as made her I'll so it is possible. Also thyroid UK have said nhs can prescribe it so will be more assertive and not such a mess when I see Dr this week. Not taken meds since Sunday and feel lot better I know I have to take something but not feel ill on it. My Dr does seem helpful and has referred to me to cardiologist as heard my palpitations but expect she doesn't know as much as you.

      i don't have caffeine and rarely alcohol as cut it out as though it was affecting hot flushes.

      thanks again isabel

  • jennifer16462
    jennifer16462 TheAnnamal

    Posted

    Hi there. I'm currently on 100 levo and have just had it increased to 125. From my experience it does take longer than a couple of weeks for you body to adjust to the symptoms. I went through similar side effects with adjustments, it's horrible and sometimes scary which doesn't help with the anxiety. I agree with the above, I think the doc will say wait until you've been on new dose 6 weeks. Any sooner they want be able to tell with bloods. I hope things settle for you soon and you find the right dosage. If not, like Shelley said above, there are other thyroid meds to try .

    Jen

    • TheAnnamal
      TheAnnamal jennifer16462

      Posted

      Thanks Jen, it helps to know I'm not just losing my mind. I feel I may have to start taking anti anxiety medication again because every time this happens I can't function well enough to do everything I need to do. 
  • isabel36588
    isabel36588 TheAnnamal

    Posted

    Hi annamal 

    I'm new to this site diagnosed underactive month ago started on lexothyroxin 25mg think Dr started me on low dose as originally went to Dr for palpitations which are still happening. I'm seeing Dr this week and through this site will ask Dr to do more tests as Shelley has suggested here. Not sure what is happening to me now as past couple of days felt more hyper than hypo. Seems lots can go on with the thyroid until you're on the right medication hope you feel better soon. Glad I found this site as really helpful Isabel 

    • TheAnnamal
      TheAnnamal isabel36588

      Posted

      Thank you. I hope you get to feeling better soon too. I feel like when I'm adjusting I can feel good for a few days and feel bad for a few days, it's so random. 
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.