I think I am going crazy

Posted , 7 users are following.

I was diagnosed with hypo two plus years ago and was put on thyroid med (levothyroxine 25mg) and started to feel better after a few months. Cut to three or four months ago....started to have same symptoms again and went in for blood test and thyroid was abnormal so dosage was increased to 50mg and after 8 weeks thyroid was "normal" again. If it is normal why do I still feel like crap???? Can anyone tell me how long does it take to start feeling better?? I feel groggy, have acid reflux that causes me to feel like I am having a panic attack, feet and hands are cold etc...etc.... Can anyone relate so I don't feel so alone??

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  • Posted

    I was having all those problems plus been snappy with my husband. I put 2 stone on. My blood test was satisfactory but I had made up my mind to stop taking the tablets as when I ran out I was great. When I started taking them again felt sick and was off my food. I haven't had any tablets for 2 weeks now and feel great.

  • Posted

    Even if your TSH levels are "normal" range, does not mean you will be symptom free.  My endo told me that patients being treated with thyroid medication should aim to keep their TSH level around 1.00 in order to feel their best and remain symptom free.  I found this to be true.  At first I was seeing my regular doctor for my hypothyroidism and as long as I was in that normal range, he though I was nuts for still being symptomatic.  Well, that's when I asked to be referred to an endocrinologist.  That's when he explained to me about keeping my TSH around 1.00 and dosed me until so.  It was like night and day.  Major difference.  So definitely make sure that your doctor raises your levo until your TSH level is around 1.00.  Also.. I would like to point out, that with every dose increase, your body has to get adjusted to the levo all over again.  It can take 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the person, for the levo to become adjusted and kick in. 

    • Posted

      Thank you're so much for your response. Did you ever experience acid reflux before you started feeling normal again? I've never had it until this and it makes me feel like I'm having a heart attack / panic attack

    • Posted

      No, I have not had acid reflux myself.  It's not unheard of though.  Also, I'd like to mention, when you take your levothyroxine, do not lie down for an hour afterward.  Levothyroxine can cause acid reflux if your laying down after taking it.  I actually take my levo in the middle of the night, so I can have my coffee and breakfast as soon as I wake up.  So, when I go back to bed, I have my head propped up with 2 very thick pillows, as to not be laying down flat.

    • Posted

      There may be another avenue to explore.....Do you sleep well? Do you ever feel, despite a full night's sleep, that you are still dog tired?  Sleep apnoea can go together with acid reflux and hypothyroidism.

  • Posted

    What I don't get is the times people take this tablet. It says on my box take half hour before food or drink. So I used to take mine before breakfast. So if you take it at night that's hours before breakfast not half hour. There fire the tablets won't work

    • Posted

      What your reading about taking a half an hour before food food, does not mean that you HAVE to eat a half an hour after taking the tablet, it just means that you should not eat until then, in order to give the levo time to absorb, without any interruption from food.  So, you can eat 5 hours after taking your med, if you want to.  It doesn't matter, as long as you don't eat until a half and hour after taking it, and don't eat an hour before taking it either.  That way there is no food in your stomach, as food can severly impact absorbtion of the medication.  Hope this helps to clarify things for you.

    • Posted

       What your reading about taking a half an hour before food food, does not mean that you HAVE to eat a half an hour after taking the tablet, it just means that you should not eat until then, in order to give the levo time to absorb, without any interruption from food.  So, you can eat 5 hours after taking your med, if you want to.  It doesn't matter, as long as you don't eat until a half and hour after taking it, and don't eat an hour before taking it either.  That way there is no food in your stomach, as food can severly impact absorbtion of the medication.  Hope this helps to clarify things for you.

    • Posted

      Yes thank you but either way not a problem anymore as I'm off the tablets now and have my life back. I'm not the only one if you Google the tablet it as lots of bad reviews. I've never felt so I'll taking it. But each to there own.

    • Posted

      Yes.. the the side effects when starting levo can be pretty bad until the body gets used it and it can take a couple months before feeling better.  I guess some people just don't have the patience to wait it out.  It's definitely worth it though, if you can push through.  I hope your at least looking for alternative treatments and then not taking nothing at all?  That can really backfire on you in the long run.  Best wishes...

    • Posted

      Oh I have the patience. I was first diagnosed 2 years ago and I never stayed on the tablets then. I went up to 14 stone from 10 was moody felt sick dizzy etc. So I've tried them while. I stopped taking them and felt great. Then my doctor phoned me gave me some more and the same happened. So I've told him I'm not taking any more and he agreed. I know people who have been on them 25 years and want to come off them as they feel like shut. But they can't as on them long time. My gp even said you need to stop them before they get in your system.

  • Posted

    Yes quite a few people have this problem, unfortunately. You might consider getting referred to an endocrinologist if you can. Be aware that there is a body of opinion out there that advocates the natural desiccated animal thyroid hormone over the synthetic stuff you are on. Could be worth a try if things don't improve.

  • Posted

    The tablets work no matter what time you take them, same time each day, away from food and other meds.
  • Posted

    You may need a small amount of T3 and/or an increase in T4.  The book "Hypothyroidism the Functional Approach" by Dr. Kennneth Blanchard has been incredibly helpful for me to understand dosage optimization.  Your experience is very common.

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